Pros and Cons Mid versus Forward Controls
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 180
Likes: 3
From: Ball Ground, GA
I had a big pickup pull out in front of me during my lunch break and I had to pulse the rear brake pedal to get out of a skid, and somehow used my weight to keep the bike upright. I know I wouldn't have that kind of control with the old forwards the bike came with.
5'6", 150lb
5'6", 150lb
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 727
Likes: 1
From: Silverdale, WA
It's funny the number of people who say oh you must have a Dyna if you don't have forward controls.
My 06 Dyna Wide Glide came with forward controls and mini apes. I'd never had either before.
I had never tested; I just knew that's what I'd always wanted.
It took me about 5 minutes to get used to the forward controls; less time to get used to the mini apes. Never a problem. If there's a negative side, then it's the standing on the pegs like the man said, and getting used to bringing the feet back and down instead of just down. The upside is it beats common.
30" inseam.
My 06 Dyna Wide Glide came with forward controls and mini apes. I'd never had either before.
I had never tested; I just knew that's what I'd always wanted.
It took me about 5 minutes to get used to the forward controls; less time to get used to the mini apes. Never a problem. If there's a negative side, then it's the standing on the pegs like the man said, and getting used to bringing the feet back and down instead of just down. The upside is it beats common.
30" inseam.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,267
Likes: 1
From: Redcar Cleveland England
As you can see it's a personal choice. I don't like forward controls. I have mid controls and highway pegs. Even on the highway I only use the highway pegs to give my legs a break for a few minutes here and there. In urban traffic I only use the mids.
Either way, it's for you to decided.
Either way, it's for you to decided.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 864
Likes: 28
From: Mt. Pleasant SC
absolutely I ride normal and I'm tall. You definitely have more control and I find it most comfortable. If you want to stretch out you don't need the controls there
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 7,492
Likes: 4,964
From: North Dakota
Some folks like coke, some like pepsi.
If it don't have forwards, I ain't buying it. The trike about drove me crazy, but it was so different in everything that I just lived with it. But it's just personal preference.
Some people say you don't have as much control with forwards. Some people say you don't have as much control with apes. I guess I'm just screwed.
5'7" - 30" inseam
If it don't have forwards, I ain't buying it. The trike about drove me crazy, but it was so different in everything that I just lived with it. But it's just personal preference.
Some people say you don't have as much control with forwards. Some people say you don't have as much control with apes. I guess I'm just screwed.
5'7" - 30" inseam
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 934
Likes: 0
From: PNW, USA
Please explain this. Ever hear of counter steering?
Mids may be helpful during slow speed maneuvers, if you know how to weight the inside peg and shift your butt to the outside of the saddle. The only riders I ever see do this are motor-officers.
While mids do permit you to lift off the seat for RR tracks easier than forwards, having the mids bang your shins, catch your pants leg hem or simply being cramped, the mids aren't worth it. Forwards are far more comfortable for me, but I would certainly agree that, on some bike styles, the mids are aesthetically more appealing, regardless of comfort.
Sportsters are available with mids or forwards, too, not just Dynas.
Mids may be helpful during slow speed maneuvers, if you know how to weight the inside peg and shift your butt to the outside of the saddle. The only riders I ever see do this are motor-officers.
While mids do permit you to lift off the seat for RR tracks easier than forwards, having the mids bang your shins, catch your pants leg hem or simply being cramped, the mids aren't worth it. Forwards are far more comfortable for me, but I would certainly agree that, on some bike styles, the mids are aesthetically more appealing, regardless of comfort.
Sportsters are available with mids or forwards, too, not just Dynas.
No what's counter steering?
Counter steering aside, what don't you understand?
I still think it is easier to initial the lean with mids along with counter steering.
Never seen a pro stock track race bike with forwards. Just saying...
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 485
Likes: 9
From: Central PA
coming from years of having my feet right under me on dirt bikes then getting a WG with forwards i was in shock trying to learn to ride it. i hated the forwards. 1000 miles later and i love the forwards and realize the reasons they sucked at first was
1. bike came with a big fluffy aftermarket sundowner seat that sits you way high and way back which made it awkward because of sitting higher and that it sat me so my leg had to bend around the huge air cleaner and i have short legs.. the moment i bought a stock seat that lowered me and pushed me forward the awkwardness went away and confidence went wey up
2. bike came with aftermarkey bars that the indi believes are chubbies, they were lined up with the forks and that put them too far back for me, had me pretty much laying down which coupled with the seat made the bike scary to ride and learn.
after simply changing back to a stock seat and rolling the bars forward a tiny bit i love the feel of the bike and dont feel like the forwards take away from my control.
hell with the stock seat and bars rolled up a bit the forwards dont seem all that forward lol. changing those 2 things also got the air cleaner out of my way.
1. bike came with a big fluffy aftermarket sundowner seat that sits you way high and way back which made it awkward because of sitting higher and that it sat me so my leg had to bend around the huge air cleaner and i have short legs.. the moment i bought a stock seat that lowered me and pushed me forward the awkwardness went away and confidence went wey up
2. bike came with aftermarkey bars that the indi believes are chubbies, they were lined up with the forks and that put them too far back for me, had me pretty much laying down which coupled with the seat made the bike scary to ride and learn.
after simply changing back to a stock seat and rolling the bars forward a tiny bit i love the feel of the bike and dont feel like the forwards take away from my control.
hell with the stock seat and bars rolled up a bit the forwards dont seem all that forward lol. changing those 2 things also got the air cleaner out of my way.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 40
From: New York
Oh, did I mention I like the forwards just fine ?
Last edited by Blackfly; Apr 15, 2013 at 06:34 PM.