Bars and seat help
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Joined: Mar 2011
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Bars and seat help
hello to all.....here is the short (lol) story,.... I am still fairly new to harleys, and bikes in general! summer of 09 traded in a 3 month old sporty with 1k on it for a brand new Road King (sporty was first bike ever). being only 5'8 with a 32 in inseem, i had an issue with not being able to flat foot, so went to dealer (cuz i thought that was the only option) and they took 300 bucks out of my pocket, and gave me a new seat! a reach seat as it is called, i noticed i was now able to somewhat flat foot, but still not rock solid! anyhow with that seat, and much like the stock one after about 50 miles or so my butt and lower back start to hurt! so while i had the king in for first service, i told them, and they told me to by these handle bars and you will be all set.. i think they are called the reach bars or maybe layback bars, was told they were the most popular bar for the king so i did, and after some adjustments to them i notice a slight difference.....so being what i consider to still be a new ridder, i dont need the extra worries about being uncomfortable or unstable when i stop! What can i do?? meancity said they cant really lower me but can move me back and replace foam with mem foam, so that brings me to my next question, what is the advantage of being "moved back" ?? wouldnt this just make it harder for me to reach the bars? sorry for the long post, and im sure this is all redundent for most of you , but as a newbe i am asking for help from all of you on these issues....thanks in advance!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,403
Likes: 20
From: Indy
OK first thing to do on a road king is get some taller bars, something with pull back, like a 12 or 14" ape hanger.
Then go buy a back rest for the rider , you will be all set,as far as touching flat footed, get some taller heel boots.
I can not touch flat footed on my bike , and it doesn't bother me,and you should try to get used to it.
Then go buy a back rest for the rider , you will be all set,as far as touching flat footed, get some taller heel boots.
I can not touch flat footed on my bike , and it doesn't bother me,and you should try to get used to it.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 56,052
Likes: 88,324
From: Western South Dakota
Get a lower profile seat..C & C Seats will custom build you one for about $125 more than a new stock one will cost you. Don't make the mistake of "mod-ing it." Been there done that. Just get a new one custom built to your specs for you and you will be satisfied.
C & C have a guarantee too BTW.
C & C have a guarantee too BTW.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,294
Likes: 16
From: in a van down by the river in Ga.
I have a 29"inseam that is shorter than you. I have a Street Glide that i have lowered the rear end an inch, i had Mean City to add Gel to OEM seat. Wish i had put more emphasis on trimming the seat near the tank where my legs would fit close to the seat making my feet lower. I would have sent it back but more postage i didn't want to spend. Now i am lowering the front 1" and adding Wild 1 575 bars and looking for a deal on a C & C seat. Do the cheap rear end lowering and see if that helps. Not that much $$$$ on Ebay and easy to install.
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i have been wanting to lower at least the rear an inch, just need some feed back on the blocks, or kit! i cant spend the 300 bucks for lowering shocks right now. well maybe i will change out bars again!
1st Gear
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Carmi Il
They pretty much summed up yer options. I dont know about ape hangers though. can add stress to shoulders and certain people may get fatigue(its an expensive alterationn as well) Just get the suspension lowered. the will also increase balance. Lowering shocks will look better and is way cheaper then bars
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 275
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From: N.W. Pa.
I did lowering kit in the rear, spring kit in the front, WO575 bars, and mean city reworked the badlander seat, now I'm flat footed, elbows bent, and sittin compfy in the seat, no fatigue at all, alot of extra work just to make it fit great but it was all worth it.
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 106
From: Colorado Front Range
Yup, just get your seat right (which you'll want to anyway). C&C will make what you need and of course lots of guys on here are big Mean City Cycles fans too if you want to deal with customizing fit. Got to a dealer on a weekend and look at all of the bar setups and see what you like...many guys will let you sit and try em.
If you use the search function on the site here, you'll get more opinions/answers than you could read in a week on topics like seats, bars, and shocks.
Have fun and keep learning no matter what else you do with your new scoot.
If you use the search function on the site here, you'll get more opinions/answers than you could read in a week on topics like seats, bars, and shocks.
Have fun and keep learning no matter what else you do with your new scoot.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,906
Likes: 11
From: Grottoes Va.
Go to a few bike nites and see what everyone else has done to their bikes. I've got a short inseam myself and I really can't flatfoot my scooter either, unless riding 2up or I do a semi stand. I did 14" tattoo'd apes with a Sundowner seat then added a riders backrest. She fits like a glove now and can ride all day without fear of "monkey butt". Collecting the funds now to narrow the front of the seat so I can get better footing when stopped.