forward controls
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 302
Likes: 0
forward controls
thinking of removing floorboards for forward controls.pros cons anyone do this?i like the looks of forward controls and it falls in to the future mods plan.if u have which one did u go with?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,241
Likes: 7
From: Daytona, Fla.
Forward controls do look good, & might be an OK idea on a touring bike if you kept the floor boards. I looked into them & knew several people that had them back in the cruiser days. They looked good, but limited the number of foot positions available. Not a problem if you don't ride more than a couple of hundred miles, but on an 8/10/12 hour day your legs will hate you.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,101
Likes: 1,013
I never understood why people go with forward controls, yea they look good on choppers, but on a touring bike, not so much.
I wouldn't want to be stuck with one riding position all the time. With the floorboards and highway pegs, you have lots of room to move your feet around, even stand up to adjust "things" LOL. The biggest factor for me is that, I have a terrible bad back, and I need to be able to take bumps with my legs, instead of my back slamming down on the seat. I just use my legs for shocks when I see a big bump coming up that can't be avoided. How do people with forwards take big bumps anyway?
I know it's nice to have your bike look cool, but to take away function just for looks
doesn't make sense to me.
I'm thinking about adding extended bannana boards, just to have more room to move my feet around.
I'm sure people with forwards will chime in, and tell me how wrong I am...LOL j/k
I wouldn't want to be stuck with one riding position all the time. With the floorboards and highway pegs, you have lots of room to move your feet around, even stand up to adjust "things" LOL. The biggest factor for me is that, I have a terrible bad back, and I need to be able to take bumps with my legs, instead of my back slamming down on the seat. I just use my legs for shocks when I see a big bump coming up that can't be avoided. How do people with forwards take big bumps anyway?
I know it's nice to have your bike look cool, but to take away function just for looks
doesn't make sense to me.
I'm thinking about adding extended bannana boards, just to have more room to move my feet around.
I'm sure people with forwards will chime in, and tell me how wrong I am...LOL j/k
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 537
Likes: 0
From: Columbus, Ohio
I was contemplating adding forward controls on the King. When I was Harley shopping I test rode a Screamin Eagle wide glide and I really liked the forward controls. It is ultimately up to you. For me 'tasteful' function trumps fashion.
If I were to do it I would try and keep the floorboards.
If I were to do it I would try and keep the floorboards.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 159
Likes: 1
I have the Accutronix extended forward controls on my '07 RG, glad I found this thread so I could learn how uncomfortable my ride is, wow, I just never knew... Didn't notice it on the ride to Sturgis this year or down hwy 101, I guess I'm just dense that way. LOL 
Anyway I find them more than comfortable, I move from instep, to heal, and to toes just stretching the calves but I do have to admit I'm a skosh used to forwards, had them on the '88 softail I put 160k miles on, as well as the '96 Springer I put 54k on and now the Road Glide that I put 16k on last year...
You will either love 'em or hate 'em, but one thing is for sure, unless you try it you'll never KNOW what its like to ride with them if you want pics of them they are in my garage. Good luck on the decision, I have a friend that always ran boards and he tried a set of forwards and took them off after a week so it is really all in what you feel right with!
Anyway I find them more than comfortable, I move from instep, to heal, and to toes just stretching the calves but I do have to admit I'm a skosh used to forwards, had them on the '88 softail I put 160k miles on, as well as the '96 Springer I put 54k on and now the Road Glide that I put 16k on last year...
You will either love 'em or hate 'em, but one thing is for sure, unless you try it you'll never KNOW what its like to ride with them if you want pics of them they are in my garage. Good luck on the decision, I have a friend that always ran boards and he tried a set of forwards and took them off after a week so it is really all in what you feel right with!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 30,875
Likes: 32,917
From: King George, VA
I put the J-brake forward controls on my RG. I had the same thoughts about how they might look or foot position but I got over it. I did an iron butt ride with them on there last summer.
Last edited by EasternSP; Dec 20, 2011 at 07:10 AM.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
I've got the Jay Brake forward controls on mine. I've done 9000 since last summer, and love them. They don't give you as many positions, but It hasn't really bothered me.
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Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 733
Likes: 4
From: Boerne Tx. (Gods Country!!)
Don't really plan on any Ironbutt rides with this machine anyway, but I installed the Jay Brake kit and can easily handle 5-8 hour rides.
You can still fold down the highway pegs and use them for additional foot positioning just like using the boards.....heels on the footpegs and ball of foot or toes on the highway peg or stretch out as normal.
I am thinking of trying the short angled black powdercoated ones on there to compare with the ones shown.
The footrests that are supplied with the kit are pretty good sized and this kit is very well made and easy to install.
Installation only took about 45 minutes, and would be very easy to swap back to your board setup if you ever felt the need.
You can still fold down the highway pegs and use them for additional foot positioning just like using the boards.....heels on the footpegs and ball of foot or toes on the highway peg or stretch out as normal.
I am thinking of trying the short angled black powdercoated ones on there to compare with the ones shown.
The footrests that are supplied with the kit are pretty good sized and this kit is very well made and easy to install.
Installation only took about 45 minutes, and would be very easy to swap back to your board setup if you ever felt the need.
Last edited by txrarebear; Dec 20, 2011 at 09:19 AM.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,143
Likes: 11,212
From: San Diego, CA
I had a '78 FXS with center pegs/controls and forward, frame-mounted, highway pegs. I always rode with my feet on the forward pegs.
I bought an '80 FXS and within a year, converted it to forward controls. Had that bike 9 years and a lot of miles. Several long runs and never had a problem with the comfort of the forward controls.
I've been riding FL bikes, with floorboards, since 1989. I actually prefer the floorboards, but wouldn't hesitate to take a long ride on a bike with forward controls.
If you like the look, I'd say go for it.......
I bought an '80 FXS and within a year, converted it to forward controls. Had that bike 9 years and a lot of miles. Several long runs and never had a problem with the comfort of the forward controls.
I've been riding FL bikes, with floorboards, since 1989. I actually prefer the floorboards, but wouldn't hesitate to take a long ride on a bike with forward controls.
If you like the look, I'd say go for it.......
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,118
Likes: 26
From: OOB, Maine
I put forward controls on my ride to increase function....not even a thought on how they would look. I have Accutronix and couldn't be more happy. I am 6'-9" and let me tell you riding with your knees way over your hips is far from comfortable and certainly looks strange. My feet gladly welcomed the forgotten blood flow. 20.5 hour day is the longest yet. Could have kept going, but the destination was reached. 2 Saddlesore 1000s done with them, and a Bunburner 1500 planned for 2012.
Adam
Adam
Last edited by modes; Dec 20, 2011 at 12:30 PM.
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