View Poll Results: forward or mid controls
Voters: 57. You may not vote on this poll
forward controls
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
forward controls
i'm sure i'm not the first one to bring up the big question, but is it worth getting forward controls or leaving ht emids and getting highway pegs. i live in RI and the roads aren't the greatest, but at the same time, i wouldn't mind having forwards. i'm 5 10 and after a few hours of riding, there are times when i wished i had forwards due to some cramping in the legs. so who rides with forwards or mids with highway pegs.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 990
Likes: 10
From: Redondo Beach, California
In my opinion, mid pegs plus the highway pegs will give you most options for foot placement. If you ONLY have forward controls, the same thing will happen, as after some point, you will want to move your feet but without the mid pegs to put them on, where will you put them? I actually use my rear passenger foot pegs, when I am on the highway, way more than the mid pegs. It helps me lean into the wind and, for me, is much more comfortable. When I tire of having my feet on the rear passenger foot pegs, I just move them up to the mid pegs. I have thought about buying a highway bar just to have that little extra option of moving my feet up front for a while but so far I have not found the one that I want to buy yet. Hey man, good luck with your foot placement decision and ride safe out there! 
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 126
Likes: 1
From: Arlington and Shenandoah Co. Va.
I think you would like the highway pegs at your height, and pegs would be cheaper than a forward conversion in a shop with new parts, I expect. I ride two bikes and one has mids with highway pegs and the other forwards. I like both setups for different riding positions at different times. I'm 5'8" and it's nice to stretch out on the road.
Banned
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,647
Likes: 2
From: Fairmont, Wv
get the forwards, after you get used to them you will never go back. I ride in the city more than anything and still prefer forwards. it is alot better than having your feet under your azz. BTW I am only 5'5
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 46,845
Likes: 22,534
From: Land of the Free, Home of Jack Daniel's
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,346
Likes: 3
From: Dallas, Texas
Before I purchased my 1200 low I test rode it and a custom. The custom I rode first and I had never even rode a Harley before - seemed ok but what did I know? My background is dirtbikes so as soon as I got on the low it was instant familiar ground - so I bought the low with the mids. After some time on the low (2 months) I'm thinkin' forwards might work better for me. Been several times coming up to a stop and gettin' a pant leg caught on the peg and nearly dropping it. Also with a passenger I'm bangin my calf on 'er toes - kinda irritating. So (short-story-long) I'm looking for forwards and I don't wanna spend 300 to 400 bucks either. Anybody know of a used set out there?
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Advanced
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: Athens, Tn
i love my forwards. im only 5'5 myself but forwards allow me to stretch out and no cramps. i did consider a mustache bar along with the forwards but at my height i changed my mind. also with the mids, when i was stopped the mids always came to rest on my shins and made them extremely sore. i know, my fault, but still very annoying.
exemexer, i remember seeing a set on the classifieds here not too long ago, cant remember if they were chrome or black though.
exemexer, i remember seeing a set on the classifieds here not too long ago, cant remember if they were chrome or black though.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Medford, OR
I just had forward's put on my 883 a couple of weeks ago.
I'm not happy. I'm 5'11' and the Forward's are not as far away as my forward pegs were, so my knees are more bent.
But, as you will see, I'm a bubble off plumb...
I rode mostly on the forward pegs but I "heel shifted".
I picked up a Stanley sliding glass door bumper (kind of L shaped and has a rubber pad where contact is made with shift lever). I screwed in into the heel of my left boot and put some black silicone on the threads of the screws. Worked great for three years.
So, I'm going to remove the Forward's, put the mid's and front pegs back on and be comfortable again.
I could extend the Forward's for comfort. BUT...I'd have to remove the engine guard (crash bars). don't want to do that because I paid for the damn things.
Good luck with whatever you do.
I'm not happy. I'm 5'11' and the Forward's are not as far away as my forward pegs were, so my knees are more bent.
But, as you will see, I'm a bubble off plumb...
I rode mostly on the forward pegs but I "heel shifted".
I picked up a Stanley sliding glass door bumper (kind of L shaped and has a rubber pad where contact is made with shift lever). I screwed in into the heel of my left boot and put some black silicone on the threads of the screws. Worked great for three years.
So, I'm going to remove the Forward's, put the mid's and front pegs back on and be comfortable again.
I could extend the Forward's for comfort. BUT...I'd have to remove the engine guard (crash bars). don't want to do that because I paid for the damn things.
Good luck with whatever you do.