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Dyna Glide ModelsSuper Glide, Super Glide Sport, Super Glide Custom, Dyna Glide Convertible, Super Glide T-Sport, Dyna Glide Police, Dyna Switchback, Low Rider, Street Bob, Fat Bob and Wide Glide.
So Im in the market for a Wide Glide. Focusing on an Evo, but possibly a low mileage 88 Twin Cam. So the pre 2006 frame. Anyway, I rode a friends 2000 the other day to get a feel for them. Coming from a bagger, it was a blast. Whoever said the WG was hard to control has no idea what its like coming from a bagger! It was light and nimble, a lot of fun. Exactly why Im looking at it as a second bike. Something totally different than my Road Glide.
Now for the issue. I didnt really fit on it well. I was rather cramped through the legs. Ive always heard how WGs are great for taller riders, but I didnt have room to stretch out, even on the forward controls. My knees were bent more than I expected. And when up shifting I felt like I was really lifting my foot high up off the peg and pivoting it far backwards. I think it would have been less difficult if I had been sitting further back (and if the shifter were lowered). Rear braking wasnt as difficult. Now, Im not terribly tall, 6 with a 31 inseam. And my friend is a few inches shorter than me. So his bike was set up perfectly for him. But heres what has me wondering. The bike was already outfitted with 3 forward control extensions and a Corbin Dual Tour seat - a seat known for moving the rider back. So I feel this configuration was already set up to maximize leg room. But still I felt cramped.
So what other tricks are there to outfit a WG for a more stretched out ride? Ive seen plenty of guys 63 and taller talking about how good the WG feels. So I know its possible.
I never had a WG but Ive had a few Super Glides and A Street Glide. I put highway pegs on the Super Glides using the HD 360 peg mounts.
They give a lot of adjustability and you can move the pegs out a few inches further forward.
I'm 6'2" and have no comfort issues . . . after I changed the OEM seat. Mustang Regal Duke, ya sit lower and further back. As with any new to you motorcycle, adjust the handlebars, shifter and brake pedal height for your body.
Sounds like your friends shifter needs to be adjusted, I can click mine up a gear with my toe. I am your size and felt cramped when i got mine in 1997, went for 2" forward control extensions. At the time I loved them, but after several years I found myself "holding" my leg up because my foot was so far out in front of me. I took the extensions off and now the pegs hold the weight of my leg as HD designed it. I was surprised how much more comfortable I was, not sure what I hated about it way back when. Moral of the story, live with it for a while before changing it.
I have two Corbin seats, both put me in the sweet spot.
I suggest handle bars would be the next obvious issue. I hated the stock bars, then had T bars for a bunch of years, liked but did not love. Then I went to 12" apes, love them, super comfortable. Good luck, Evo is better, just sayin".
Sounds like your friends shifter needs to be adjusted, I can click mine up a gear with my toe. I am your size and felt cramped when i got mine in 1997, went for 2" forward control extensions. At the time I loved them, but after several years I found myself "holding" my leg up because my foot was so far out in front of me. I took the extensions off and now the pegs hold the weight of my leg as HD designed it. I was surprised how much more comfortable I was, not sure what I hated about it way back when. Moral of the story, live with it for a while before changing it.
I have two Corbin seats, both put me in the sweet spot.
I suggest handle bars would be the next obvious issue. I hated the stock bars, then had T bars for a bunch of years, liked but did not love. Then I went to 12" apes, love them, super comfortable. Good luck, Evo is better, just sayin".
Interesting comment about "holding my leg up". That may be what I was experiencing. I've felt that on my RG and prior RK before I got highway pegs situated right. Highway pegs may be the answer too. I live on them on my bagger. And yeah, good point about riding it a bit first before modding.
I'm running a Corbin on my RG now and like it so I'd be happy sticking with one. Just wondering what might move the rider further back. The comment someone else made above about the Mustang seat was helpful! Something to look at.
And yeah, I didn't mention the bars. He has apes (12" I think) on it. But his are too narrow for me. Appreciate the comment on the T bars. I was thinking of going that way - or a drag bar with a high riser with some pullback (which could mimic the position of lower apes). But it's hard to beat the comfort and control of the apes!
I went from a Super Glide to a Wide Glide. I keep thinking I have mid-controls and dropping a foot down. I'm 6'1 and the stock seat and forward controls seem to fit fine.
You are right anyone who says a WG is hard to control should probably stick to something with pedals.
Are you sure about the seat and the 3 inch extensions? Something sounds off here; I had a 2000 WG and my 32" inseam had my legs barely bent to the pegs with the stock seat. With a 31" inseam the stock setup should let you stretch out and extensions would make put the pegs too far for you to reach?
You are right anyone who says a WG is hard to control should probably stick to something with pedals.
Are you sure about the seat and the 3 inch extensions? Something sounds off here; I had a 2000 WG and my 32" inseam had my legs barely bent to the pegs with the stock seat. With a 31" inseam the stock setup should let you stretch out and extensions would make put the pegs too far for you to reach?
Well, no. Its not my bike so I only know what I was told. Its certainly possible there are some inaccuracies here. But I am glad to hear how you fit in there. Yours, and others, make me think its not a matter of IF I can comfortably fit on a WG, but instead just a matter of customizing what I need to.
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Suggestions for Outfitting 2000-era Wide Glide
