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[jmillington]

Hi, I'm a new guy and am looking to buy a 2002 FXDWG3 that is at our local shop.
I've been a sport bike rider for many years, but people change.

How hard is it to convert the FSDWG3 to mid controls?  (I hope this isn't heresy!)
The problem is my back - I have problems at L5 - and I actually have a few questions;

1. Will I get used to the forward controls and ending up liking them more than I think?

2. Does riding with forward controls necessarily mean that your back won't like it?

3. Would you recommend converting it in my case; i.e. to relieve potential back pain?

4. Any other 2 cents you might want to throw in!

Thanks!
Jim M

[J.D.]

#1

[Buy early]

How tall are you? What do you ride now?

[jmillington]

How tall are you? What do you ride now?

I'm 5'9", 165 lbs, 31" inseam (not a big guy). 
I currently ride a 2015 Kawasaki Ninja 1000 (not the ZRX, but the more street oriented "gentleman's sport bike"), which I'll be keeping.

I test rode the FXDWG3 and I was able to reach the controls OK.
The bike seemed to just glide (pun intended, but appropriate) down the road, very smooooth; quite a nice ride!

[J.D.]

Those Fox shocks on these bikes are very good, IMHO.

[Twolanerider]

Do you anticipate the bike being used primarily around town / local riding or instead regularly knocking down three or four (or more) tank full days?  You'll get used to either position but your duration in the saddle might suggest one versus the other.

[Buy early]

If comfort is the goal, I would suggest attacking the seat first. I’ve done several 500+ mile days on the stock seat and if you plan to do the same, a decent seat will be of great value. I got a Corbin Dual Tour. https://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=27725.420

The Corbin also moves you forward a few inches so the forward controls aren’t such a stretch.

[jmillington]

If comfort is the goal, I would suggest attacking the seat first. I’ve done several 500+ mile days on the stock seat and if you plan to do the same, a decent seat will be of great value. I got a Corbin Dual Tour. https://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=27725.420

The Corbin also moves you forward a few inches so the forward controls aren’t such a stretch.

Thanks for the tip!  The Corbin Dual Tour looks like a good bet.

[jmillington]

Do you anticipate the bike being used primarily around town / local riding or instead regularly knocking down three or four (or more) tank full days?  You'll get used to either position but your duration in the saddle might suggest one versus the other.

I anticipate using it primarily for local day trips up into the northern California Sierra foothills and round trip to the Lake Tahoe area.

I'm also thinking of just mounting mid foot pegs on it (not full controls), to give riding a try in both positions before making any drastic decisions.

[Twolanerider]

I anticipate using it primarily for local day trips up into the northern California Sierra foothills and round trip to the Lake Tahoe area.

I'm also thinking of just mounting mid foot pegs on it (not full controls), to give riding a try in both positions before making any drastic decisions.

The latter is a really good idea.  Mark nailed the obvious though when he mentioned the saddle previously.  IF you are considering a saddle change do that before you do anything else.  Windshield change, handlebar changes and foot control changes all should come after a saddle change because they are all relative to where you plant your butt on the bike.

[Landshark]

I converted my CVO Fatbob to Mid-controls and have never looked back. I am 6’2” and it’s the best modification I did.  You can check out my my post in the Fatbob threads under transformation. Good luck.

[BostonboyDH]

  2015 standard Fatbob contemplated the mid control swap but did the reduced reach forward control kit, worked out well for my 29-30 inch inseam. Stock seat & MoCo pullback risers worked out well for me.  Mid controls a little more costly but not off the table yet!!

    BostonBoy