I currently ride a Heritage softail very comfortably. Problem is the wife would like the creature comforts of a Ultra Electraglide. I am 5'8" tall with a 29 inch inseam. Hell, it seems hard just to swing my leg over a Electraglide.

My question is, "are there any other short people who have made this decision"? Was it a good one or a bad one? Are you able to handle the bigger, heavier bike?

I have heard about lowering the bike but I read posts about rough ride and scraping of footboards so that also seems like a poor solution at best.

Someone please tell this confused man what to do.

 

Try sitting on a Streetglide. If it fits, buy it, or make the EG sit like a SG. As far as scraping the boards, if your an aggressive rider,maybe, if not don't worry about it. If you can ride a Heritage you can ride a Ultra. Put some miles on it solo before adding the wife. Good luck with your choice.

 

I'm 5' 3" with a 29" inseam and own a Limited which I have not been able to ride yet because of weather. My previous bike was a Road King so had a good feel for what I would need to do to be comfortable on the Limited. With my riding boots which have a 1 3/4" heel I can flat foot the bike. I did not lower the Road King but because of the extra weight of the Limited I did lower the rear 3/4". I also have the Super Reduced Reach seat which brings me closer to the handlebars plus lower.

Before the Road King I rode a Deluxe. The Deluxe was a great bike but the Road King handled better and was more comfortable. The only time I find the weight of the bike to be a problem is when parking. Backing up the bike on an incline is not fun.

For me the decision to go with a touring bike was a good one because of the type of riding we do. However, if most of my riding was around town or short trip I would probably go with the Heritage. In a perfect world I would be able to own both bikes.

Another option you didn't mention is to get your wife her own bike. Good luck, ride safe and enjoy.

 

Go to the HD website to find an HD shop that is an authorized fitment shop. They can help you get the bike where you need it.

I am also 5'8" with a tit over 29" inseam. I do fine with mine, when I get back to the states this summer, I will look at getting a Sundowner Deep Bucket Seat and having Mean City Cycles fix it to where I am lower.

Cale

Edit: I also agree with post #3, I just passed 10,000 miles. I do mostly highway riding, not around town, so I am comfortable with the reach to the ground. If I was in town daily, I would spring to make changes sooner.

 

You will not regret the purchase Spud. I am 5' 8" 150lbs with a 29" inseam. With my army boots on, I can barely flat foot it and I have not changed a thing. It is way comfortable for me to get on and off of. I traded an 06 1200 custom in on Big Red. Other than the weight gettin it off the side stand, it is NO different riding at speed. It is different when you are at slow speeds in a parking lot etc. Just remember the basics, where you look, you will go, head and eyes up. I noticed that it is kinda weird when I pull up to stop lights, kinda has a weird feeling just before you stop, guess thats because I am not used to the batwing yet when stoping,lol. I was able to put 720 miles on her in 10 days and I love every mile. A 50 mile short trip to the dealer or anywhere seems short on this bike. To me, the factory radio is loud as hell (dont shoot me anyone, lol) it makes my ears ring when its 3/4 cranked up. It could use more bass but to me its just fine. (no need to rattle the windshield off) I do plan on replacing the speakers with hogtunes front and back and also a hogpod all with the stock HK head unit, that should be just fine for me till she runs out of warranty in 7 yrs. The ride on my bike is effortless, it EATS miles like nothing, handles the freeway excellent and to me is ok in stop and go traffic. When I purchased it while I was on R&R leave from Iraq, I was riding in 90+ degree days and the cat did not bother me that much (guess I was in the wind to much) The engine management did not cut on once. Anyway, enough of my rambling. I love this bike and if you get an ultra you will also. I would not worry about the height issue or the weight difference, you will get used to it quick. There is person on here who sends out free riding tips. Do a search for motorlessons., its a 40 page pdf file he sends that outlines some techniques taught to motorcycle policeman, GREAT reading. It will help you with your slow speed maneuvers. I plan on getting some small cones or cut some tennis ***** in half and head to the nearest high school parking lot on the weekends to practice with my bike after I get home from Iraq in 70 days, WOOHOOOO...Take care, keep the shiney side up and good luck with your decision. I hope all my ramblings helped you some..

 

My67pnycar:

Thanks for your advice, but more important, thank you for your service. Keep your head down for the next 70 days. My son served with 3rd batallion Strykers out of Fort Lewis and out of Fairbanks Alaska. Just before he was to deploy, he seperated a shoulder in a training exercise so he did not experience the desert. He was disappointed but his mother was happy.

Thanks to the advice from all the others also. Darn, this may cost me 10 grand. But what the hell. I am just spending my wife's next husband's money.

 

Spud, I know exectly your concerns
Bought a new 2008 Ultra with no mods. In our 3rd year and love it. 21,000 on the clock now.
I am 5'7" and I have to go forward on the seat to put my feet flat on the ground on level ground. I could do with a narrower seat but I am probably not going to bother as it is not much of a problem. I'm 63, reasonably fit but feel I have lost some strength in the last few years so I'm not a 30 year old body builder type that can muscle the bike back into balance.
I do need to think ahead when stopping and parking. Our roads (New Zealand) often have a lot of camber and with two up you don't want too much lean when you are stopping at an intersection. Loose metal I dislike but manage quite comfortably.
I can see the day that I might need a lower center of gravity bike that is lighter but certainly not for a few years.
Just had 5 weeks in Thailand riding a Kawasaki 900 cruiser and it was lovely. Just a little lower, lot lighter and handled well. But!!! it was not as much of a buzz as firing up the Harley and ripping down the road.
My wife loves the Harley and we go out as often as possible, last night to a restaurant about 20 miles away and it just makes a great night having a run on the Harley.
She likes the way where ever we go, people look at the bike. It is real comfortable for her, she often nods off to sleep.
Best purchase I have ever made.

 

I forgot, when you get this heavy little bitch up over 10mph she is just delightful to ride.
We will go for a coffee 150 miles away just for the ride.
Every fine day off we are on it and many of the wet ones too.
In fact you have me excited just writing this, I'm taking Harley to work today.

 

I am glad that my ramblings helped some,lol. I have been lucky for over 250 days now dodgin mortars,lol. They keep us on our toes a few times a week. You stay safe, good luck with your purchase if you get it and post some pics so we can see your new machine!!

 

I've seen you post here many times but haven't taken the time to thank you for what you do. THANK YOU! I appreciate you and the other men & women in our Military and look forward to reading your post for the next 70 days and beyond.