heavy duty shocks

I'm about to pick up my 82 seca 750 this next week. Since I'm on the shorter side, ill be shaving about 1/2 inch out of the seat and swapping out shocks so ill be able to flat foot the bike.
Here's my concern, next year I intend to use this bike for a couple of road trips with me and my gf. Between the two of us and our gear and such, I estimate there will be about 500-550lbs on the bike. I'm trying to figure out if the sportster or savage shocks are going to do it for me. I have no problem with a rough ride when I'm solo, I just don't want to be bottoming out when fully loaded. I should specify that I am open to different shock lengths, I just need it to drop 1-1.5 inches.
I've been lurking these forums for a couple months now, so I've done my homework. I'm just looking for confirmation and opinions.
Sorry for the long read, and thank you in advance. Great site you have here by the way!

 

I would buy a NEW set of aftermarket shocks, maybe 1" shorter than stock; and choose "HD" springs to go with them.

The Suzuki Savage is a 650 Single, chain driven IIRC, and considerably lighter than the Seca 750.

I'm not quite sure what the attraction is to shocks from a lighter Suzuki other than them being shorter; I would want new shocks that are more closely matched to the weight of the bike.

 

You make a good point fitz. My only issue there would be cost. But I belive that would be overcome with a good tax return in the spring lol. I'm almost leaning tward getting the sportster 11 inch for the rest of this season since ill only be riding solo and a new set can be had for dirt cheap and switching to the aftermarkets (I belive progressive is favored brand?) In the spring.

 

I've got the harley shocks on mine. They are defintaely stiffer than my old ones. Which I can't say for sure were fuctioning properly. They lowered it about 2 inches in the rear and I have not bottomed out at all. I'm well on the north side of 300lbs.

 

I tried Savage shocks on my MaximX and though I liked the ride solo, they would bottom out through dips with a passenger and return with an unsettling rebound. I upgraded to 11" Progressive 440s with a heavy springrate. (Don't remember what exactly, but think HD FLH range, 275/350, something likethat.) and they are the shiznit! They don't even feel over-stiff riding solo.

Best part is, I picked up the 440s brand-spanking new on eBay for just over a hunnerd bucks!

 

If you're gonna be putting that much weight on the bike, it's GONNA sit lower, and the ride WILL be smoother even with the shocks that currently on it. If you did your homwork you don't need to ask for confirmations. That defeats the purpose of asking a question. Ask the question and listen to ALL the different answers. Then find out what works for you.

I'd load a pile of weight on the bike and ride it to see how the shocks feel with much greater amounts on them. It does make a difference. Just like a pickup truck with an empty bed vs/ the same truck with a full load of firewood or gravel. First it rides hard, second it rides like a cadillac.

Test runs, first.

Dave

 

Oh yes, there will be plenty of tests pre trip. I'm just starting as a rider, and I'm not willing to ride 2 up until I'm sure the bike can take the wheight. I also just wanted opinions because although I've been reading a lot, I'm still new to bikes in general. I've only just passed the msf and gotten my license. Ergo, I'm not fully confident in my ability to choose whitch mods will work best. However, this thread has backed up what I was thinking before and made my confident enough to move forward. Thank you again for all the information, its very very helpful.

P.s. Maximum, thank you for that reply. I think ill have to keep a lookout for those shocks on ebay.