I'm 6 foot 6 inches tall.....taking a motorcycle training class in a couple of weeks...I do not want top spend 20-30g's ona new bike...want a sportster to learn on....can a sportster be modified for a big dog like me????? any advise would be cool.......thanks....kelly

 

Try the Custom model. It has forward controls and different bars.

 

Get over it. 6'6" is just fine for mids. Sportsters are not learners bikes. They are the most aggressive best performing of the 45 degree V-twins... high center of gravity.

If you need a learner bike, save your money and buy something cheap and plasticy. If you need to have an HD, get a low-seated big-twin, go old to save money. Get a Delux... talk about an easy to ride, easy riding bike.

Forward controls suck, and only belong on slop-tails and geezer-glids if you don't want to floor boards. Yes, with mids you will have your knees bent... that's how you ride a motorcycle... if you want to just sit on top of one... but a soft-tail or an ultra-classic-Electra-king-glide.

Don't confuse fit with look... forwards are all about look. If you have to have that feet forward look, go for it, but put it on a larger bike, slower, comfier bike. Otherwise, mids and a good set of highway pegs will do around town, twisties, dragstrip and long trips with more control and comfort than forwards. Two positions is always better than one.

 

As the Wraith said get the 1200C and you'll fit just fine, I'm 5' 9" and about 188. I hadn't owned a bike since 1975 and one year ago my bought me a 2007 1200C and I took to it like a duck to water. I have since put 13.5 inch Progressive 440 standard shocks, Progressive fork springs and an Essential Riders kit. Did all the work myself, 5,500 miles in less than a year, I love it.

 

im 6'3 on a nightster i have foward controls and they are not just for look they are for function i wasnt able to be comfortable on the bike with mids. so i had fwds put on. and i have a set of hd mini apes. with the mustang solo tripper seat to move me back some. bike is great you might have to change a few things. but pending how much your going to spend and change you might want to look into a dyna model if your concerned about size. i feel very comfortable on my nightster but with the moeny ive spent i sometimes regret not jus going a lil bit more for a street bob. i recomend go to a demo day and ride a few bikes after you take the course.

 

At 6 foot 6, I have three words for you. "Dyna Wide Glide", and you can pick up a low mileage used one for about the same price as a brand new Sporty. Don't get me wrong, I love the Sporty and own one, but at your size you will be much happier with something bigger in my honest opinion. The Dyna Wide Glide is great for tall folks.

 

I am 6' 5" and have a Custom. You won't have a problem. I also have a Road Glide. There really isn't that much difference in leg room.

Before I got the custom, I had a standard with mids and highway pegs. I didn't think I was cramped with the mids until I got the custom and went back to riding the standard (had both for a while), then I thought the mids were cramped.