I just bought a used 2010 Sportster 48 and the ride is killing my back. i know the forum has threads already about this but i was hoping to get an answer that was more tailored to my individual needs. I was wondering what i could do to improve the ride quality as everytime i hit a bump on the road my back takes a beating. Im 128 lbs and approx. 5' 8". does anyone have any ideas? suspension? Seat? thanks in advance!

 

At your weight Id say seat. The stock seat on 48 looks nice but is absolute crap.

 

Sundowner seat is your friend.

 

Pick up a set of used take off roadking or streetglide air shocks, best mod I have done and it only cost $100.00 and about an hour to install.

 

What year will work?

 

Anything in the last decade or more will work, but I would look for newer ones..1-2 years old. Better chance of getting good seals.

You can find them on ebay everyday.

These made a much bigger difference for me than a seat. You can get them in 12 or 13 inch. If you get the 13" it will sit your bike up a little higher, you can compensate for that by getting some lowering blocks which improve the ride even more.

 

Start with the air shocks or progressives: https://www.hdforums.com/forum/sport...nd-length.html ...at your weight you will probably want to run these with no air.

If that's not enough then get a seat...I can't help you here as I have a metal pan wrapped in leather courtesy of redtail. Mustang and Corbin have a cult following and I'm sure some of the cultists will chime in

If that's not enough then AFTER the seat look at getting some handlebars that will allow you to sit straight up.

If that's still not enough then go mid controls.

If that doesn't work...trade it in for an enduro...

 

It's a slammed suspension what did you expect? Solution - man up.

 

I threw a Le Pera Maverick seat on along with some 14" Burly narrow glide apes on my '02 sporty. Made a world of difference as far as comfort due to body position, the shocks still suck and like many people have said used RK shocks are your best bet for that. Most of my discomfort came from body position though so I called it good after the seat and bars, figured I could live with the shocks a while longer while I do some other mods. By the way I am 5'8" around 175 lbs for reference.

 

first step adjust the preload on the stock suspension - it is not a end all solution but can help until get other things figured out.
The Sundowner is also a great improvement - but it is a two up seat so you may not want those looks since you picked up an 883 for the wife.