Forward Control Question
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Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 551
Likes: 2
From: Fort Bragg, NC
Forward Control Question
Im starting to dislike the floorboards and heel/toe shifter on my Fatboy. Im 6'3 and when I finish putting on my 16" apes I know its going to feel awkward. I did some searching on forward controls but Im still kinda lost. Do I have to by the conrtol kit and the extension kit? Or is there someone who makes both all in one? Who makes a good kit that doesnt cost 1000 bucks? Im in the range of no more than 500. Ive heard good and bad about Kuryakyn and Arlen Ness. Also, what lenght extension do you reccomend for my height? I have a 33-34" inseam. Im new to Harley so I dont have a lot of experience in the the customization dept. but im working on that. Thanks alot!
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 769
Likes: 1
From: (UK)
RE: Forward Control Question
Im 6' 1" and didn't feel comfortable either so I fitted a set of engine bars and placed cruising pegs so I can keep the ball of my foot on the cruising pegs and the heel on the footboard or move my foot right onto the cruising pegs.
You just can make them out from this pic:-
[IMG]local://upfiles/3771/596B123232D244C291B5313B30B015C5.jpg[/IMG]
You just can make them out from this pic:-
[IMG]local://upfiles/3771/596B123232D244C291B5313B30B015C5.jpg[/IMG]
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 450
Likes: 0
From: Shady Grove Pa
RE: Forward Control Question
I want to get the "NEW" Mark IV cruiser peg kit from Kuryaken. It doesn't fit on the footboard braket, it bolts to an existing boss on the frame. They look better than the Mk 3's. I'm 6'2" and feel alittle cramped sometimes. I'm also deep sixing the HD seat. I bought this bike in Nov. Hated the seat a week after I bought the bike. It's going to be a Mustang vintage Tourer w. front backrest too.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 372
Likes: 0
From: Marysville, WA
RE: Forward Control Question
I too have a 34" inseam Jameson and have Fatboy. I Did not like the running boards either because it feels like your knees are up in your chest. Since I'm a cheap ***, I had a local shop put extensions on the running boards instead of going with forward controls. They moved them5 inches forward and now they feel great. Probably saved me at least $500.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Forward Control Question
I'm not to sure about the fatboys because I never had floorboards. But on my standard I got Harley's version of the 3" extended forward controls off of Ebay I think I paid around 350-400 bucks. The whole bracket and everything was chrome and it came with the 3" extended shift linkage and a steel braided rear brakeline. I too have the 16" apes on my bike and it puts me in a mean looking position and it's comfortable too.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 891
Likes: 1
RE: Forward Control Question
Just out of curiosity, how "easy" is it to just remove the floorboards completely, and then replace them with just forward controls? I have a Sportster right now and am toying with the idea of upgrading to a Softail Heritage, but I'm just not sure the floorboard with heel toe shifter is quite my style.
I'm hoping to get up early tomorrow to hit a demo day at one of the local dealerships so I'll see if it's not a zoo and if I can get a feel for what the floorboards are like, but I have thought about what it would take to just replace them if it doesn't seem like it's for me.
I'm hoping to get up early tomorrow to hit a demo day at one of the local dealerships so I'll see if it's not a zoo and if I can get a feel for what the floorboards are like, but I have thought about what it would take to just replace them if it doesn't seem like it's for me.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,920
Likes: 6
From: Upstate New York
RE: Forward Control Question
Harley forward controls are a better price than $1000
they are a pretty simple install, make sure you have all the proper tools.
I have standard f-controls on my dyna, 34"inseam, seem fine.
One thing with forward controls, youll notice a little fatigue in your leg muscles after a long ride,
so I strongly suggest getting the heel rests that bolt on to the F-cont's
It made a world of difference
they are a pretty simple install, make sure you have all the proper tools.
I have standard f-controls on my dyna, 34"inseam, seem fine.
One thing with forward controls, youll notice a little fatigue in your leg muscles after a long ride,
so I strongly suggest getting the heel rests that bolt on to the F-cont's
It made a world of difference
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 450
Likes: 0
From: Shady Grove Pa
RE: Forward Control Question
Tralfaz:
This is my 1st bike with boards and heel/toe shift. I find that most of the time, I shift like I always did. It feels odd to me to shift with my heel. Been thinking of taking it off. I do like the boards for the most part.
This is my 1st bike with boards and heel/toe shift. I find that most of the time, I shift like I always did. It feels odd to me to shift with my heel. Been thinking of taking it off. I do like the boards for the most part.
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 891
Likes: 1
RE: Forward Control Question
ORIGINAL: PaFatboy
This is my 1st bike with boards and heel/toe shift. I find that most of the time, I shift like I always did. It feels odd to me to shift with my heel. Been thinking of taking it off. I do like the boards for the most part.
This is my 1st bike with boards and heel/toe shift. I find that most of the time, I shift like I always did. It feels odd to me to shift with my heel. Been thinking of taking it off. I do like the boards for the most part.
It might be something that works out with practice, but I was more fatigued after a 20 minute ride than I was after a 3 hour ride on my Sportster with forward controls. On an unrelated note, the RoadKing I rode was a Screaming Eagle model and that sucker was a beast. Certainly fun to ride, but WAY more engine than I think I need.
In any case, I'll have to work out what to do on all this, but I'm pretty sold on the Softail itself.
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