Pros and Cons Mid versus Forward Controls
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 40
From: New York
Highway pegs are secondary places to put your feet (when you're not shifting or braking) usually they're bolted to an engine guard , which some people call highway bars or "crash" bars, not my favorite term. But I guess some are bolted directly to the forward frame members. Hope this helps.
Last edited by Blackfly; Apr 15, 2013 at 06:29 PM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,456
Likes: 2,860
From: SW FL-Jersey Shore Emigre
Your dealer doesn"t have any rentals with Forwards?!! Excuse me, but I've hardly seen a dealer that has anything BUT forwards! That said, after riding a variety of metrics back in the 60's and 70s', I was a bit apprehensive about forwards. Now, I (5'8", 30" inseam") wouldn't ride mids at all. Just sayin'...
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Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 553
Likes: 46
From: Canton, GA
They told me they didn't have forwards due to liability reasons. Sounds stupid to me considering 90%of the bikes they sell have forwards.
I think I am going to get highway pegs to try it out because I do like the control of the mids and the ability to do scootch around on the seat.
I think I am going to get highway pegs to try it out because I do like the control of the mids and the ability to do scootch around on the seat.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,056
Likes: 251
From: Connecticut
No sense arguing which is better. It all depends on the individual. If I were 6-3 with a 34" inseam I'd be more comfortable with forwards too.
Even with my 30 to 31" inseam I was a little cramped with mids and the stock seat. After getting a C&C seat that brought me back about an inch and a half the problem was solved and I couldn't be more comfortable. On my Softail I'm ok with the forwards but I can kiss getting a highway bar goodbye because the reach would be too much for me.
Whether it's mids or forwards, it's all about getting the right to fit you. Simple as that.
Even with my 30 to 31" inseam I was a little cramped with mids and the stock seat. After getting a C&C seat that brought me back about an inch and a half the problem was solved and I couldn't be more comfortable. On my Softail I'm ok with the forwards but I can kiss getting a highway bar goodbye because the reach would be too much for me.
Whether it's mids or forwards, it's all about getting the right to fit you. Simple as that.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,164
Likes: 6
From: Greenfield, Massachusetts
I am only 5'-3/34" tall. Don't really know my inseam, but I think it's average. Everyone told me no way I should go with forward controls. I have had them on 3 bikes, and can tell you I MUCH prefer them to mid-controls. For some reason I get really bad cramping in my thighs with mids. I tried mids with highway pegs, but do not like not having my feet right near the controls, having to take them off the highway pegs to get down to the controls to shift, etc. AND ... I actually feel the handling of the bikes has been BETTER for me in the more extended position! It really IS a personal preference.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 485
Likes: 9
From: Central PA
i want to know whats causing my thigh and leg cramping on long rides lol. after 2 4hr rides yesterday my legs were killing me. torwards the end i was wondering if i'd even be able to hold the bike up if i hit a light.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 265
Likes: 14
From: Abilene TX
i wondered the same thing for a while. then i realized that at least for me it is because the wind tries to push my knees out away from the tank and i have to constantly try to keep my knees in. after a while this makes my legs tired.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
I liken the riding position and bike set-up to a series of compromises that vary according to everything from what I'm wearing to environmental conditions!
I have mid-controls because, for most cases, it results in my body being in the ergonomically relaxed (according to your spine!) position of "dining table" posture (you can imagine it, so no need for angles talk). But I also have highway pegs, for stretching out.
But then the compromises start:
- with my "proper riding boots", I cannot shift without moving my left foot around. That is, swiveling the toe in and out relative to the heel to get under or over the shift lever. It's the height of the boot.
- with a more casual boot or just a regular shoe, which I wear on short rides or around town or commuting to/from work, the fit between mid-control-peg and shifter-lever is better. That is, my foot sits nicely in a heel-on-peg toe under-or- over lever position (no swivel needed).
- in twisties, I like the control the mid-controls allow, especially the way one can grip knees inwards and shift our weight around, as most of us learned on dirt bikes when younger.
- but in sweeping turns, I like the forward leg position, so I use the highway pegs and at those moments would prefer forward controls.
For me, the above compromises are what give meaning to "riding position is subjective". But I might differ from some in thinking that, all else being equal, a dining table position is ergonomically and control-wise superior. But I know departures from that happen due to the compromises most of us live with on our hogs, or just stylistic preferences too. In the end, if we rode for optimum comfort and control, we would probably take the car!
I have mid-controls because, for most cases, it results in my body being in the ergonomically relaxed (according to your spine!) position of "dining table" posture (you can imagine it, so no need for angles talk). But I also have highway pegs, for stretching out.
But then the compromises start:
- with my "proper riding boots", I cannot shift without moving my left foot around. That is, swiveling the toe in and out relative to the heel to get under or over the shift lever. It's the height of the boot.
- with a more casual boot or just a regular shoe, which I wear on short rides or around town or commuting to/from work, the fit between mid-control-peg and shifter-lever is better. That is, my foot sits nicely in a heel-on-peg toe under-or- over lever position (no swivel needed).
- in twisties, I like the control the mid-controls allow, especially the way one can grip knees inwards and shift our weight around, as most of us learned on dirt bikes when younger.
- but in sweeping turns, I like the forward leg position, so I use the highway pegs and at those moments would prefer forward controls.
For me, the above compromises are what give meaning to "riding position is subjective". But I might differ from some in thinking that, all else being equal, a dining table position is ergonomically and control-wise superior. But I know departures from that happen due to the compromises most of us live with on our hogs, or just stylistic preferences too. In the end, if we rode for optimum comfort and control, we would probably take the car!
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