Help! My seat is killing my back!

[HD BeachGlide]

kinda bummed out, love my brand new SGS but my back is killing me. I am too tall for the stock seat ( 6'5 ) I need a seat that will seat me further back (as much as possible) and even a bit higher (if feasible). I figure that will allow me to stretch my legs out more and alleviate the pain in my back and left hip.

I don't know if its possible but can the gear shifter be moved so it sits a bit lower and further away?

I would appreciate any tips you have, Im will to pay good money for the right seat and set up.

thanks

PS: I have suffered my back issues my whole life but have never felt this particular type pain, and it started right after I got my SGS.

 

[bryan0994]

Check out Mean city cycles. They can reshape the seat to fit you better. I had them move me down and forward a bit, but they can move you back and higher also. I believe HD makes extended shifter and brake lever.


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[BluesBelly]

kinda bummed out, love my brand new SGS but my back is killing me. I am too tall for the stock seat ( 6'5 ) I need a seat that will seat me further back (as much as possible) and even a bit higher (if feasible). I figure that will allow me to stretch my legs out more and alleviate the pain in my back and left hip.

I don't know if its possible but can the gear shifter be moved so it sits a bit lower and further away?

I would appreciate any tips you have, Im will to pay good money for the right seat and set up.

thanks

PS: I have suffered my back issues my whole life but have never felt this particular type pain, and it started right after I got my SGS.

At 6'-4" I am familiar with your issues. I have the HD 'TallBoy' seat. By my measurement it is the same distance from the seat seam to the top of the gas fill door as the stock seat but it is wider and more comfortable. Harley Dealers have demo seats for you to put on your bike and try out. You can also have your seat custom modified at an upholstery shop or a mentioned Mean City Cycles.
HD and SoftBrake offer a 1" extended shifter arm which helps a bit. I personally remove the rear shift arm first thing on a new bike otherwise my size 14 feet get trapped between the shift pegs.
I have a 2" extended brake pedal from Carl Miles at Heel Guard. http://www.heelguard.com
Also have highway pegs mounted as low on the crash bar as they can be. I put my heel on the floor board and the ball or toe of my boot on the highway peg and with the brake pedal forward 2" and out of the way the seating position is similar to the old style Wide Glide or Softail Custom with feet forward.
Harley's are not made for TALL guys or short guys so we have to adapt the bikes to fit us.

Low & Slow,

Blues

 

[Bluebowtie]

Check out Mean city cycles. They can reshape the seat to fit you better. I had them move me down and forward a bit, but they can move you back and higher also. I believe HD makes extended shifter and brake lever.


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+1 for Meancitycycles.com

It's amazing how much more comfortable my modded seat is.


Sent from the mobile leash

 

[hulkss]

I have spent the last year and a half getting my bike set-up for a tall guy. Check my mods below under comfort. All from H-D except as noted.

 

[Mojo]

I found for me that its a combination of both seat and handlebar reach/height. And, of course the length of time in the saddle.

 

[farmboy]

I'm 6'1" with a 33" inseam and I was have some hip pain myself so at 6'5" I feel for you bro. one of the first things I did was put a set of Tall Boys Floor board re locators on. They move them about 2" forward and lowers the heel position. That with extended shift and brake levers was a big help. Several of the other guys here have that set up also.. I also went with a Mustang solo seat that seems to move me back and up about an inch. Also added their back rest and I love it. It's adjustable for height and angle so you can daily it in. Different bars would also help. I went with the ergo back bars and so far they're working out..i think the bar choice is the hardest. A lot depends on your riding style. Good luck and don't be afraid to ask question. A lot of great advice here.

 

[14POSE]

I hear ya brother and feel your pain. I am 6'5'' and 260 lbs. I have a tall boy seat then I added a back rest. I would still have some issues then I put on highway pegs now not an issue. Your local dealer can let you test different seats before you buy, but a tall boy or the likes from another brand will help then the back rest. I would try those first then look at the highway pegs.

 

[HD BeachGlide]

thank you all for the good info! So here's my plan so far:
1. New Seat maybe the Mustang Super Touring One-Piece Regal Seat with Driver Backrest or the HD Tallboy with backrest
2. Order and install HD extended shifter/brake pedals and footboards.
3. Probably remove the rear shift arm (don't like it)

 

[HD BeachGlide]

I hear ya brother and feel your pain. I am 6'5'' and 260 lbs. I have a tall boy seat then I added a back rest. I would still have some issues then I put on highway pegs now not an issue. Your local dealer can let you test different seats before you buy, but a tall boy or the likes from another brand will help then the back rest. I would try those first then look at the highway pegs.

wow we are the same height and weight!! I curious as to what windshield you are running? If I sit up straight I am at least a foot or more above the stock windshield but I most slouch a bit so general I am about a foot over the stock windshield.

 

[CWNY]

HD BeachGlide...

Howdy neighbor ! Im Wantagh NY ...

Was just on Beech St. Yesterday having lunch at Swingbellys...

Chris

 

[14POSE]

With my tall boy seat it changes the angle and I probably have about 6 inches to 1 foot above my stock windshield. Before spending all of that jack try the seat first with a back rest and remove the rear shift arm. I don't know kind of area you ride in but I would get what I call numb butt on long rides and as soon as I added highway pegs, what ever discomfort I had left went away. Since you have a preexisting back issue you may need to add other things to be comfortable. I can somewhat validate this by an experience while renting a 2014 Ultra Classic while in Vegas last year with my wife. We were on our way to Death Valley we reached Parumph (? on spelling) and had to head back because I had no back rest or pegs to stretch out on. So after fueling up by an air force base that was playing around with predator drones, I had to put my legs over top of the engine guard and my wife had to push on back from time to time. It was actually pretty funny looking.

 

[2015amberwiskie]

I'm 6'4" with size 14 shoes, on the ride home from the dealer I knew I had to work out the comfort issue. I felt like I was riding a Mini Bike.
The first thing to work out is the seat. I have bought about 6 seats on ebay over the winter to try out. What I have learned is your seat changes your over all height, distance from the handle bars, leg position, back position.
Once you get the seat then you can pick your windshield according to your ride height. Adjust your handle bars forward or replace them. forward floor boards, shifter and Brake peddle, if still needed. I have done all of them except the Brake peddle and it's coming soon.

kinda bummed out, love my brand new SGS but my back is killing me. I am too tall for the stock seat ( 6'5 ) I need a seat that will seat me further back (as much as possible) and even a bit higher (if feasible). I figure that will allow me to stretch my legs out more and alleviate the pain in my back and left hip.

I don't know if its possible but can the gear shifter be moved so it sits a bit lower and further away?

I would appreciate any tips you have, Im will to pay good money for the right seat and set up.

thanks

PS: I have suffered my back issues my whole life but have never felt this particular type pain, and it started right after I got my SGS.

 

[pbadasay]

I'm still new and fresh to all of this but I'm 6'4" around 250 lbs and I can see where everyone is coming from. I'm looking into the tallboy seat as well and from what I've seen, go on Ebay...I just saw an auction end and the tallboy seat was sold for 135 plus 25 in shipping. Only question I would have is, does the 2008 seat fit onto a 2014 street glide or is there an entirely new seat for 2014? I haven't done my research but I don't see why someone wouldn't buy a used one from an '08 if it fits on our 2014. If they aren't interchangeable then disregard my comment haha just a newbie trying to help out

 

[BluesBelly]

I'm still new and fresh to all of this but I'm 6'4" around 250 lbs and I can see where everyone is coming from. I'm looking into the tallboy seat as well and from what I've seen, go on Ebay...I just saw an auction end and the tallboy seat was sold for 135 plus 25 in shipping. Only question I would have is, does the 2008 seat fit onto a 2014 street glide or is there an entirely new seat for 2014? I haven't done my research but I don't see why someone wouldn't buy a used one from an '08 if it fits on our 2014. If they aren't interchangeable then disregard my comment haha just a newbie trying to help out

I'm also 6'-4" and 250 lbs. size 14 feet with a 36" inseam.
Dealer sold me a TallBoy seat that supposedly would fit my 14 SG. After the first ride with my Gal and I on the new seat I took it off and the paint was all bucked off where a seat fastener contacted the fender. Turned out the seat was for pre-14 bikes. Dealer ended up replacing the rear fender for free and also gave me the correct 2014-2015 seat.
So NO do not buy a pre-2014 seat

 

[2015amberwiskie]

Of the 6 seats I purchased this past winter to try, all of them were pre 2014 seats. the latest was a 2008 CVO seat and they all fit. I have not tried a Tallboy seat for this bike like BluesBelly.
I tried a Tallboy on my 2004 Road King and did not like it. As with most new parts when bolted on, keep a eye on it for some time.

 

[Gunner]

I'm 6' 4 also. Went with Lepera Maverick Daddy Long Legs set. Seat me back 3" and down 1" with healthy butt stop for good back support. I went through 3 seats before this one. 12 1/2" apes also helped. It kept me from being bent forward reaching for the bars.

 

[HD BeachGlide]

HD BeachGlide...

Howdy neighbor ! Im Wantagh NY ...

Was just on Beech St. Yesterday having lunch at Swingbellys...

Chris

Hey Chris, good to see another long islander on this board! Swingbelly's is awesome and Im sure you enjoyed the ride home on Ocean Parkway!

take care,

Jack

 

[Kevinmach1]

I'm 6' 4 also. Went with Lepera Maverick Daddy Long Legs set. Seat me back 3" and down 1" with healthy butt stop for good back support. I went through 3 seats before this one. 12 1/2" apes also helped. It kept me from being bent forward reaching for the bars.

Have you ridden any long trips with the Daddy Long Legs seat? I am working on a 3700 mile trip later this year, and I fear the comfort will be a big problem...

 

[TheyCallMeSal]

Don't know if you're still looking, but the Mustang Summit seat is designed specifically for the late model (Rushmore) Harley touring bikes, sits you back 1.75 inches, and raises you up about an inch.

In my experiences Mustangs usually offer pretty good bang for the buck, I just don't like that one I have (Super Solo seat) because it sits me higher and back an inch - which I DON'T want in my situation (I'm not nearly as tall as you).