I just bought a 2007 Sportster 1200L. It has a mustang seat and the bars are stock.

It rides a little high for me - can touch the ground - but I prefer more of a cruiser (think recliner) ride. Also, the handlebars are a bit long in the reach. What should I swap out?

- change to a different seat (which one)
- switch out mid for forward controls
- get engine guard and highway pegs
- switch out handlebars to something closer - drag bars, mini apes?

Any thoughts or comments?

Thanks.

 

Try and change the seat first. It will cost you a lot less than bars. I had my mustang seat shaved to give me the same feel as my HD super reduced reach seat but more comfy. I love my forward controls. Handlebars should be the last thing to try IMHO due to the cost.

 

If a 1200L is feeling like it's too big to you, I don't think forward controls are the way to go. sounds like you might be a shorter dude like me, i'm 5'7'' maybe 5'8''.. havent been to the doctor in years so i'm not 100%.. and i've got mid-controls. but my 883L feels like it was made custom for me, my feet touch the ground, and i'm sure-footed while at a stop, maybe try a new seat? one that sets you a bit lower than the mustang?

 

If you're planning any long rides, you might want to keep that Mustang seat. I finally switched to one (Vintage solo standard). It feels about an inch higher than the stock seat, maybe a touch further back. But man, it is nice to ride on.

I wasn't happy with the bars on my 06 883L, I went to the dealer and sat on many Sportsters to find the feel I wanted. Nightster bars were what I wanted. I think they were $100 or so, pretty cheap to change.

Keep your eye on the classifieds here, on XLF, and local. You can save a lot both on seats and bars that way.

If forwards are a bit of a stretch, maybe consider a set of highway pegs. That's what I use, I like mid controls, but it is nice to stretch out on the highway.

 

Bars are not that expensive as long as you don't have to change/extend the wires. Are you wanting more pullback or less pullback? A seat is a good way to adjust the feel of your bike but I think the mustang that you have is a good choice for comfort. I know that the brawler from Harley is a bit lower than most Mustangs and might be something you could try. I think that forward controls would help you stretch out a bit and might give you the feel you're looking for also. I know that having forwards is so much more comfortable for me vs the mid controls. Then again you could get an engine guard with pegs instead if you like the mid controls. Having more foot positions can be very helpful in longer rides.

 

I had the HD solo reach seat on my bike for awhile and I loved it, but ride 2-up all the time now so took it off. The reach seat looks great, is comfortable and move you down and forward. You might want to try that first. Drag bars will make you reach forward more so that might not be what you are looking for. I have the HD 4" curve risers in my bike and when I had the stock bars on them I could lean back and ride, now I have 28" 15 degree drag's on them and I lean for ward some.