Best Bike for Tall Riders
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 9,788
Likes: 8,668
From: Edmonton, Alberta
Last edited by Dynamick; Oct 22, 2019 at 01:31 AM.
Im 6'7 and ride a SG, my knees are no where near what you say.. im very comfortable on it. i have a 37" inseam. stock seat only thing I did was put highway pegs on it for long rides/
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
My 6'5" son has had 883's to Ultra's without any issue. I'm 6'3" and have Sporty's to touring also with no problem at all.
Just need to learn to adapt and a couple of changes like highway pegs for the Sportster and I can ride all day. Remember to move your feet back to the pegs to shift. I still stab at the empty air in front of the highway pegs. But then I have old timers desease.
Just need to learn to adapt and a couple of changes like highway pegs for the Sportster and I can ride all day. Remember to move your feet back to the pegs to shift. I still stab at the empty air in front of the highway pegs. But then I have old timers desease.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 12,208
Likes: 7,768
From: Along the shoreline in SW FL
6'5" myself....
Look towards a Dyna chassis (FXD), or a softail chassis (FXST or FLST)
Since it's your first bike I recommend a Dyna....lower cost of entry, and to be realistic, first bike = higher chance of being dropped/falling over/going down so stick to a lower cost first bike.
First thing to address...foot controls.
Stock mid controls on any chassis will feel cramped to you, look for extended forward controls, dealers can install them for you (extra $$$ of course)
You can Google for tons and tons of pics of what they are.
Second thing to address, bars. Can address this several different ways, mostly a matter of taste and style. My prior Dyna started out life as a StreetBob so it had mini apes....which is better for tall people. However I didn't like the look of those, I preferred lower bars...so I had Superglide bars on mine. Worse for my height...but still worked well for me.
Seat...many options here....take your time. To get into the bike start with forward controls....and take your time with the bars and seats.
Look towards a Dyna chassis (FXD), or a softail chassis (FXST or FLST)
Since it's your first bike I recommend a Dyna....lower cost of entry, and to be realistic, first bike = higher chance of being dropped/falling over/going down so stick to a lower cost first bike.
First thing to address...foot controls.
Stock mid controls on any chassis will feel cramped to you, look for extended forward controls, dealers can install them for you (extra $$$ of course)
You can Google for tons and tons of pics of what they are.
Second thing to address, bars. Can address this several different ways, mostly a matter of taste and style. My prior Dyna started out life as a StreetBob so it had mini apes....which is better for tall people. However I didn't like the look of those, I preferred lower bars...so I had Superglide bars on mine. Worse for my height...but still worked well for me.
Seat...many options here....take your time. To get into the bike start with forward controls....and take your time with the bars and seats.
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
From: USA
Get a wide glide/fatbob (they have forward controls, and aftermarket extensions available) put on some 12" or 14" apes, and a seat for long legs (HD tallboy, lepera Daddy long legs, etc) you should be fine. Unless you'd rather lean forward, then drag bars are a good bet. I loved the sportier feel of drag bars on the fatbob I had. I'm 6'3", 34" inseam.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 996
Likes: 0
From: Surprise, AZ
I'm 6'3 and own a wide glide. I fit the bike ok stock but still felt like it was kind of small on me. I bought a C&C sport tour seat and todds cycles fat bob apes. Now the bike feels perfect. I think the taller bars and slightly lower seat give the illusion on the bike being bigger.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,979
Likes: 57
From: PA
Bah, I'm 6'3, ride an SG, and am very comfortable on it. Even with the Sundowner seat, which moves you forward slightly, I still have plenty of room.