School me on Softails!
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 667
Likes: 59
From: Lufkin, Tx.
Go sit on or ride a softail to see how it fits. I'm 6'4" and have forward controls with 3" extensions on them and I still feel like I need more leg room on mine. I love my bike, but I think you will actually have more leg room on a dyna than a softail.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,298
Likes: 6,324
From: Honah Lee
Same height and inseam. Took 3" extended forward controls for my Softail to fit. Has the heal rests for a filling of security on the interstate at speed. I'm old and slow, so having all the leg spread gives me a lot of security when stoped. Not sure if I like my knees so high on the tank but that's OK. Not sure why you want the apes. Look cool but too much like a dog with two of them for me. One thing about them you can drop them back for the reach. My bars are not stock but about 3" of pull back. Spent a lot of time tweaking the small things like the shift and foot peg spacing to set me up a very comfortable setup. Custom made my saddle pad. Even my miniature back rest is only a helmet peg since I never two up except in an emergency. Note my miniature rear pegs. Out of the box my bike sucked for fit for me.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Sep 14, 2018 at 07:49 AM.
Sitting on the new blackline felt great. That seat is awesome. My mustang is ok I think not great by anymeans. I hate apes but had to put them on for comfort. I want to put my drags back on but I will have to slam the rear to sit lower so I'm not bent over them. Maybe I will keep the dyna for now. Try my mods and if they don't work then I will get a softy. You guys rock thanks for the help with this!
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,048
Likes: 3
From: Central Jersey
if your dealer knows their *** from a hole in the ground, they'll let you take any bike you want out for a short test ride..
some people have sat on a blackline and loved it, then when riding didn't care for it as much..
i sat on a FatBoy Lo, loved it, the salesperson didn't want me taking one out for a test ride (because we were in the middle of a monsoon,no joke).. and said i should come back later. The owner of the dealership walked in and was like "Eff that, give him that one right there, if he's got a helmet with him, let him go ride it! just don't break it!"..so i took a 2010 FatBoy Lo (denim black) out in a freezing rain monsoon in February in Jersey in 30*F weather and loved it even more. Got back to the dealer, and said "I want one in Vivid Black please." ..the best part is, I didn't even have to wipe the denim black one down after the ride, they sent some errand boy up to do it for me. haha
point being. actually take one out.
some people have sat on a blackline and loved it, then when riding didn't care for it as much..
i sat on a FatBoy Lo, loved it, the salesperson didn't want me taking one out for a test ride (because we were in the middle of a monsoon,no joke).. and said i should come back later. The owner of the dealership walked in and was like "Eff that, give him that one right there, if he's got a helmet with him, let him go ride it! just don't break it!"..so i took a 2010 FatBoy Lo (denim black) out in a freezing rain monsoon in February in Jersey in 30*F weather and loved it even more. Got back to the dealer, and said "I want one in Vivid Black please." ..the best part is, I didn't even have to wipe the denim black one down after the ride, they sent some errand boy up to do it for me. haha
point being. actually take one out.
Thanks Jim that was a great reply! And love the sig!
I think at this moment I will ditch the Mustang seat, it sits too high. Get a badlander or bare bones seat to get me nice and low. Get forward control extensions and put my chubby drag t bars back on for a lower slammed look. If that all fails Softail here I come! Thanks again all for the great insight into the softail world!
I think at this moment I will ditch the Mustang seat, it sits too high. Get a badlander or bare bones seat to get me nice and low. Get forward control extensions and put my chubby drag t bars back on for a lower slammed look. If that all fails Softail here I come! Thanks again all for the great insight into the softail world!
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,857
Likes: 7
A few Lo Lovers here for a reason
I just took mine on it's first trip this year. Only complaint is butt hurt after 1.5 hours of riding, which I am still investigating if my *** needs to be ironed or it's to do with my posture (I find myself lil to leaned forward) and if so, what bars to use. Besides that, I absolutely enjoyed the full day of riding with it. Fatboys imo is great for making neighbors & cougars look and versatile enough for the long rides. I spent a few months this winter narrowing down to the new Lo...no regrets.
I just took mine on it's first trip this year. Only complaint is butt hurt after 1.5 hours of riding, which I am still investigating if my *** needs to be ironed or it's to do with my posture (I find myself lil to leaned forward) and if so, what bars to use. Besides that, I absolutely enjoyed the full day of riding with it. Fatboys imo is great for making neighbors & cougars look and versatile enough for the long rides. I spent a few months this winter narrowing down to the new Lo...no regrets.
Last edited by Josewales; Aug 5, 2011 at 06:51 AM.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 254
Likes: 1
From: Miami County, Ohio
I am the same size and my Springer, with forward controls and lowered, was perfect. It was like riding on a recliner!
I have a Heritage now and for touring, it is very comfortable. I could not bring myself to put bags on the Springer.
I have a Heritage now and for touring, it is very comfortable. I could not bring myself to put bags on the Springer.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 613
Likes: 0
From: Pasadena, TX
6'4" and 14" apes are too tall? Sounds like they are too short. Probably causing you to be in an uncomfortable position. I'm 6' running 16's.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
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
The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025
Verdad Gallardo
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 613
Likes: 0
From: Pasadena, TX
A few Lo Lovers here for a reason
I just took mine on it's first trip this year. Only complaint is butt hurt after 1.5 hours of riding, which I am still investigating if my *** needs to be ironed or it's to do with my posture (I find myself lil to leaned forward) and if so, what bars to use. Besides that, I absolutely enjoyed the full day of riding with it. Fatboys imo is great for making neighbors & cougars look and versatile enough for the long rides. I spent a few months this winter narrowing down to the new Lo...no regrets.
I just took mine on it's first trip this year. Only complaint is butt hurt after 1.5 hours of riding, which I am still investigating if my *** needs to be ironed or it's to do with my posture (I find myself lil to leaned forward) and if so, what bars to use. Besides that, I absolutely enjoyed the full day of riding with it. Fatboys imo is great for making neighbors & cougars look and versatile enough for the long rides. I spent a few months this winter narrowing down to the new Lo...no regrets.