I like the softails, but only a few of them allow me to sit flat footed. Funny thing is, the Fat Boy is spec'd with a lower seat height than the Softail Clasic, but I can sit flat footed on the Clasic. I think it's because the seat is wider on the Fat Boy, which makes it harder for me to reach the ground. I see that HD sells a seat called the "Reach", that is narrower. The website claims that it moves the rider 1/2 inch closer to the controls and reduces the seat width by 1 1/2 inches, allowing shorter riders to more easily reach the ground.

Have any of you had any experience with this seat, and is it reasonable for me to ask a dealer to put one of these seats on the bike I'm thinking of buying before I make the final decision (I know I'll have to pay for the seat seperately).

 

theres alot of options. I got my softail lowered 2 inches front and back(wouldnt go any lower) then added a badlander seat like the one on the nightrain. how tall would you say you are? how long of a inseam? what bike do you like the most? you can set up all softails prety similiar just theres a little difference with the 200 rear. the reach seat is something you might like it you might not. I have seen many people go through a seat or twobefore they find one that suits them.

 

Thanks hdpearson13

I'm 5'7" with a 29 inch inseam. I really like the FatBoy the beat, but also like the Classic, Deluxe, Custom and Night Train.

 

I am 5'3" with about a 23 inch inseam and I have no problem reaching the ground on my Deluxe. I have a friend that rides a Heritage, I'v sat on it but not ridden it and I could reach the ground on it OK too, but I think that one had been lowered.

 

My experience is that much of feeling secure is just getting used to the bike. I'm also 5'7" and bought a Deluxe as my first bike. The fact that I could easily flat-foot the bike plus it has a low center of gravity made me feel more confident. Never dropped it and I have a steep driveway that I back out of into the alley.

I traded for the Ultra in the pic below. It is ~5" higher unladen and 3" higher laden and top heavy. I was shaky especially backing out and shaky at stops. Almost dropped it several times. After 3 weeks, I had the seat lowered 2" and that really helped. I was considering lowering the bike another inch, but the more I have ridden it, the more of a non-issue it is. I now feel as confident at stops on the Ultra as I did the Deluxe. I'm now back to wearing tennis shoes if I want instead of always wearing boots.

The moral of this epic is that if you choose a bike you love and adapt it to you, experience with that bike is what will make you feel comfortable.

 

Thanks for the info everyone. But does anyone have any experience specifically with the "Reach" seat?

 

This does not answer your question, but I have a 29 inch inseam also. I have my Heritage Classic lowered one inch in the rear, and I have the LePera Monterey Solo seat. The seat lowers me about a 1/2 inch and moves me forward about the same amount. Between the lowering and the seat I can flatfoot with ease, and it makes the bike a lot more fun to ride around town in traffic.

 

Kind of mute point since the Deuce has been dropped but I'm 5ft 8 with a 29 inseam. My '07 has a 25 inch unladen seat height & no problem getting both feet down & the seat width fits me perfectly.

 

Mike I have a two up reach seat I bought for my Dyna SG, it brought me closer to the controls but didn't really lower me. I sent it out to meancity cycles and had Allen drop it a couple inches and move me back an 1' 1/2. Also had him lower my stock solo seat and it allowed me to flat foot my bike, then I swapped out the rear shocks and the bike handles great and the seats are comfortable. Oh i'm 5'3 with 28 inch inseam. So no the reach seat won't lower you ifI had it to do over I would have bought a badlander seat.

 

Has any one found the Reach Seat to be comfortable on longer rides?