Im very new to riding, motorcycles and own a 2012 Iron 883. On my first good day to ride I put in around 150miles. The bumps did hurt but it wasn't really that bad.

The next day I went to ride and the first bump hurt like HELL. I started to stand on the pegs whenever possible for the rest of the ride.

So after some searching I can see the stock shocks arent that good if you're over 180lb and that the seat sucks too. Well I'm 190lb, 5'7, and like the low level of the iron 883.

Looking for advice on how to improve my riding comfort, should I replace the shocks or seat first? I would like to keep the low look and seat height of the bike. I got short legs .

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Also products and experiences with products are more than welcomed.

 

Get a better seat.

Do a search and look for Sportster seats. There are many many many better seats then a Harley stock seat

 

The Stock suspension on the Sporster sucks, as you've discovered.

After 500 miles on mine I added a Mustang Vintage Solo seat, Progressive 440's on the rear, Ricor Intiminators/Progressive springs in the forks. Night and day difference. This needs to be done if you are 175+ IMO.

 

After you search for sits search for shocks you will come out same height as stock..For rearshocks look for progressive there the best for the money i think!!

 

Seat and rear shocks. Lots of options. Progressive 412's would be the cheapest option for new shocks(@ $210). You could do Road King air shocks, but you'll need to do a lowering kit or send the shocks off to be cut down to 11 inches to keep the low look. Mustang seat(@$300) seems to be the seat of choice if your looking for comfort, but again, tons of choices. Good luck and enjoy.

 

Got my Mustang Vintage Solo for $179

 

Thanks guys. I'll look at replacing seat first and then the shocks. I'm just picking this stuff up as I go. Getting a good seat now should give me more time in shock research.

 

Good call Cunuck. Wasn't sure on seat price. Now Bob has $120 more to put towards shocks!!!

 

Road King take off air shocks, especially with lowering blocks, will improve the comfort of your ride more than anything else. Can usually find the shocks on ebay for less than $100 and the lowering blocks for less than $50.

 

I suggest doing that the other way round! It is the shocks that are the problem, not the seat. When you have sorted the shocks you may find the seat is OK.