Forward controls
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 449
Likes: 122
From: Savannah, GA
I have a Fat Bob with factory forwards. I'm 5-09 with a 30" inseam. I can reach them fine and don't really have any major problem with them, but I find the older I get (58) the less I like them. I'm liking the idea of mids and highway pegs for the variety of foot positions. I had a really bad groin pull a couple of years ago and stretching that leg out for extended periods of time will start it aching. May try boards idk.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 141
Likes: 11
From: Maine
I think that's a wise plan, though as I said above, they may perhaps be an "acquired taste". As mentioned, you can always add highway pegs or, as I've done, add some mid pegs if you end up with the forwards for another riding position. It is a totally different feel. At 5"9, 30" inseam, I do have enough leverage to take some pressure off my *** when hitting the bumper crop of bumps, cracks, etc. we have here in Maine. Can't get totally off the seat, but enough. Again, hope this helps. Good luck!
Cruiser
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 106
Likes: 29
From: Grand Rapids, MI
No one buys a Harley to try and set lap records. Ergonomics is just where things fall naturally to be the most useful with the least effort. There is no "one size fits all" arguing ergonomics is only slightly different than arguing opinions.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,448
Likes: 2,299
From: NW Ohio
I like forwards as long as my knees are slightly bent. Proper footwear (tread) is very important, IMO. I prefer simple pegs (no heel rest) so I find it helps tremendously to have boots with a pronounced arch hollow so the shelf created by the forward/ball tread locks on the pegs.
As your legs straighten out, keeping the intake narrow (or otherwise out of the way) is also more important unless you're a bit bow legged. Easy to widen your legs at the knee and twist your lower leg in when your leg is bent quite a bit. That gets progressively more difficult to do comfortably as your leg gets straighter.
As your legs straighten out, keeping the intake narrow (or otherwise out of the way) is also more important unless you're a bit bow legged. Easy to widen your legs at the knee and twist your lower leg in when your leg is bent quite a bit. That gets progressively more difficult to do comfortably as your leg gets straighter.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 141
Likes: 11
From: Maine
I never really noticed, but today I paid attention this morning and discovered that even my 30" legs have a nice knee bend on the forwards. I believe there are different lengths of forwards? My AN air filter requires little to no leg bowing, it just snuggles up against my thigh comfortably. I suppose a larger element might pose a problem.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 832
Likes: 219
From: The Shit Show
I have extended forwards from Kuryakyn that push my controls 3in further than stock forwards and I love them. I have never gone into a corner and not been able to hit it as hard as I want because of how my feet are sitting.
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 224
Likes: 51
From: Scotland
Good point about the leg interfering with the intake, being a consideration