Try not to take it so personally....I don't like forwards, you do.
It's just a difference of opinion.
I had forwards on my Dyna when I first bought it, in my opinion they sucked.


Uhhhhhhh............What?
Next time I need to know what I like......I'll be sure to consult with you.


1969....

But that is irrelevant to anything in this discussion.
All a person needs to do is ride around for a couple of hours to know whether something like foot peg position is comfortable for them.
Consequently, if I had only been on a "hog" for 2 hours, I would still know that I don't like forward controls.

I had plenty of motorcycles over the years that had forward controls, but after riding a bike for a while with mids, I decided that I liked the way they felt and the nice tucked in position that they put me in.

If you disagree with me......OK.

 

Not very fond of Interstate riding myself...Like others say it gets us from Point A to B in short period of time.


Back in Summer of '09, Trip to TN from NY was my second long trip on my new Ultra. Had to get down there fast and took my time on the way back home. In fact, It was a 10 day trip which was well worth my cherished memories. Done it 3 times and will do it again.


Thorey

 

Forward controls compared to mids were mentioned in this thread. I do not like forwards. Especially on a long ride. All the weight goes on my tail and I get back pains. With mids I can put weight on my legs to relieve the pressure. Plus I can stand on the pegs when necessary.

I add highway pegs to stretch.

 

I don't prefer interstates nor do I mind them. I believe they are safer due to lack of intersections where most accidents occur and a wider field of vision that helps you scan for large animals crossing the roadway.

Turbulence causes me no problem although a windshield is a must for me and a full face with shield makes it even more comfortable. I used to ride out of town without a windshield and now I can't understand why. YMMV

 

I guess this is one of those times when I can just say... "To Each Their Own". I am a !35lb 5'6" 72 year old male with a 30 inch inseam. I am much more comfortable with the forward controls on my 2009 Harley XL883L Sportster.

I also have a Corbin Genuine Stingray Leather seat, my second Corbin seat (I also had one on my Suzuki s40 Boulevard) and I would never have anything else but a Corbin, best support and comfort. A bit on the expensive side but well worth it to me.

Ride Safe - Ride Smart


"He Who Lives In Joy Does His Creator's Will".
The Baal Shem Tov, Founder of Chasidic Judaism... ca. 1750's

 

As has been said by most, highway is the fastest way from A to B. Personally, I just like to ride. Matters not how I get there, as long as I get there. But I much prefer no windshield, highway or not.

 

The more you ride and the more experience you gain you will become more comfortable with it. I have no issues with the interstate but I prefer a back roads/secondary roads all day to interstates. The scenery is always better and your chances of running across mom and pop spots to eat or stretch your legs is far better than the Interstate. If I need to be from A to B in the shortest time possible its the interstate, usually I am not in that big of a hurry so its the back roads

 

Six years ago, I took my first on-ramp onto the 10 West freeway in So Cal for my first "Interstate ride." I made it about 5 exits, going 55 in a 65, because I was so nervous.

This past summer, I did my first Iron Butt, from So Cal to Salt Lake City, back to Las Vegas - all Interstate.

It gets easier over time.

 

Congrats on your SS 1000!

 

When I started out in 1964 riding big Hogs most of my journeys were on back roads and the Interstate was just being built. I could go from bar to bar with my buddies with nary a hitch at any speed over 50 (unless we decided to race).


Today you would be hard pressed to even get out of town without at least an hour ride at 80-90 mph in New Jersey with Kamikazee Cagers tailgating you and trying to cut you off and harass you at speeds we never used to see except on the drag strip.


It is NOT your imagination. And you HAVE to adjust accordingly.


The good news is that our Harleys have all ways had plenty of high speed handling qualities due to rake of 30 degrees or more and in the case of the new Touring models, a special front fork with the tubes mounted rearward---thus these bikes have lots of TRAIL even with a short rake for low speed ease.


IF your Harley feels skittish at highway speeds there are things you can do to improve it. The basic bike is still in great shape but due to marketing the seat/bars/pegs are most likely chosen so that the factory can SELL these bikes to people that don't FIT them.


When I bought my Deuce the seat was mounted very far back so that EVERY person would fit on it even if they were seven feet tall. The pegs were jammed up CLOSE so that midgets could ride it. The seat was LOW so that GIRLS could buy it. The bars were wide so that WEAK riders could steer it.


In short--it was a TOTAL PIECE OF S***. I have been riding for 50 years and have to say the basic impression was that I was terrified to ride at any speed over 50.


I fixed the seat (four seats later(). I stretched the forward pegs. I fixed the bars with narrower bars and proper non-pullback risers for better steering.


NOW the bike is a dream on the highway and on the backroads and mountain twisties. My best friend rides a big BMW Touring bike and he likes to switch bikes because "Your Harley is a Better Ride than my BMW!"


YOU have to make the bike FIT you.


The good news is that Harleys have POTENTIAL to be the best feeling bike out there.


Don't get angry if I like forward controls. On my Deuce they look right, feel right and handle right. Your mileage may differ. Get over it. And go make YOUR Harley feel right to YOU. We would ALL appreciate if if you would be happy for a change!


Peace.