I run the forwards on both my Sporty and my Superglide and can scrape in the corners with either. I switched my SG to the forwards right after I bought it just due to comfort. I like being able to put my feet down at a stop without the pegs being an obstacle as well.

 

flynavy,

I'm only guessing here, but I think that a good comparisonwould bedirt bikes.

Dirt bike riders have to be able to move all over the place, and manipulate theirbody positionfor weight transfer very often and very aggressively. Dirt bikeshavecontrols further backas the rider is more able to perform these tasks in this position.

This can also be seen easily in Sport Bike Racing. Try doing what they do with forwards. Yikes!

When I ride a ~700lb cruiser like my Wide Glide, I donot move much in the saddle. I manipulate my bike using the handlebars only (countersteering), combined with some upper body lean.

I scrape pegs once in awhile, and have scraped my exhaust on occasion. I wouldn't say I'm an extremely aggressive rider, but I'm no Sunday driver either.

At any rate, mids on a cruiser might afford the same added agility as in the dirt bike comparison. But for my riding style, I let thehandle bars and weight of the bikedo most of the work while I ride in comfort with forwards. That's my way, but not the only way, nor necessarily the best way.

 

I will admit that when I was shopping for a Harley back in the spring, the forward controls were just a little intimidating. This was due to the only fact that I had never riden a bike with forward controls in my life. Even when I got finished signing my life away for the 05 WG, the forward controls were still on my mind. I was scared that when I pulled out of the parking lot, I would have legs going everywhere, feet hitting pavement, etc. Whenmy feet made contactwith the forward controls for the first time, that fear was history! I love the forward controls, don't ever want a bike with mids! I rode a bike a few times with mids since and it justdoesn't feel natural.

 

Forwards have the kewl factor. Better for long distance riding. Just another opinion, whatever thats worth.

 

I'm 6'4" so take my opinion with that in mind. However, much of my height is in my torso so I do not have unusually long legs. My inseam is probably the same as some guys a couple of inches shorter than me. I have wondered, too, why most of the dyna's come only with mid-controls. Contrary to some other curious standard features, I don't think the controls placement has to do with HD getting more money on the backend. I see that the new fat-bob, for example, can now be ordered from the factory with either forwards or mid-controls but I don't see whether or not there is a price difference between the options.

I think the sportsters and the dynas (sans the wide glide) are meant to be more of a sport-cruiser rather than a cruiser/tourer and the mid-pegs cater to that more by putting the rider in a position to be more confident in the twisties at higher speeds and such. That just wasn't the case with me, however. I immediately put highway pegs on mine after buying it and it didn't take but a few weeks of moving my feet back and forth to shift and brake before I realized I would be more comfortable with forward controls. I feel totally comfortable maneuvering my bike with forward controls but then my legs aren't stretched all that far. If my legs were completely extended like I've seen some people, I could see how that might be a bit uneasy leaning deep into a curve.

So, it's personal preference for every rider. Which is why I'd like to see the MOCO offer both options on all of the dyna's. With that said, however, compared to the price of the bike, the forward controls weren't expensive and, with the kit I purchased, it was a very easy conversion/install to change from mids. The side benefit is that, if/when I sell my bike, my old controls will easily go back on if the buyer prefers mid-controls. Where if I had bought the bike with stock forwards, it would probably be much more difficult and expensive to switch to mids (I didn't have to touch the primary to switch to forwards but if I was switching from stock forwards to mids, I would have to remove the primary covers and install some hardware).

 

the peg thing is really up to you. you have gotten a few ideals why or how they fit other people . it;s what right for you.i think most people get used to what ever they have and make do.if it works for ya . do it.

 

Any recommendations on the best place to buy the forward controls? I also find that I use the highway pegs most all of the time even inbetween shifting so probably need to make the swap so I can stop with this crazy back and forth thing I do

 

I have forwards on my bike and I love them, but I had forwards on my last bike too so maybe I'm just used to them. I didn't like the mids much. Also, an added bonus of forwards is that you don't bang your calf into the the pegs when you are walking your bike backward or forward.

 

Anyone tried switching the mid pegs left to right and vice versa? When they leave the frame, they bend forward, if you reverse them they'll be more like rearsets. Not sure how to modify the shifter or brake yet.

 

I like the general, day to day feel of theforwards better,on my SB. However, on longer rides, when you don't get a chance to shift your weight when stopping at stop lights, etc. it's real difficult to adjust your seat-to- butt clearances with the forwards while doing 70+ on the interstate.Obviouslywith themids, your feet are more underyour weight, soit's not a problem. I have found I can utilize the passenger pegs for short distances, for adjusting riding position while moving.