Got Laughed At By Instructor - Opinions
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 822
Likes: 1
From: Rhode Island
Sounds like the instructor needs to get laid more. What a dumb and dis-respectful comment. Like mentioned before its not like you rode up on a buel blast or something. I think you will be fine with the fatty. You can extend the boards out and put a crash bar with highway pegs and of course change the bars. All these big twin bikes have about the same distance from the seat to the pegs/boards and from the seat to the bars. Give or take depending on the model.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,396
Likes: 146
From:
Greetings All,
I am looking for some input / advice. I took an advanced motorcycle course a few weeks ago, and the instructor told me that I have too small of a bike for my size. Actually, he said I was on a girls bike, but we will leave that one alone. I am not a small guy, 6'5" and over 300 lbs. I have owned my 2010 Fatboy since new, and have enjoyed riding it. During the class, I had noticed that the handlebars hit my knees when I try to make tight turns. Since I don't need to make super tight turns, it never was an issue. So the question that I have is, do I move forward with getting some mini ape handlebars, other risers for the bike, or is it time to look for a bigger bike for my size.
Opinions / Comments? Fire away...
Thanx,
Bigfeet
I am looking for some input / advice. I took an advanced motorcycle course a few weeks ago, and the instructor told me that I have too small of a bike for my size. Actually, he said I was on a girls bike, but we will leave that one alone. I am not a small guy, 6'5" and over 300 lbs. I have owned my 2010 Fatboy since new, and have enjoyed riding it. During the class, I had noticed that the handlebars hit my knees when I try to make tight turns. Since I don't need to make super tight turns, it never was an issue. So the question that I have is, do I move forward with getting some mini ape handlebars, other risers for the bike, or is it time to look for a bigger bike for my size.
Opinions / Comments? Fire away...
Thanx,
Bigfeet
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,033
Likes: 7
From: TEXAS
What bigger bike would you suggest? They don't make them any bigger than a fat boy in harleys! The rest is bolt ons.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 5,618
Likes: 5,196
From: Green Country
I didn't get the impression that the "OP" had any comfort or fitment issues with his Fatboy. The only issue I picked up on was his bars hit his legs when doing tight turns...which he stated wasn't really an issue with the way he rode.
Without question, the instructor is a dick. Ride what you want the way you want. Wonder what a set of Mark IVs and a set of 16" Flyin' Apes would do for ya'...
Without question, the instructor is a dick. Ride what you want the way you want. Wonder what a set of Mark IVs and a set of 16" Flyin' Apes would do for ya'...
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 3
From: Mebane, NC
Ride up to the instructor on one of these and say "I finally found a bike that is big enough for me!"
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/new.../photo_01.html
Seriously, you are a big dude and no bike is going to "fit" you without some very doable modofications. Other have already gave great suggestions. A seat that sits you back far as possible, forward controls (possibly extended), bars to get your arms up, etc...
I don't see a touring bike offering anything else. They may sit you a little higher stock but could actually limit your leg room? Touring bike owners could address this better than me.
The instructors comments about the Fatboy bike being too small and a girls bike is just ignorant. He has a touring bike and probably really likes it so he thinks everyone should have what he has. I see this all the time from people who own a certain brand of bike or a certain model.
If you are saisfied, that's all that matters.
Ride On and Ride Safe!
http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/new.../photo_01.html
Seriously, you are a big dude and no bike is going to "fit" you without some very doable modofications. Other have already gave great suggestions. A seat that sits you back far as possible, forward controls (possibly extended), bars to get your arms up, etc...
I don't see a touring bike offering anything else. They may sit you a little higher stock but could actually limit your leg room? Touring bike owners could address this better than me.
The instructors comments about the Fatboy bike being too small and a girls bike is just ignorant. He has a touring bike and probably really likes it so he thinks everyone should have what he has. I see this all the time from people who own a certain brand of bike or a certain model.
If you are saisfied, that's all that matters.
Ride On and Ride Safe!
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 986
Likes: 6
From: NY
I always get a kick out of people who call one bike or another a "girls" bike...especially when my last two bikes I bought used from guys. As the others said, if you are comfortable, then no change needed, and although the instructor may have been concerned about your safety, that certainly was not the way to approach it.
My hubby is 6'-6" and when he looked at Harley's (before we met) he felt cramped so bought a Victory which had about an extra inch of reach compared to a softail and then added 2" extensions on the pegs. That said, he tried their touring bike stock and had the same issue, his knees hit the cruise and stereo controls hanging off the bars.
My hubby is 6'-6" and when he looked at Harley's (before we met) he felt cramped so bought a Victory which had about an extra inch of reach compared to a softail and then added 2" extensions on the pegs. That said, he tried their touring bike stock and had the same issue, his knees hit the cruise and stereo controls hanging off the bars.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 511
Likes: 0
From: Frisco, Texas
What you should have done is put on a little pink tutu on and rode that "girly" fat boy up his @$$ and then asked him if he any comments about any size constraints. Ride what you like bro! F the rest.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 4,357
Likes: 11
From: The Lone Star State
+1, if your 6'5" 300lbs, no one should be laughing at you.
Stage IV
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Any good instructor will tell you to buy a bike that you are comfortable on. Bottom line is... if you like your bike and you feel comfortable on it, that's all that matters. Not to mention Fatboys are the coolest bikes out there, not that I'm biased or anything....