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Shifters- forward vs mid

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Post by Miss G Tue Dec 21, 2010 10:08 pm

I've only ever owned bikes that had the mid shifter. I own and ride horses and your feet under you is a balanced position. Many people tell me the forward shifters are the ONLY way to go. Even the dealership where I got my bike bet me I'd be back to have forward controls put on.

I would love any and all feed back on this.
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Post by hayweed Tue Dec 21, 2010 11:33 pm

Around town It's all mids. But on the highway the forwards are more comfy to me.
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Post by Miss G Wed Dec 22, 2010 9:08 am

I figured mids would be better on the short runs. My bike has mids. Thanks for your input.
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Post by hayweed Wed Dec 22, 2010 9:14 am

You can always add highway pegs for those longer rides. I found that I have better balance with my forwards.
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Post by Guest Wed Dec 22, 2010 11:12 am

Hi Miss G, I thought I would share some info on pegs from a control point of view. This may help your understanding of the different locations available, and what may best suit you.

There are 3 basic peg location styles, forward, mid, and rear-sets. As you can guess all have advantages and disadvantages to a rider. Forward controls (located at the base of the down tubes in front of the engine) are more comfortable for a cruiser positioned ride and offer the rider a more reclined relaxed leg position, but they cannot be used to control the steering or handling of a bike at all. Mid controls (located on or near the bottom frame rail directly under the rider’s seat) offer a rider a nice balancing point with ease of control of the bike. Mid controls can be weighted to help steer and negotiate the bike through obstacles. The drawback to mid controls is that on long rides the riding position due to the peg location cannot be altered much to offer the rider comfort. Rear-sets (located just behind the rider’s seat and slightly higher than any other controls) are more of a race or performance based location. They make a forward leaning riding position more comfortable and allow the rider to weight the pegs for control. Due to the higher mounting point, this gives the machine more ground clearance in corners and allows the bike to take a more aggressive lean for higher speed cornering. As you may be able to guess the disadvantage of these controls is that a forward riding position can be uncomfortable for long distance riding. Now there is a pretty popular 4th location and is my preferred location on cruisers or bobbers, and that is known as "Frisco" pegs. These pegs are located only a few inches forward of the mid control location, but they are also raised higher up, usually at about the top of the cases. This offers you all the mid controls offer, plus the ground clearance of rear-sets for more fun in the twisties!

Don’t forget about highway pegs though, as they do not offer you controls, they do offer you comfort on long distance riding, and you rarely need the controls then anyway. This will allow you to take advantage of the perks of the mid controls, and still have a comfortable way to switch up your position on long rides.

In case you are unfamiliar with the term I used "weighting the pegs" I will explain. A rider can gain better control over a bike by shifting his/her weight over the bike in a corner. This can be achieved by moving your but from one side of the seat to the other, but for maximum effect, weight should be placed on the widest and lowest point possible to aid the machine in cornering. By standing on the outside of a peg and shifting as much weight as possible to that peg on that point, you can corner the bike much harder and faster.

I hope this helps you understand peg location, and that it is not just an aesthetic mod! Best of luck to you on your decision!

forward controls
Shifters- forward vs mid Picture002
mid controls
Shifters- forward vs mid IMG00211-20090918-1816
rear-sets
Shifters- forward vs mid BjbdUgCGkKGrHqIH-CoEs8WQHPmMBLTh763RGw_12
Frisco pegs
sorry, could not find a pic!
Highway pegs
Shifters- forward vs mid R

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Post by Guest Wed Dec 22, 2010 2:05 pm

Someone has got a lot of free time today Razz
IMO Mid is the best all around peg position. But it also is dependant upon the handlebars that are on your bike. The position of the bars changes the angle of your torso. Bars with more pullback or height lend themselves to a forward control position.

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Post by Dragon Wed Dec 22, 2010 3:19 pm

If you're comfortable with the shifting and braking on mids, then the cheapest alternative is a set of highway pegs forward. That way at least on longer runs you have the choice and to be able to change feet positions, which keeps you more comfortable. Another way is to have forward controls and footboards in the mid position.
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Post by Miss G Wed Dec 22, 2010 6:55 pm

Wow tWistedWheelz! Thank you! What a fantastic explanation. Thanks for the pics too. Smile
I do have highway pegs already on. I can't wait to get out and use them. Most of my driving will be a mix of city type and back roads.
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Post by Paladin Wed Dec 22, 2010 10:09 pm

Personally I prefer to be slightly reclined. So I am running forward controls on the "rat-maxim"
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Post by Miss G Wed Dec 22, 2010 10:43 pm

Paladin wrote:Personally I prefer to be slightly reclined. So I am running forward controls on the "rat-maxim"

"rat-maxim"?? Almost afraid to ask but must. LOL
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Post by Paladin Wed Dec 22, 2010 10:48 pm

ummm you would have to see my bike for it to make sense. She is a little rough around the edges.
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Post by Miss G Wed Dec 22, 2010 10:49 pm

Rough? Umm...ok....where's the pics? LOL
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Post by Paladin Wed Dec 22, 2010 10:51 pm

I don't have any recent. I will take some tomorrow and post them in the garage section. Also give me a chance to show off my forward controls that I fabbed up.
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Post by Miss G Wed Dec 22, 2010 10:54 pm

Ossim! Can't wait. Depending on where you are tomorrow, you may hear me cruising around. LOL. Watch for a Dyna either going real slow or flying...Lmao!
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Post by Paladin Wed Dec 22, 2010 10:58 pm

Gonna be homebound until after christmas.
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Post by Miss G Wed Dec 22, 2010 11:09 pm

Well since you're not far up the road, you may indeed hear me...or see me. It's ok to laugh and point. lol!
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Post by Guest Fri Dec 24, 2010 7:52 pm

Paladin does indeed have some sick custom controls. Heavy duty to be sure!

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Post by Dragon Sat Dec 25, 2010 3:24 am

Been there, seen them. he makes s*it to lasssst. Very Happy
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Post by Miss G Sat Dec 25, 2010 5:33 am

Dragon wrote:Been there, seen them. he makes s*it to lasssst. Very Happy

Hmmm....this is good to know. What a Face
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Post by Paladin Tue Dec 28, 2010 11:24 pm

I had to ditch the whole dragon themed ones that I had planned. I am just gonna have to take some pics and show y 'all
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Post by Miss G Tue Dec 28, 2010 11:34 pm

Pics! Yes, please!!! What a Face
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