back to midcontrols
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,553
Likes: 17
RE: back to midcontrols
I'm not extremely tall, only 6' even, but for some reason "forward" controls don't seem all that forward to me. Mids on the other hand were uncomfortable and my legs felt as though they were creeping into the crotch rocket position.
I don't understand the loss of control some of you speak of with forwards - must have to do with riding style, but whatever makes your ride feel better -- do it.
I don't understand the loss of control some of you speak of with forwards - must have to do with riding style, but whatever makes your ride feel better -- do it.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,541
Likes: 1
From: Nuevo México, Los Estados Unidos de América
RE: back to midcontrols
ORIGINAL: rdondes
Mid-controls suck. I took them off as soon as I got my 07 FXDC Superglide and put forwards on them. Who wants to ride around all crunched up (I'm 6 ft tall). In our HOG chapter, we have 5 ft. 6 in. 140 pound guys riding Dynas, Road Kings and Street Glides with forward controls and they handle their bikes just fine.
Mid-controls suck. I took them off as soon as I got my 07 FXDC Superglide and put forwards on them. Who wants to ride around all crunched up (I'm 6 ft tall). In our HOG chapter, we have 5 ft. 6 in. 140 pound guys riding Dynas, Road Kings and Street Glides with forward controls and they handle their bikes just fine.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,492
Likes: 1
From: MA
RE: back to midcontrols
ORIGINAL: Herr Monk
It's not a "fit" issue buddy, it's a ride style issue. If you ride your bike hard, mids make sense. There's a reason sportbikes don't have forward controls. I know 6'+ guys who race sporties with mids. Mids don't suck, they just don't make you look as cool as you think you are. Dynas are the riders bike of the big V-Twins, mids all the way. If you want a laid back cruiser, get a softail.
It's not a "fit" issue buddy, it's a ride style issue. If you ride your bike hard, mids make sense. There's a reason sportbikes don't have forward controls. I know 6'+ guys who race sporties with mids. Mids don't suck, they just don't make you look as cool as you think you are. Dynas are the riders bike of the big V-Twins, mids all the way. If you want a laid back cruiser, get a softail.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,541
Likes: 1
From: Nuevo México, Los Estados Unidos de América
RE: back to midcontrols
It's because allot of people (like the guy going back to mids), get pressured or suckered into putting on forwards because "that's the cool thing to do", and they don't want to ride something that's "too small" for the real men to ride. When I got my low-rider, everyone (except the racing guys I know) was like, "Dude, that's a cool bike, but you gotta get those mids off", like they needed validation for making the same decision on their bike. Forwards are fine, but it's a stlyistic, not functionalistic preference, and trying to convince people that mids are too small for them is BS, and just a "get on the band-wagon technique".
If you like them, get them. All the softails come with either forwards or floor boards... know why? Because they are a less aggressive ride. As someone with a 34" inseam, I can tell you, mids fit. You just have to adjust.
That's why it's an issue for us "mid-advocates"... because this bandwagon effect steam-roles people into getting them... how many people get on this board and one of there first posts is "I'm picking up my Street-Bob on Friday, I love it, I'm having the shop do a Stage I and forwards before I pick it up"... I've read that post at least 20 times. The physics are simple clear and irrefutable: mids offer better control. And with highway pegs, you can stretch out too. Forwards are purely aesthetics...
... and there's nothing wrong with that.glide 05, that's why it's an issue. Trying to help people, at least get them to ride the breakin period with mids.
If you like them, get them. All the softails come with either forwards or floor boards... know why? Because they are a less aggressive ride. As someone with a 34" inseam, I can tell you, mids fit. You just have to adjust.
That's why it's an issue for us "mid-advocates"... because this bandwagon effect steam-roles people into getting them... how many people get on this board and one of there first posts is "I'm picking up my Street-Bob on Friday, I love it, I'm having the shop do a Stage I and forwards before I pick it up"... I've read that post at least 20 times. The physics are simple clear and irrefutable: mids offer better control. And with highway pegs, you can stretch out too. Forwards are purely aesthetics...
... and there's nothing wrong with that.glide 05, that's why it's an issue. Trying to help people, at least get them to ride the breakin period with mids.
Club Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,474
Likes: 6
From: Port Charlotte, Florida
RE: back to midcontrols
HDDyna2006
Man i like what you did on your outter primary with the two skull covers looks good man.
I have mids and iam 6ft 1 and have put over 10k on my bike i have to say i agree with Herr Monk on this one you can adjust at first i was cramped up and i then found a good position i wanted mids as other bikes i have rode had them i just spent my money on pipes and other things so i put on a set of highway pegs for this year and if i deceide to spend the cash next year i will do forwards but i would still keep mid pegs so i can move around as i ride alot not just around the block.
At that point i just mentioned is why i have highway pegs only $55 bucks invested instead of $400 right now and if iam going to keep the mid peg **** might as well just have highway pegs for now.
That may change i will let you know when the weather changes
Man i like what you did on your outter primary with the two skull covers looks good man.
I have mids and iam 6ft 1 and have put over 10k on my bike i have to say i agree with Herr Monk on this one you can adjust at first i was cramped up and i then found a good position i wanted mids as other bikes i have rode had them i just spent my money on pipes and other things so i put on a set of highway pegs for this year and if i deceide to spend the cash next year i will do forwards but i would still keep mid pegs so i can move around as i ride alot not just around the block.
At that point i just mentioned is why i have highway pegs only $55 bucks invested instead of $400 right now and if iam going to keep the mid peg **** might as well just have highway pegs for now.
That may change i will let you know when the weather changes
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 609
Likes: 3
RE: back to midcontrols
I wouldn't call myself a "mid-advocate", it's just what I prefer. (shrugs)
Oh, and I am 6' 4". They fit just fine. Of course, my car is a Pontiac Solstice... and I fit in that just fine, too.
Oh, and I am 6' 4". They fit just fine. Of course, my car is a Pontiac Solstice... and I fit in that just fine, too.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,492
Likes: 1
From: MA
RE: back to midcontrols
herr monk:
from your post:
1) "allot of people (like the guy going back to mids), get pressured or suckered into putting on forwards"
who is pressuring them? do they not have minds of their own? are they getting pressured by unknown faces on the internet - LOL
2) "Forwards are fine, but it's a stlyistic, not functionalistic preference, and trying to convince people that mids are too small for them is BS"
mids are too small for me. period. I used them for the "break in period". They do not work for me. period. every HD is uncomfortable for me as it comes from the factory - Softails and Wideglides are not exceptions.
3) "As someone with a 34" inseam, I can tell you, mids fit. You just have to adjust."
as someone with a 36" inseam - I can tell you - mids do not fit ME - Why should I have to adjust?
4) "... because this bandwagon effect steam-roles people into getting them..."
once again - I don't understand where the pressure is coming from, nor do I understand the bandwagon
5) "mids offer better control"
OK - that is likely accurate
I guess my point is that most of what you posted is your personal opinion, and has very little basis as fact.
Case in point - risdo followed your post with a comment that mids are basically what he "prefers", not because he's a "mid-advocate" - whatever that is?
Forwards are what I prefer. Looks like risdo and I are roughly the same height! We have differnent preferences - imagine that!
It is just personal preference - I don't think anyone is trying to "look cool" based on their foot position. Most of the time I ride with a full face and a thick leather - even when it's 95 deg out - I'm pretty low on the "coolness" scale already.
from your post:
1) "allot of people (like the guy going back to mids), get pressured or suckered into putting on forwards"
who is pressuring them? do they not have minds of their own? are they getting pressured by unknown faces on the internet - LOL
2) "Forwards are fine, but it's a stlyistic, not functionalistic preference, and trying to convince people that mids are too small for them is BS"
mids are too small for me. period. I used them for the "break in period". They do not work for me. period. every HD is uncomfortable for me as it comes from the factory - Softails and Wideglides are not exceptions.
3) "As someone with a 34" inseam, I can tell you, mids fit. You just have to adjust."
as someone with a 36" inseam - I can tell you - mids do not fit ME - Why should I have to adjust?
4) "... because this bandwagon effect steam-roles people into getting them..."
once again - I don't understand where the pressure is coming from, nor do I understand the bandwagon
5) "mids offer better control"
OK - that is likely accurate
I guess my point is that most of what you posted is your personal opinion, and has very little basis as fact.
Case in point - risdo followed your post with a comment that mids are basically what he "prefers", not because he's a "mid-advocate" - whatever that is?
Forwards are what I prefer. Looks like risdo and I are roughly the same height! We have differnent preferences - imagine that!
It is just personal preference - I don't think anyone is trying to "look cool" based on their foot position. Most of the time I ride with a full face and a thick leather - even when it's 95 deg out - I'm pretty low on the "coolness" scale already.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,541
Likes: 1
From: Nuevo México, Los Estados Unidos de América
RE: back to midcontrols
Well, I can only speak from experiance, and my experiance has been, evertime I've looked at new Harleys (and then when I bought mine) all my buds, without a test-ride, or even sitting on the bike said something to the effect of "needs forwards". And that was my attitude too, becuase I thought that's how a Harley was supposed to look and ride. Luckly my sales guy may have been the one honest guy in the buisness, and recommended I try the mids, 5000 miles later, I was still happy with them, and they are what I miss most about my Dyna.
Think about Street Bobs... how many Street Bobs do you see on the street with mids still? The guys at the dealer pretty much assume, unless you're tiny, they'll be sticking forwards on that sucker before she roles off the lot.
Whatever, it's not a big deal, I would just suggest everyone who buys a bike that comes with mids, try them out for the breakin, that's it.
Think about Street Bobs... how many Street Bobs do you see on the street with mids still? The guys at the dealer pretty much assume, unless you're tiny, they'll be sticking forwards on that sucker before she roles off the lot.
Whatever, it's not a big deal, I would just suggest everyone who buys a bike that comes with mids, try them out for the breakin, that's it.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,492
Likes: 1
From: MA
RE: back to midcontrols
ORIGINAL: Herr Monk
Whatever, it's not a big deal, I would just suggest everyone who buys a bike that comes with mids, try them out for the breakin, that's it.
Whatever, it's not a big deal, I would just suggest everyone who buys a bike that comes with mids, try them out for the breakin, that's it.
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From:
RE: back to midcontrols
Hadfowards on 05 SG when i bought it, rode it home 150mi. and man was my legs wore out.
lucky he kept mids, put them back on, added lindby bars for leg strechand man what a difference, i can ride all day now.
lucky he kept mids, put them back on, added lindby bars for leg strechand man what a difference, i can ride all day now.