I have given up on trying to make my forwards work. I guess my 30 inch inseam just won't let me get as comfortable and relaxed as I want to be. After getting them on I thought they looked great and would be a better ride for me. However I find my self always having to work to keep my thighs in to keep the feet on, especially on the right side. I plan on putting the mids back on and maybe getting some hwy pegs to at lest stretch out when needed. I put the mids on today with the fwds just to see.....Wow its pretty obvious to me how stable they are. Just thought Id share and see if anyone has been thru this.

Selling the forwards? I have friend with a new LR who is looking for some.

Yeah, sorta feel the same way about the forward controls on my fat bob. I have 2k miles on it and figured I would get it to about 10k before I decide.

Good plan,the best of both worlds,better control and handling with the mids,the ability to switch positions on a long cruise.

ORIGINAL: RAWHIDE07

Good plan,the best of both worlds,better control and handling with the mids,the ability to switch positions on a long cruise.
I have long preferred mid controls. It's the right way to ride (I'm wearing my flame-proof suit).

I have the mids and highway pegs for stretching out. I love the ability to be able to switch foot positions.

what jake said

Ditto... I prefer the mids with the hwys for an occasional stretch

I just started riding mine with forward controls and have to get used to them. I also have a lower seat on mine which makes it work for me.

local://upfiles/38550/773EA60ABCB9409CAD63BEE14EA6945D.jpg

mids way better for riding hard, i would never consider forwards on my Bob

I triple what Jake said. See Jake you get drug into everything:D

Mids are far safer and allow for more control in tricky situations.
The best set up is mids and a good engine guard with highways.

I know. Engine guards look stupid on dynas, but if you ever drop that bad boy, you will be glad you had them.

I rode metrics too long and prefer the mids. I have used the highway pegs to ease a sore butt, but always back to the mids in the corners.

Bought my "07 SB with forwards on it. The mids are back on it now and the back feels better. The jury is still out...will give it some more time. As said earlier you sure do feel like you have more control, can't beat the look of the forwards though.

Whatever works for you, do it for sure.
I never even think about it , I’m very comfortable
with forward controls with stirrups and I have a 30� inseam.
The stirrups make all the difference in the world.
http://img2.putfile.com/thumb/6/17508500855.jpg

Mids and highway pegs.....the way to go for me.

i jammed a small piece of 1/8' thick leather into the foot peg pivot from the bottom and brought the pegs up about an inch. feels better for me. couldn't bring myself to part with the forwards

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb82/XKROME/IMG_2556.jpg

Rode a friends Bob with forwards and didn't like it at all...didn't feel stable to me, especially in the turns. I do need some Highway pegs to stretch a bit though....

Wow...and here I am thinking about getting extended's!:DI'm 6' 235 lbs & could even stretch out a few more inches.

ORIGINAL: XKROME

i jammed a small piece of 1/8' thick leather into the foot peg pivot from the bottom and brought the pegs up about an inch. feels better for me. couldn't bring myself to part with the forwards

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb82/XKROME/IMG_2556.jpg




I can't quite tell what I'm looking at here. You put a piece of leather in where the peg pivots? How does that raise the peg an inch? Or did something else raise the peg an inch? What does the leather do exactly?

I just put on a deposit down on an FXD and am trying to decide if I should get forwards or not. I have a 30" inseam too.

Greg

ORIGINAL: twofish


Whatever works for you, do it for sure.
I never even think about it , I’m very comfortable
with forward controls with stirrups and I have a 30� inseam.
The stirrups make all the difference in the world.
http://img2.putfile.com/thumb/6/17508500855.jpg



I have the same setup. The stirrups do make a difference. I like the forwards without the stirrups, even better with them. I like that you can adjust them to suit your desired heel position.

Highway pegs for long straight or easy riding. Mids for inner city traffic and tight situations. Like someone else mentioned. Rode Metrics to long. Mids for me are a must!

I just put forwards on with Kurk iso stirrup pegs. I rode it and thought.........I don't know. Yesterday I played with the shift side and got it were it feels good. Guess what I'm trying to say is unless your lucky you will need to play with the adjustment for your sweet spot. But it is awkward at first but I'm likein now.
Smiley

Hey for the post with the 30inch inseam leike me thats great it works for you. I had on HD heel rests and went to bootdr mini-boards and currently back to the heel rests. What I can't get over is the need to use slight leg pressure to keep them up. Unlike mids where its total relax mode and no need for that. My mind is made......Back to the mids and some hwy pegs. A couple of you have pm'd me I will respond because I will have the fwd hdwre to get rid of. Til then. Thanks a bunch everyone

I can't stand forwards on most bikes I always feel like I'm stretching to get to the controls.I didn't even like hwy pegs on my Bob.

I have the fwds on the fatbob , and I'm going to get midmounts just for change of ft position on longer rides.

ORIGINAL: BoomSoon

I have given up on trying to make my forwards work.Â* I guess my 30 inch inseam just won't let me get as comfortable and relaxed as I want to be.Â* After getting them on I thought they looked great and would be a better ride for me.Â* However I find my self always having to work to keep my thighs in to keep the feet on, especially on the right side.Â* I plan on putting the mids back on and maybe getting some hwy pegs to at lest stretch out when needed.Â* I put the mids on today with the fwds just to see.....Wow its pretty obvious to me how stable they are.Â* Just thought Id share and see if anyone has been thru this.


Boom, I had the same problem with my forwards. The solution is this: I cut a tiny piece of rubber and glued it to the pivot point of the peg. Works like a charm!!

I am the complete opposite, when I bought my 06' Dyna Streetbob It had the mids and I felt like I was crunched up sitting on the bike. I have also had a past knee surgery so keeping my knee in a 90 degree position wasn't working for me so going to the forward controls was really my only choice. I am glad I installed the forward controls, I feel much more comfortable while riding.

ORIGINAL: BoomSoon

What I can't get over is the need to use slight leg pressure to keep them up. Unlike mids where its total relax mode and no need for that.


My boss just bought a 99 FXDX. I went with him to check it out and ride it home.
Guess what..... the guy put fowards on it.
I had the same exact feeling, like I had to hold my legs up.
30 miles on that thing and I decided I'll never put fowards on
my custom.

I love my forward controls. I am actually looking to extend them another 3 inch.

i have the same problem my right foot always wants to kinda fall offthe peg

I have a 2005 Superglide FXD... I am 6'1" with a 32" inseam. My bike has the mids with the highway pegs. I actually think it looks good and it works better for me. Good control with the mids when you need it, and the highway pegs help with that extra stretch on the long roads that never end. Actually get a few compliments on the engine guard and highway pegs on my dyna. That works best for me but its always up to what you think is best for YOU.

Just curious if anyone has tried using the "Reach" seat that Harley offers? It moves your seating position forward 1". Or a similar type of seat from another maker? Does anyone know of a place that makes a solo seat that'll push you forward like the Reach seat does?

Greg

Edit: Oh, I see Corbin makes a close-reach solo seat.

I like my mids/hwy setup...tho some heel rests would be mighty nice for the longer trips. 30" inseam here as well.

Wishlist? New Corbin or Mustang seat and some stirrups

-Jay

My streetbob had forwards on it when I bought it. I had them put the mids back on. I am 6'2 and still felt like I had to reach to far to keep my feet on the pegs.

I have a 31" inseam and have never had a bike, HD or metric with mids. I love my forwards but really don't know any better. :eek:

I have mids on my fat bob and i really want forwards...just to stretch out...i might go with the highway pegs first to see if i like the options to change positions....

My forwards fit me just right...maybe the custom sits different than the bob's?

I think the custom may have a different stretch to them but a shorter rider may have these issues. I think whats gunna be the sweet spot for me is mids AND hiway pegs for a short stretch.

Evil cetane. Noy sure what you mean about a peice of rubber at the peg pivot? I did try putting a rubber wahser at the end of my pegs to keep feet from sliding out and off. Worked soso. I have the hd classic pegs with the chrome button-end which let me do that. BUT end the end too much of a headache for me. Dead horse pretty well beat! Thanks

I like the forward controls on my Fat Bob. Did not know if I would like them until I got it................now would never go back to the scrunched up feeling of mids. I fact I need some hiway pegs for more leg room!

This was a no brainer for me. I'm one of those vertically challenged folks and have a 28" inseam. Before I made the decision not to go with forwards I sat on several models that had them. On all of them I had to almost sit on the tank and lean way back to reach the controls. Certainly not a safe way to ride. So, MIDS with highway pegs for me. Even with the adjustable highway pegs in the closest position it's still a stretch and basically it's just my toes on the pegs but it does give me an alternate position to stretch a bit on the long straightaways.

superglide with forwards, 5'8"love em. wife's bike has mids. when I ride her bike, feels like i'm on on old rice burner, all scrunched up, knees under elbows. Love bein stretched out. Handles great, not sure whats meant by better control with mids?

I have forwards on my Fat Bob, 30" inseam, and it feels great to me.My knees are still bent a little while riding with the forwards.

I just got back from 600 mile ride (today and some last night). I love my FWD controls, I really don't feel a lack of control or (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&hs=Dvt&pwst=1&sa=X&oi=spell&resnum=0&c t=result&cd=1&q=maneuverability&spell=1) maneuverability when riding into corners. This is the first bike I have owned with them, all my other bikes have had mids.
I have had FWDs on this bike since day 2, I have never regretted having them. I have considered adding highway pegs to rest my legs on them, but I am concerned what they would look like and if it would be comfortable. Sometimes I rest just my heels on my foot pegs to stretch out a bit on a long ride. I have 32" inseam (I buy 34" jeans so the pantlegs aren't blown up my legs).
I agree with an earlier statement about adjusting the pegs til they feel right, just a slight change in the contact angle will produce a whole different feeling on your feet. I have the Kuryakyn switchblades (with the swingout heel rests) and I made slight changes till it felt right. Another thing I did was play around with the height of the shifter/brake location. A little change on those may give a better feeling position.
Also, it looks like you have floor boards on your bike, I have wondered what they would be like to have them with FWDs. Have you tried to adjust the angles on them?

Yes I have tried infinite adjustments on them and then tried the boards. As for control....I agree with many on the thread.....fwds are nice to stretch but the mids do give you better control overall esp in twisties and slow going. The position must give you a nice c.g.

ORIGINAL: pastaman


*********************************





not sure whats meant by better control with mids?



If ya have ta ask.............

mud

ORIGINAL: GregX999


ORIGINAL: XKROME

i jammed a small piece of 1/8' thick leather into the foot peg pivot from the bottom and brought the pegs up about an inch. feels better for me. couldn't bring myself to part with the forwards

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb82/XKROME/IMG_2556.jpg




I can't quite tell what I'm looking at here. You put a piece of leather in where the peg pivots? How does that raise the peg an inch? Or did something else raise the peg an inch? What does the leather do exactly?

I just put on a deposit down on an FXD and am trying to decide if I should get forwards or not. I have a 30" inseam too.

Greg



putting the leather or any thing else you can make into a small shim into the space between peg and mount from the bottom prevents the peg from dropping down all the way so it's a little closer because of the the angle of themount.

http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb82/XKROME/IMG_2559.jpg

ORIGINAL: XKROME

putting the leather or any thing else you can make into a small shim into the space between peg and mount from the bottom prevents the peg from dropping down all the way so it's a little closer because of the the angle of theÂ*mount.



Ah... I got ya! That does look like a good idea!

Greg

I agree w/ Jake. Mids are the way to go and I have a 36" inseam!

29" Inseam here. Previous owner of my WG is 6'5" so I had forwards with extensions... I had to do some changing of things to get comfy; I removed the extensions, changed out the risers to give 1" more lift and bring'em back 2" and lastly a new seat. Finally it's really comfortable.. Tonite my new addition is showing up, a 06 RK in stock configuration with mids of course. I've felt the touring bikes were easier to ride than my WG from the git-go, maybe it's the mid controls??? I'll let ya know in a week or two.

I'm 6'1, 250 lbs. and I can't stand forward controls. They change your riding position and put you in an awkward stance for hard, agressive riding. I too spent years on metric bikes before going to HD's in the early 90's. My first HD was a softail...and the forwards made me feel like I was all bent out of shape. After switching to FXRs and Dynas with mids, I knew I had found the right bikes. They're made for a more agressive riding style. Stick with the mids and hiway pegs. You'll be glad ya did!

Hey there, I need a set of forwards for my Low Rider! I'm 6-4

I've been reading this thread with great interest.

I've been looking at buying a Street Bob for awhile now and the one and only thing that has kept me from pulling the trigger is the forward control question. Mids are out of the question due to not being able to get my rightfoot on the peg without great difficulty due to a bad knee and I'm afraid if I buy the bike and get the forwards installed what happens if thats not right for me either. Been telling my self just do it you'll get use to them but I just don't know.

I have sat ona Fat Bob with forwards and it felt alright I just felt like I had to scoot up on the tank a little bit to reach them comfortably.

BTW I'm 5'11" with 30" inseam and 250 pounds.

I too have a 30" inseam and found the forwards to be a bit too far forward. So I added a set of 2" Kuryakyn Offsets. Pulled back both pegs till I was comfy. Adjusted brake pedal accordingly and Im happy. Kept the mid pegs and they are a nice change of pace on long rides. I can get pics if needed. :)

bob

I'm not trying to change anyone's minds (and not trying to start conflict between clubs) but... The local "81" (Oakland, SF, Daly City, etc.) all ride mid-controls.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4HZcKJ55Zc

You'll be hard pressed to find forwards on any of their street bikes. On one of their custom steeds, maybe, but not on a machine that they put serious miles on.

Sorry to interrupt this love-fest with mid-controls, but mid-controls suck. And it's ridiculous to claim that mid-controls offer better control of the motorcycle. If you need something to rest your heels on, get heel stirrups.

mudpuddle - I have to ask because basically I think people saying better control with mids are full of **** myself. I corner as good as anyone!

ORIGINAL: FXDC Rider

Wow...and here I am thinking about getting extended's!:DI'm 6' 235 lbs & could even stretch out a few more inches.


I am 6' and put 3" extensions and stirrups on my forwards. Took care of the inside of thigh soreness problem. Have ridden 400 mile days with them. They work for me.

Ha ha! This is exactly why so many people have left this forum. I don't appreciate anyone saying I'm "full of ****." But, I also refuse to get into an idiotic shouting match behind a computer. You can ride with mids, forwards or your friggin' feet on the bars for all anycares. What MOST of us were stating was our opinions, which I believe is what the man was asking for.
Stagolee, you hit the nail on the head. If ANYONE knows what works best....it's who you mentioned above!

ORIGINAL: pastaman

mudpuddle - I have to ask because basically I think people saying better control with mids are








full of **** myself.





I corner as good as anyone!


pMan, rdondes can probably explain it better than me.

mud


ORIGINAL: rdondes


Sorry to interrupt this love-fest with mid-controls, but mid-controls suck.


And it's ridiculous to claim that mid-controls offer better control of the motorcycle.


If you need something to rest your heels on, get heel stirrups.

I just put the Kury forwards on my 08 SB and love them so far. I went from mid'swith highway pegs (which I do feel personally give you better control, at least for those of us that started on dirt bikes) to the forwards because I found that I always had my feet on the highway pegs. I figured it'd be safer to just have my controls there too if thats where my feet wanted to be. Anybody need a set of highway pegs?

Sorry those forewards don't work for you. I love the riding position of foreward controls. I have never ridden my 07 Lowrider with the mid controls. I used to ride my FXR on the highway pegs and did the brake and shifter with my heels. I now have much better control and am safer because I am not shifting and brakeing with my heels, or moving my feet from peg to peg. I can ride the twisties with anyone. I like the clean look of 1 set of pegs and as others have stated the mids feel more like riding a metric.I'm 5' 11" 32 inch inseam.
http://www.hotboatpics.com/pics/data/500/5859beautiful_hog.jpg

I put a set of mid pegs on my WG and on the long trips I like to use them to take the weight off my back side every 30 minutes or so. My stirups help but the mids allow me to ride all day

GregX999: Check out this thread, including my contribution to it regarding the H-D Reach Seat.
http://www.hdforums.com/m_3323635/tm.htm

HAHAHA.......
I'm 6'5" w/ a 35 inseam. Fowards on my WG feel like mids. If I put highway pegs on, I would need to attach them to the front wheel axle. All the bouncing up and down w/ the forks would be uncomfortable, I believe. The factory forwards were one reason why I bought the bike new.

Actual mids would be like riding a crotch rocket w/ my knees in my chest.


ORIGINAL: Topspin

I have a 31" inseam and have never had a bike, HD or metric with mids. I love my forwards but really don't know any better. :eek:

WOW Lighten up a little there riding brethren. NO need for that response from you know who youare. I felt I should reply since I started this. This thread was about me being not so tall, having probs with my fwdsand going back to mids and maybe keep some hwy pegs for just that. I didn't intend to ask opinions on which ones were better at all. As for which ones its totally personally. But I might add.....you don't see a whole lot of motocross pros going to fwds for better control. I think a physics lesson may prove it out but thats for another day. Adios

I had forwads on my Sporty Custom. I'm 5'11" and found them to be "okay". However, my FDXC came with mids. I decided to try them for a while before changing out to forwards. It's not going to happen. I feel more stable with the mids. On a rough surface or broken pavement, it is easy to stand on the mids. I couldn't stand (get off my butt) with the forwards. Highway pegs to stretch out.

ORIGINAL: BoomSoon

I have given up on trying to make my forwards work. I guess my 30 inch inseam just won't let me get as comfortable and relaxed as I want to be. After getting them on I thought they looked great and would be a better ride for me. However I find my self always having to work to keep my thighs in to keep the feet on, especially on the right side. I plan on putting the mids back on and maybe getting some hwy pegs to at lest stretch out when needed. I put the mids on today with the fwds just to see.....Wow its pretty obvious to me how stable they are. Just thought Id share and see if anyone has been thru this.


Go for mids and highway pegs! Works great for me!

keep the forward and just get heel rests..i was in the same boat but would never get rid of my heel rests since having them on..you have to find the sweet spot with them and you'll love them

I have never had forward controls till this year on any bike.

I have a 30" inseam, and Hwy pegs even seemed to far for comfort. Got forwards, and close seat, and still a little weird feeling. Got the stirrups, BINGO!

I left the mid pegs on as a change of position if I needed it, and tried it a couple of times, got those leg cramps, took the mids off for good.

I had to send my seat back for repairs, put the stock seat on for the time being, I could get used to it this way too.

I also only owned metric and brit bikes, all with mid controls to date, but those stirrups are the answer for me.

+1 for going back to mids. I've had forwardson the bike for about a year.I would say that I like the forwards about 90% of the time but the 10% of the time I want mids is more important. I find I feel more stable and balanced with mids and it puts me in a better riding position. I like being able to press down on the inboard peg through the turns. With someof the windswhere I'm at nowI like having my legs back. Also, with veriousroadconditions I canbe on the pegs instead of taking it up the tailbone.I'm 6'3" and 250. I first though that I had to have forwards, although now I know differently. I will have highway pegs for the long straights. A highlight of the dyna line is that you can tailor it to YOUR perference.

Love the forwards...I'm looking to extend them 2"-4"

Wow, This is interesting. Funny, I think you could almost have the same debate over high apes vs flatter bars, one being safer than the next.
Well to throw in what I have. I am running full running boards and forward controls with the mids still in place. Some may say it does not look good or ..... but for me, the full boards with the mids gives me alot of different places to put my feet in when needed, along with highway pegs on crash bar. To me,I would say that control is some instances would be better with mids. If you are in need of an instant breaking situation I would think that having your center of total weight concentrated in more general place rather than lenghtened out. Since I have both, I have gotten used to handeling the corners with forwards. It is alot different feeling and some would say not natural, but I got used to it. I am not saying that I can handle the bike the same as with mids, but then again that is why I have both, so that I can choose which I feel more comfortable with at the time. I say each to his own. Whatever makes you feel comfortable with is what you should go with.

ORIGINAL: Mikeeeeeeeeee

Mids are far safer and allow for more control in tricky situations.
The best set up is mids and a good engine guard with highways.

I know. Engine guards look stupid on dynas, but if you ever drop that bad boy, you will be glad you had them.



i take mids over forwards and don't think my guards look stupid at all...

The verdict is in, tall people shouldn't ride motorcycles! :D

The problem I have found is the air filter not allowing my right footto set on the right peg properly. Thus the right foot keeps flying off at higher speeds if extra pressure is not applied.[/align]I have floor boards and a mustache bar and still find my right foot needs the added pressure to stay on thefloorboard/moustache peg.With the mids I never had this problem but my legs would cramp up.[/align]Use what is comfortable for your riding style. [/align]