Pardon the Newbie Question

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BugZ · #1 Unread post by **BugZ** » Sat May 26, 2007 12:33 pm

Since I've started looking for a new bike this past couple of weeks, I've come across a couple of terms that I don't fully understand. What are "Forward Controls" and "Mid Controls"? What's the advantages of one over the other? If someone could even post a picture or two to show the difference that would be great. The last time I rode bikes was the early 80's and it was dirt and enduro style bikes. Until about a week ago, I had never heard these 2 terms before.
BugZ

Dragonhawk · Sat May 26, 2007 1:42 pm

Those are terms for where the footpegs, rear brake, and shifter are located.

Once you know what part of the bike those terms refer to, well, the meaning becomes kind of self-explanatory - Forward controls are more, uh, forward. Mid controls are more in the middle.

Sat May 26, 2007 1:43 pm

It's the location of your feet. Sport has your feet back, Standard is in a "standard sitting position", Forward is with your feet stretched in front of you and Mid is between standard and forward.

BugZ · #4 Unread post by **BugZ** » Sat May 26, 2007 2:14 pm

Thanks for the explanations. Now that makes me wonder, is it always dependent on the style of the bike? For example, I'm looking for a cruiser in the 700 - 900cc range. Will all bikes in that category have forward controls or will some be standard?

flw · #5 Unread post by **flw** » Sat May 26, 2007 3:47 pm

There are most always variations within each class of bike. So cruisers between 750cc and 900 are not all the same. Same for the CG location(center of gravity). High CG are more tricky for new riders so a low CG is less difficult to balance.

A Low CG bike generally speaking are cruisers as an example. High CG bike example would generally be a Dual purpose or dirt bike. Again there are differences within each type as well.

The above is why when looking in the paper or online you should first see if that bike is the right seat height and CG for you before calling someone. Go to a dealer and sit on a few different styles. Then engine sizes within the style you like, to narrow it down some. Of course your budget will narrow it down some more. Your experience level will narrow it down as well.

This is where a bike saftey class also helps you in deciding the general type of bike and engine size to start with as a side benefit.

#6 Unread post by **Wrider** » Sat May 26, 2007 6:27 pm

Hey, the majority of cruisers in that class will have mid controls, where your legs should be almost perpendicular to the ground. You can always get aftermarket forward controls too, but keep in mind that the further your foot sticks out, the more air into your pants making them ride up...
Wrider

BugZ · #7 Unread post by **BugZ** » Sun May 27, 2007 12:44 pm

I have gone to the dealers and sat on many bikes. Not knowing until this post the difference between, forward, standard and mid controls, I haven't exactly pinpointed which have forward controls and which have mid controls. They all feel good as I sit on them. My latest consideration is the Suzuki M50. A couple of weeks ago I thought I was settled on the Suzuki S50. I have sat on the Honda Spirit 750 and the Yamaha Vstar 650 and the Kawi Vulcan 900. But I'm still like the Suzukis. Not being able to ride them, I hope that sitting on them will give me enough feel for what I want.