Are forward controls difficult?
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 302
Likes: 8
From: Huddersfield. U.K.
I've usually ridden Japanese bikes with either mid controls or footpegs tucked behind.
Decided to buy a Harley, and after testing a few, felt the midcontrols just didn't feel very Harley like and decided to buy a Fat Bob with forwards. Very comfortable ride. I can swap between the Harley and the Honda with no trouble adapting to the very different positions.
The only snag with forwards is that its not easy to reposition yourself on the seat by standing on the pegs. But with such a comfortable seat, this isn't a real issue.
Decided to buy a Harley, and after testing a few, felt the midcontrols just didn't feel very Harley like and decided to buy a Fat Bob with forwards. Very comfortable ride. I can swap between the Harley and the Honda with no trouble adapting to the very different positions.
The only snag with forwards is that its not easy to reposition yourself on the seat by standing on the pegs. But with such a comfortable seat, this isn't a real issue.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 553
Likes: 0
From: Mission Viejo, CA / Salt Lake City, UT
I have bikes with both and would choose mid-controls to learn on. That might just be because I'm only 5'3 and the forward controls are on the bigger bike. Neither one is a big deal - you can adjust to them in a very short time if you're not used to them.
Lisa
Lisa
Supporter
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 15,788
Likes: 5,629
From: along the shore of Mishigami
+1 on the mids while you are in the learning stage and gaining experience. Any obstacles in the road you can't stand on the fwd cont. and that could upset a novice rider and quite possibly a veteran rider also.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,443
Likes: 3
From: Northwest Georgia
I like mid controls with the addition of highway pegs. I can ride with my legs tucked or I can stretch them out. It's nice to switch up leg positions on long rides. Mid mount controls without highway pegs suck on long trips, even though they're probably better to learn on.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 642
Likes: 0
From: Haslet, Texas
I learned on a bike with forward controls and found it no more difficult then any other style. I still find it more comfortable.
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