Forward vs Rear Controls Thoughts?
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
The closest I have ever got to forwards is my Glide, with its boards. I have never ridden a bike with forwards any distance, as I don't feel either comfortable or in control. So I agree with most of what has gone before, that converting to mid controls would be a wise and economical thing to do.
Sportys tend to have poor riding positions, due to the in vogue low rider position. Look at early ones and the KHs and you will see some models had a level saddle, which came with an ergonomically better riding position. So raising your seated height with your mids may help as well.
Sportys tend to have poor riding positions, due to the in vogue low rider position. Look at early ones and the KHs and you will see some models had a level saddle, which came with an ergonomically better riding position. So raising your seated height with your mids may help as well.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 212
Likes: 3
From: West Seneca,NY
I rode with mids for two seasons my only two seasons. My dad let me ride his soft tail since my sportster was down half of last season I liked the forward controls. I put them on my sportster and like them I can control my bike better since I counter steer with my foot pressure not my bars. I also like the leg room and my gf likes her extra room too even though shes like 100 lbs sogging wet
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 391
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
My bike came with mid-controls. But I had ridden bikes with forwards and thought that's what I wanted. So I added forward controls to my Iron. After riding for a while like that I decided I didn't like them because it shifted my sitting position more so onto my tailbone. So I went back to mid controls and I no longer have tailbone pain. I do need a new seat because my butt muscles can get numb on longer rides.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: Cohoes, NY
i just put mids on my 01, love it, as i was in sma eboat came from rockets felt i didnt have the feel for bike like i did before, now i am back and love it, cost me $150 with buying soem take off parts and soem new brakcets and hardware from Harley. in my eyes well worth it.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 62
Likes: 2
From: Hammond IN
I prefer my mids...more comfortable to me as I'm 5'10" When I see a pothole or bump coming up, it's easy to raise up in the seat as your knees are right above the pegs. For my long trips, I just installed a highway peg kit that bolts to where the front controls go so I can kick back when I get sore from one position. I noticed that slump/slouch feeling too with the front pegs. I think forwards would kill my tailbone too if that's all I had on long trips. Now, I have best of both worlds to switch up.
Summary, get mids and add the highway peg kit.
Summary, get mids and add the highway peg kit.
From a big dude
I personally just put forwards on my 05 sporty and love them. But im also 6'6 320. I rode with mids my entire life racing dirtbikes and whatnot, for me the forwards offer me more control with my long legs.
im only 5'7 and like where the mids keep my body. Forward controls just arent comfortable for me. My Iron also came with highway pegs, but i'm gonna ditch those, cause i can barely reach them from my saddle seat.
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 205
Likes: 1
From: alaska
I so much appreciate the comments from everyone.
I am really not tall at all, and have lower back problems.. I find the forward controls just do not let me feel like I am in control.
When I am riding, I have to put my feet on the rear pegs, just to get my back to quit hurting.
I think I will go ahead and buy what I need to move to mid controls...
If I do not like it, I can put it back...lol
Thank you who posted what it cost you.
Thanks a lot.. I have enough money to do that now.. so going to go ahead and see what the local dealership wants for rear controls...
If I were tall, I may want forwards.. but being not so tall, and use to riding dirt bikes and such, I like being able to have my feet just below me.
Thanks again!
I am really not tall at all, and have lower back problems.. I find the forward controls just do not let me feel like I am in control.
When I am riding, I have to put my feet on the rear pegs, just to get my back to quit hurting.
I think I will go ahead and buy what I need to move to mid controls...
If I do not like it, I can put it back...lol
Thank you who posted what it cost you.
Thanks a lot.. I have enough money to do that now.. so going to go ahead and see what the local dealership wants for rear controls...
If I were tall, I may want forwards.. but being not so tall, and use to riding dirt bikes and such, I like being able to have my feet just below me.
Thanks again!
