Advice between bikes
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6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: oh
Advice between bikes
I'm a shorter rider at 5'6". I haven't ridden in 8 to 10 years and I am looking for a short ride with some comforts ( as i am 51.) So I have narrowed myself to 2 separate bikes. A 2012 Dyna switchback or a 2012 to 2015 Softail Fat Boy low. I have not test rode either bike. Being these bikes are 60 plus miles away it makes it more difficult to ride and decide. So I thought know better way then to post something with experienced riders in my situation.
And yes i do have a budget.
Any and all bike suggestions are Fine as well.
And yes i do have a budget.
Any and all bike suggestions are Fine as well.
Last edited by dwjpeters; Sep 5, 2022 at 03:32 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,952
Likes: 903
From: South Florida (Ft Myers area)
Overall height is less relevant than leg length and arm length when it comes to comfort on a motorcycle. Besides seat height, some are wider and take more leg length than a same seat height narrower motorcycle
Lots of shorter people seem to like the lower seat height of some of the Softails. Slims may be the shorter seat height, also, there are seats that can lower and move you up, and bars can be moved or changed to put you in the comfort triangle on most any motorcycle.
How to Set Your Bike up for YOU...The Comfort Triangle (dkcustomproducts.com)
Lots of shorter people seem to like the lower seat height of some of the Softails. Slims may be the shorter seat height, also, there are seats that can lower and move you up, and bars can be moved or changed to put you in the comfort triangle on most any motorcycle.
How to Set Your Bike up for YOU...The Comfort Triangle (dkcustomproducts.com)
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,399
Likes: 8,509
From: Spartan Country, Michigan
If you do find a bike you like, and the seat seems a bit wide or you can't quite stand flat footed, you can send your seat to Mean City Cycles and have them narrow the front and change the padding to move you forward, back a bit, or lower.
As far as a bike...... can't help you there! I have a Street Glide I love. I'm a 30" inseam and I can flat foot pretty well. Dyna's and Soft tail would be a good choice.
As far as a bike...... can't help you there! I have a Street Glide I love. I'm a 30" inseam and I can flat foot pretty well. Dyna's and Soft tail would be a good choice.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 309
Likes: 58
From: Columbia, MO
The Fat Boy Low should have a lower seat height. I've heard the Switchbacks are notorious for bad vibrations. I'm pretty short as well (5'8") and sat on many bikes when buying one. One and only one bike felt just right, which is what I ended up buying (Softail Slim). I believe the right bike will pretty much pick the owner just by sitting on the bike upright. Even before test riding. Good luck!
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 278
Likes: 244
From: AZ
The Switchback is a great bike. I have a 13 and 14. The only vibration is with the heavy stock muffler. Mine have pipes or a slip on and are as smooth as any other 103. Handling is excellent - just watch the front motor mount, as with any Dyna. Pricing in 2020 was $7,000 for the 13 with 5,200 miles, and $8,100 for the 14 with ABS and 8,700 miles - both private party sales in October in MInnesota, with snow in the air.
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6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: oh
I did ride a 2012 fully equipped switchback for 8k and had a bad rattle from the rack. Also the seller says he always locks his bags or they open. The stretch pegs shook rather fierce but once acceleration happened all was good. Bike was well worth asking price as it had a number of upgrades. I did opt to try out some other toys out there but haven't convinced the better half yet. 😀
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 33,719
Likes: 3,724
From: Connecticut.
I did ride a 2012 fully equipped switchback for 8k and had a bad rattle from the rack. Also the seller says he always locks his bags or they open. The stretch pegs shook rather fierce but once acceleration happened all was good. Bike was well worth asking price as it had a number of upgrades. I did opt to try out some other toys out there but haven't convinced the better half yet. 😀
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Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 716
Likes: 464
From: Queens, NY
I Returned to bikes 3 years ago after having a few Triumphs and a Sportster. I am 5'9' and 75 year old. I sat on my friends 2000 Heritage and immediately felt as if I were sitting in it....not on it with my feet firmly flat. I made him promise to sell it to me when the time came, he was 83 at the time and the original owner. There isnt a bike on our dealer floor I would trade her for. Look at the Softails!!!!
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 2,251
Likes: 2,181
From: West Coast
If you have any skills just pull the staples holding the seat cover on and take the wifes electric turkey carving knife to the front and narrow it where your thighs hit when your feet are down. Close it back up with an electric stapler or a manual stapler if you have the hand strength. Been doing this for half a century and it is easy piesy. Just move slowly and test sit frequently.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 231
Likes: 100
From: WI
If you have any skills just pull the staples holding the seat cover on and take the wifes electric turkey carving knife to the front and narrow it where your thighs hit when your feet are down. Close it back up with an electric stapler or a manual stapler if you have the hand strength. Been doing this for half a century and it is easy piesy. Just move slowly and test sit frequently.