Best model for tall rider

phillyjoec · Jul 22nd, 2008, 08:27 PM

What are the opinions of which bike is best for a tall rider. I'm 6'3" with long legs - whenever I sit on any model, either softail or touring, that has floorboards I just don't feel comfortable. Legs feel cramped and I'm sure I wouldn't be able to, or want to, go very far without stopping to stretch
out.
I currently have a Softail Std. with forward controls and it provides fairly ample legroom but I want to step up to something more comfortable in other ways for long trips.

Anybody have any suggestions?

USMCCWO5 · Jul 22nd, 2008, 11:25 PM

For comfort you may try the touring line:
Add a tall-boy seat and highway pegs on your engine guard, that should let you stretch out.

brderj · Jul 22nd, 2008, 11:42 PM

I know what you mean. I'm 6'2. I like the crossbones because the seat is higher than anything else, yet I still am flat footed on stops. The floorboards are far enough forward that I can really stretch out without putting on highway pegs. Worth a look.....

Moose · Jul 23rd, 2008, 08:43 AM

A friend of mine who is 6'5" drives a Road Glide. He flipped the stock handlebars upwards so that they aren't so far pulled back to get a more comfortable ride. He also added highway pegs to the engine guards and removed the heel shifter for more foot room on the floorboard.

At 6'7" I can't stand floorboards. The fairings on touring bikes make me feel crowded as well. Personally, I'd just slap a touring seat and windshield on your softail with forward control extensions. Easy to strip on and off.

Brderj's right about the Crossbones, I recently took a ride on one. Seemed roomy but the elevated seat made me feel and look taller then I already am. I looked like a bear riding a tricycle at the circus.

~~Gary12850~~ · Jul 23rd, 2008, 01:58 PM

Harley built the "Deuce" for you long legged guys...give it a test ride...

Sharky1948 · Jul 23rd, 2008, 03:24 PM

I think you have your priorities wrong. Just pick the bike you love and then have your legs shortened!

brderj · Jul 23rd, 2008, 07:04 PM

Those are the funniest posts I've ever read, lol

The Bad Man's Angel · Jul 23rd, 2008, 08:40 PM

Roadglide

joyflyin · Jul 23rd, 2008, 11:23 PM

I didn't know the deuce was a long legged bike. Hmmm, guess that's why hubby likes mine too. I guess I'm lucky for the most part, kind of long legged & long armed. Only vertically challenged when trying to work in hubby's shop, he's 6'4" & I'm only 5'7", I have to jump to reach the air hose, climb up on the stool to turn on the stereo or look in the top of his tool box.

But that's okay, he is pretty handy to have around.

SledDog · Jul 24th, 2008, 03:46 PM

Best model for tall rider.....

Heidi Klum or Naomi Campbell

Jul 22nd, 2008, 08:27 PM	#1
phillyjoec New Family Ride: 2000 Softail Standard Join Date: Jun 21st, 2008 Posts: 2	Best model for tall rider What are the opinions of which bike is best for a tall rider. I'm 6'3" with long legs - whenever I sit on any model, either softail or touring, that has floorboards I just don't feel comfortable. Legs feel cramped and I'm sure I wouldn't be able to, or want to, go very far without stopping to stretch out. I currently have a Softail Std. with forward controls and it provides fairly ample legroom but I want to step up to something more comfortable in other ways for long trips. Anybody have any suggestions?

Jul 22nd, 2008, 11:25 PM	#2
USMCCWO5 Contributor$ Ride: 2007 Road King Classic Join Date: Jun 5th, 2008 Location: Oceanside, CA Posts: 451 My Mood:	Re: Best model for tall rider For comfort you may try the touring line: Add a tall-boy seat and highway pegs on your engine guard, that should let you stretch out. __________________ Semper Fidelis, James

Jul 22nd, 2008, 11:42 PM	#3
brderj Contributor$ Ride: 2008 Crossbones FLSTSB Join Date: May 26th, 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 180 My Mood:	Re: Best model for tall rider I know what you mean. I'm 6'2. I like the crossbones because the seat is higher than anything else, yet I still am flat footed on stops. The floorboards are far enough forward that I can really stretch out without putting on highway pegs. Worth a look.....

Jul 23rd, 2008, 08:43 AM	#4
Moose Start The Engine Ride: 2006 Night Train Join Date: Jun 27th, 2008 Location: Iowa Posts: 45	Re: Best model for tall rider A friend of mine who is 6'5" drives a Road Glide. He flipped the stock handlebars upwards so that they aren't so far pulled back to get a more comfortable ride. He also added highway pegs to the engine guards and removed the heel shifter for more foot room on the floorboard. At 6'7" I can't stand floorboards. The fairings on touring bikes make me feel crowded as well. Personally, I'd just slap a touring seat and windshield on your softail with forward control extensions. Easy to strip on and off. Brderj's right about the Crossbones, I recently took a ride on one. Seemed roomy but the elevated seat made me feel and look taller then I already am. I looked like a bear riding a tricycle at the circus.

Jul 23rd, 2008, 01:58 PM	#5
~~Gary12850~~ Account Removed Ride: 83 FXWG Join Date: Nov 10th, 2007 Location: Frontenac, Kansas Posts: 928 My Mood:	Re: Best model for tall rider Harley built the "Deuce" for you long legged guys...give it a test ride...

Jul 23rd, 2008, 03:24 PM	#6
Sharky1948 Community Star Ride: '09 Road King Join Date: Sep 17th, 2007 Location: Connecticut Posts: 676 My Mood:	Re: Best model for tall rider I think you have your priorities wrong. Just pick the bike you love and then have your legs shortened! __________________ "Dance like there's no one watching, sing like no one is listening, love like you'll never get hurt, and ride like there's no tomorrow."

Jul 23rd, 2008, 07:04 PM	#7
brderj Contributor$ Ride: 2008 Crossbones FLSTSB Join Date: May 26th, 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 180 My Mood:	Re: Best model for tall rider Those are the funniest posts I've ever read, lol

Jul 23rd, 2008, 08:40 PM	#8
The Bad Man's Angel Warming The Wheels Ride: 2006 XL883 Low Join Date: Jun 4th, 2008 Location: West Virginia 37.3742°N 81.213°W Posts: 113	Re: Best model for tall rider Roadglide

Jul 23rd, 2008, 11:23 PM	#9
joyflyin Community Leader Ride: 2005 Deuce Join Date: Jan 5th, 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 3,484 My Mood:	Re: Best model for tall rider I didn't know the deuce was a long legged bike. Hmmm, guess that's why hubby likes mine too. I guess I'm lucky for the most part, kind of long legged & long armed. Only vertically challenged when trying to work in hubby's shop, he's 6'4" & I'm only 5'7", I have to jump to reach the air hose, climb up on the stool to turn on the stereo or look in the top of his tool box. But that's okay, he is pretty handy to have around.

Jul 24th, 2008, 03:46 PM	#10
SledDog Community Star Ride: 1994 Road King FLHR Join Date: Jun 21st, 2008 Location: The Land of Year Round Riding! Posts: 491 My Mood:	Re: Best model for tall rider Best model for tall rider..... Heidi Klum or Naomi Campbell __________________ 77 FXE "Shaker", 94 FLHR "Primitive Man", 96 FXD "Miss Low" My Newest "Harley", MV Agusta F4 1000 S (05), 2009 Ducati Streetfighter S Track Day Bike: 2000 Ducati 996 SPS

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Best model for tall rider

Softail Models