COULD IT BE EXPECTED THAT...
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
From: Lexington,NC
RE: COULD IT BE EXPECTED THAT...
Try one on for size... the Rental idea would be the safe way to get some seat time in... also don't rule out a heritage softail.... they're designed for the 5'9" sized rider in mind... just an idea !!!!
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 469
Likes: 0
From: Motown
RE: COULD IT BE EXPECTED THAT...
5'8", 165lbs, 31" inseam - riding a Street Glide and loving it.
I started on Harleys around 15 years ago with a Sporty. For 20 years prior to that I owned various metric bikes. Anyway, in 1995 I bought a Fatboy. I'll never forget the day I picked it up. It was sitting in the garage near the door and had just been prepped. The salesman asked me to have a look at it before they loaded onto the trailer (it was February in Michigan with several inches of slush and salt on the roads). I'll never forget the feeling I had when I first saw it: A mixture of excitement, anxiety, and a bit of dread (at the size of it, compared to my recently sold Sportster). I'll admit I was a bit intimidated. First nice day, I think it was March, I took it for a ride and never looked back. I had a bit of the same feeling getting my SG, of course that was probably more the excitement of getting a new bike.
Anytime you get a new bike it is an adjustment, but I'd say you'll be just fine.
I started on Harleys around 15 years ago with a Sporty. For 20 years prior to that I owned various metric bikes. Anyway, in 1995 I bought a Fatboy. I'll never forget the day I picked it up. It was sitting in the garage near the door and had just been prepped. The salesman asked me to have a look at it before they loaded onto the trailer (it was February in Michigan with several inches of slush and salt on the roads). I'll never forget the feeling I had when I first saw it: A mixture of excitement, anxiety, and a bit of dread (at the size of it, compared to my recently sold Sportster). I'll admit I was a bit intimidated. First nice day, I think it was March, I took it for a ride and never looked back. I had a bit of the same feeling getting my SG, of course that was probably more the excitement of getting a new bike.
Anytime you get a new bike it is an adjustment, but I'd say you'll be just fine.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 154
Likes: 0
From:
RE: COULD IT BE EXPECTED THAT...
I wouldn't worry about it , as a lot have stated there a lot of stuff out there to lower it if you need to. Ride the bike a while to find out what you need to make the bike right .
I am 5' 7" 170lb 30" inseam and my bike is stock as far as seatheight .
And as far as handling gose there really one of the better bikes as far as balance and handling .
I am 5' 7" 170lb 30" inseam and my bike is stock as far as seatheight .
And as far as handling gose there really one of the better bikes as far as balance and handling .
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,440
Likes: 0
From: Columbus,Indiana/ Arecibo,Puerto Rico
RE: COULD IT BE EXPECTED THAT...
You are worrying about the wrong thing, A good friend/ forum member SBD is a LOT shorter than you and he rides the wheels of his 05 Ultra. With riding boots on a lowered bike he tiptoes when stopped. Dan
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 630
Likes: 0
From: The Heart Break Hotel
RE: COULD IT BE EXPECTED THAT...
ORIGINAL: IronLegend
a 5'8" tall relatively short legged(29" inseam), 200Lb. (not all muscle), 55 yr. oldgo from previouslyriding a Yamaha 650V-Star Classic and currently riding an '03 H-D 883 SportsterStandard be able to safely handlethe size and weight of a2001 FLHR Road King?
a 5'8" tall relatively short legged(29" inseam), 200Lb. (not all muscle), 55 yr. oldgo from previouslyriding a Yamaha 650V-Star Classic and currently riding an '03 H-D 883 SportsterStandard be able to safely handlethe size and weight of a2001 FLHR Road King?
My last bike was a RK and I had no problem with it or my SG they both are earier to ride than my Sportster was as far as balence and height of the bike.
The Mustang seat I got really helps by having narrower front.
Rent one you'll be hooked
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 165
Likes: 0
From: Mooresville (Race City), NC
RE: COULD IT BE EXPECTED THAT...
I've got a buddy about 5'8" with a EGC. He lowered the rear and bought a low profile two-up seat. He has no issues.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,968
Likes: 34
From: Lockport Township, IL
RE: COULD IT BE EXPECTED THAT...
I'm 5'7" and 160 lbs. The Ultra handles better and is easier to ride at very slow speeds than my FXD. From a dead stop, it is a breeze to make a hard U-turn. A few weeks ago, I saw a female LEO pull into a Dealer on her Harley Ploice Bike and she couldn't have been over 5'3" and 110 lbs. She had no problems at all manuvering that thing around.