Question to 1200R owners

[jwillie]

I just came back from yet another Harley dealer that does not want to sell me a 1200R because I am six feet tall. Salesman said that I should not be looking at Sportsters at all. Says, if I buy a 1200R, I will not be satisfied for long because I will not be comfortable. I have always wanted one of these bikes but hear the same thing from all of the local dealers. Are any of you guys 6 feet tall or taller? If so, what is your opinion? I am really curious. I like to ride for two to six hours at a time when I ride (usually between 150 and 350 miles). Country roads, no hurry...currently have a Honda Sabre (1100 cc) that fits me just fine. But I want a Roadster. I really will appreciate any and all feedback. Thanks.

[skooter]

I'm 5' 11 inches and I don't have a problem! I even lowered my bike because I like it that way. I've got Kuryakin forward controls on my bike with the longer footpegs that let me kick my legs out the sides a little more. I don't find my bike to be uncomfortable at all. Tell the guy that it is your money and not his. Or better yet go buy from another dealer and drive it over and show the salesman what you bought!

[Shark Doctor]

:headbang :headbang

Is this dealer of his f-:censor -ing mind!!! I'm 6'0'' 210 lb and can ride as long as my back will tolerate... that's about 100-125 mi, or just about when I hit reserve on the tank, full on the bladder, and low on the caffeine level. He wants to sell you a pricey bike. Geez, you said it all when you said "But I want a roadster." DON'T BUY WHAT THE DEALER WANTS YOU TO BUY!!! BUY WHAT YOU WANT!!! Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. :censor

You will LOVE the 1200R!!!

:headbang :headbang


:luvsport

[sportymark]

I am 6 feet and I don't have a problem with my Roadster.

The saddle can get a little sore after a couple of hours but that's about it.

The tank range is not brilliant (usually around 110-120 miles before reserve).

Best is to rent one for the day.

[Shark Doctor]

And, BTW, all you Texans on the Forum, jwillie is a brother Texan. Don't you all carry? Visit his dealer with him! Defend him. Remember the... ahhhh... ummmmmmm... oh yeah, Alamo!

[dwardy]

I'm 6' tall and am quite comfortable on my sporty, even on loooong hauls. There are plenty of dealerships around that will gladly sell you whatever you want instead of what THEY think you need.

[chipdog4]

Maybe the saleman was thinking about the mid controls?

I'm 6' 1" and rode (not for very long) my brother's bike once with mid-controls and that was it. I went out and bought forward controls for him because he's even taller than I am, and he was wanting them.

I don't mind sitting with my feet under my ass like on a dirtbike or my three wheeler, but if I'm going to go riding for a couple hours, I have to stretch out.

[883Hugger]

I am 6' and I ride a Hugger. I have not once had a situation where I felt cramped or wished I had a bigger bike to stretch out on. I even put the badlander seat on, which lowers you even more.

[xllent01]

I'm 6'2 and ride with forward controls, I rest the heels of
my boots right over the top of the pegs and ride all day
long without no discomfort at all. Just need to dump
the stock sportster seat for something alot more
comfortable than the stock seat CAUSE THEY SUCK
and they have plastic pans under them which will not support
you on any long ride at all.

[RedRider]

Jwillie, I'm 6'2", 215 lbs, and have a 34"-35" inseam. I ride a 1200R with mids and have no problem at all, and no desire to install forward controls. I don't feel cramped when I ride.

This really is a personal preference thing... I had a bike with forward controls before & didn't mind it, but I prefer mids. If you ask a hundred riders, you will probably get a hundred different answers...

Buy what fits YOUR preferences.

[jwillie]

Thanks for all of the responses. They are all really interesting. The salesman was referrring to the mid-controls. When I asked him about putting on forward controls, he said that I would not want to do that because this was a "performance" bike. "Besides," he said "they cost about $500 and you would be better off putting the money into a custom where you could get a lot more chrome." The customs are good looking bikes, but I am not looking for more chrome, I want a Roadster. Ahhhhhhhhhh!!!

[SportsterBart]

jwillie, find another dealer. ;)


Bart

[PlanB]

I like the mid-controls on my 1200R in town and in the twisties most definitely! But I forked out the bucks for H-D's adjustable highway pegs (three positions), and on long trips I've got those to stretch on, then back to the mids, then to the rears...quite a few options...I've had other bikes with just forward controls and perhaps it's just me, but I feel I can corner faster with my legs on the mid-controls...like RedRider said, you'll get lots of different answers, but my vote is the Mids with hi-way pegs!

[xllent01]

Thanks for all of the responses. They are all really interesting. The salesman was referrring to the mid-controls. When I asked him about putting on forward controls, he said that I would not want to do that because this was a "performance" bike. "Besides," he said "they cost about $500 and you would be better off putting the money into a custom where you could get a lot more chrome." The customs are good looking bikes, but I am not looking for more chrome, I want a Roadster. Ahhhhhhhhhh!!!

Buy the bike that best suits your needs and not some puppet
salesmans idea of the bike that will be best for you. Go and
shop around to a couple of different dealers in your area
and find a dealer that has some common sense and a
salesman that knows what he is talking about. :headbang :help1 :hmmm :wtf :dammit :xlrocks

[skooter]

Don't you just love those salesmen that tell you what you want?! Especially when "What YOU Want" cost more and makes them more money on the sale.

[Mountainrun]

I went to the local dealer just today looking over their stock, and I was pretty happy with the treatment I recieved. Told the guy what I was looking for and how I liked to ride and he took me right to 'em. No pressure on buying right now either. Told me what deals we might be able to work out and left the decisions up to me. Even got loan approved. ( came this [ ] close to picking up a sweet '05 1200 Custom ,silver ,with the Screaming Eagle upgrades) By the way, thanks to the folks on this board. Because of info I got from ya'll, I was was able to walk in with considerably more knowledge than I could ever get from tech reports, and magazine articles.

[skooter]

:o AH SHUCKS......YOU'RE :welcome !

[wickedsprint]

I'm 5'10 and my back got a bit sore after a 50 mile ride, but I was braced for the cold and wind (was like 30s out) and I was cruising at around 85-90 the whole way..the wind blast was ridiculous on the way back as the winds were about 20mph in my face.

[SC_Compact]

I am 6' tall and I have no problems on my 04 1200r.

I have done numerous 300-400 mile rides the longest being 600 miles in a day (with the stock seat).

I put the adjustable highway pegs on my bikle which I use 99% of the time. I like the mids for zipping around the back roads, when I get caught in the rain and to change my seating position when on a long ride.

I can usually go around 120 miles before hitting reserve at which point I am ready to pull over, stretch my legs and relax with a smoke.

I have put 9000 miles on my 1200r since May and I am planning on either doing Sturgis or Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon this summer.

I find the 1200r is comfortable enough for long rides although the wind can beat you up a bit after 8 or 10 hours on the interstate and I still need to figure out how to tie down enough stuff for a two to three week trip.

I recently put a Lepera solo seat on my bike and I am hoping that this will make the long rides even better.

[torxster]

jwillie -

Been there, done that. If you're in Houston, call over to Alamo H-D in San Antonio.

www.alamocityharley.com (http://www.alamocityharley.com/)

The difference in their sales technics are like night and day from the Houston dealers.

You just tell them what you want, they fix you up - no BS. And I found the pricing better, too.

[Stephen Hawk]

This is interesting in that the new 1200's ride very much like a Dyna. I am 6'2" and weigh 190. I have spent more than a few days on my 1200R that were over 300 miles. I put the Harley highway pegs on with the oversized pegs and this has made the bike extremely comfortable while cruising. I would be asking the salesman if he has ever spent a long day on a 1200R. Then, tell him you are there to buy a bike, does he want to sell it or not......
Then again, there is generally more than one Harley dealer around..........
Go for it and ride with the wind............................


Stephen Hawk

[jwb47]

6ft 220lbs and not one bit of comfort problems on my 2004 1200r. I bought a sundowner seat about 1 week after suffering the stock seat , the difference is like night and day. my inseam is 34 inches and I have road bikes with forward controls . they are nice but for me personally I prefer the mids, maybe its the ole dirt biker commin out I dont know . but Im sure there are plenty of custom riders in here that love there forward controls and would have nothing less. the bottom line is buy with your heart not your wallet. a couple of grand difference isnt worth being dissatisfied with what you ride and if the dealer dont want to sell you what you want im sure there is a dealer out there who will be more than happy to take your money. :tour

[xl1200r]

I'm 6' tall as well. I have a 1200R that is stock as far as ergo's go. I'll be totally honest. The first time I sat on it, it felt like my knees where going to hit my chin. The did feel very cramped. But fater about a day, I got used to the position. I don't think about it anymore. It very comfortable, and I have done 6 or 8 hours days on it with nothing to show but a sore ass. If you think you need to stretch out, then go with the highway pegs.

[mardyk]

I'm 6'1" and I have no problems with my '04 1200R. I think it's just about the coolest bike ever. I like it a lot more than the customs.

[Phil R]

On the other end of the spectrum.....I'm 5'8" and with my Mustang seat, I'm flatfooted on the ground with no leg to spare. I have to be careful on sloping ground, otherwise my '05 Roadster fits me like a glove.

[barry1967]

I'm 6ft tall and weigh 250. I enjoy my 1200R

[jwillie]

Thanks for all of the replies and advice. I have to agree that the 1200R is one of the coolest looking bikes around. To me, it says "Harley". It is minimalistic in design and powerful in action. Too cool.

[designeraccd]

My 1200R is my 4th Sportster and I'm a bit over 6'2" and 225 pounds. Compared to my other bikes she is a bit cramped, but that sure doesn't keep me from enjoying the heck outta her while flying down backroads....the more curves the better! I did completely replace her suspension with quality aftermarket parts which did help carve curves better!

Of my 4 "everyday" bikes the Sporty is the usual choice in lieu of my ST 1300, SV1000N and R75/6. DFO :tour

[saint]

I'm 6'-2" and I don't have any comfort issues, I have been told I look a little big for the bike and I get that but other than the crappy stock seat, comfort is not an issue.

[SAIL AND RIDE]

I have an '05 Roady with mids. I like them better 'cause I feel more in control in the twisties, which is what a Roadster was meant for, but I plan to put highway pegs on it for those longer straight stretches. (5'10")

[Phillthy]

Get your self a set of forward controls and take all the levers off and use them as highway pegs. You can always put the controls on if you want later. I've done that but still just run with the mids but still have the option to do so. May have a crack at them later in the year for a change. I'm 6' as well.

[Folkie]

These dealers that're trying to steer you away from the 1200R, it wouldn't be the case that they haven't got any 1200Rs would it?

Find a better dealer!

[celtic]

um, this thread was resurrected from 2004.

wonder if this dude (or dudette) ever got a roadster?


edit:

Yup.

http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showpost.php?p=34513&postcount=29

[Folkie]

Damn! Didn't notice that. :doh

[MacAttack]

I think the dealer might prefer to sell you a big twin. I'm 5'10" and the mid controls do have me wanting to stretch my legs every so often. So - I put a pair of highway bars on, with some footpegs. Now all is just fine. I didn't want the weight of a BT (min. 90 lbs heavier) or the expense. Or the lower gas mileage. Or the reduced performance.