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Reach Seats Opinions Please

by Veronica
(Valley Forge)

I have just moved up from my Honda Rebel to a Softail Slim -- just love the bike! I had risers put on the handle bars and rolled back toward me and the fit is good. The Slim has more of a forward controls and while I can reach them fine, I find when putting my feet up on the floor boards when the bike is first in motion doesn't feel not natural and requires a conscious effort on my part so as not to have my heel off the board on the right side. Also when getting the kickstand up I have to be on the tank. I'm 5'3". I am considering a reach seat and would love to hear what you all think.

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Sep 09, 2013
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Another maybe cheaper option...
by: Harleymartha

Check to see if there is a local person that does custom seats. We have a guy locally that will "shave down" the stock seat so that you don't have to sit so wide, but not taking down the padding in the seat area. They take down the sides of the seat so that they are narrower. You might be able to find a cheaper seat to use off of ebay or a local selling site to test run the theory if you don't want to touch the stock seat and it will be much cheaper than buying the reach seat with the name on it...if you know what I mean.
I agree with the kick stand extenstion, but I will admit that I have to still moved forward on the bike to make sure the kick stand is down.
The floorboards are probably throwing you off. They take awhile to get used to and I will admit that the heel toe shifter is lost on me. It takes more effort to move my foot back and forth instead of just using the shifter as it is.
Good luck with the new ride.

Sep 02, 2013
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Thank You
by: Veronica

Thank you all -- just dumped my new Slim 40 minutes ago :( -- had no choice but to ride it home and found myself sitting practically on the tank for greater stability. Those front controls are tough. No question I need the reach seat -- feeling sad about dumping the bike yet also relieved now that it happened as weird as that sounds.

Sep 02, 2013
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Thank You
by: Veronica

Many thanks ladies -- this is why I love this forum!

Sep 02, 2013
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Reach seat
by: Joan

Veronica, besides changing your seat to a reach seat you might also try adding a kickstand extension to your kickstand to help with getting it up and down easier.

Sep 02, 2013
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reach
by: Lynn

Sounds like a reach seat would work wonders for you. I am short and find I frequently ride with my heel slightly off the back of the floor board on my VStar. It's forward controls are fine for me but I don't like my legs in a forward position while riding.

Sep 02, 2013
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seat
by: pink rose

You can buy a seat that will move you up for an easier reach.keep the rubber side down and the wind at your back.

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