Whats up fellas,
I am new to riding (taking the MSF course Wednesday) and have pretty much narrowed down the bikes I want to look at buying. I love the iron, nightster and 48s. These are just some mean looking machines. The 48 has to be in the lead at the moment. I'm just a little concerned about the riding position. I'm 5' 9"-10" and 220 lbs. Does it feel like you are "hunched" over with the low handlebars and such? My nearest dealer that has one in stock is like 200 miles away so I haven't had the chance to go check them all out in person yet. I do alot of heavy weight lifting and back tightness/soreness is my concern with the hunched over positioning. From what i've seen from videos though it looks to be pretty comfortable. Thanks for the help and hope to be riding soon!

 

I'm about your height, but about 24 lbs. less, anyway you may benefit from forward controls and a mustang seat. With the stock nightster seat I felt too close to the controls and my right knee hitting the aircleaner. I have the mustang fastback and it seats me back about an inch and an inch up. Try to seat on different sportsters and see which one fits you best.
Good Luck and welcome to the forum!

 

I am 6' and 235 I changed out my bars to HD 12" apes. It's all good now. My 48 is nice and comfy now.

 

I am 5'9" and 180lbs just picked up a new Iron. Put forward controls and RSD
Vintage 12" apes perfect fit.

 

yeah, I've thought about apes. They just aren't my style. But who knows, maybe when I finally get to plop my *** on one, that will change. I like more the look of the drag bars, and actually the stock bike looks awesome to me minus the shiny exhaust. From looking at pictures it seems the iron and nightster don't have as much of the forward lean.

 

I am your height exactly, and 260 lbs. Our Nightster feels fantastic, and I have had a series of back problems from my days of playing ice hockey. You will be more than happy with your purchase, whichever route you go.

 

I'm about six foot tall. My job kicks the crap out of my back. I'm riding an 883 superlow, and with forward controls, it's just about a perfect setup. The bars aren't apes, and aren't drags. Right in between, and right about perfect for me.

 

The rest of the guys hit the nail on the head...don't worry too much about your size. The bike can be made to fit. You just have to decide which comes 1st...form or function.

I'm 5'10" 220 lbs and I have 883L with forward controls, a Flanders low rise bar (about the same dimensions as an Iron 883) and a Mustang seat...the bike rides and looks great.

BTW...my sig pic is out of date. Different seat and bars.

 

5'10" 175, I like the mid controls, but to each their own.

 

Too tall? Get apes. Legs too long? Get forwards. Seat too hard? Slap another one on there. Got Carpol Tunnel? Change the grips. Welcome to the Sportster, the Swiss Army knife of motorcycles!