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calcruiser
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« on: June 01, 2025, 03:16:46 PM » |
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I want to do a ride to Oregon with my brother on the 2 valks i just got. his inseam is 38" and he's 6'8" tall. seems like forward controls have to be fabbed not bought. what about 12 or 14" apes? does that solve the high knee too close to the bars problem. is the geometry of the bike just a no go with that shifter pinned under the flat six?
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Chrisj CMA
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« Reply #1 on: June 01, 2025, 03:36:42 PM » |
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If he really wanted to ride a Valkyrie I suppose he could accomplish it. But I cannot imagine him being very happy after a few hours in the saddle. The bike was designed for (compared to him) little people.
I would rent him a bike that fits for a road trip.
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calcruiser
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« Reply #2 on: June 01, 2025, 03:43:59 PM » |
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thanks chris. i'll take that to heart. we'll have to do it another way. you know if a goldwing would work for him?
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LadyDraco
Member
Posts: 1843
TISE
Bastian, VA. Some of the best roads in the East
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« Reply #3 on: June 01, 2025, 04:39:46 PM » |
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FON was that tall I believe he rode his Valk. And didn't have any issues..
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Life is what you make of it~If it don't fit make alterations...
One does not speak unless one knows.
Never underestimate the power of a woman !
It's a Poor Craftsman who blames their Tools !
This is the way
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Jess from VA
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« Reply #4 on: June 01, 2025, 04:50:14 PM » |
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Our member SERK is that tall (or taller). He should chime in. I remember some of his old posts addressing his tallness on the Valk.
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« Last Edit: June 01, 2025, 05:19:30 PM by Jess from VA »
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Serk
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« Reply #5 on: June 01, 2025, 05:29:40 PM » |
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Our member SERK is that tall (or taller). He should chime in. I remember some of his old posts addressing his tallness on the Valk.
Almost, I'm only 6'7", but have almost 150,000 miles on my Valkyries... (Mostly my tourizerized Standard, but also some time on an Interstate before I added a Gold Wing as my primary traveling bike.) Things I've changed: -Hartco Custom Seat that lifts me a few inches up above stock and also back. -Peg lowering kit (Not sure if anyone still makes one but it's helped me a lot.) -Mick-O Pegs (Another no longer available, turns up on eBay from time to time) to stretch my legs out from time to time. OEM handlebars, regular controls. (I did replace the shifter peg with one from a CBR1100XX Blackbird, they're a little thinner so more room to get my boot under it.) The biggest single thing for me is the custom seat. By lifting my butt up a few inches it gives my legs more room. |
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Never ask a geek 'Why?',just nod your head and slowly back away...  IBA# 22107 VRCC# 7976 VRCCDS# 226 1998 Valkyrie Standard 2008 Gold Wing Taxation is theft. μολὼν λαβέ |
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Ken aka Oil Burner
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« Reply #6 on: June 01, 2025, 05:30:00 PM » |
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I'm 6'4" and it has it's challenges. I have Mark T.'s peg lowering kit, as well as "highway" footrests out on the crash bars. The bike itself is large, comparatively, but the engine is wide. If not wearing the right footwear, the valve covers can get a bit warm when your lower legs are pretty much right on them. You can also find an Ultimate "king" seat, which is a bit taller and sits you back a little from stock. There are also custom seats, which I believe Serk, as Jess mentioned in his post, has.
It can be done. There really aren't many bikes out there that he wouldn't have to modify somewhat due to his height.
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Ken aka Oil Burner
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« Reply #7 on: June 01, 2025, 05:31:12 PM » |
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Ahhh. I see Serk did get there right before me. There you go.
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3fan4life
Member
Posts: 6958
Any day that you ride is a good day!
Moneta, VA
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« Reply #8 on: June 03, 2025, 05:35:08 AM » |
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Serk mentioned the taller seat.
I have one that sits the rider a few inches higher than stock.
It was on one of my Valks when I bought it, if your interested, we can work something out.
I can send you pics of it on a bike if you want.
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1 Corinthians 1:18  |
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calcruiser
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« Reply #9 on: June 03, 2025, 08:52:06 PM » |
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thanks serk. i've seen short seats on dirt bikes mostly. never noticed a tall seat on any bike. something obvious that just doesn't come to mind. pretty sure i wouldn't have thought of it. game changer, i'll follow all your suggestions. peg lowering seems like a pretty simple fab job. replacing shifter no problem. he'll like a new seat. not a fan of studs on black leather. kinda judas priest. and that's pretty not straight. if this can work i want to make it work for him. he's my bro. shout out to big jess.
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Jess from VA
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« Reply #10 on: June 04, 2025, 03:37:46 AM » |
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thanks serk. i've seen short seats on dirt bikes mostly. never noticed a tall seat on any bike. something obvious that just doesn't come to mind. pretty sure i wouldn't have thought of it. game changer, i'll follow all your suggestions. peg lowering seems like a pretty simple fab job. replacing shifter no problem. he'll like a new seat. not a fan of studs on black leather. kinda judas priest. and that's pretty not straight. if this can work i want to make it work for him. he's my bro. shout out to big jess.
I'm not big, I'm 5'9" (and weighed under 150lbs yesterday for the first time since HS). The only thing big about me is my mouth.  And I haven't really offered any good advice in this thread except to ask SERK for advice. Taller seats and lower foot controls are good advice. But I'd avoid anything like ape handlebars. That would then require all longer control cables and hoses (a PITA). Almost everyone large and small goes to taller risers, and up to 3 1/2- 4" requires no longer cables and hoses, though 4" is right at the limit. |
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« Last Edit: June 04, 2025, 03:47:27 AM by Jess from VA »
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Serk
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« Reply #11 on: June 04, 2025, 05:46:31 AM » |
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Heh, ironically I've got stock risers on my Valk, never felt the need for more reach there but I did put in shims to elevate and change the angle of the bars on my Gold Wing. It needed it at a lot more than the handlebars did... A word specifically about Hartco Seats - They are also known as Diamond Motorcycle Seats. I've got 3 of 'em (One Valk Standard, one Valk Interstate (The seats ARE different btw, because of the larger hump of the Interstate gas tank) and one GL1800 and love 'em all... ...I've had a steller customer service experience with HartCo. Called 'em up, talked extensively, he asked a lot of detailed questions about EXACTLY how I wanted my seats, and made them custom tailored to my butt and my legs. Even went and checked his records for how I had my first one (Over 20 years ago) when I ordered my 3rd one... ...however.... I've heard reports that not everyone has had such a pleasant experience with them. So, be aware of that. I personally give 'em 5 stars but every time I recommend 'em someone mentions a very bad experience to counter mine. But yeah, the taller seat is a WORLD of difference. It's also a theft deterrent!  I've got a 6'2" friend that I let try my 'Wing.... He didn't, he got scared when he couldn't flat foot the bike. Found an old thread where this topic was discussed... Me on my Interstate on stock seat:  And me sitting on the Interstate with the Hartco Custom in place:  And the thread in its entirety: https://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,102443.0.html |
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Never ask a geek 'Why?',just nod your head and slowly back away... IBA# 22107 VRCC# 7976 VRCCDS# 226 1998 Valkyrie Standard 2008 Gold Wing Taxation is theft. μολὼν λαβέ |
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Serk
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« Reply #12 on: June 04, 2025, 05:55:19 AM » |
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One more comparison. Obviously not a 1:1 comparison but, me on my GL1800 with stock seat:  And with the Hartco custom:  |
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Never ask a geek 'Why?',just nod your head and slowly back away... IBA# 22107 VRCC# 7976 VRCCDS# 226 1998 Valkyrie Standard 2008 Gold Wing Taxation is theft. μολὼν λαβέ |
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Jess from VA
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« Reply #13 on: June 04, 2025, 06:05:37 AM » |
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On the Wing with stock seat, your knees are almost right on the fairing.
On the Hartco, it looks like you gained at least 4" of space. Passenger space got smaller, but the hell with passengers, I take none ever anymore.
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Serk
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« Reply #14 on: June 04, 2025, 10:40:09 AM » |
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Oh, and MarkT (Good guy!) used to make peg lowering kits, not sure if he's still got any, I know he's winding down his business but might be worth a call:  |
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Never ask a geek 'Why?',just nod your head and slowly back away... IBA# 22107 VRCC# 7976 VRCCDS# 226 1998 Valkyrie Standard 2008 Gold Wing Taxation is theft. μολὼν λαβέ |
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calcruiser
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« Reply #15 on: June 07, 2025, 01:53:04 AM » |
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Hey Serk,
Really appreciate the photos. I can show my brother the geometry now. Think we're gonna stick with the Valkyrie. You look more comfy on it than the goldwing. I looked at a 2003 GW yesterday and thought there isn't enough room. You've got a longer torso than him. He's all legs. Might do trip on a VTX 1800R seems to have the most room for him so far. There's a big opportunity in this space. Motorcycle parts for tall mc riders. I'm surprised there isn't anybody doing it. Usually any opportunity in this world is immediately saturated.
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