Wide Glide Comfort
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2nd Gear
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 6
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Wide Glide Comfort
I'm 6'4" and shopping for a big bike. I've sat on the Wide Glide and love the feel, as I can stretch out and feel comfortable. Plan to rent one before I buy one. Am curious how the mini-apes feel and if there any sore backs after a long ride. I love the look and feel, and can't wait to rent one. Any comments from tall Wide Glide riders on the bike and how you feel after a long ride appreciated. Thanks.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 858
Likes: 1
From: Upstate NY / San Clemente CA
RE: Wide Glide Comfort
I am 6'1", and feel the most comfoprtable onthe WG. Right off the showroom floor you are streched out more than any other model. I have rode for some pretty long trips with no problems. Of couse my tall a$$ jumps on the 1200 for a 3-400 miler. Not the brightest idea, but I love the Sporties ALMOST as much as I do theWG. I may be biased as I love WG's, but thats my 2 cents. Still, you can mod another bike to "fit" you if you like other styles. Your plan to rent a few is the best way to go. When you sit on the right one...you will know....trust me!
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,916
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio, Texas
RE: Wide Glide Comfort
Hey robb165 - I'm not quite as tall as you (6'2") and I love my WG. A bagger it's not, but I haven't gotten tired on the fairly short trips I've taken since I've had it. The longest I went on was 230 miles last weekend and it was fine. I am planning on a 350 mile run next weekend, so I'll see how I do then. I do have a new Mustang seat though - the stock seat sucked a$$, for lack of a better word. Mine is a 2004, so the new seats may be better. If I went on a long trip, putting a bag or something on the passenger seat would be, for me anyway, a must for back support. I tend to slouch a bit.
As for the mini apes, I like them. I didn't even really pay attention when I first got the bike, but my bars were actually pulled back too far. I pushed them over center (slightly forward of parallel with forks) and like them even better. Still playing with control position, but they feel great. Was thinking of getting taller apes, but not sure now. Anyway, I've always loved Wide Glides and it gives me good comfort on the trips I make, plus it's a great commuter. I almost bought a bagger, but I commute every day about 40 miles round trip and didn't want to fight traffic in the South Texas summer on something as big as an Electra Glide.
Anyway, good luck on your rental and I think you'll enjoy it.
As for the mini apes, I like them. I didn't even really pay attention when I first got the bike, but my bars were actually pulled back too far. I pushed them over center (slightly forward of parallel with forks) and like them even better. Still playing with control position, but they feel great. Was thinking of getting taller apes, but not sure now. Anyway, I've always loved Wide Glides and it gives me good comfort on the trips I make, plus it's a great commuter. I almost bought a bagger, but I commute every day about 40 miles round trip and didn't want to fight traffic in the South Texas summer on something as big as an Electra Glide.
Anyway, good luck on your rental and I think you'll enjoy it.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,553
Likes: 17
RE: Wide Glide Comfort
I'm not as tall as you; I'm only 6' tall.
But the mini apes are extremely comfortable. I do not feel hunched over as if I'm are reaching down and out in front of myself (as I did on the Super Glide Custom I almost purchased), nor am I reaching too high putting strain on the upper back and shoulders as I felt with tall apes on a buddy's Bob.
I've described the mini apes to friends as an effortless reach, leaving a perfect bend in the elbows for extended comfort.
They don't look as cool as tall apes (my opinion). But they're a great compromise between form and function.
Yes, I'm biased. But I did try a few bikes before making my purchase and I can say I did come to these conclusions before actually owning this bike.
Don't forget the Softail Custom. Similar... but it's interesting how you lose some stretch down low due to the forwards feeling closer, but you gain some more room up top as you feel seated a bit further back from the handlebars.
I preferred having the forward controls further away so I ended up selecting the Wide Glide over the Softail Custom.
But the mini apes are extremely comfortable. I do not feel hunched over as if I'm are reaching down and out in front of myself (as I did on the Super Glide Custom I almost purchased), nor am I reaching too high putting strain on the upper back and shoulders as I felt with tall apes on a buddy's Bob.
I've described the mini apes to friends as an effortless reach, leaving a perfect bend in the elbows for extended comfort.
They don't look as cool as tall apes (my opinion). But they're a great compromise between form and function.
Yes, I'm biased. But I did try a few bikes before making my purchase and I can say I did come to these conclusions before actually owning this bike.
Don't forget the Softail Custom. Similar... but it's interesting how you lose some stretch down low due to the forwards feeling closer, but you gain some more room up top as you feel seated a bit further back from the handlebars.
I preferred having the forward controls further away so I ended up selecting the Wide Glide over the Softail Custom.
Advanced
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: Tamiment, PA
RE: Wide Glide Comfort
I'm 6'1" and my 06 Wide Glide feels nice. I think that you will be happy with it. Just my opinion. Sit on a buch of them and see what fits the best. On the soft tails the forward controls are higher up and closer to you. I like the feel of the forward controls on my WG must better.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Wide Glide Comfort
Well, I'm 6'3", 6' of it in the legs. Harley frames have always been an issue for me, until I found the WG. Mine is a 00, and a great fit. I kept the stock handlebars, but scrapped the stock Corbin concrete seat. Replaced it with a Mustang touring seat, and my little fanny has been immensely happy ever since. Took my bike on a trip one day to see how long I could ride before having to stop. Went 14 straight hours before deciding I really, really needed a smoke break. I was 50 at the time. No back ache. Legs were a tad wobbly, arms a bit twitchy, but man, what a ride! I wouldn't do it now @ 54, but it was a good endurance test for me. One thing I remember about that ride is that an hour or so after getting home I was ready to take it back out for another spin. I'll get some pics of mine posted this Monday or Tuesday.
[IMG]local://upfiles/42292/2BB31C532F8D4723B3D0802DC9989DFA.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/42292/2BB31C532F8D4723B3D0802DC9989DFA.jpg[/IMG]
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 154
Likes: 1
From: Louisiana
RE: Wide Glide Comfort
robb,
I'm also 6'4", 34" inseam, and my solution was a set of 3" Kuryakyn forward control extensions installed on my 06 WG. Probably the best mod I've done to my bike so far. Now I can stretch out, and not look like I'm humping the gas tank......I also had my stock seat cut down and modded by Allen at Mean City Cycles, and added Streetslammer drags to get my arms a little straighter.
Worked for me!
I'm also 6'4", 34" inseam, and my solution was a set of 3" Kuryakyn forward control extensions installed on my 06 WG. Probably the best mod I've done to my bike so far. Now I can stretch out, and not look like I'm humping the gas tank......I also had my stock seat cut down and modded by Allen at Mean City Cycles, and added Streetslammer drags to get my arms a little straighter.
Worked for me!
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 329
Likes: 0
From: Central New Jersey
RE: Wide Glide Comfort
Robb,
I am 6'2 and fit well on my 02 WG.
I also installed the 3 inch forward control extensions, major comfort improvement.
I do alot of all day rides and have never had a back problem.
As for the mini apes, I am in the process of changing them out for some 16 inchers.
The stock minis were not that, bad as I endured 30000 miles with them.
Ride on and enjoy.
I am 6'2 and fit well on my 02 WG.
I also installed the 3 inch forward control extensions, major comfort improvement.
I do alot of all day rides and have never had a back problem.
As for the mini apes, I am in the process of changing them out for some 16 inchers.
The stock minis were not that, bad as I endured 30000 miles with them.
Ride on and enjoy.
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Joe Kucinski
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 160
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From:
RE: Wide Glide Comfort
Being 6' 6" and a mere 280lbs I like the "Fit" of the DWG as well. My longest 3 day trip (this summer) has been just over 1800 miles. My longest one day ride (this summer) has been 828 miles and only about 250 of it was on an interstate. My DWG has a stock seat and my butt never gets sore. I don't have one of those wimpy back rests and I have never had a sore back, riding or otherwise. Well, there was this one time back in 1968 as I was pumping Ethol,,,,,,, oops, wrong forum. Sorry for getting off track there, 
I have a bud that has an Electra Glide Standard with a custom made $800 seat and some sort of black **** rug looking thing he puts on top of it, and a back rest and he has STILL has to stop every hour cause he gets a sore ***. Who knows, everybody is different.
Ole Geezer
I have a bud that has an Electra Glide Standard with a custom made $800 seat and some sort of black **** rug looking thing he puts on top of it, and a back rest and he has STILL has to stop every hour cause he gets a sore ***. Who knows, everybody is different.
Ole Geezer
RE: Wide Glide Comfort
I agree with most everyone so far, I'm 6'2" and I love the feel of the stock forward controls and the mini apes, IMO, you can't go wrong. BTW, the 2006-and newer are a few inches longer and a little better suspension geometry. Good luck, and post some pics !