Well, after much fluffing around trying to figure out how to post a pic, here it all is.
Love my 72, but after a year of trying to make friends with the forward controls, I gave up looking cool, feeling weird in corners and putting too much pressure on my lower back. I'm soft and I'm embracing it.
In the 2015 Catalogue, HD finally came up with a solution that works for me: "Further Forward Mid Controls". Slightly more forward than Sportster mids, available in chrome or black. Kit was 510 Australian, plus install if you go that way. Apparently, previous solutions were not for ABS bikes, so some creative mechanical problem-solving was apparently required. I don't know as I couldn't be bothered stuffing around trying and just waited for a factory kit. I'm not too adventurous that way - I know a lot of you guys are, which I admire.
As you can see from the pics, they come with mini-footboards, which I wasn't sure about, but I'm good with them after riding for a day. To me, the bike feels more "normal" in corners, in the way you can position your body, etc. Not sure if there's more lean available or it just feels more comfortable approaching the limit. Personal preference rules in this case. I come from a Jap naked bike background so admittedly I'm kinda used to controls that are comfortable and practical (like why doesn't HD offer these things with adjustable levers?). I'm not used to "suffering for my art". Just my opinion so you believers keep enjoying your forwards!
Ride on.
I came from a Ducati with rear sets and clip ons attached to the front axle. Not really, but they felt that low after about an hour on the bike! I have seen other posts from guys with 48's complaining how bad the stock seat is. I have a 48 seat on my Iron, with the standard mids and it is very comfortable, in fact more comfortable than the stock Iron seat. I have ridden 48's with the same seat and forwards and it is much less comfortable, as it transfers all your weight onto your lower spine. Mids rule for me, bugger fashion. TC
