Sportster Models 883, 883 Custom, 1200 Custom, 883L, 1200L, 1200S, 1200 Roadster, XR1200, and the Nightster.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Forward Controls

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 13, 2010 | 01:49 PM
  #1  
defence18's Avatar
defence18
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Default Forward Controls

Why does every used Sportster have them and how easy is it to switch them back to the stock mids?
 
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2010 | 01:58 PM
  #2  
RandyDowdy's Avatar
RandyDowdy
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,447
Likes: 0
From: Danville Va, Providence NC
Default

I would like to find a GOOD set for my 99 883 Sporty.
 
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2010 | 02:11 PM
  #3  
AmmoHouse's Avatar
AmmoHouse
Cruiser
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: South Dakota
Default

I personally love my mids with highway pegs!! I'm only 5'6" and I like having both options. I've ridden with forwards some and I just don't like not having the choice...just my preference.
 
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2010 | 02:14 PM
  #4  
Guest
Guest
Posts: n/a
Default

Originally Posted by defence18
Why does every used Sportster have them and how easy is it to switch them back to the stock mids?
Because they put the forwards on before really riding it, then it doesn't fit/feel good/control well/ride right... pick your reason. So they sell it, not realizing that the forward controls were the issue to begin with. Highway pegs are great, but mid controls are far superior to forwards.

It's pretty easy to switch back.
 
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2010 | 02:51 PM
  #5  
PirateJim's Avatar
PirateJim
2nd Gear
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Default

I've been seeing the same thing, to my considerable annoyance. I think tekdiver500ft has nailed the answer. I also think a lot of people don't give the Motor Company enough credit for knowing what they're doing in designing their bikes. Maybe there's a reason that some models have mid controls and others don't?

I'm going to be seriously shopping for a Sportster before too long and fully intend to ask if the parts were saved on bikes with forwards. If they weren't, the price of putting it back the way I want it (the way it was designed) will have to go into my calculations. It's also fun asking a sales guy if there is a box of parts that goes with a used bike!
 
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2010 | 02:54 PM
  #6  
inswva's Avatar
inswva
Road Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,137
Likes: 2
From: Virginia
Default

Let's not forget the Sportster models that come from the factory with forwards. As a matter of fact, I see way more Customs in the local classifieds than any other model and all of those have factory forwards.
 
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2010 | 03:08 PM
  #7  
Brett001's Avatar
Brett001
Road Captain
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 606
Likes: 2
Default

Mids should be very easy and cheap to retrofit, plus you can sell the forwards easy.

I have had bikes with both, but like mids with hiway pegs as I like to pretend its a sporty bike in the twisties.

You can get quite used to the forwards and be sporty over time, I had a low rider custom and managed to get quite wild on it.

I don't know if it was just being younger, but the stock bikes back then seemed to be WAY more comfortable and sporty then the newer ones....

Brett
 
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2010 | 03:46 PM
  #8  
GrovenSportster's Avatar
GrovenSportster
Cruiser
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 156
Likes: 11
From: Central WA. state
Default

Originally Posted by tekdiver500ft
Because they put the forwards on before really riding it, then it doesn't fit/feel good/control well/ride right... pick your reason. So they sell it, not realizing that the forward controls were the issue to begin with. Highway pegs are great, but mid controls are far superior to forwards.

It's pretty easy to switch back.
I would like to point out that this is an opinion not a fact. I love the forward controls on my XL1200C and can hang with anyone anywhere they wanna ride. Either you can ride or you can't.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Aug 13, 2010 | 03:54 PM
  #9  
Cazimere's Avatar
Cazimere
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 711
Likes: 0
From: Eastern Shore, MD
Default

I was going to buy a Nightster until i rode one with mids. Like my sportster with forwards better. Just personal choice : )
 
Reply
Old Aug 13, 2010 | 04:03 PM
  #10  
Guest
Guest
Posts: n/a
Default

Originally Posted by GrovenSportster
I would like to point out that this is an opinion not a fact. I love the forward controls on my XL1200C and can hang with anyone anywhere they wanna ride. Either you can ride or you can't.
Nope, it is fact. It is not physically possible to correctly transfer your weight on a bike when your feet are that far in front of you. Weight transfer is control and good riding. Forwards do not allow it. A lot of riders like forward controls as they can be more comfortable to some, more power to those riders. However, that does not make them better from a performance standpoint. If forwards were so great for controlling the bike, then crotch rockets and race bikes would have them!
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:56 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE