JAY Wilber
REACH SEAT your bike keep you
DOES on your toes ?
I have ridden many bikes in my riding days . Many of them have been small dirt bikes , scooters , and small cruisers . I never had any issues with touching the ground or balancing at stop lights .
When I bought my Yamaha Road Star 1800 , I started noticing a few things that were different . First , the weight was way more than I was used to and the bike was wider . This created an issue that I had not experienced before . I could not reach the ground flat footed . I was able to solve the issue by purchasing a riding boot with a thicker soul . Then , after a few years , I bought my first dresser , a 2009 Harley Ultra Classic . No longer did the boots solve the issues . I had to look for another solution .
When the bike is in motion , as a rider , you don ’ t have an issue , the bike balances itself , but when you stop at a stoplight or parking lot you have problems . I especially remember pulling up at an exit of a parking lot and trying to put my feet down . The bike ’ s front wheel was on the street and the back tire was still in the parking lot . This created problems ; my feet did not reach . Having a good and firm connection to the ground when stopping is important to safe riding . This created a dilemma . Do I
Harley Davidson website gives the following description of the Reach Seat :
• Wide seating surface provides loads of support while riding and the narrow tapered nose brings your legs together for an easier reach to the ground at a stop
• Features a stepped profile that provides back support and keeps the rider from sliding back during acceleration
purchase a lowering kit or look for another solution ? I started doing research and found different ways to lower the bike . I could have purchased progressive shocks , which would lower the bike an inch or I could purchase a lowering kit that would do the same thing . The issue was I didn ’ t want to change the balance or ground clearance of the bike . Then I saw something on the Harley website . It was a Harley Reach Seat . This is what the website said .
• Brings the legs about 1.0 " closer together
• Enhanced back support padding that moves the rider . 8 ” lower and 1.5 ” forward without locking the rider into a cramped position
• Can be equipped with an optional rider backrest for additional touring comfort
• Seat width 15.5 "
• Passenger pillion width 16.0 "
• Measurements based on Original Equipment Electra Glide ® seat .
The Harley Reach seat is around $ 379.00 , much cheaper than shocks and lowering kits . 10⎪DECEMBER 2020⎪shop . cmausa . org