Triumphrat

jacqui_1971@ozemail.com.a

My 06 Speedmaster is my first ever cruiser and i love it. Takes a little getting used to, still adjusting.

I have a question - i'm 5' 2 and at times have trouble changing gears, it appears i have that age old riders affliction of being short, by the marks on my boot i'm changing with the tip. Can the gear lever be adjusted, i'm thinking about getting a low rider seat which should lower my seating position by about 2.75 inches, i've also considered a swing arm and foot rest.
Any suggestions besides growing a few inches?

Holyman

I tried an America last week. Found the forward controls uncomforatable and tiring, but this was the first bike I'd ridden with them.

I found the T100, which I have bought, a whole lot more comfortable.

Try before you buy.

Holyman

There's an adjuster rod with opposing threads at each end that you just turn to adjust the position of the gear lever. Undo the locknuts, twiddle the adjuster rod til you're happy, then nip up the locknuts.

Echoance

I think everyone who rides a cruiser for the first time finds forward controls unfamiliar and awkward. On my test ride, I had to keep looking down to find them. Now, no problems at all, they're as natural as mid-mounts. You don't have to hold your legs up although, sometimes in the wet, my boots slip slightly. I should point out that I have after-market pegs that don't have any form of rubber grip; the stockers were fine in that respect. As someone has already said, the only disadvantage is that you can't lift yourself off the seat if you see a bump coming.

My advice: test ride them both. Some people like the forwards; others hate them.
Also, visit bonnevilleamerica.com, a site dedicated to the cruisers. People have put some big-mile days on over there without any comfort issues.

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KingOfFleece

Had both, like both. With my America, I put on floorboards. Why? They offer you many different positions for your feet over the day's ride. I found that being able to move my feet around every now and then makes all the difference. 400 miles? No problem.

Pauljo

I've owned a couple of motorcycles with forward controls (and about 25 that didn't have them). I don't care for forward controls. I prefer to be able to shift some of my weight from my butt to my feet and arms. Both are impossible on a foot forward cruiser. I have fairly long legs (34.5" inseam). I personally don't subscribe to the "forward controls are more comfortable for long legs" argument.

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Paul

2007 Triumph Bonneville T100, Tors, xAI, xSnorkel, 120 mains / 1 shim, 40 pilots, 3.0 turns, NH Bellmouth, Works Performance suspension, National Cycle Deflector DX, Scrambler Gel Seat

jacqui_1971@ozemail.com.a

Thanks Holyman,
Although i have no mechanical know how i have mates who do.
Cheers

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CHEEKY MONKEY

tc_dick

http://www.huskybicycles.com/Merchan...Store_Code=hbs

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'07 Silver Bonnie
Seattle, WA

CAPTDON

Cant do them!! Bad back & gotta hike up when a pothole is comming!! Fwd- cant do it!! A longride -I can stand up & strech & use the rear pegsfor a different feel. They dont make a shock that will make fwd controls work for me!! Mid- std the way to go!!

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CAPT D

CarlosFlys

Forward Controls - might as well give up half your fun!

You lose so much control!

You can't change your CENTER OF GRAVITY by putting all your weight on the pegs (lift your butt off the seat)... this gives the bike back a lot of it's "Traction Budget" when cornering.

You also can't "hang off" the bike at all - another Center of Gravity change that lets you:
1) go around the same corner faster at the same safety level...
or
2) around the same corner at the same speed but at twice the safety level.

...and it's just so much fun. Upright or rearsets are the only way to go... unless you really just want to "steer" your bike instead of "riding" it!

YMMV of course... but it's the fun you have in the mileage that matters to me ;-)