short folks and road glides

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Dec 4, 2009 | 01:30 PM

skratch

Thread Starter

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 20,616

Likes: 4,440

From: anacoco, la

short folks and road glides

i hear a lot about how the road glide is the bike to get if your tall. how about the other way around? i'm 5'4" with a 29" inseam and have been lusting after the new road glide custom in denim black.

i know its got the short 12" shocks already, and i would still change them out to the 11-1/2s that i am currently running. i sat on one at the dealership that had a brawler seat on it, and it felt pretty good. seemed a lot more 'open' than one of the batwing fairing bikes.

so how many vertically challenged folks are riding road glides?

Dec 4, 2009 | 02:37 PM

BM83

Tourer

Joined: Jul 2007

Posts: 258

Likes: 0

From: north central missouri

Im 5'8'' with a 30" inseam and ride with the stock height suspension on a 2007. Also have a seat that sits a little higher. have no probs. But Ive been riding motocross bikes since 5 years old. Used to not being able to flat foot

Dec 4, 2009 | 03:21 PM

skootchnc

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Jan 2008

Posts: 4,530

Likes: 607

From: Raleigh NC

5ft 8 inches, 28 inch inseam... 2005 FLTR stock shocks, and a H-D "reach" seat. Try the bike on the showroom floor, and (assuming you have a license) get a demo ride on the bike. then decide.
Only you know what feels right (to you)

Dec 4, 2009 | 06:10 PM

Kilo6

Tourer

Joined: Apr 2007

Posts: 361

Likes: 3

From: Alexandria, Va

I am 5'6" with 29" inseam. I ride a stock RG with no problems. You just have to get used to it.

Dec 4, 2009 | 06:37 PM

JonnyD

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 2,876

Likes: 3

From: Washington State

Quote:

Originally Posted by BM83

That sounds familiar. Of course the bikes weighed 1/4 as much as these things, and much easier to pick up with less damage

I sat on on the new RGC, and it's not bad. I can tell the difference in the new frame. And that fairing feels like its 10 feet from you. That would take some getting used to.

Dec 5, 2009 | 01:03 PM

crfranklin65

Tourer

Joined: Oct 2006

Posts: 356

Likes: 2

From: Midland, TX

I almost bought a 2009 Road Glide instead of my Street Glide because you have more handle bar options to get close to you. I am 5'4" with 29" inseam.

My 2009 Street Glide has same shock height as 2010 Road Glides. I found the H-D reach seat got me the lowest to the ground because the nose is more narrow.

Wild1inc.com has great bars for reduced reach on a Road Glide. Thick soled boots help too.

Dec 5, 2009 | 04:53 PM

Boxs

Intermediate

Joined: Apr 2007

Posts: 25

Likes: 0

From: Arizona

5'9'' 30 inseam- '07 Roadglide I'm like BM83, could never reach the ground
on my dirt bikes over the years so no problem with the Harley....

Boxs

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Feb 3, 2010 | 11:51 AM

jokenighttrain

Cruiser

Joined: Jan 2009

Posts: 195

Likes: 0

From: Champaign, Illinois

I just got an 09 RG and I've been searching these forums for the answer to lowering the RG. I'm 5'-9", 30" inseam. I came off a Night Train and want the flat footed stability I had before. Seems that there are several options to this issue:

1. A rear lowering kit (-1" to -2") using stock shocks.
2. A new seat (-1" to -1-1/2") maybe combined with #3 below.
3. Shorter shocks (-3/4" to -2") maybe combined with #2 above.

Problems:

#1 - bottoming out, losing your taillight wiring, damaging your fender, and none.
#2 - different choices and prices
#3 - different choices, prices, and ride qualities

It seems to be a matter of choice, cost, and trial & error (which we try to avoid by reading what others have tried). I still haven't decided yet; no hurry there's 6 more weeks of winter ahead.