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I had someone ask me why I bought my 1200L seems that I am a big guy. In other words, why I didn't buy another sportster with a higher seat. Never thought of myself as a big guy. 6' 2" 220 pounds.
However, I did tell them (and maybe this will make sense to you or not) that I bought it because I figured with my height, I would sit into the bike a bit better than if the seat was higher. Was I thinking in the right direction, does this make sense to anyone else?
I just felt that if the seat was lower, I would kind of fit into the bike instead of looking like I am riding on a fence.
the appropriate answer is because I wanted a 1200l not somebody elses friggin opinion, buy what you want , ride what you want.
Not to question you on those published figures but I have to call bulls%$t on some of Harley listed figures. As I am one of those vertically challanged riders (27" inseam) and I tried on all the Dyna's (especialy the Super Glide Custom and Low ride) and a few of the Softtails.
The Harley figures are "laden" figures, meaning it's the seat height with a 180 lbs. rider. The "unladen" seat height is usually around an inch higher, depending on shock spring sag combined with rider weight. I have a 26" inseam, 28" leg length, 135-140 lbs. And you are also spot on about the wide seats of most models reducing leg reach to the ground.
I got the low primarily because it fit my needs better than the Custom....cast wheels, handlebars, and a little less chrome. Mine had forward controls put on by the dealer long before I bought it. I got it new. And I love it.
Ihave a custom and it seems to fit me well. I am 6' and have a 32 inch inseam longer legs. The bottom line if the bike feels comfortable to you ride it.
The risers helped. She was leaning in too much prior to putting them on, she had some elbow pain and this helped eliminate it. I am taking the same approach that you are, its her bike and she gets to make it comfortable. Stuff arrives and I put it on the bike for her.
I've owned a '87 Heritage, and a '94 XL. I've ridden the XL Custom and I'm most comfortable on the Low.
My '94 XL came with highway pegs on the highway bars (I bought it used in '97) and I took the pegs off and gave them to a friend. They just weren't comfortable for me.
I prefer small,sporty machines over a big, heavy luxury types, whether cars or bikes.
I sat on a 2002 sportster sport didn't like it felt very top heavy then found my 883l it was like it weighed nothing suited me I am 5'11' the mids are fine but I also have highway pegs for the long straight roads but it also gives you a little different positioning
From what I understand, the seat height of the Low models is only a few tenths lower than that of the Custom models. Not enough to make a big difference.
Here are some of the published Harley figures for seat height of various models, and as you will notice, even the Sportster Low model has a higher seat height than many other models;
((In Order Of Lowest To Highest Seat Heights))
24.5" Softail Deluxe FLSTN/I
24.9" Springer Softail FLXSTS/I
25.2" Dyna Low Rider FXDLI
25.2" Softail Standard FXST/I
25.4" Fat Boy FLSTF/I
25.5" Heritage Softail Classic FLSTC/I
25.5" Heritage Softail FLST/I
25.8" Dyna Street Bob FXDBI
25.9" Softail Springer Classic FLSTSC/I
26.0" Night Train FXSTB/I
26.0" Softail Deuce FXSTD/I 26.0" Sportster XL883L
26.0" V-Rod VRSCA
26.0" VRSCD Night Rod
26.1" Road King Custom FLHRS/I 26.3" Sportster XL883C/XL1200C
26.3" Street Glide FLHX/I
26.6" Dyna Super Glide FXDI
26.8" Dyan 35th Anniversity Super Glide FXDI35
26.8" Dyna Super Glide Custom FXDCI
26.9" Road Glide FLTRI
26.9" Road King Classic FLHRCI
27.3" Electra Glide Classic FLHTC/I
27.3" Electra Glide Standard FLHT/I
27.3" Road King FLHR/I 27.3" Sportster XL883
27.3" Ultra Classic Electra Glide FLHTCUI
27.5" Dyna Wide Glide FXDWGI 28.1" Sportster XL883R/XL1200R
30.0" VRSCR Street Rod
I was at Hal's HD in New Berlin WI this weekend doing some Christmas shopping. I sat on a 1200L and I was wondering what the hype was all about. It felt like my custom does with the exception of the uncomfortable hard A$$ seat. Hightwise it didn't feel much different. I actually believe that mine is lower when I have my Lepera Regal2-up seat on it.
This just reinforced my assumptions.
To me, it's a personal thing. Sit on a bike. Figure if it's comfortable. Compare with others. Make decision. Buy the thing. For me, it hasabsolutely nothingto do with this 'vertically challenged' crap.I'm 5'10" and the Low is just nice for me. Personalpreference. Additionally, I kept themids and installedhighway pegs. I do a lot of city riding in Singapore, but occasionally take it on longer runsinto Malaysia. My situation could be a million miles from someone else who may prefer forwards. Whatever yanks your chain as far as I am concerned.
The risers helped. She was leaning in too much prior to putting them on, she had some elbow pain and this helped eliminate it. I am taking the same approach that you are, its her bike and she gets to make it comfortable. Stuff arrives and I put it on the bike for her.
Thanks Tiger,
I also think this is going to help her. Her risers are in and will pick up this week and get them on this weekend. Being nosey here, has your wife put highway pegs on yet, if so is she comfortable using them. I think my wife would like them on the longer rides, but she says she doesn't feel that she is ready yet and she thinks they would look funny on the her as she says small engine guard.
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