Hello!

I bought a new 2017 Softail Slim S on Saturday. I haven't really had much of a chance to ride it yet, but the little I've done I'm thinking I will want to lose the floorboards in favor of forward controls. Before I invest that kind of coin, I'm hoping y'all can enlighten me. I'm 6' 2" tall with a 34" inseam. Do you think I'll adapt the ride posture with the floorboards, or would I be more comfortable with forward controls and pegs? Will I actually gain more leg room with forward controls and pegs?

Thanks in advance,

Tim

 

You are two inches taller and have an inch on inseam on me, and I am far more comfortable with pegs on forwards than I am on floorboards. But I know some folks that love floorboards. You could probably find someone on here that would be willing to trade stock forwards for your board set up.
I'd suggest riding a bike similar to yours with forwards on it, and see what you think, so you'll know if you want stock reach forwards or a plus or minus version.

 

I like the floorboards myself, they allow you to move your feet around on them. I wouldn't give up on them just yet. Congrats on the new bike.

 

I am close to your size and ride a Slim. I moved my boards forward and out one inch, don't sound like much but it makes a difference. Other comfort mods I made were Softbrake 2.5" extended brake and shifter, rear shifter delete and a Le Pera bare bones seat. The bare bones lets me set back farther.
Although I only use the very end and outside of the boards 90℅ of the time it's nice to have full use of the board instead of only having a peg to rest the feet on. I almost got forwards myself, glad I didn't now.

 

An engine guard with hiway pegs gives you a lot of options to move your feet around.

I'd keep the floorboards.

 

The OP and I are same size so I assume close to same shoe size, I wear a 14.
With that being said...I just installed an engine gaurd with intent of also Installing highway pegs so I could strech a bit. I find it hard to shift now as my toes hit the engine gaurd. Just food for thought

 

I wear a 13. All my bikes have heel-toe shifters, engine guards and hiway pegs and have never had an issue with my foot hitting the guard.

 

I'd give the floorboards a bit more of a try. I came from a dyna with forward pegs and really liked the position. Didn't think I'd like the boards when I got my Slim. But the more I've ridden it, I dig 'em now. You can position your feet at variety of angles with the boards while cruising.

 

Probably because we use different riding positions. If you use a heel toe set up you obviously sit up straight with your legs bent when shifting. I can't do that, not even for a little bit in town or traffic. It feels like my knees are drawn up into my chest and hurts my hips. That's why I eliminated the heel shifter and run a 2.5" extended toe shifter which I upshift and downshift with. When I upshift I have to angle my foot inwards to prevent contact with the crash bar. I ride stretched out, not drawn up. The OP consider forwards so I figured he wanted to stretch out too.

 

I really appreciate all the input. I can see how much it's a matter of personal choice. My last bike was a 2005 Heritage Classic. I took the floorboards for granted and after I got used to riding longer distances, I rarely used the highway pegs on the engine guard. I also never got used to the heel shifter. Sadly, I bought this new slim on Saturday and still haven't had a chance to ride it yet. It's killing me. Maybe tomorrow.

Thank you all for replying!