FXST forward controls
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2026
Posts: 39
Likes: 25
From: Alberta
FXST forward controls
Howdy, Please forgive me if this has already been hashed here a bunch, I tried searching but not having luck. I'm new here an a bit slow trying to get used to the forum.
I'm in the process of buying a 2024 FXST Softail Standard. The bike feels pretty good except the footpeg height. The Bike I rode for the past 43 years had forward controls so it just may be I'm not used to the feel of the standard controls. But I've heard a lot of riders complain about them and almost every You-Tube video I've watch about the FXST, has guys mentioning they would swap out the pegs for forward controls.
Any of you have issues with them? Any of you swapped them for forward controls, and if so was it an improvement?
Thanks,
MAD
I'm in the process of buying a 2024 FXST Softail Standard. The bike feels pretty good except the footpeg height. The Bike I rode for the past 43 years had forward controls so it just may be I'm not used to the feel of the standard controls. But I've heard a lot of riders complain about them and almost every You-Tube video I've watch about the FXST, has guys mentioning they would swap out the pegs for forward controls.
Any of you have issues with them? Any of you swapped them for forward controls, and if so was it an improvement?
Thanks,
MAD
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,462
Likes: 619
Going from forwards to mids takes some time to get used to. I preferred the mids on my Street Bob and current LRST. My inseam is 30", so mids are not an issue for me. If you are a taller guy you might feel some pain in the hips or knees with mids. That's probably not going away, so you may want to consider forwards. I would personally ride it for a while to decide what you really want to do. Seat and bart changes should be considered as well if you are not in a comfortable riding position.
Zach
Zach
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2026
Posts: 39
Likes: 25
From: Alberta
Thanks Man,
I figured it would have to be ridden for a while, but wanted the hear if others tried and couldn't live with them.
A taller seat would help, but I like to have both feet flat on the ground sometimes.
I figured it would have to be ridden for a while, but wanted the hear if others tried and couldn't live with them.
A taller seat would help, but I like to have both feet flat on the ground sometimes.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2025
Posts: 976
Likes: 915
From: Mesquite Nevada
I suggest riding it for a while. I have a 2013 Dyna Switchback with floorboards. The FXLRS felt very cramped at first. It being a sportier bike I wanted to keep the mids,so I installed a Kraus pullback riser and a Corbin Wall seat.
I am 6’ with a 34” inseam and the Lowrider is nor comfortable enough.
Congrats on the new ride.
I am 6’ with a 34” inseam and the Lowrider is nor comfortable enough.
Congrats on the new ride.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 48
Likes: 55
From: Tampa, FL
Road Captain
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 547
Likes: 389
From: PNW
I had a 2018 fxlr I swapped the mids out for forward controls. Is pretty easy swap and to me was well worth it.
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Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2026
Posts: 39
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From: Alberta
If it ever quits snowing I'll take your advice.
I haven't ridden every make of bike, but in the 63years between the time I started riding in 1963 to now I've been on quite a few bikes.
From what I've noticed there are endless different positionings between the seat, pegs and bar grips. I roughly categorize the pegs position in four styles.
Set backs, like the ones on Cafe Racer style bikes.
Standard, where the peg is more under the rider with the feet slightly rearward from the knees.
Forward controls when the peg brackets are mounted where the frame down tubes bend to go rearward. Mounted near the front of the engine.
And Mid controls, between standard and forward. Just the way I see it.
Most manufacturers have multiple models and the models have sub models. They all seem to have the seats, pegs and grips placed in different positions. As such, a Softail Standard with mid controls wouldn't have the same positioning of the seat and bars in relation to the pegs as a Softail Slim or a Softail Heritage Classic, Softail Fat Boy etc., Having mid controls on one model may feel completely different than having mid controls on another model. Even if the pegs were positioned in exactly the same place on the frame. I don't know if they are or not, I haven't paid much attention to the different Harley Davidson models. I rode the same 1951 Panhead for the last 43 years and wasn't really interested in all the differences, large and small, of other bikes. But now I have a newer bike that I can start with the push of a button and not the kickstart. I hope I can get it configured to be a bit more comfortable. I'm sure the new bike will ride a bit smoother than the 75 year old Panhead suspension, what there was of it.
I haven't ridden every make of bike, but in the 63years between the time I started riding in 1963 to now I've been on quite a few bikes.
From what I've noticed there are endless different positionings between the seat, pegs and bar grips. I roughly categorize the pegs position in four styles.
Set backs, like the ones on Cafe Racer style bikes.
Standard, where the peg is more under the rider with the feet slightly rearward from the knees.
Forward controls when the peg brackets are mounted where the frame down tubes bend to go rearward. Mounted near the front of the engine.
And Mid controls, between standard and forward. Just the way I see it.
Most manufacturers have multiple models and the models have sub models. They all seem to have the seats, pegs and grips placed in different positions. As such, a Softail Standard with mid controls wouldn't have the same positioning of the seat and bars in relation to the pegs as a Softail Slim or a Softail Heritage Classic, Softail Fat Boy etc., Having mid controls on one model may feel completely different than having mid controls on another model. Even if the pegs were positioned in exactly the same place on the frame. I don't know if they are or not, I haven't paid much attention to the different Harley Davidson models. I rode the same 1951 Panhead for the last 43 years and wasn't really interested in all the differences, large and small, of other bikes. But now I have a newer bike that I can start with the push of a button and not the kickstart. I hope I can get it configured to be a bit more comfortable. I'm sure the new bike will ride a bit smoother than the 75 year old Panhead suspension, what there was of it.
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Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2026
Posts: 39
Likes: 25
From: Alberta
Thanks,
Mad