Move from Forward to Mid Controls
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,601
Likes: 189
From: east texas
i went with hwy pegs and just adjusted my mid controls up a couple notches and use the back of my heal to shift up and down....very rarely do i miss a shift and with the mid pegs i can move my legs back and forth and like someone else said stand on them if i see a big bump coming...i thought my first mod would be fwd controls but this way saved me some bucks 
I put forwards on my sportie..looked good , thought I liked them ..
the past few years , i have noticed my bottom parts get tired after a
few miles ( like 50-60 miles)
then I remembered a 900 mile run on it when it had mids,and hiway pegs..
I didnt complain back then , stopped for gas every 100 miles..
the only time I got off bike...
well I took off the forward controls , and re-installed the mids ,and hiway pegs..
just rode it 200 miles , and being able to switch from front to mid,to rear pegs left me so I can still walk ..hooray for the mids..
I also raised the shifter to shift with my heel ...
BTW , I have a 91 1200 solid mount engine ....vibration is there ...
Stage III
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: East Hartford, CT
Thanks for starting this thread
I just got a 2005 XL 1200C with forward controls and having been on it
a couple times already, feel like I would like to go back to mid-controls. If in the future I feel more confident, I'll put the forwards back on.
It's nice to be able to read through all the posts for the info I need.
I just got a 2005 XL 1200C with forward controls and having been on it
a couple times already, feel like I would like to go back to mid-controls. If in the future I feel more confident, I'll put the forwards back on.
It's nice to be able to read through all the posts for the info I need.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6,373
Likes: 5
From: Central Texas
Thanks for starting this thread
I just got a 2005 XL 1200C with forward controls and having been on it
a couple times already, feel like I would like to go back to mid-controls. If in the future I feel more confident, I'll put the forwards back on.
It's nice to be able to read through all the posts for the info I need.
I just got a 2005 XL 1200C with forward controls and having been on it
a couple times already, feel like I would like to go back to mid-controls. If in the future I feel more confident, I'll put the forwards back on.
It's nice to be able to read through all the posts for the info I need.
Stage III
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: East Hartford, CT
I'll trade you my mids for your forwards. I'll even sweeten the deal a little cause I know forwards are worth more than mids
thanks, but i'm gonna keep 'em, just for future use when I get to feelin' like I want to change...
Stage IV
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
Mid-controls
...I see this thread is a year old, but my 2 cents is that at 5'5" and a 28" inseam, there is no way that I can even reach most forward controls...let alone operate them while riding. THAT is more of a consideration in picking out a bike than the seat height. Often you can still tip-toe the ground on a high seat, but if you can't shift or rear brake, you're screwed. I agree, if you want to stretch out at some highway pegs.
Ride safe,
Ride safe,
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,580
Likes: 4
From: Colorado
If she doesn't know any different, go with the forwards. About the only advantage the mids give at low speeds is the ability to make a very tight u-turn. However, she'll have to be comfortable with weighting the inside peg and putting her butt on the outside of the saddle while sitting straight up as the bike leans. That seems a little more advanced than riding with forwards (no pun intended). Plus, not being able to put your foot down while at a complete stop because your pants leg is caught on a mid-mount peg so the bike goes down and fractures your foot could be a deal breaker for a newbie. Seen it happen. I hated hitting my legs on the mid pegs while backing the bike, too. I tried 'em and took 'em off after a day.
A '99 Sportster's forwards are farther out than an '04 and up (two inches, iirc).
I wouldn't pay more than 50 bucks for a set of used mids.
Your mileage may vary.
A '99 Sportster's forwards are farther out than an '04 and up (two inches, iirc).
I wouldn't pay more than 50 bucks for a set of used mids.
Your mileage may vary.
Look particularly at the bold sentences! I am a female, 5' 1" tall with an 883 SuperLow. When I first got the bike, I almost dropped it solely due to putting my foot down and getting my pant leg caught. After that I was terrified of dropping the bike. After moving to forward controls, I can't imagine ever going back to mid controls. Yes she has to learn to make turns hugging the tank or as described above but she will learn. Have your wife check out her ability to put her foot down quickly on a bike at the dealership. If she can't clear the mid pegs, I would tell her to learn with the forward controls with the technique described above or take additional classes to get comfortable on a bike. My two cents.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: Florida
smart..that works good..
I put forwards on my sportie..looked good , thought I liked them ..
the past few years , i have noticed my bottom parts get tired after a
few miles ( like 50-60 miles)
then I remembered a 900 mile run on it when it had mids,and hiway pegs..
I didnt complain back then , stopped for gas every 100 miles..
the only time I got off bike...
well I took off the forward controls , and re-installed the mids ,and hiway pegs..
just rode it 200 miles , and being able to switch from front to mid,to rear pegs left me so I can still walk ..hooray for the mids..
I also raised the shifter to shift with my heel ...
BTW , I have a 91 1200 solid mount engine ....vibration is there ...
I put forwards on my sportie..looked good , thought I liked them ..
the past few years , i have noticed my bottom parts get tired after a
few miles ( like 50-60 miles)
then I remembered a 900 mile run on it when it had mids,and hiway pegs..
I didnt complain back then , stopped for gas every 100 miles..
the only time I got off bike...
well I took off the forward controls , and re-installed the mids ,and hiway pegs..
just rode it 200 miles , and being able to switch from front to mid,to rear pegs left me so I can still walk ..hooray for the mids..
I also raised the shifter to shift with my heel ...
BTW , I have a 91 1200 solid mount engine ....vibration is there ...
i have forwards and they are comfy for me (6'1") but i find myself kicking back to my pass. pegs from time to time to get low if need be (when the wife is not with me that is haha) but i think it def comes down to preference, my xs650 has mids on it and they have never contacted my shins...
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
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
Stage III
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: East Hartford, CT
Well, It's been about 1500 miles since the mid's were put on and I love them. It doesn't hurt either that my inseam is 33 1/2".....Went out this weekend and felt comfortable in the twisties. Definitely have more control over the bike than the bike having control over me!
Enjoy the spring everyone!
Enjoy the spring everyone!
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
I have a 2000 sportster 1200 and im thinking about going with mids...only because my first bike was a Yamaha YZF 600 and I find that the forward controls on my Harley are alittle hard for me to reach. Any ideas on how I go about switching these to mid?