Stratoliner rear shock

I would like some opinions please on just how bouncy the rear shock should be on my UK Midnight Star (Stratoliner).

When i am riding on my own i never really noticed it.The last ride out before the Snow came down in the UK i took my 12 yr old lad out as a pillion,and straight away you notice how much more the bike weaves and pogo's and the amount of extra effort it takes to change direction.I have owned a lot of bikes and never really had a problem two up on any of them.After the ride i adjusted the spring to where the owners book say's is the maximum even though you can actually go way past that and it did not make any noticiable difference.

I thought a big modern cruiser designed for covering big miles with two people and camping gear would not even notice a 12 yr old boy on the back who only weighs 8 stone.

My bike has done just under 5000 miles and although i dont know how hard the first 4000 miles had been on the bike i dont think a shock would give in that quick.

I would greatly apreciate any other owners experience of riding two up with the Stratoliner and the effects on their bikes.

Thanks guy's

Alan.  

Alan, I have an '08 Stratoliner and I find that it rides better with the shock in the softest position whether I am riding solo or with my wife on the back. And she weighs lots of stones.  

Thanks,If the sun ever comes out again i will play with the settings and see what differences i find.  

spring preload can be set too stiff. the bike should settle only 1/3 of the unloaded range. ie.  4 inches rear travel should settle less then 1 inch for you and same or less for passenger. setting too stiff will result in rear suspension remaining stiff during braking and corners which causes the front to dive. Also critical to verify tire pressure. depending on tire type (avons and metzler like 40 or more) should be 38 to 40 lbs pressure with greater pressure in rear. also could have uneven level wrong viscosity or low fork oil.
old dog