Seating Position
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 227
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta
Seating Position
I have recently gotten a new to me RKC and I'm still getting used to it. This is not my first bike but it is my first Harley. I was having some issues related to handling the bike and getting my feet down and it seems like it is related to where I sit on the seat. I am not short or small, I am about 6'1 and never experienced this on my VStar 1100. Is your riding experience different based on where you sit in the seat? How much attention do you pay to where you sit? Should I expect the seat to break in and become more like a glove type fit?
Any help is appreciated.
Any help is appreciated.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
many dealerships have a "fit shop" - a dummy bike where you can swap seats, bars etc to find the combination that feels right for you.
I'm luckiest guy in the world- i like and prefer the stock riding position. seated up right with my hands down
6'2"
mike
I'm luckiest guy in the world- i like and prefer the stock riding position. seated up right with my hands down
6'2"
mike
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 297
Likes: 25
From:
I'm 5'9" and my road king is stock height with a Sundowner seat which is taller and wider than stock. If I'm sitting down I can't flat foot, but other than that there shouldn't be an issue. I've always slid foreword some to be able to touch.
'Flat footing' on a bike is over-rated anyways IMO. On my FJR I can't even touch the ground while seated, and if I slide all of the way foreword and stand I'm almost on the ***** of my feet. Another inch or so would get me there. 26,000 miles like that with no issue so far. One parking lot drop that wasn't my fault.
'Flat footing' on a bike is over-rated anyways IMO. On my FJR I can't even touch the ground while seated, and if I slide all of the way foreword and stand I'm almost on the ***** of my feet. Another inch or so would get me there. 26,000 miles like that with no issue so far. One parking lot drop that wasn't my fault.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 211
Likes: 0
From: Lake Charles, LA
Got a RK back in April and am still learning to ride it since it is so different than my Super Glide, which has forwards. The RK has a higher center of gravity, has foot boards and is much heavier than the SG. I am 5-10 so replaced the stock seat with the H-D Low Profile Solo Touring Seat and it moved me down and back a bit, which is a better riding position for me.
I still may do something different with handlebars but everyone tells me "seat time" is the best solution. Good luck with yours!
I still may do something different with handlebars but everyone tells me "seat time" is the best solution. Good luck with yours!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 4,416
Likes: 88
From: San Quirino, Italy
Got a RK back in April and am still learning to ride it since it is so different than my Super Glide, which has forwards. The RK has a higher center of gravity, has foot boards and is much heavier than the SG. I am 5-10 so replaced the stock seat with the H-D Low Profile Solo Touring Seat and it moved me down and back a bit, which is a better riding position for me.
I still may do something different with handlebars but everyone tells me "seat time" is the best solution. Good luck with yours!
I still may do something different with handlebars but everyone tells me "seat time" is the best solution. Good luck with yours!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,606
Likes: 4,046
From: Virginia
I have recently gotten a new to me RKC and I'm still getting used to it. This is not my first bike but it is my first Harley. I was having some issues related to handling the bike and getting my feet down and it seems like it is related to where I sit on the seat. I am not short or small, I am about 6'1 and never experienced this on my VStar 1100. Is your riding experience different based on where you sit in the seat? How much attention do you pay to where you sit? Should I expect the seat to break in and become more like a glove type fit?
Any help is appreciated.
Any help is appreciated.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 227
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta
The mean city cycles thing where they narrow the nose of the seat seems like it would help too.
I do see why it's called the Road King!
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,335
Likes: 5
From: CT
I came from a smaller metric as well. Road King is a big fella compared to your vstar. I think the 1100 was around 625 lbs. Rk is 810 or so. Takes a bit of getting used to. My 12 rkc seat fit me pretty good at 5-9. Ditched it because it was useless for 2 up. 9" wide passenger area. Feet down issues are pretty common. It takes time.
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Harley has used the tag 'King of the Road' since long before the RK was introduced, so it could be said that all dressers are 'road kings'!
As a suggestion, your handlebars are adjustable, which will enable you to move them up or down a little. I was extremely uncomfortable on my Glide when I first bought it and eventually plucked up courage to take a few tools to it (I bought it new and didn't want to risk wrecking anything!). After a few small changes, hey presto, we clicked! Been fine ever since.
As a suggestion, your handlebars are adjustable, which will enable you to move them up or down a little. I was extremely uncomfortable on my Glide when I first bought it and eventually plucked up courage to take a few tools to it (I bought it new and didn't want to risk wrecking anything!). After a few small changes, hey presto, we clicked! Been fine ever since.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 421
Likes: 14
From: Pollock La
the seat and the bar adjustment can be a night and day difference in the ride. for me at 6'2", i purchased the mustang wide touring seat with backrest. love the seats first off (had one on my street bob), and the seat moved the driver back almost 2", that made it much better on the leg position. then the bar was a bit of a stretch for my arms. i was at full extension of my arms with the stock bars at about any angle. i upgraded to some 12" yaffe classic bagger apes which allowed for a better hand position and more room to roll the bars back to me...
BIG time better position and riding.
BIG time better position and riding.