Forwards or mids?

[1200custom]

The Virago has mid-mount controls. It sometimes feels a bit cramped, especially on the long trip.

What I don't understand is the current fashion for forward pegs with flat drag-style bars. Feet forward, hands way forward, bum stuck out the back. The rider often looks like a paper-clip...

the drag bars are sweat if they have some pullback style risers

[Big Dave]

It depends how long your legs are.
Forwards are more comfortable for tall guys.

Performance isn't an issue Hitcher - they all run out of ground clearance well before ergos enter the equation.

[scumdog]

what do you guys prefer and think is more comfortable, foward or mid controls

Mids for the twisty bits, freeway-pegs for the long straights and smooth curves.

I left the controls with the mids as in the twisties you're most likely to need to use rear brake, shift gear etc in a hurry.

Plus the handling is not so good with feet on the 'pegs, I feel the balance is not so good with feet forwards.

[vifferman]

so thats why oldies like harleys

to stop the arthritis

Well, although I'm not quite old, I have arthritis, and I have no intention of buying a Harley.
Perhaps iffen I was rich, I'd have a whole stable of bikes, and one of them might be a crusier...
The trouble with forward controls is as Hitcher said: you can't use your legs to take the weight off your tailbone, absorb shocks over bumps, or move around in the seat. Also, having your legs stretched forward tilts your pelvis the worngA way, which is bad for the lumbar area of your spine.

[scumdog]

The trouble with forward controls is as Hitcher said: you can't use your legs to take the weight off your tailbone, absorb shocks over bumps, or move around in the seat. Also, having your legs stretched forward tilts your pelvis the worngA way, which is bad for the lumbar area of your spine.

Hence why subike, myself, SilverGrin and others keep the mid pegs as well as the forwards.

And when CB is on the back she uses the mids as free-way pegs to give her legs a bit of a stetch.

[vifferman]

And when CB is on the back she uses the mids as free-way pegs to give her legs a bit of a stetch.

Now that's handy.

[Big Dave]

I disagree.
The frame still digs in 30kph over the posted advisory speed. Where your legs are makes far call difference. Countersteering or otherwise.

[scumdog]

I disagree.
The frame still digs in 30kph over the posted advisory speed. Where your legs are makes far call difference. Countersteering or otherwise.

Each to their own.

But my 'pegs hit the ground earlier than the mids.

And I hate the fright I get when pegs hit the ground with my feet on them.

(Right side ain't so bad - the zorst hits first.)

[vifferman]

I hate the fright I get when pegs hit the ground with my feet on them.

Me too.
Fortunately, it's never happened on the VFR, although one time when I was two-up with luggage, I decked the centrestand on a tight corner when I hit a bump. I think that's unlikely to ever happen again though, as the Elka jacks the rear up by enough that nothing is ever going to scrape.

[Big Dave]

I dig it - huge pools of scrarks. (new one)

Co-pilot hates it.

When the back wheel starts to triangulate off the ground and the rear lurches sideways is when you know that you are approaching the limits.

Before that it's just noise and perty.

[scumdog]

I dig it - huge pools of scrarks. (new one)

Co-pilot hates it.

When the back wheel starts to triangulate off the ground and the rear lurches sideways is when you know that you are approaching the limits.

Before that it's just noise and perty.

At that point my arse starts to pucker knowing that despite the rear-wheel being levered off the road I STILL have to get around the bend and stay on the seal

Keeps my pulse rate up I can tell you that!!

[HenryDorsetCase]

personal preference and leg length rule here, surely?

[Big Dave]

personal preference and leg length rule here, surely?

Yeah - comfort - thats why we're on a cruiser in the first place.

I think I could ride side-saddle and it wouldn't effect maximum cornering speed much.

[Daffyd]

Mids for me. Easier to relieve the pressure on the tailbone.
Briefly rode a Shadow with forward pegs and didn't like it. Might be a matter of getting used to it though.

[P38]

ummmm can you imagine fowards on a sport bike

I know a bloke who made a set of frowrds for his 1200 Bandit.

He has trouble bending the knees also.

Hasn't slowed him up much either.

Looks kinda silly though, but it works well for him.