Tall Man
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Joined: Jan 2007
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Tall Man
Is the Dyna Wide Glide suitable for my frame? I'll add the extended foot controls. I'm 6'7 240lbs. I know the WG has all harleys beat in length, so, is this a big bike? I'm only 23 so I'm not looking into the touring class yet (and again, the WG still has them beat in length), but between all softails and the WG, which do you guys think is suitable for a big guy like me? I cant go to the dealers because im stationed in south korea right now, but Ill be back in a month. Thats when I want to get my harley. It's a toss up between the WG (#1 choice), the Deuce or the NightTrain. I could just wait till I got back to the states to know the answer, but the anticipaton is killing me! I don't want to go on any longer if I'm going to be dissapointed (only in the sense that I'm too big). Thanks
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,704
Likes: 95
From:
RE: Tall Man
I'm 6'2" 240 and fit the Deuce should fit fine. You will need the extended foot controls (I haven't done it but I think I will). I find I have to reach a bit for the handlebars so you'll be fine. Friend of mine has the Wide Glide and the layout of the Deuce and the Wide Glide are very similar. He's 5'9" so the WG. The Night Train is also similar, with the little beach bars. I do gotta tell you, friend who is 6'4" and all legs and forward forwards on his Deuce has his knees out REAL wide. At 6'7" I don't think you're gonna fit real well on anything - I think it's a matter of which works best. I think you'll have to "adjust" the bike with handlebars, controls and seat.
You sit up and forward on the tourers - I actually have less room. A friend, 6'3" had to extend the floorboards and controls forward on an RK. And if your dogs are reasonably big they aren't gonna fit well on the boards and between the front/back shifter. I actually gotta pay attention to where I put my foot (14) back down on the left floorboard of a tourer so as not to go up or down a gear.
You sit up and forward on the tourers - I actually have less room. A friend, 6'3" had to extend the floorboards and controls forward on an RK. And if your dogs are reasonably big they aren't gonna fit well on the boards and between the front/back shifter. I actually gotta pay attention to where I put my foot (14) back down on the left floorboard of a tourer so as not to go up or down a gear.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,492
Likes: 1
From: MA
RE: Tall Man
I think you're on the right track with the Wideglide with extended forwards. The measure you have left out is your inseam length. This plays a big factor. I'm 6'5 and about 230lbs, inseam between 35-36". As "nine11c2" already mentioned - no Harley will fit you when setup as stock - bars and foot position will likely need to be "tweaked" together. The unfortunate thing is that unless you have friends with extended setups, there is no real way to judge which bike will be the most comfortable when extended forwards are added. I was told by the dealer that the Softail foot position was not adjustable - of course I know better now, but still not sure you can get the same extension as you can with a WG. Just sitting on the various stock models, the WG was the best fit for me, but I kind of choked on the price tag relative to the Superglide, so I bought a Superglide with the intent of modifying it. Quickly added the extended forwards, and it's reasonably comfortable. Since then I had the opportunity to ride a friends WG without extension and found it OK, but not nearly as comfy as my SG with extended. Knees were way wide. I think the extended for WG is 1" longer than what I have on my SG, if this is the case, I would guess that the WG with 3" extension is about as good as it's going to get for you. All that being said - you really need to get to a dealer and spend at least a couple of hours going back and forth - it's really the only way.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,196
Likes: 13
From: Maryland
RE: Tall Man
I'm 6'5" and I sat on nearly every model of bike my dealer had and none of them seem to fit to my liking.it's the downfall of being tall. i didn't care for the look of the WG so what I decided on was a 07 FatBoy and then I had the floorboards extended along with the brake and gear levers.my legs are not totally stretched out but that may never happen. I'm also in the hunt for a seat that will sit me back a little further. HD designers probably never considers there are tall riders out there.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,828
Likes: 4
From: Central Jersey
RE: Tall Man
ORIGINAL: dugan
I'm also in the hunt for a seat that will sit me back a little further. HD designers probably never considers there are tall riders out there.
I'm also in the hunt for a seat that will sit me back a little further. HD designers probably never considers there are tall riders out there.
I think in your case, a set of extensions on the forward controls, and an upgraded seat (perhaps a tallboy or sidekick) will combine to make for a very comfortable ride for you. And yes...the wide glide is the longest bike in HD's lineup...and for someone your height it should work better than a bike with floorboards or mid set controls. Everything I'm saying goes for any bike with a similar setup (i.e. softail standard, deuce, softail custom, nitetrain)
Still...I found the WG to be even slightly longer than those bikes...perhaps working to your advantage.
Just my .02
Todd
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,051
Likes: 8
From: Detroit Michigan
RE: Tall Man
i am 6'6 and i own a streetbob.i put fowards on it and it fits me like a glove.the wdg will fit you fine.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,492
Likes: 1
From: MA
RE: Tall Man
Excellent points on the seat.
The HD tallboy seat looks like it could be a real winner from a comfort standpoint, but being 2" higher in the saddle will certainly affect your aerodynamics, especially as you ride at higher speeds.
I would really like this option myself, but looks only available for 06 and later Dynas, although the 06 and later do seem more cramped to me than the 05 and earlier, and that is perhaps why this seat is available for the newer models.
Good Luck.
The HD tallboy seat looks like it could be a real winner from a comfort standpoint, but being 2" higher in the saddle will certainly affect your aerodynamics, especially as you ride at higher speeds.
I would really like this option myself, but looks only available for 06 and later Dynas, although the 06 and later do seem more cramped to me than the 05 and earlier, and that is perhaps why this seat is available for the newer models.
Good Luck.
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 627
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Tall Man
6'4" and 305 pounds. I have ridden a WG before and I was fine. But then again I am fine on my mid controls of the streetbob.
Just depends on what you like. I like my feet under me to keep the weight off my ****.
Just depends on what you like. I like my feet under me to keep the weight off my ****.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 0
From: SW Corner of NW Corner
RE: Tall Man
I'm 6'2" with 34" inseem (32/34 depends on the pant). Anyway, here is a good picture of my leg position on my Wide Glide. I have the Kuryakyn 3" extensions as well. As already mentioned, seats will make a difference. In this picture I am using a non stock HD seat with backrest. I just switched to a Mustang. Although I have only ridden once since the change, I think it moved me up a little... maybe an inch.
