short guys with road glides
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I am 5*7 I am currently on a street glide, but converting to a RG. I rode a new 2013 Road Glide Custom (street glide) last year, unable to come to an agreeable deal, but I rode it and loved it, hence the reason for the conversion. With that being said, the bike was obviously bone stock, for me at 5*7 with a 31/32 inseam, yes the dash seemed like it was a mile away, but I believe that would go away after getting use to. bike was fairly comfortable, just like any other, you will want to tailor it to your needs, but for me I would have simply adjusted stock bars a bit, (pull em back) put my Harley "reach" seat on, and prob a bit taller windshield.! hope this was some help for ya!! good luck!
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#5
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: along the shore of Mishigami
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I'm 5'6" and when I purchased my RGU I had the lowered air shocks installed and then during the winter months and post surgery mending had the seat modified by Mean City Cycles in North Carolina. IMHO they did a fantastic job. just modified the operator's (me) seat and left the passengers seat alone. A less expensive idea is to have a half inch sole to your riding boots. As far as the fairing way out in front, your handle bar switches do the work for you. You'd be surprised how well these beasts handle, heavy but nimble.
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Your street glide is on the same frame and suspension as a road glide custom. So, what ever you had to leg reach wise will need to be done on the RGC. As far as the bars on a stock custom, there is a further reach to them then on a SG.
Yes, the fairing is further away, and the reach to the radio is longer. I never really used the buttons on the radio, so that was no big deal.
I will say that the batwing gives more wind protection, but the fixed fairing doesn't get whipped around by the wind at highway speeds, and steering at low/parking lot speeds feels so much lighter.
I too converted mine from a batwing, and I am loving it.
Best thing to do is test ride one, and make sure you like it. Some love them, others hate them.
Yes, the fairing is further away, and the reach to the radio is longer. I never really used the buttons on the radio, so that was no big deal.
I will say that the batwing gives more wind protection, but the fixed fairing doesn't get whipped around by the wind at highway speeds, and steering at low/parking lot speeds feels so much lighter.
I too converted mine from a batwing, and I am loving it.
Best thing to do is test ride one, and make sure you like it. Some love them, others hate them.
#9
i'm one of the 'really short fellas', 5'4'' on a good day. i wouldn't trade my roadglide for nuthing... had a roadking with an aftermarket fairing and really prefer the roadglide fairing. sure it's further away, and you don't get as much protection from the elements, but the batwing fairings are just so much 'in your face'. like has been posted previously, you really don't need to reach up to the fairing anyway. thats what handlebar switches are for.
as far as making the bike fit, i would have to do all this for any touring bike. i run the 12'' premium hand adjustable shocks, and a really thin solo seat. my cvo has the 18'' rear wheel which sits a hair over 1/4'' higher than the 16'' wheels, so i have that to contend with as well.
can i flatfoot? no. but all i do is make sure that i pay attention to where and how i park. never, ever, park in a spot facing downhill. i've seen taller guys do that and have problems getting out of the spot too.
get the bike, and ride the heck out of it, and enjoy every mile.
as far as making the bike fit, i would have to do all this for any touring bike. i run the 12'' premium hand adjustable shocks, and a really thin solo seat. my cvo has the 18'' rear wheel which sits a hair over 1/4'' higher than the 16'' wheels, so i have that to contend with as well.
can i flatfoot? no. but all i do is make sure that i pay attention to where and how i park. never, ever, park in a spot facing downhill. i've seen taller guys do that and have problems getting out of the spot too.
get the bike, and ride the heck out of it, and enjoy every mile.
#10
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Long Island, New York
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The only thing on the fairing that you may need to reach is the ON/OFF button for the radio. I am a wee bit taller than yourself, and that button still is a PITA to reach for when riding. Simple solution, never turn radio off, just drop the volume down from the hand controls. That is it, nothing else out there you need to be able to reach when riding.