After riding crotch rockets for the past 8 years I have finally decided to make the switch to a Harley. I have been doing my research, and went for a few test drives yesterday at my local dealer. I'm 5'11 and around 200 lbs. I have had my eye on the Iron 883 since it was introduced. Yesterday, I rode a softail night train, a dyna street bob, and the Iron 883.

The night train was nice, but I felt too stretched out. I loved the street bob, but it is just more than I want to spend on my first Harley. The iron was nice, but obviously, not as smooth as the others. My biggest hang up is what the Iron would be like with forward controls. It felt cramped with the stock controls. Does anyone have feedback on what this bike would be like for someone of my size with forward controls?

 

I know I'm in the minority, but I'm 6', 225lbs and I'm not uncomfortable with mids. Read along here and you'll find there's people who switched to forwards and went back to mids. Personally, I never left 'em. If anything, with the suspension on the Iron, I like being able to take some potholes or road bumps with my feet square.

Just sayin' give it more than a few miles and adjust to the riding position to see if it works for you or not. It's gonna take a while for your muscles to create a new memory. Especially since you're used to crotch rockets.

Or of course, you could just go to a dealer that has a used Sportster with forwards, test ride it, and then suddenly have to check with the wife before committing to the salesguy, and then split.

 

I am right at about 5 11 and 200 as well....My wife has an Iron with forwards, I feel cramped. You can find used dynas and softails for the price of a new Iron

 

Every dyna and softail I see in good shape with low miles is over $10k.

 

you can bargin them down....there is a larger markup in used bikes than new....should be easy to get a 03-08 dyna for 10kish....remember a new one only costs 11,999.00 if you get the FXD

 

I'm 5'11 and 188lbs and I don't feel cramped. I don't know where this comes from. the mids give it more of a standard bike foot placement than anything. It's not like you're sitting on your ankles or anything. There's no way I'd ever convert to forward only controls. The bars on the other hand...those get to you over time, no real easy fix without swapping out stuff. They're just not comfortable on the long haul.

 

I'm a real fat *** at 5'9", 250#. My mids are fine, but I added the adjustable highway bars and had them powder coated black.

Best of both worlds. I can actually down shift and brake with my feet on the highway bars, but it's hard to explain.

 

Change the bars or seat, these will impact the riding position on your bent knees.

I find the mid controls on my Iron good. Coming from a ducati 900cr.

6 foot 190lbs

 

I can buy my buddy's '09 Street Bob for $11,500 with 650miles. I love the street bob, but I just bought a summer home and $11,500 is more than I want to spend.

 

Any pics? Thanks!