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Comments for Forward controls

Oct 04, 2012

1200L
by: Dar

Hi Cheryl, you bought a 1200 as your first bike? Have you ridden bikes before taking the MSF course? If you are a newbie, do you feel comfortable handling a 1200?

Dar

Oct 04, 2012

Changing gears
by: Dar

Clarissa, thanks for the good info. It gives me hope.

I guess you're right on the muscle memory, with changing the gears. It's basically just a matter of the controls being in a different place than the bikes we were taught on in class. During training, once i got into second gear i was gone. I had the shifting down pat, but had problems with initially starting from 1st gear. Bike shut off more than once. I think i was more nervous from the instructors watching me than actually riding.

Oct 04, 2012

Tall Girls POV
by: Cheryl

I am 5'10 and when I took the MSF course, I had the darndest time with the shifter and brake on the smaller bikes, the handle bars would hit my knees when I'd try to turn and because the controls were "normal", my knees were in my chest...Forward controls were a must for me.
I bought a 06' Sportster 1200L with forward controls and I LOVE IT !!! I like being stretched out and it is actually very comfortable and natural.
I say try it both ways, you will know what feel right for you :)
Ride safe fellow rider !!!

Oct 02, 2012

Being too short
by: Clarissa

Hi Dar,
I'm 5'3" and am able to reach the controls fine with both the Honda Rebel 250 I owned and the Ninja 250 I currently ride. I apply the pressure with an area of my foot closer to my toes than the ball or arch of my foot but I can do it easily nonetheless.

I'm not sure what differences in shifting and braking you're asking about. Different compared to what? I only drove before riding my bike so I can only compare to that. Neutral being positioned between 1st and 2nd gear took a bit of getting used to and required close attention, and I still have to pay attention that I'm giving the right braking power to the front and rear brakes, but it's mostly a matter of muscle memory and only a little challenging earlier on.

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