Hear what you're saying guys but upgrade not on for the present due to the times. Anyway, thing is, we'd only be going short rides - not long trips. We're both small in stature (I'm 160lbs, she's about 130lbs) so I hope if I can get something sorted with the shocks (which I'm told is a must) we'll give it a go.
strictly my opinion.......
JUST NOTCH THE REAR SHOCKS UP TO MAXIMUM AND GIVE IT A TRY..... a special spanner wrench is needed and a simple LOOK to see where the shocks are set now.... riding 2-up needs the shocks BOTH at maximum setting.(L&R shock always set in MATCHED position)
THE 883 WILL TAKE YOU AND WIFE ANY WHERE YOU WANT TO GO..... you and wife not being HUGE is a bonus.... AND short rides like said will do fine....
THE SEAT will have a lot to do with the ride........ more padding is nice, I bought a MUSTANG seat and BOTH were HAPPIER
YEP, IT'S AN 883 AND THE GEARING SHOULD BE JUST FINE FOR ALL AROUND TWO-UP RIDING.... being a LOW is what I'm concerned about... I never had a LOW bike.... IS IT possible to RAISE your LOW bike to STOCK height? IT WILL RIDE BETTER two-up....... or is it needed LOW for you?
I had a 1995 883 (standard height) on which MY wife and I rode 2 up weight 350# and a good seat (above) ... Totaling Several thousand miles, in a couple of years, JUST FINE......
I did ADD heavier shocks (progressive) noticed a better ride when two up..... USUALLY the HD shock is pretty hard to beat and the after market doesn't always better them....
I'd prefer a standard height to the LOW model but you have what you have for now,,,,, so RIDE!
YOU WILL ENJOY and some day a dyna might be or who knows a ROAD KING... now that's MY TWO-UP BIKE......... AND my preference....
signed....BUBBIE