Hey guy,

 

Just wanting a little advice, i know obviously test riding will answer a lot of questions but i want to know a little more about how shorter riders go with the Touring Models?

 

I want to upgrade my Sporty to a Street Glide or Road Glide. Are there any shorter riders on here? Any idea of what set ups people run? I am 168cm and around 74 kg's

 

Ta guys

 

Giles

 

 

Mate,, like you mentioned,, test riding will answer a lot of your questions,, If you have your heart set on a touring model , then so be it .. They have some "Low Models" , (lower seat height), in the touring line up, dont know if they are all available in Australia ,, you can check that out.. But dont discount say the Switchback, a good all rounder.. The Heritage Softail . And for something a little more classic, the Softail Deluxe .. Any of the 3 I've mentioned will suite ,, in my opinion,, if you have concerns regarding weight and height of the larger touring models .... Cheers ..

I am 170 and have a Street Glide, just get a lower seat or the standard modded. I am currently running a bad lander seat.

Lower and reduce reach seat, and/or greater pull back risers or handlebars should get your feet safely on the ground and you comfortably holding the handlebars. And you can make changes to the foot controls too. Anything can be done with these bikes

I'm 172 and riding a Road King with forward controls and an HD Pillow Look touring seat same height as standard. The only concession I've made to my buggered shoulders is to fit Road Glide (pattern) bars.

this is my bike with the badlander and also have 10.75 apes.

Do you guys find manuorving into parks a problem?
Also Steve are you flat footed?

She looks stunning mate it's exactly what I'm after!!!

Hi Giles,, After your last comment ,, I kinda changed my advice I gave above .... Get as much road time on bigger and heavy bikes a possible,, ie, test rides ,, demo days,, mates bikes , if they will let you ,, etc .. When your more confident , rent a touring bike for the day , or weekend .. This may suite if you close to a city,, Indian have a deal going ,, full weekend on most, not all of their range ,," for free". Pick up Friday afternoon , and drop bike back Monday morning ... Plus , they give you a $200 voucher for accommadation ,, not a bad deal , for you to get used to a touring type bike.. Who knows,, you might buy an Indian !!!! Cheers..

I am pretty much flat footed but I am thinking of taking it to a trimmer to shave the sides a little for a bit more. By shaving the sides it will allow your legs to be closer to the tank giving better leg reach. As for backing into a parking spot yeah they are heavy but just take your time and if you get yourself flat footed it wont be a problem. As Mark mentioned if you are fairly new to riding try and get some time on one first as they are very different to un faired Harleys. If you have plenty of riding experience, after a good test ride you will know whether or not a SG is for you.

Hi Giles,

I'm 165cm and 65kg and ride 2009 Electra Glide Standard, if i put both feet on the ground its tippy toes or flat footed if i put one foot down.

Only mod made affecting riding position is a Badlander seat and that was made for looks, not to reach the ground.

Can get a bit interesting riding in traffic and splitting lanes and if you ever go two up you certainly difference, feels very top heavy. 

Besides the above once Im riding at speed its no more difficult than riding my lowered Heritage. 

Hi Giles,

I'm 165cm and 65kg and ride 2009 Electra Glide Standard, if i put both feet on the ground its tippy toes or flat footed if i put one foot down.

Only mod made affecting riding position is a Badlander seat and that was made for looks, not to reach the ground.

Can get a bit interesting riding in traffic and splitting lanes and if you ever go two up you certainly difference, feels very top heavy. 

Besides the above once Im riding at speed its no more difficult than riding my lowered Heritage. 

Hi Giles,

I'm 165cm and 65kg and ride 2009 Electra Glide Standard, if i put both feet on the ground its tippy toes or flat footed if i put one foot down.

Only mod made affecting riding position is a Badlander seat and that was made for looks, not to reach the ground.

Can get a bit interesting riding in traffic and splitting lanes and if you ever go two up you certainly difference, feels very top heavy. 

Besides the above once Im riding at speed its no more difficult than riding my lowered Heritage. 

Ha HaSam 1085 you seem to have a sssstutter........  Like most the boys have said there are several options re seats that put you lower in the bike as well as good old thick soled boots! Its not always the height that can catch you its mostly the weight. Anyone unlucky enough to have dropped one will tell you!

Yeah the side effects of a big weekend!

The weight can be intimidating to get used too but nothing a bit of time in the saddle wont fix!

Oh and dont forget the median strip and gutters are your friends at red lights haha

Well guys i sat on a mates and it was beautiful!!! felt like a taller rider would be a little cramped.. the rear for the bars was perfect and the slight trim on the standard seat Steve sounds like the way to go

confident my height wont be a problem now just the weight when backing up or out so to speak

I was in the same situation i have a lowrider and wanted more room for the wife, but the Street Glide looks monstress.

Fraser's had a demoday last year so i went for it and road Five bikes, Wide Glide, Lowrider, Fat Boy, Road King and The Street Glide i can tell you that the Street Glide is the best Harley i have ridden, forget about the mass its not that bad and is way more stable than the Lowrider at low speed. The Street Glide is just fantastic you will be suprised, i am a short ass and 70kg i had no issue you could do a full lock feet up Uturn its that good. So good i orderd a new CVO Street Glide. One thing they are a bit hard to reverse, i recon a reverse gear might be in order here.

welcome skycat and good to see another convert to one of harleys best bikes :-)