Parts Advice Help requested for '09 Glide

[Jeb]

Hi Folks,

I have finally managed to get the bike I've allways wanted, an 09 Ultra glide. So far I'm loving it BUT . . being a short arse, i'm on tiptoes when at standstill. I have managed to drop it twice so far, and got away with no damage (Phew) both times on grass at standstill. Embarassing, but lucky to get away with it so to speak.

My question is this, while I could lower the bike slightly to get both feet firmly on the ground, is there any seats around, that are both comfortable for long rides, and will allow me to get both feet flat on the ground ?

I am aware of the HD "Reach" seat that claims to do this, are there any others around that I should look at?

Thanks
JEB.

[Ming the Merciless]

Hi John

Being an oversized git myself, I have the opposite problem to you, but when I took a demo Ultra for a spin even I found it 'top heavy' compared to every other HD I have ridden. My chum (an experienced Glide rider) also took it out and toppled it onto the crash bars when waiting at a white line on a gentle slope, so it wasn't just me.

Lowering the bike is IMO not an attractive mod, as it reduces the ground clearance, so you are left with changing the saddle. There are 3 things to look for - less padding, narrower width at the front and the seat hump further forward.

The MoCo alternative seats will be a good place to start your search - good luck!

Pete

[Steppenwulf]

Mustang and Corbin both do excellent seats.
The Corbin are real leather and cost more,
they also require breaking in but are reported as real comfy.
I've got a Mustang solo on my Road King and it drops me down a couple of inches. A much more comfy seat for me, I'm 5'8", as I found the original too high and rounded which meant it dug into my inside thigh on long journeys.

Look up their website and see what is available.
Mustang.com

[girlyglide]

Whilst agreeing with Pete's comments above with regard to lowering the suspension sometimes there is no alternative if you are compromised in the leg department. The difference between loosing some ground clearance and dropping the bike regularly is a choice only you can make.

Personally I have fitted a low profile seat and lowered the suspension on my Glide. I would advise against one of the White Bros type bracket kits, my experience was that two up the wheel started hitting th eunderside of the rear fender. I used a H-D low profile seat, H-D low profile air shocks and a Progressive Suspension Fork lowering kit.

[BaZa®]

Or you could do this

[girlyglide]

5'-3"??

I dream of being 5'-3"

[Limey_Dave]

£19k ?
I know a guy down the Elephant that's broken legs for £200,but in that case it was cos they didn't have the £200.

[Monkeybrain]

You would though, wouldn't you......






OOps, better make it relevant....Corbin seats are F-in hard in the foam department and I wouldn't buy one again without seeing it in the flesh.....There new shop in Ormond Beach is quite nice.

[gilesgraphics]

Progressive do shorter shocks for Dynas, standard is 12" so you can get ½" by doing 11½" shock .. you can't weigh much so contact them to find out which weight would suit you.. Or V-Twin Mania were very helpful in getting heavy duty shocks for mine, gave good advise about whether they would suit me etc..
The bonus of this is you get better shocks too

[grbrown]

There are raised boots available that will provide a little additional reach.

I have a Corbin double-bucket on my Glide, which has a lower measured seat height. However it also has firm edges, which my (your) little leggies have to get round, so the reach to the ground is actually greater than stock. So don't go down that road!