I'd rather be flat footed all day long. The bike has to fit you most importantly. People looking to get into bikes ask me all the time, "What kind of bike should I get?" My advice is to go out and sit on them all. You'll know when you've found the bike you should have.

 

The tallest bikes and best handling are the the off road bikes. Center a gravity has nothing to do with handling only getting it off the stand.

 

With a 30 inch inseam the transition from my old BMW {87 R-80 RT) to my 2010 Dyna Super Glide was amazing. I think I have the best of both worlds with my feet flat on the ground and even a little knee bend but I'm only holding up 700# of fine bike.

With my bride on the back, I cannot conceive having only my tippy toes in solid contact with the ground. It would be hard for me to imagine a more comfortable ride than what I have. At 700# wet it is quicker and better handling than most 800 - 900# bikes and I have to assume a lot more fun. Works for me.

 

Whichever you get used to will do. Do you spend more time stopped and balancing your bike or more time actually riding?

 

I can "flatfoot" my 1200GSA, but without any bend in my legs, I would never consider carrying a passenger (unless her legs are a lot longer than mine, which would not be all bad...).

 

Regardless of the bike weight, saddle height, or the rider's inseam, the most important thing is to have the bike as level as possible before stopping.

I think we all have some reservations when stopping on wet, slippery or uneven surfaces but paying attention and being prepared to stop is (IMO) 90% of the solution in a successful stop.

That said, flat footed and a machine that best matches the riders height, strength and skill level is very important and when riding a passenger all of these factors are multiplied and if the passenger has little or no knowledge as to how to be a good passenger, all bets are off!
Some of the best riding passengers that I've ridden are larger people and some of the worst were skinny little people.

A few years back, me and my riding partner dropped in to see his daughter (she's not overweight but she is a full figured gal) and we decided to take her to lunch and she nearly "dumped" them into a ditch when she attempted to "help" him steer the bike!

I find it easier to place my (Ultra) on the jiffy stand and allow the passenger to mount/dismount while I stand by my bike and perhaps hold the brake lever just in case.

 

Thanks for all the feedback guys! My toes aren't as strong as the used to be, that's for sure . . . nor is anything else. At 66 and 142 lbs, backing my RGS out of a depression in the pavement isn't all that easy to do. Once I get a rolling of course, I'm loving the ride. Just gotta be way careful on how I park, Backing up on an incline or uprighting from a slanted roadway is tough!

 

Sounds to me your "ride" would simply change!