set up help..
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Joined: Jun 2013
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From: oklahoma
set up help..
Im a little new to the touring side of things and I just picked up an 09 SG that I need a little help with set up on it as far as bars and seat.
im 5'9" with a 32" inseam and the front of the seat is a little wide. I don't really feel like its to tall but when I stop my feet are spread so far apart I don't have much room for error if I step in a slick spot or a hole or anything like that.
I would like to add maybe some small apes, and after market seat, a riders backrest and some highway pegs but the more I read the more confused I get.....
any suggestions on what you may have tried and liked or didn't like?
thanks in advance
im 5'9" with a 32" inseam and the front of the seat is a little wide. I don't really feel like its to tall but when I stop my feet are spread so far apart I don't have much room for error if I step in a slick spot or a hole or anything like that.
I would like to add maybe some small apes, and after market seat, a riders backrest and some highway pegs but the more I read the more confused I get.....
any suggestions on what you may have tried and liked or didn't like?
thanks in advance
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 5,323
Likes: 37
From: NJ
Don't change nothing until you have 2-3 k under your butt to see what really bothers you most.
At first the seat killed my *** and then after 3k it started feeling better and better. Turns out it was my *** needing to break in on this seat not the seat itself. Enjoy the ride.
At first the seat killed my *** and then after 3k it started feeling better and better. Turns out it was my *** needing to break in on this seat not the seat itself. Enjoy the ride.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
the 09/10 seat has that wider nose...and a sleek rear section for the passenger.
the 2011+ version is narrower at the nose- thicker rear section.
some riders prefer the sleeker rear so you may be able to swap.
go by a dealer and sit on a newer SG, see what you think.
2.) the bars are easily rotated back and down, and that may put them in reach.
requires removing ign switch and lower dash panel- easy, watch youtube videos BEFORE touching switch.
at that point to 2 bolts for the rear opf the clamps are accessible, loosen, set bars, tighten.
do all tghis with a THICK towel over you tank, before buttoning up, make sure that controls have at least 3/8" clearance to tank when at full lock left and right.
The clearance is needed as the bar mounts are into rubber bushings which are easily compressed if you lean on them, and then the controls could scratch paint
these are easy to do and low buck improvements
Mike
the 2011+ version is narrower at the nose- thicker rear section.
some riders prefer the sleeker rear so you may be able to swap.
go by a dealer and sit on a newer SG, see what you think.
2.) the bars are easily rotated back and down, and that may put them in reach.
requires removing ign switch and lower dash panel- easy, watch youtube videos BEFORE touching switch.
at that point to 2 bolts for the rear opf the clamps are accessible, loosen, set bars, tighten.
do all tghis with a THICK towel over you tank, before buttoning up, make sure that controls have at least 3/8" clearance to tank when at full lock left and right.
The clearance is needed as the bar mounts are into rubber bushings which are easily compressed if you lean on them, and then the controls could scratch paint
these are easy to do and low buck improvements
Mike
Last edited by mkguitar; Jul 30, 2013 at 04:35 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,832
Likes: 37
From: Rockland County, NY
I sent my seat to Mean City Cycles and had the nose trimmed down. You are right about it being wider. Harley ships newer bikes with narrower seats. Dealers now have a seat test program where you can try out every seat they have until you find one you like. Do a search for MCC and you'll see that they are a favorite vendor on this forum and do great work at a reasonable price with a fast turn around.
Welcome to the forum. You'll get an answer to every question you can think of here. Great group of people.
Welcome to the forum. You'll get an answer to every question you can think of here. Great group of people.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
pt 2.
I use the riders backrest..they go for about $150 used ( I just sold one for $140), check the classifieds forum here, local craigslist.
The HD one works AFAIK with all HD seats.
if you want a bar swap, do some reading up- some bars can be used with out changing wiring or cables- and that would be the value leader...once guys start trying to extend 20 wires...they post about 9 things that do not work anymore...
hiway pegs, easy if you like them, again check the classifieds- look for ones that'll match your other pegs
there are a few active forum members who are "OK" search them out- nice, smart Guys.
Mike
I use the riders backrest..they go for about $150 used ( I just sold one for $140), check the classifieds forum here, local craigslist.
The HD one works AFAIK with all HD seats.
if you want a bar swap, do some reading up- some bars can be used with out changing wiring or cables- and that would be the value leader...once guys start trying to extend 20 wires...they post about 9 things that do not work anymore...
hiway pegs, easy if you like them, again check the classifieds- look for ones that'll match your other pegs
there are a few active forum members who are "OK" search them out- nice, smart Guys.
Mike
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10,216
Likes: 224
From: Glendale AZ
I sent my seat to Mean City Cycles and had the nose trimmed down. You are right about it being wider. Harley ships newer bikes with narrower seats. Dealers now have a seat test program where you can try out every seat they have until you find one you like. Do a search for MCC and you'll see that they are a favorite vendor on this forum and do great work at a reasonable price with a fast turn around.
Welcome to the forum. You'll get an answer to every question you can think of here. Great group of people.
Welcome to the forum. You'll get an answer to every question you can think of here. Great group of people.
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Joined: Jun 2009
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Im a little new to the touring side of things and I just picked up an 09 SG that I need a little help with set up on it as far as bars and seat.
im 5'9" with a 32" inseam and the front of the seat is a little wide. I don't really feel like its to tall but when I stop my feet are spread so far apart I don't have much room for error if I step in a slick spot or a hole or anything like that.
I would like to add maybe some small apes, and after market seat, a riders backrest and some highway pegs but the more I read the more confused I get.....
any suggestions on what you may have tried and liked or didn't like?
thanks in advance
im 5'9" with a 32" inseam and the front of the seat is a little wide. I don't really feel like its to tall but when I stop my feet are spread so far apart I don't have much room for error if I step in a slick spot or a hole or anything like that.
I would like to add maybe some small apes, and after market seat, a riders backrest and some highway pegs but the more I read the more confused I get.....
any suggestions on what you may have tried and liked or didn't like?
thanks in advance
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