I'm relatively new to Harleys. Only owned mine for about 6 months now. It's kind of disappointing that the company doesn't make their bikes to fit taller people better. Seems like after you spend twenty grand on a bike, you shouldn't have spend $400 for a new seat or $200 for new handle bars and cables, etc.... It's kind of strange that the Japanese bikes fit taller riders a little better yet, Japanese people are generally not as tall as Americans. I don't quite get that. I got a Heritage and I'm considering moving up to an Electa Glide. I don't want to go back to a Honda and buy a Goldwing because it's just plain boring to ride compared my Harley. Now that I've spent about $2500 in customizing the fit and accessories, my Harley puts a smile on my face like I've never had before. I want to be a loyal Harley rider but from a dollar's and cents perspective, Harley is making it really tough for me. Anyone else have this issue?

 

i knwo the feeling, im almost 6'5 and i can stradle my sportys gas tank and if im on my toes i can straddle the handle bars, with the stock mids on it comfort for long durations isnt there. seems they build bikes for "average folks" and average folks are 5'0- 6'0 where as the japanease build bikes for western giants,

 

yep! Harleys are definitely made for "height challenged" folks. after trying Dynas, Softails, Roadkings and Glides - I decided I got more leg room on a FatBoy than any other.

 

it is what it is

i'm 6'4" & you just change the setup, & make it work ( but i do feel for the guys with a 28" inseam & can't touch the ground )

 

I am 6'5" and tried 11 different bikes from metric to harleys. Of them all... the Road Glide fit the best.

Suprisingly for a big bike the GoldWing is very cramped for a tall guy. You need a foot forward position to stretch out and the Road Glide does that better than any of the others.

PS installed tall boy seat, risers and 4" offset pegs on my crash bars. All helped greatly.

But to each his own.

R. Todd

 

I'm in the same boat, 6'4" here. There is a guy on here that will take your seat and make it to fit your size, but I forget his name I'm sure someone will chime in. An inche back with a seat and a few with the controls make a huge difference.

 

Pegs on the crash bars really help. But nobody wants to put the crash guard on. Guess it isn't cool enough.

 

Yes, it seems that lowering is the name of the game with the moco. I think it is due to trying to bring in women riders. Most tall guys are limited to the touring cycles. I've sat on the rocker and it seems to be alright, but without riding it, it is hard to tell. For me, a seat change was all that was needed to adjust for height. But I'm only 6'2" with a 32" inseam, some have it a lot worse.

 

Ditto for me. At 6'6" I first opted for a Wide Glide due to the forward controls. I wanted more comfort & front-end protection, so I moved to a Road King, and now a Road Glide. The RG gives me the space I need, although even with a Tallboy seat, I wish I had a bit more leg-room. I've rented EGs on fly-n-rides, but find myself far too cramped behind the batwing fairing and the grips hit my knees on tight/slow turns. I added mini-apes to my Road King when I had it, not to give it that high grip look but to simply eliminate that knee-clearance problem.

In the end, there's no doubt that they don't fit us tall guys well, but some customization (and $$) can improve the fit & ride comfort. Good luck....I feel your pain!

 

I'm 6'4" and never have had a problem with doin what I need to do so mine works for me. No one can make a one size fits all and I assume that they make them for the majority. No different than most cars or just about anything else that causes us taller folks to have to fold and unfold ourselves to use them.

I suggest you go for a ride and then it won't bother you so much. A ride makes anything better even if the anything that's got you upset is what you are riding.

I could be wrong....wouldn't be the 1st time but it works for me.