Yeah I think the 48 is not forward and not mide foot controls, but maybe inbetween ?

Also does you missus find the low Rider top heavy ?

And parking the heavy beast is a whole other issue, especially backing it up. Wont go there yet.

 

 

I bought a Soft Tail last summer. Various things went into that decision, but I been riding since the 70's to, so basically it was appearances. I NEVER leave anything be. It's a personal flaw. I bought a FXBB, and honestly don't know what name H-D gives that model. It came with Apes. I decided they'd have to go before I even spoke to the salesman. Just don't like em. What I do like makes most people cringe - buckhorns! (I did mention I'm old right?) Came with a solo seat. I wanted a solo seat but of course the standard anything is made for the typical person. I'm 6'6" / 220lbs. NOTHING fits me! I took the cover off the seat, removed about 1/2 of the foam from the rear lip (THAT is not a backrest!) then cut a pad about 4 X 8 inches clear to the pan right where your pelvis bones sit in the seat and replaced that worthless foam with extra firm closed cell foam for comfort.

When I rode this thing home from the shop - did I mention I bought it without even riding it - it was all but unrideable to my tastes! After these two simple mods, it's as comfy as could be. Bars, more correctly, hand position, has a MAJOR impact on "feel." Seating probably has the greatest impact on comfort and balance. Together these two factors probably have more to do with perceived ease of handling than any other non structural - frame, wheels, angles, etc. - part of the motorcycle. Those who proclaim Sportsters top heavy, are probably short guys!

I can't tell you what you might like or not, but try to imagine what's really bugging you about it. If you are not going to change out any factory component, keep looking till you find some combination that feels right! If you're a tinkerer, think about the parts that don't feel right. Place function over form, but one need not overrule the other. What's bugging me most is how these things are designed to be left as they're sold. My view when buying it was "it's a motorcycle." It's not. Not anymore. Today it is the sum of it's specially designed parts and just anything that looks good will not necessarily fit it! Mods to make off the shelf parts fit though are typically not all that difficult. 50 year-old bars can be notched for TBW, the right side will just be 1/2 inch shorter than the left. But you'll never notice it on the road.

 

Thats me at 5'6 I'm a wee Scott.
OK good point I guess this is my stuff:

1. Stable when stopped, not wobbly like I found the Slim......thought at a few stio lights I was going to tip it over, scary
2. Able to easily flatfoot.
3. Easy to ride like my 48.....not sure how to explain that. Slim too seem to have an odd clutch.
4. Decent not insane power.
5. Looks, well maybe,

Thats maybe my top 5

 

I'm 5'5" and can flat foot my Fat Bob. Maybe a Heritage or Deluxe? They may be a bit closer to the 48 as far as saddle height and I would presume them to be stable but I can't say as I have not had a chance to ride one. I never found either of my Sportsters to be top heavy and the same goes for the Fat Bob. Never understood what people meant by that.

 

I'm 5' 8" and can easily flat-foot my Fat Bob, I can actually stand up off the seat. And the Fat Bob has one of the highest seat heights of the current Softail lineup. I guess it's all down to inseam length, I'm at 30".

I find the Fat Bob to be the absolute opposite of top-heavy, it seems like a featherweight. Try to pick up a K1600B off the sidestand, and you'll experience some top-heavy weight; the Fat Bob is a breeze by comparison.

The Softail Slim has the lowest seat height of all the Softails IIRC. And I think there are lower seats you can get that would lower it even more.

 

Unfortunately, all these like the FB and Hertiage are out of my price range. Might look at something a bit older as I'm sure I heard older softails or dynas had quite low seat heights but are a more heavy. Yeah for me its a dilemma.

 

 

Don't rule out the Lowrider till you've test rode it. Best Harley I've been on. (personally of course)

 

The Softail slim is top heavy it took a while for me to get used to it, Now no problem at all I flick that baby around pretty good.I'm 5'9" 180 lbs I can flat foot it easily..