Street Bob Ergonomics
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Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 660
Likes: 2
From: Schaumburg, IL, near Elgin, IL
Street Bob Ergonomics
I have an '06 Street Bob with a stock seat modified by Mean City Cycles and it is pretty good on the butt. I still need to figure out what to do about my back. I have short arms and my riding position has a slight forward lean, so a backrest will not help. I have tried various positions with my mini-apes and I am starting to think that I need to look at the overall setup including my mid-controls. It may just be that I don't fit this bike and that I need a different one. Anybody else have to deal with this?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,440
Likes: 148
From: Northwest
You should be able to modify/adjust seat/bars/foot controls- to get the best feel. The bike is fine, you just need to get the right combination of things to fit you.
Find a dealer and go sit on a bunch of different configurations: note the seat, bars, controls and height.
Just 'cause Mean City modified your seat, doesn't mean it puts you where you need to be on the bike.
Find a dealer and go sit on a bunch of different configurations: note the seat, bars, controls and height.
Just 'cause Mean City modified your seat, doesn't mean it puts you where you need to be on the bike.
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Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 660
Likes: 2
From: Schaumburg, IL, near Elgin, IL
I have sat on a Softail Deluxe and it fits better. Not sure how I can make my Street Bob fit that well without trading it in on one, and I can't realy afford to do that.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,440
Likes: 148
From: Northwest
Have you looked at HD's "reach seat" for the Dyna's ? Take a look at Mustang solos also, some models have backrest attachments.
As for the bars, what is your arm length (from the 'dip' in your shoulder, to the tip of your bird finger)?
Lot's of different bars and riser combinations out there.
As for the bars, what is your arm length (from the 'dip' in your shoulder, to the tip of your bird finger)?
Lot's of different bars and riser combinations out there.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 7,645
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From: Missouri City,TX
FWIW, I'm short too at 5'6 1/2" and also have a "short" reach to the bars. I've adjusted the stock bars at least a half a dozen times and finally found my sweet spot for comfort. Also adjusting the controls/levers makes a big difference as well. I can ride for several hours using the stock seat with no discomfort at all. The LePera seat is good for maybe two hours at most, but the reach to the bars is good.
I recommend moving the bars just a little bit closer to you...just a 1/4" adjustment can make a big difference in comfort.
I recommend moving the bars just a little bit closer to you...just a 1/4" adjustment can make a big difference in comfort.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 992
Likes: 1
From: Mechanicsburg, PA
I have an '06 Street Bob with a stock seat modified by Mean City Cycles and it is pretty good on the butt. I still need to figure out what to do about my back. I have short arms and my riding position has a slight forward lean, so a backrest will not help. I have tried various positions with my mini-apes and I am starting to think that I need to look at the overall setup including my mid-controls. It may just be that I don't fit this bike and that I need a different one. Anybody else have to deal with this?
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,074
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What exactly is hurting? I am 5'4" and find I am leaning forward, too. I curve the back a bit, makes me think of a turtle 
But that probably is from the sportbikes. I have the bars in line with the forks. Around 100 miles, my tailbone is quite sore and I have had that issue with the stock seat, a custom shaped seat and now a Le Pera bare bones (where I would expect such comfort!).
I find the leaning forward actually makes it more comfortable.
But that probably is from the sportbikes. I have the bars in line with the forks. Around 100 miles, my tailbone is quite sore and I have had that issue with the stock seat, a custom shaped seat and now a Le Pera bare bones (where I would expect such comfort!).I find the leaning forward actually makes it more comfortable.
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Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 660
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From: Schaumburg, IL, near Elgin, IL
Originally Posted by Lorance66
do you have a pic of the modified seat on the bike? I was thinking of sending them a seat too.
It looks nearly identical to how it started. They swap out the foam for memory foam, and if you want, they will make it slightly thinner and narrower to aid touching down.
One caution: If you have mid controls, they will be easier to reach too. To shift, I have to lift my leg more than I used to, and sometimes my hip winds up hurting.
This is another part of my ergonomic problem, and why I'm looking at the controls.
Originally Posted by harleyxlc
What exactly is hurting?
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,107
Likes: 2
From: Carrollton, TX
And here I am pushing MY apes forward SO i'll lean forward more!
I agree with the other guys, prolly just a matter of tweaking something somewhere. Most likely your bars back just a bit more.
I agree with the other guys, prolly just a matter of tweaking something somewhere. Most likely your bars back just a bit more.
