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General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Forward controls or Higway bar with clamp-on pegs?
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Message started by skrapiron on 08/24/07 at 14:57:56

Title: Forward controls or Higway bar with clamp-on pegs?
Post by skrapiron on 08/24/07 at 14:57:56

Ok, you Savage geniuses....

I chalked up a bit over 1300 miles this week... For the most part, I'm doing ok, considering the ammount of time I spent in the saddle.

I already had my seat re-upholstered with memory foam and a gel insert, so my butt did ok (it still got sore, but that was after 2 hours or more at a stretch..). What really suffered were my knees.

I thought he stock riding position is pretty neutral, but why do my knees hurt so much? I found relief by stretching my legs out and resting them on my footpegs but don't want to do that too often (putting my feet closer to the pavement at 60mph isn't a really good idea.)

So what can I do about it?

I have three options. 1: Make or buy forward controls. 2: Buy the Suzuki highway bar and mount forward foot pegs on the tube. 3: Trade in the bike for something a bit better set up for long-distance highway travel.

I really don't like option 3. So that's not the answer.

So my question is which option will I be better off with? The Highway bar and pegs is ALOT cheaper than the forward controls, but just how much farther forward will the clamp on pegs be?

Or will I be best off by switching to forward controls?

Your opinions are greatly appreciated!

Title: Re: Forward controls or Higway bar with clamp-on p
Post by tbear on 08/24/07 at 15:45:49

I had the same situation after riding my Savage for any extended length. Oh, how my knees would ache. My solution was forward controls from Seeger Cycle. They were a bit pricey, but, WOW, what a difference! It stretched me out an additional half foot and and that is a good thing for any tall rider (I'm 6'2"). I thought about a highway bar with pegs, but my concern was with the pegs interfering with the stock controls. They would have to be mounted low on the bar to be ergonomically correct, and that would compromise the controls. Moving the pegs up on the bar would negate what I was tying to do in the first place, which was to make a more comfortable ride. Plus, forward controls will keep you stretched out ALL the time, where as the stock controls and pegs would cause you to have to move back and forth between the two. Riding in the city wouldn't allow you to utilize the pegs much at all, if any. I found that the constant shifting/braking needed when riding in the city added to my knee misery. Not now with the forward controls. Constant shifting/braking is absolutely knee friendly.

Title: Re: Forward controls or Higway bar with clamp-on p
Post by DanGill on 08/24/07 at 19:27:02

I have the Suzuki highway bars with footrests, and they're pretty much useless for me (6'0" with 34" insearm). They're very high to clear my big toes, and they don't give me any knee relief, really.

I'm also looking at forward controls or a different bike before too long.

Title: Re: Forward controls or Higway bar with clamp-on p
Post by Savage_Rob on 08/27/07 at 06:31:35

One of those times I like being 5'8".

Title: Re: Forward controls or Higway bar with clamp-on p
Post by tbear on 08/27/07 at 10:01:39

Before I added the forward controls, that was the only time I wished I was shorter. ;)