I have a 2012 883 Iron, and have been thinking about changing to forward controls. I am only 5'3" but the mid controls make my legs feel a little cramped. Do you think I will have any problems with the forward controls? Also have trouble finding off brands cause most say not to use with engine guards/crash bars, But have seen one at the dealership. Thanks for your help.

 

Welcome to the forum.

Forwards shouldn't cause you any "problems". They will change your seating position and therefore will change the way the bike feels when you ride it. Some find forwards a more comfortable position than mids, some say forwards give you less control and a lot of people like forwards because their pant legs don't get caught on the pegs when putting your feet down. Mostly it's personal preference. You need to ride a bike with forwards and judge for yourself. Good luck.

 

try a set of hiwaypegs up front , before you commit to forward controls.
you can shift with your heel ,also with practice ,you can brake with your heel.
then you will know if you really want forwards...

there are plus's and minus's for mids, and forwards.
hiway pegs give you the option of both

 

They wont fit with most of the 883's with a crashbar. I have a 1200 with the forewards and the engine guard and if my feet were any bigger liks size 12 then my foot would hit the bar causeing a possibly dangerous situation. Sometimes for comfort we have to sacrafice scratching our bikes. I do think there are Highway bars that install on the downtubes of the bike and they will work with the forewards, it just mounts higher so you dont get your foot caught. Im 5 8ish and i cant ride a Sporty with mids, not a chance, too cramped and feels even more like riding ontop of the bike which is weird enough as it is. GL in your search and decision. HD is the only forewards i know of that will work with an OEM engine guard but as stated big feet will hinders the function but at 5'3 Id say youd be fine.

 

I think you would be fine with forwards. I have them and will not own a sporty without them and i'm 5'8".