Happy with my stock riding position- but I recently rode a 2007 1200R. I want the same gearing, but that means the primary drive AND the pulleys. That's what messes up long fast days for me. Around here we cruise fast!
Just completed install XL Mid Controls on my 2011 XR1200X
Okay before anyone knocks it, I made absolutely no modifications whatsoever to my existing factory Rear Sets and can go back to them at any time and you would practically never know I had mids on here except for the factory frame mounts I had installed while my RSD pipe was being fabbed to fit my bike. I removed my rear sets and sent them to powdercoat so I figured now would be the best time to try this while my bike is down anyway. Also, I plan on riding from Orange County, Ca to Denver, Co in June so I thought I would compare the comfort/ride.
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Uh, are you sure about that? I think all you need to do is the Scotty Mod.Happy with my stock riding position- but I recently rode a 2007 1200R. I want the same gearing, but that means the primary drive AND the pulleys. That's what messes up long fast days for me. Around here we cruise fast!
Somewhere in the depths of the Scotty mod thread there's a comparison, and yes, it reduces cruising revs but not to the same as the XL1200. I'm small and light (shrinking daily as I get older....!), and never ride two up, what I want is the tall gearing of my old Guzzi 1100 Sport, that oh so long legged feel that a v-twin should have. Of all things a long stroke v-twin shouldn't feel so 'busy'.Uh, are you sure about that? I think all you need to do is the Scotty Mod.
My nearest town doesn't even have a stop light, and acceleration off the line is absolutely of no interest to me. Still don't get Harley's decision to give higher gearing to Japan and South America.
I hear what you're saying. But i still say beware. There's been some on here that have changed the gearing, for more top end speed, or other reasons. And some, if not all of them, ended up with clutch slippage problems. There XR clutches are made a little different than the XL clutches. But of course you can change out the whole XR clutch/basket assembly for the XL clutch assembly and might be OK. Not trying to discourage you, just saying there may be more to it than it looks. You might read up on it some if you're good at the search function. Good luck
Thanks- good information, and I'd do all the research possible first. I'm not after top speed- clearly with raised gearing even with a little fella like me aboard no way has the XR got the power to pull it. What I like is to be able to cruise around 90mph at reasonable revs, where there is still enough torque to maintain speed on a gradient.
I guess the clutch problem is maybe to do with still wanting to charge hard off the line despite the gearing change? Once I leave my house there is no line until my nearest biggish town, 50 miles away....I do all my own work right down to major engine strips, it makes you very mechanically sympathetic!
I guess the clutch problem is maybe to do with still wanting to charge hard off the line despite the gearing change? Once I leave my house there is no line until my nearest biggish town, 50 miles away....I do all my own work right down to major engine strips, it makes you very mechanically sympathetic!
One more thing and I'll quit. No, clutch problems didn't seem to be off the line problems. Seemed to be when running at high speeds the clutch would start to slip. Hope I've helped, and not been to aggravating. I'm
I've been quite happy with the Scotty mod I did before my trip to Colorado from Cali last year. I maintained a lot of 80-85 mph without the feelng the engine was working very hard yet still nicely in the torque band--great mod to get the lower RPM's at cruising speeds without much sacrifice at low end either.Uh, are you sure about that? I think all you need to do is the Scotty Mod.
Lots to consider- maybe one step at a time then? Or get out the Dremel and hand craft a six speed gearbox!I've been quite happy with the Scotty mod I did before my trip to Colorado from Cali last year. I maintained a lot of 80-85 mph without the feelng the engine was working very hard yet still nicely in the torque band--great mod to get the lower RPM's at cruising speeds without much sacrifice at low end either.
I sometimes forget to shift into 5th on my "Scotty Mod" bike.Somewhere in the depths of the Scotty mod thread there's a comparison, and yes, it reduces cruising revs but not to the same as the XL1200. I'm small and light (shrinking daily as I get older....!), and never ride two up, what I want is the tall gearing of my old Guzzi 1100 Sport, that oh so long legged feel that a v-twin should have. Of all things a long stroke v-twin shouldn't feel so 'busy'.
My nearest town doesn't even have a stop light, and acceleration off the line is absolutely of no interest to me. Still don't get Harley's decision to give higher gearing to Japan and South America.
Try the Scotty Mod. You may find you really don't need much more. 80-90mph is a breeze. 90+ is getting into the fun zone of the engine. 100+ wind will bother you more than engine rpms, even with a wind screen.Lots to consider- maybe one step at a time then? Or get out the Dremel and hand craft a six speed gearbox!
Hi there, nice and clean job. Im thinking about repossition the controls as well. Im 6"1 and get kramps in my legs after a long ride and want to stretch my legs more on the bike. Havent seen an XR with forward controls jet, but Im thinking about it. Good ideas are welcome!I guess I would be considered average height at 5'10". I took my bike for a decent ride last night around town and man what a difference. The comfort is night and day! The riding stance with the mid controls actually makes my seating position more comfortable, I'm sitting against the rear of the seat which now feels like a good lumbar support. I no longer feel like my arms are heavy on the handlebars or leaning on them. I used to find myself sometimes missing the tiny rear brake pedal and now it feels like the rear brake works even better although I'm sure it just works the same as before. Even at stoplights I would constantly have my legs resting/hitting the footpegs on the rear but that is gone. I found my way here to the XR from a 2007 Sporty Roadster so I'm quite partial to the feel of the mid controls but I absolutely love the XR! View attachment 200521
sorry, but if you put forward controls on an XR you should be flogged to death with a limp zucchini. Don't be that guy. LOL. Havent seen an XR with forward controls jet, but Im thinking about it. Good ideas are welcome!
You're probably right, but I need room for my long legs somehowe. Any solution is welcomesorry, but if you put forward controls on an XR you should be flogged to death with a limp zucchini. Don't be that guy. LOL
Same with a backrest on any Sportster, and whoever invented chrome master cylinder/caliper covers should be sent on a one way mission to Mars.....sorry, but if you put forward controls on an XR you should be flogged to death with a limp zucchini. Don't be that guy. LOL
Forward controls would be super easy to install on an XR, the mounts are already there the only issue would be do you have room for a long brake rod behind your exhaust and you would still have to fabricate the pivot at the rear master cylinder like I did--pretty easy if you have a simple grinder. I say there are no rules that you have to conform to when it come to customizing your bike to your own needs; comfort and riding style. Go for it Thorn, I love my bike--I just hated the rear sets!Hi there, nice and clean job. Im thinking about repossition the controls as well. Im 6"1 and get kramps in my legs after a long ride and want to stretch my legs more on the bike. Havent seen an XR with forward controls jet, but Im thinking about it. Good ideas are welcome!
I did it just like Baddcactus.. no regrets, only happy face.
Why not keep the rear sets and fit the forward controls as well, just have to link themYou're probably right, but I need room for my long legs somehowe. Any solution is welcome
Should leave you with the best of both worlds, plus the forward ones will act as crash bars as well
Very nice workmanship. I’m seriously considering taking on this project. I have hip and pelvis issues and the stock rear sets are kinda hard on me after a while. The welding of mounts are my biggest concern. Do you have any pics of the fabricated mounts you could send please. I’m sure more questions are coming, hope you don’t mind.
ABorn,
At 6ft & 18stone I was having problems with the original seat where after 20 minutes it felt I was sitting on two wooden rails with the thin padding on the original. To my saviour Goose_II was selling his Corbin which he ordered with an extra inch of padding originally. Well not only was the seat more comfortable but secondly it also gave my legs more room reducing the stress on my old knees.
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At 6ft & 18stone I was having problems with the original seat where after 20 minutes it felt I was sitting on two wooden rails with the thin padding on the original. To my saviour Goose_II was selling his Corbin which he ordered with an extra inch of padding originally. Well not only was the seat more comfortable but secondly it also gave my legs more room reducing the stress on my old knees.
Thanks HH I do have the Corbin seat and the stock unit as well. Ones as good as the other , just too much damage done to my old bones. Stretching out well before riding is about the best remedy, and stretching again during a rest stop. I knew comfort was going to be a problem before I bought my XR but that didn’t hold me back. Put on a set of highway bars, yes they look odd on the bike, but at least I can stretch out my legs a little bit. I turned 50 and had back surgery in the same month, recovered very well and said ****it and bought my orange XR . No regrets at all. Thanks for the input
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