Hey All,
I am 47 years old, been into bikes ever since I was a kid and now the time has come to take the plunge and finally follow my dream of owning a Harley. I have done a fair amount of research on the bikes and the 2011 DYNA WIDEGLIDE is the one that I am seriously considering. I know exactly what mods I want to do to it after I get it, have a list and am all ready to go. However there is one slightly annoying thought that is bothering me quite a lot and that is the weight to height ratio thing.
I am about 5ft 7, and weigh about 84 kgs or around 185 lbs, is it possible for me to actually ride something like the WIDEGLIDE? The seat height is 25'' according to the specs so I should be able to touch the ground with both of my feet, but what about the weight of the bike? is it balanced fairly well? and would I be able to reach the handle bars and the controls like the brakes and clutch etc?
I don't really want to go for a Sportster as I intend on doing a lot of long rides, so I need something that can handle the distance and also being comfortable. Plus the sound between the Sporty and the WG is totally different, I need that deep sound and rumble.
If anyone is roughly the same weight and height as myself and are currently riding one of the big Harley's, I would love to hear from you and your thoughts on this. Or if you know of anyone else, I am pretty serious about this, and it is a huge committment so I want to make sure before I take the leap. The next step obviously is to go into a dealer and try one out, but i thought that I would run it past on here, just to see waht everyone's thoughst are.
thanks for your time..cheers..shredder!
you'll be right Shredder,
anyway, if Chromer can ride a softy, you'll handle a dyna no worries, ( sorry Chromer, not saying your height challenged or anything)
Go for it. Take a test ride to check it out. Only word of advice is beware stopping on gravel or anywher the footing is dodgy, particularly if there is a bit of a slope. Nothing like a slipped footing to tighten up the sphincter and get the heart racing. They are a heavy bike that does have a center of gravity. beware going outside that point.
Hey Shredder,
I am five foot six or seven and weigh in at 74 kilos or so. I can manage a FatBob without too much drama but I did find the forwards a bit of a stretch for my little legs - I wear a 29" inseam. As a result I have converted to mid mounts and it suits me far better, even if a well known Brisbane dealer told me that it couldn't be done!
I'd say that you should go for it and live the dream. Remember that the bikes can be tailored to fit to some extent without going as drastically as I did.
FR
http://www.trikealternative.com/
Just sayin...
Hey all,
thanks heaps for all of your responses, I really appreciate it. It has given me more confidence and stopped me from having those doubts.
Yes I think the thing to do is to go and try one out, see how it feels and check the controls, etc, hopefully I don't drop it.
I pretty much know that I will have to do some mods to it, but the good thing is that there heaps of things that you can do to them, so should be fun.
Will post some pics as soon as it is all happening and will most likely be back on here to ask questions about the mods, etc, but that's all good.
cheers everyone and thanks again!
G'day DICKOBIGFISH,
You have absolutely cracked me up mate, love it! And you're right! Don't worry I'm a doin it....
cheers!
Hey Bano,
yeah I was thinking about doing the same thing on the WG, I read somewhere something about progressive shocks or something like that, sounds like a goer for sure...cheers!
5ft6 and ride electra glide standard. ul be sweet mate!
Just do a few test rides most dealers will be happy to help you if they think they can get your business, see if you can get them to throw in a rider refresher course
Well Shredder.
No bull I'm 5'3' tall weight about 90kg. (thats why I'm called Stumpy).
Anyway I have a Dyna Custom 09 model. Tried a Softail Standard and even the stealer laughed when I had to slide up the fuel tank 2 inches to reach the forward controls legs fully stretched out.
Best buy I ever did was get the FXDC... Mid mounts did put Highway pegs on but needed to drill new holes farther back on them and even bought double knuckles to make the footpegs come back a bit more to ride comfy for me.
I'm not joking just able to put one foot down most of the time.
Great bike goes like the clappers.
you'll have no trouble with the wide glide mate.....
LAUGH if you will but the day you see me you'll know me.
