Mids vs Forwards When Moving Up to a Dyna???
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 5,477
Likes: 5
From: New Braunfels, Texas
I would strongly suggest mids with freeway pegs. With mids you will be comfortable with the dyna right away and they do give you better control. With freeway pegs you will have two foot positions which for me is a must on long rides.
I'm glad your considering the dyna...you will never look back and wish you got the sporty instead.
I'm glad your considering the dyna...you will never look back and wish you got the sporty instead.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 65
Likes: 1
From: VA
I'm short 5'6" and purchased a 09 fat bob last fall. Wasn't sure about the forwards at first but after a reduced reach seat and a little time riding I really like the forwards. Can't tell much difference in control once I got used to the forwards
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,584
Likes: 918
From: coast to coast
I'm only 5'6 with a 32 inseem and sometimes my mids feel a little cramped, but I'd say its hard to beat mids for control in my experience, especially in the twisties or around traffic. They just keep you planted better on the bike and give you more torso control. I run mids with highway pegs which give me the option to stretch out a bit if I need it. Your Sporty had mids if I'm not mistaken. That should give you an idea of how mids will fit you.
As for confidence on a Dyna, I think you'll find find the Dyna an easier handling bike with its lower center of gravity, seat height, and slightly less snappy throttle response due to its power to weight ratio. It's heavier than the sporty but less tippy and smoother to operate. I like Sportsers a lot, but I actually think they are tougher for a beginners bike.
As others said, a test ride is always a great idea. Let us know what you get.
As for confidence on a Dyna, I think you'll find find the Dyna an easier handling bike with its lower center of gravity, seat height, and slightly less snappy throttle response due to its power to weight ratio. It's heavier than the sporty but less tippy and smoother to operate. I like Sportsers a lot, but I actually think they are tougher for a beginners bike.
As others said, a test ride is always a great idea. Let us know what you get.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 249
Likes: 8
From: Sacramento
I hadn't ridden for years when I got my Dyna, and rode with mids for a while before switching to forwards. You might try that, as it will give you time to feel a bit more control over the bike to start. I have recently switched back to mids, because I like to ride as aggressively and for as long as possible, and mids not only feel like you're more in control, but at least for me I tend to sit up straighter and my back feels better for a longer time on the bike.
Floorboards offer a good balance between mids and forwards. They offer comfort for cruising without the air up the pants leg effect forwards can often have while offering the control of mids without making you feel cramped.
I installed Nylocks on mine so I set them to flex on tight curves.
Bob
I installed Nylocks on mine so I set them to flex on tight curves.
Bob
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,949
Likes: 150
From: South of Mordor
What did you have on the Sporty? Did you like them where they were?
I had fowards on mt 1200C amd loved them, but often wished I could move my feet back to a rest position. When I got my Street Bob, it had Mids and I hated shifting and braking there (guess its because I was used to the forwards on the Sporty) and installed forward controls. However, I modified my mids to accomidate a shorter peg (I made) so I could have the mid location as a rest point. When riding my feet are all over the plce on the pegs, sometimes both forward, sometimes both on mids and sometimes one forward and one mid, very nice option when traveling.
I had fowards on mt 1200C amd loved them, but often wished I could move my feet back to a rest position. When I got my Street Bob, it had Mids and I hated shifting and braking there (guess its because I was used to the forwards on the Sporty) and installed forward controls. However, I modified my mids to accomidate a shorter peg (I made) so I could have the mid location as a rest point. When riding my feet are all over the plce on the pegs, sometimes both forward, sometimes both on mids and sometimes one forward and one mid, very nice option when traveling.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
From: Indian Head, Maryland
I had the stock Mids on the Sporty, that's all I know so I can't say if forwards would be or would have been more comfortable
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 463
Likes: 2
From: Buffalo, NY
who... me said "my knees were in my chin. That bike had highway pegs, but they were way out there." I had the same problem with the highway pegs. Then one day I was looking at my bike and realized that because of the way they are made, if I flipped them, I'd bring them up a couple inches. That made all the difference. I'm 5'9" 180 with a 32" inseam. It worked for me.