Forward controls, pros/cons?
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 329
Likes: 0
From: Novato, CA
I was running mids on my fxdxi, bought a set of forwards from a member, installed and used for a few months but switched back to the mids with hwy pegs. Personal preference but I like the feel of the mids especially in the twisties.
Novice
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: Sioux Falls, SD
I have forward controls with no mid's on my fxdb. Work great when riding in town but have to use the passenger pegs if going on long trips. If you have crash bars and another place to put your feet, I wouldn't be afraid of the forwards IMHO.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 506
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, AZ
Here is a negative of Forwards. I have large feet and for what ever reason my heals have hit the ground and scraped several times in the tight turns. It will scare the **** out of you the first time it happens. Once you have done it a few times you just learn not to go into the turns so hot. LOL....
Love them otherwise.
Love them otherwise.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,325
Likes: 7
From: SE Illinois
I just traded for a new FXDC & had forwards put on it, but I have my mid control mounts that were taken off & I'm going to buy another set of pegs and put the mid mounts & pegs back on so I have another foot position for longer rides.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 626
Likes: 2
From: The Coma
Seems to me that buying and installing forward controls is an expensive experiment. I would say try to find a used set of highway pegs, either frame mounted or hooked up to your crash bar, then take the scoot for a nice long ride. If you like it, keep the highway pegs on, if you LOVE it, resell the highway pegs for what you got 'em for and put the money towards a set of controls.
I have ridden with mids, forwards, highway pegs, and a combination of the the three. For me, mids and highway pegs seems like the way to go.
Just my 2˘, good luck with this.
I have ridden with mids, forwards, highway pegs, and a combination of the the three. For me, mids and highway pegs seems like the way to go.
Just my 2˘, good luck with this.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,063
Likes: 156
From: pembroke ma
On my old 03 low rider I went from mids to forwards after the 1st. year. I'm only 5'7 and it was the best thing I ever did. Took about an hour to get used to them. You won't regret it. Mine where Kuryaken (spelling) from J&P cycles fit great, looked great, and a piece of cake to instal. No more scraping on tight turns
I have an 08 street bob. It came with forwards and I guess from my years on dirt it felt unnatural to me. I like the balance mids provide.
My highway pegs allow me to stretch right out.I am 6'1" with a 34" inseam. And the levers aren't in the way.
If you know someone with forwards see if you can take their bike for a spin. It will become obvious really quickly if it's for you or not.
My highway pegs allow me to stretch right out.I am 6'1" with a 34" inseam. And the levers aren't in the way.
If you know someone with forwards see if you can take their bike for a spin. It will become obvious really quickly if it's for you or not.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 219
Likes: 3
From: Denmark
In this thread and others like it the conclusion seems to be that the mids are the best for short trips and cornering and the forwards are most comfy for long hauls. So why not do the obvious and go for mid controls and highway pegs. That works perfect 
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
From: SoCal
I'm 5' 10 and felt a bit cramped with the mids on my 11 FXDC. I tried forwards for about 6 weeks and went back to mids. Yes, the forwards are comfy to stretch out but at highway speeds i sometimes found it difficult to keep my feet on the pegs. So now i have mids and the adjustable highway pegs which is working out great for me.