Swerve is good.
Stand up on the foot pegs before you it a bump.
Make sure rear shocks asre on stiffest setting.
Treat it like you are riding a rigid tail.

Else, upgrade supension (including longer shocks if you like to change the stance).
Buy a bagger.
200 lbs is not to much rider weight for a Nighster IMHO.

 

You probably read that from me... :-) springer seats are for looks, not comfort.. ... and if you run a rigid bike then it helps in absorbing the bumps .. but not really a lot..

 

I got an '09 nightster this summer and I had the same complaint. I think it is important to remember that you only have 200 miles on the bike and you are still adjusting to it. I was hating the stiffness in the beginning, but 5,000 miles later it bothers me way less. I definitely swerve and look for change in the road, but I think there is something ti be said for adjusting to the bike. New suspension is on the list eventually.

 

+1

and if thats mapleshade,NJ then you are going to do a lot of suffering until
you replace the shocks on the bike, the roads here in NJ leave an awful
lot to be desired now, i think we are worse than PA after all these years.

in any case, im 5'5" and put a set of 12" street glide air shocks on my
09 nightster and i can still flat foot the bike, havent looked back.
they are the best mod i made on the bike this past summer followed closely by my switchblade foot pegs for the forwards.

check ebay and the site here for the shocks. with a bike jack it is all of a 45 minute job.

 

You got 1.6" in rear travel,,,
Normal rider sag is 1/4 to 1/3 total travel..
A 1.2" bump and you bottomed out,,No way around that,,,
Try Cranking UP the shock preload to the max.
DO NOT run tires a few lbs low or they won't last but 5 or 6k miles
If you want better you need 12" shock or more,,,BUT
the lower frame rails MUST be lower to the rear or at least level.
Progressives work,,

Springer seat,,,yeah man!
Other than that get tougher, do more miles.

 

Just curious, what is the reason for this?

 

That's funny. That's how I feel when I hit those gaps in the interstate (particularly I-840.. omg!) where the roadway meets an overpass. It's a hard knock, and my *** is airborne hitting those at 80-90 mph.

 

The shocks are adjustable, so I would try adjusting them.
I would not just set them all the way up, I would try different settings and see what you like best.

Harley does not include a tool to adjust them, so you might have to get creative.

The stock shocks on all the sportsters are very low in quality and load rating.
So are the seats.

Seems real men want to look cool and low and have no need to worry about comfort or handling....

Oh, I run my tire pressures lower and at 5000 miles, the tires look like new still...
It helps a bit.

The only way to get a reasonable ride is longer shocks, at least an inch.
Then you will notice how crappy the forks are....

Brett

 

Raising the rear changes effective front end rake which
will quicken steering.
A bit too steep and you can Induce a wobble or worse cause a
dangerous "Tank Slapper".

Leveling the lower frame rails generally produces a nice lighter steering feel, quicker easier turn In.
The 48 has a fork brace which limits fork flex, shorter forks will also
have less flex.
Fork flex and fork sag can Increase when going to longer shocks due to
more weight on the front.
Proper fork set up can also make the bike ride better, smoother.

 

Hmmm...wonder how different my cycle would handle with shorter rear shocks.