$100 difference roughly to get entry level #2 ohlins form motorcyclemetal.com as opposed to progressives online. something i have at the top of my list when this deployment finally ends.

 

Craig,

On the shocks front you can buy shocks in a box off the shelf, or you can call Howard at HDF sponsor Motorcycle Metal and he will custom-build you a set of Ohlins. He offers members here a discount and there is a growing army of very happy customers, including me! You mention a BMW (I have also owned a few) which come with Ohlins these days, as should Harleys IMHO. I recommend you call Howard!

As for fabrik8r, he is a fellow member who has come up with a tuned version of Ricors' Intiminators, for the front forks. Along with a change of springs and correct oil they will transform the front end, to match your Ohlins when you fit them! I'm waiting for mine as I write. There is a thread all about it right here.

So we have a solution for improving your ride at both ends. The power of the internet.......

 

I just sold my 95 FLHTC and picked up a new (2011) FLHTK. My wife and I fall in the same weight range as the OP. I know I can bottom the bike by myself. Have not had the wife on it yet. Lots of good info.

 

Seriously, not trying to be too much of a smartass, but it wouldn't hurt to lose some weight. It might even extend your life.

Other options are a trike. The Boss Hoss trike wouldn't even feel the extra weight.

 

[QUOTE=THECRAIGMEISTER;9617618]Thanks to all the posters! Yes I know we are a bit over the gvwr. I shopped around and actually the HD has a higher weight capacity than the Victory Vision

Not sure where you got your info

My 2010 Limited manual says : 1360 GVW
901 wet
* 459 load
500 ft. tire
927 rear tire

My 2011 Vision Tour: 1414 GVW
909 wet
* 505 load
513 ft. tire
901 rear tire
+ the Vision has enough power out of the crate to pack it although my Limited was a nice ride after $2k in upgrades.

 

Another 1 that HAS to throw in his 1 cents. If you woulda read all the posts ye woulda seen that he was in the process of losing weight.

 

My o8 road king with me at 250 and wife at 150 never hit bottom,new ultra with both of us same weight does it alot. Getting unhappy with it. War. issue? The new touring bikes where rated to carry more weight. BS.

 

I have the 2011 limited. I thought I read it had a higher capacity. I guess they are close anyway. After 4-5k in upgrades I am happy with everything but the suspension. I am going to call about the Ohlins. I found 13.5" 440hd's for $430 shipped. I have a feeling the Ohlins are probably double that! Sounds like they are better but I am not sure if I want to spend that much?

 

the bike is only designed to carry a little over 450lbs..me and my wife are about the same weight as the OP..she rode with me once, it was pretty uncomfortable from size alone..the bike handled horrible.. if you get heavy duty shocks, it will hold you up better, but still wont handle very well.. why don't you get your wife to ride her own bike.. i do miss 15 years and 200 lbs ago riding with my cute little gf's on the back

 

Haha ya. Problem is my gf is just really tall. She is 6' tall. She could lose maybe 30lbs but looks good. I am the big one. I am 6'5" and about 380. I look really good about 280 so if I lost 100 the bike would be fine. But that doesn't happen overnight and I have a 5 thousand mile trip coming up in like 5 weeks and another 6 weeks after that. I am going to call motorcyclemetal.com tomorrow and compare prices to the Progressives. I have already rode 6 thousand miles on this bike in a few months last fall and in March this year. I live in Wyoming and can't ride all year. It wasn't horrible I just think it can be much better. No matter what I am always going to be an above average size guy. When I ride with a passenger I am going to be at close to max capacity. It sounds like a few others are in the same boat as me so I hope this thread helps them find a good setup as well.