I'm the same height, and do just fine.  You have about a hundred pounds on me, so I can't speak to that.  Just plunk any extra up on the tank, and ride on!

I think I'd set the shocks up right away.  I found that the fourth click worked best for me, so I imagine you'll want to be at least there, maybe the fifth notch.  

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think at that weight I'd also set the tires at two-up pressure.  Can't remember off-hand what that is, but it's printed on the belt guard.

I'm about your size.Ed_L forward controls.

There are several of us that are on the big side. I myself am 6 foot 250 pounds.

The most common mods for comfort are some forward controls, and a seat mod. The forward controls can be purchased from Ed L. a member of this site. The tech section of this site has a very well written how to for a seat mod created by Sandy Koocanusa. Here is the link http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1215910102

A fork brace is also usually recommended.

Those are the only ones I can think of at the moment. The mods I have done personally are some forward controls that I made myself, a Harley Road King tank, a Girder front end, re-jetted my carb, and a performance cam from Lancer also a member of this site and the resident carb guru.

I haven't done any seat mods yet, but will be attempting that sometime in the near future.

This is a link to the progression of my 2000 Savage from when I purchased it to almost present.

http://suzukisavage.com/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1215289973

Hey Rock -  I'm 6'1" and 250 lbs - put your shock on the 3rd or 4th setting, run your front tire air normal and your rear air 1-2 lbs heavier that the 1 up setting.  I have found this to work rather well for me.   I'm raising the front of the seat, when I find the sweet spot, I'm gonna raise the rear a bit.

I don't have any forward controls, I'm thinking about a highway bar with some extended pegs.  Or maybe just some floor boards.

Haven't decided.

Ride Safe!!!!

And I'm trying the diet thing as well - ugh!!!!!

This seat mod requires a 30" inseam for your feet to be flat on the ground.  With your height, this mod will allow your long legs to be comfortably bent at the knee. The 300lbs. per spring rating should be more than enough to support your weight, and you can lighten the springs to give a softer ride, if you like.  Also, as you can see from the pictures, the weight of the seat is on the shock absorber arms, the strength of which would be needed to safely support your 280lbs.


http://www.richard-perry.com/HDSeat/HDPoliceSeatConversion.html

I'm 6', 245 lbs and I'm pretty darn cramped on her.  The handling is unbelievable and there is no better first bike, but you'll probably be looking to trade up in 6 months or so.  I've done several of the mods on here, but haven't yet tried the forward controls.  That might be my next investment.  In my opinion, yes you'll be cramped.

On the positive side though, I just led a 600+ mile ride (most of it Interstate) and the rest of the bikes in the pack had to pull me over and ask me to slow down.  They were having trouble keeping up.  I was running 70-80 mph and didn't notice much rattle at all.  I was VERY impressed.  She'll run!

So would anyone suggest just going with the seat mod using spacers? I think that will have to be my first one.  I guess I will just have to ride it for a while and see how bad it feels.  The handlebars did seem a bit low but as I said - I am a total newb when it comes to all of this.