Riding comfort for a tall guy
Thread Starter
|
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,167
Likes: 0
Riding comfort for a tall guy
Here's the deal. I put my forwards on my 07 Super Glide the other nite and they are lookin sweet. Before this, I tended to ride mostly on my highway pegs, shifting with my rear heel. I realized this was not the best way to go about it as rear braking was to tricky riding like this. So I go with the extended forwards from Kuryakin and they sit almost exactly the same way my highway set up did. Awesome right? Nope.......I still have the same issue I have had since day one with comfort.
Comfort wise, my arms are at a very nice length considering my height(6'7), my back feels fine while riding and I can manipulate my controls fairly well. The only discomfort I seem to get is in my front upper thigh where it meets my hips. It's the same when on the pegs and using my controls or with my legs all the way out resting the back of my boots on top of the pegs.
Maybe some of you taller guys out there can help me out? I was thinking maybe a seat change might be in the works but don't know which way to go, up down or sideways. Or maybe I need to consider something else I have not thought of?
I'd appreciate some feedback from my long legged friends, cause after a 50 mile cruise today it was starting to get uncomfortable.
Comfort wise, my arms are at a very nice length considering my height(6'7), my back feels fine while riding and I can manipulate my controls fairly well. The only discomfort I seem to get is in my front upper thigh where it meets my hips. It's the same when on the pegs and using my controls or with my legs all the way out resting the back of my boots on top of the pegs.
Maybe some of you taller guys out there can help me out? I was thinking maybe a seat change might be in the works but don't know which way to go, up down or sideways. Or maybe I need to consider something else I have not thought of?
I'd appreciate some feedback from my long legged friends, cause after a 50 mile cruise today it was starting to get uncomfortable.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 627
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Riding comfort for a tall guy
I bet you are leaning back a little to aren't you?
Lower your front end a inch or so. You can temporarily (Or permanently if your like me) do this by loosing the triple clamps on the front end and sliding each fork up an inch. Easy to so and should take you all of 3 minutes with a torx bit.
Have you cranked up your shocks in the rear? Cuz at 6'7" your probably a heavy bastid too. So am I. Crank them up 2 notches if you haven't Go for a ride and see how that feels.
Also, Relax man, your not gonna fall off that thing just cruising around.
Oh and I am 6'4" and 302 pounds.
Lower your front end a inch or so. You can temporarily (Or permanently if your like me) do this by loosing the triple clamps on the front end and sliding each fork up an inch. Easy to so and should take you all of 3 minutes with a torx bit.
Have you cranked up your shocks in the rear? Cuz at 6'7" your probably a heavy bastid too. So am I. Crank them up 2 notches if you haven't Go for a ride and see how that feels.
Also, Relax man, your not gonna fall off that thing just cruising around.
Oh and I am 6'4" and 302 pounds.
Banned
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,976
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Riding comfort for a tall guy
If you are as comfty sitting on your bike as you say, then I think you may just need to relax a little.
Do you have a backrest? I found that the Corbin Classic Solo with an adjustable backrest solved all those leg problems for me. I do have to get off and stretch alittle, sometimes at fill ups.
DougJ
Do you have a backrest? I found that the Corbin Classic Solo with an adjustable backrest solved all those leg problems for me. I do have to get off and stretch alittle, sometimes at fill ups.
DougJ
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,276
Likes: 0
From: Top of Texas
RE: Riding comfort for a tall guy
JFP,
I have a 2006 Street Bob (thats what it was oriniginally anyway). Brought it home with stock forwards and was still cramped. I'm 6'3" w/ a 36" inseam. I purchased a HD Tall Boy seat rode it to Sturgis '06 that way - still cramped and also sitting up in the wind an extra 2"!Its a lot of seat...
Since then, I added Kuryakn 3" extensions and for long trips,heel rests. Started looking at seats again and ended up running a stock Low Rider seat. Recently had rotator cuff surgery (t-tear, ripped across and down). The stock bars were killing my shoulder so I installed stock Night Train bars (arms are very long too). I have never been more comfy on my bike!
There are so many different configurations to choose from - it can be difficult and sometimes expensive to find one that trips your trigger. HD doesn'tdo a very good job ofcatering to us tall dudes!
My two cents...
[IMG]local://upfiles/11891/CCC14A45682949FF8A02DD32D4C67C0D.jpg[/IMG]
I have a 2006 Street Bob (thats what it was oriniginally anyway). Brought it home with stock forwards and was still cramped. I'm 6'3" w/ a 36" inseam. I purchased a HD Tall Boy seat rode it to Sturgis '06 that way - still cramped and also sitting up in the wind an extra 2"!Its a lot of seat...
Since then, I added Kuryakn 3" extensions and for long trips,heel rests. Started looking at seats again and ended up running a stock Low Rider seat. Recently had rotator cuff surgery (t-tear, ripped across and down). The stock bars were killing my shoulder so I installed stock Night Train bars (arms are very long too). I have never been more comfy on my bike!
There are so many different configurations to choose from - it can be difficult and sometimes expensive to find one that trips your trigger. HD doesn'tdo a very good job ofcatering to us tall dudes!
My two cents...
[IMG]local://upfiles/11891/CCC14A45682949FF8A02DD32D4C67C0D.jpg[/IMG]
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 4,051
Likes: 8
From: Detroit Michigan
RE: Riding comfort for a tall guy
iam 6'6 and had the same problem, i didnt change my foward longer,but i did get a new seat and it all went away. i went with the corbin dual touring. it helped me 
Thread Starter
|
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,167
Likes: 0
RE: Riding comfort for a tall guy
Thanks for the tips guys. Alaska to answer your questions, I do tend to lean back a bit and even though I am 6'7 I am a skinny bastard at a whopping 200 pounds. I hope I don't meet you in any dark alleys! I want to try messing with my pre-load on my shocks but don't have a spanner wrench. Any shade-tree mechanic methods for adjusting them?
I do agree with you and Doug thatI may just have a relaxation problem and I think I may have worked a little of that out tonite. I was running with H-D flame collection pegs and had them running at the same angle as the controls which meant that when I would lay my legs up, my boots would always feel like they were going to slide out off the pegs because the boots were laying on the chrome edges. Without any heelrests I think it was a big part of my problem when riding normally too.
As for Boogie and Jackyl, Boogie I agree that it can be expensive and time consuming to find just the right set up. That's why I was hoping you guys couldhelp me out! lol.
Jackyl, I was considering a Sundowner to maybe move me back an ince of two for more stretch plus I have read that the comfort on those are awesome but the price for just a seat is kind of high for me right now. I was hoping to stay solo seat for looks and the excuse to not have to give anyone rides on the back. How much did your seat run?
Again, thanks for the valuable input guys. A reminder for the others who view this post, I am not amiss to more suggestions. Your input is the thing that keeps me coming to these forums everyday. I have learned alot in a short time.
I want to try messing with my pre-load on my shocks but don't have a spanner wrench. Any shade-tree mechanic methods for adjusting them?I do agree with you and Doug thatI may just have a relaxation problem and I think I may have worked a little of that out tonite. I was running with H-D flame collection pegs and had them running at the same angle as the controls which meant that when I would lay my legs up, my boots would always feel like they were going to slide out off the pegs because the boots were laying on the chrome edges. Without any heelrests I think it was a big part of my problem when riding normally too.
As for Boogie and Jackyl, Boogie I agree that it can be expensive and time consuming to find just the right set up. That's why I was hoping you guys couldhelp me out! lol.
Jackyl, I was considering a Sundowner to maybe move me back an ince of two for more stretch plus I have read that the comfort on those are awesome but the price for just a seat is kind of high for me right now. I was hoping to stay solo seat for looks and the excuse to not have to give anyone rides on the back. How much did your seat run?
Again, thanks for the valuable input guys. A reminder for the others who view this post, I am not amiss to more suggestions. Your input is the thing that keeps me coming to these forums everyday. I have learned alot in a short time.
Trending Topics
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 627
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Riding comfort for a tall guy
yah, I have a suggestion for the rear shocks. Grab and twist. I did my Bobs today again. I like to fiddle with things.....lol.
YOU are a skinny bastid...6'7" and 200 pounds...you should just change you screen name to Stretch.
YOU are a skinny bastid...6'7" and 200 pounds...you should just change you screen name to Stretch.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
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
Thread Starter
|
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,167
Likes: 0
RE: Riding comfort for a tall guy
I made some adjustments to my highway pegs today and it seemed to aleviate some of the discomfort. Man it sucks being tall sometimes! I'm going to try adjuting my rear shocks up some and see if that helps.
I'm also considering a new seat as the stock one isn't super comfortable after about an hour or two on the scooter. I am thinking if I go with something that maybe sits me back a few more inches and maybe up an inch might help things out? Anyone got recommendations on seat brands and/or dealers? I don't want to come off cheap, but I have rung up the old visa pretty good since I bought her and I need to get something economically sound.
I'm also considering a new seat as the stock one isn't super comfortable after about an hour or two on the scooter. I am thinking if I go with something that maybe sits me back a few more inches and maybe up an inch might help things out? Anyone got recommendations on seat brands and/or dealers? I don't want to come off cheap, but I have rung up the old visa pretty good since I bought her and I need to get something economically sound.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 881
Likes: 2
RE: Riding comfort for a tall guy
I'm only 6 but I have to ride around most of the time with my feet over the pegs to be comfortable. Like you my arms are good The 18's help with that lol but the forward controls suck a$$.