There are things you can do.
A taller seat helps a lot, and lower handlebars also helps.

I got a sundown seat which has a lot of padding, and raised it up off the frame a bit. I also put on low bars (not drag bars).

For extended high speed riding, I use the passenger pegs most often, but I also have hiway pegs.

You will likely find that besides the poor seating position, the suspension is also poor, but easy to upgrade.

I think Harley just wants you to buy or trade up to a bigger bike, that is why they make the sportsters the way they do.
I don't want a huge motor and massive weight, so will make the bike do what I want somehow.
A custom seat might be best.

Brett

 

Let me first wish you good luck. While I'm only 5'9", I have a 34" inseam. Ride a 2006 R which I absolutely love but HATE the seat. I have been looking for something that will raise me up and allow me plenty of movement in the saddle and have come up empty. I think my choices are limited to either having a custom seat made (very pricey) or having my stock seat re-done (less pricey).

I chose the R because it suits my riding style and really like the way it looks, love the mids and wide handlebar. Last week I did an in-state vacation, roughly 800 miles, after the first day my *** was killing me.

I'd really like to get something along the lines of a bench style like my old '69 XLCH had & similar to what Triumph has on their current Bonneville.

 

I'm 6' even and ride a Low with the stock mids. I added highway pegs, a new seat, and rotated the bars forward a bit. My feet spend their time on the highway pegs unless I'm winding it out in the twisties, which is where it's really nice having the mids. The way my bike is set up now, it's very comfortable even after all day in the saddle.

 

I have an 06 1200R. I'm also 6'2 I rode it with mids for a week until I could install my forwards. I recently rode one with mids after riding mine nearly a year with forwards. I would never go back to mids, even with having a sundowner seat installed. I can still work through the twisties nicely. I do find the need to stretch out more and wishing I had hiway bars also. I usually rest my feet over the top of the controls. I am way to cramped with mids.

I did change to RK shocks and that was the second best mod that I have done, after the forward controls. The ride difference was great.

I love my roadster and don't regret buying it for a moment. IMO its the best of the sportster series. I especially like the dual disc brakes up front and have unfortunately had to use use them a couple times hard. I was thankful for them for sure.

MH