MotorcycleLarry Highway Blade First Impression [Archive]

Medicine Bear

04-12-2006, 05:59 PM

I ordered my Highway Blades from MCL last Friday evening. They came in this afternoon (Thursday).

Installation: Even for someone as ham fisted and mechanically challenged as I am, they still only took about 15 minutes per side to install. Very straight forward instructions are included with photos.

Fit and finish: I think they look great. As you can see in the photos, they are the black powder coated wings with the MCL logo on them. Each blade and mounting bracket was packed individually in plastic and the tipover wings were packaged together in their own plastic bag. No scratches on anything.

Initial test ride: I didn't go very far (dinner was waiting on the table and SWAMBO was already a little miffed. I rode the ST out with the blades retracted and no backrest on my Russell seat. The blades opened just fine and I was able to ride with my soles on the Blades as well as hanging my feet over them for extra extension. Someone told me a long time ago that a backrest is pretty useless on the ST if you don't have somewhere to put your feet and I agree. I stopped and attached the backrest. It turned two pretty good products (the backrest and Blades) into a very comfortable unit - the sum of the two greater than each part alone. I felt like I could go forever (and plan to next month).

Overall: Shipping was fast, everything packaged well, went together easily, and met or exceeded all my expectations.

Fred :03biker:

8849885088518852

dsr

04-12-2006, 06:26 PM

Im at work and doing a 24 hour shift so I dont have access to the motorcycle. I wanted to know if a 5'6" guy with a inseam of 30 inches would be able to reach the foot pegs. I really like the way they look, but I am worried that I wont be able to reach them.

Shawn

GodFather

04-12-2006, 06:28 PM

Muskoka

04-12-2006, 06:38 PM

I was just thinking the same thing...anyone?

I am 5'6" / 30" inseam and I have the originals ( Mike Robert's HI-WAY WINGS ). No problems. Here's a link to see the difference between the two.
BTW, the waiting time for Mike's isn't as long now.

http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7248&highlight=mike+roberts
Highway Wings - ST-Owners.com Forums

nm6r

04-12-2006, 06:52 PM

I thought they were suppose to be black anodized.

Ray
http://www.frontiernet.net/~st1300rider/smile04Bikerwheelie.gif

Muskoka

04-12-2006, 06:54 PM

I thought they were suppose to be black anodized.

Ray
http://www.frontiernet.net/~st1300rider/smile04Bikerwheelie.gif

Mike Robert's HI-WAY WINGS are not black anodized.

JReviere

04-12-2006, 06:54 PM

Well, Fred... I see you made it home and nothing fell off after you did the 24K maintenance up here Monday and Tuesday. Good work.

JR

Medicine Bear

04-12-2006, 06:55 PM

I thought they were suppose to be black anodized.

Ray
http://www.frontiernet.net/~st1300rider/smile04Bikerwheelie.gif

You are correct - I had a brain fart. :eek:

Fred :03biker:

GRN

04-12-2006, 06:56 PM

how about reach with a 28" inseam and fairing deflectors?

Medicine Bear

04-12-2006, 06:56 PM

Well, Fred... I see you made it home and nothing fell off after you did the 24K maintenance up here Monday and Tuesday. Good work.

JR

And not only that, I felt totally at ease with the installation. I'm learning - slowly.

Fred :03biker:

cooleytx

04-12-2006, 07:58 PM

Got my MCL Highway Blades today. Fit and finsih was first class. Installed in less than 15 minutes for both sides. Initial ride was short, but it will be a relief to have some alternative to move my feet on long rides. I do have the black faring extension and my legs will rub if I am not careful. I am 5'6 with a 30 inseam. I am also curious to see how the heat will effect my legs when using the blades. Will report after I have time to take it a longer ride.

jdpfms

04-12-2006, 09:08 PM

Please stop posting all these farkles!!!! :eek: Now I had to (gun to my head you know) order a set of these blades which won't be available until after May 1st. The first 28 sets sold out fast, so waiting on the next run of 100. No more farkles, PLEASE, hehe. :D

JDP

Berzins

04-12-2006, 09:23 PM

Medicine Bear

04-12-2006, 09:41 PM

Hey Fred.

You mentioned that you also rode with your legs overtop of the wing. How was the feel? I am over 6 foot three with monkey legs (its' ok I already know) so I will almost always be rinding that way. My two questions are:

1. Do they fold back in when you have your leg overtop of the wing?

2. How do they feel with you ride like this? Hurt or ok?

I am ready to go just want to make sure.

Dave...

Dave,

I'm 6'2" and 260 lbs with a 33" inseam. I didn't really expect the Blades to stay open but they did. There is a "stop" at the end of travel and it's enough to keep them open. They are also wide enough so they don't dig into your legs. Since I was on a short ride in the subdivision, I didn't suit up in armor (I know, shame on me). My jeans are summer weight. I'd say the Blades were just above my ankle, maybe 6" from my heel and quite comfortable.

If anybody is really interested, I'll get my wife to take some pictures with me on the bike on and overhanging the Blades.

Fred :03biker:

Tiny

04-12-2006, 10:21 PM

:worthless I'm interested.....

Muskoka

04-12-2006, 10:24 PM

:worthless I'm interested.....

Check #1 and and the link at #4 :D

vnsfxr

04-12-2006, 10:37 PM

Dave,

If anybody is really interested, I'll get my wife to take some pictures with me on the bike on and overhanging the Blades.

Fred :03biker:

Yes Please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am close to your inseam length 34" so would help in pushing me over the edge to purchase.

I showed them to the Biker Babe and she said "When you use them to stretch out I can drop down to yours for a stretch like we do on the Harley"

Tiny

04-12-2006, 10:55 PM

Check #1 and and the link at #4 :D
The request was for pics of a long-legged rider with legs extended on the pegs!

Medicine Bear

04-12-2006, 10:57 PM

Yes Please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am close to your inseam length 34" so would help in pushing me over the edge to purchase.

I showed them to the Biker Babe and she said "When you use them to stretch out I can drop down to yours for a stretch like we do on the Harley"

I'll post some more pics in the morning.

Fred :03biker:

Muskoka

04-12-2006, 11:07 PM

The request was for pics of a long-legged rider with legs extended on the pegs!
Oops. Guess I had a brain fart too.;)

stgurpster

04-13-2006, 06:27 AM

crinteastwood

04-13-2006, 09:59 AM

Please post a pic of Biker Babe!
Thought this thread was about "wings" - why does this statement just not sound right? shivers
Mick :04biker:

motorcyclelarry

04-13-2006, 10:39 AM

Last night when I was walking out of my shop at 5:30 a guy on a BMW1100 GS pulled up and said he wanted to see the pegs, he also owns a ST-1300. He was dressed like those Beamer Guys dress (ready for a Mars landing) and lots of Tour-Tec stuff. We started to talk and he said he was on his way to Baja and from Ontario. I thought "ah" Baja Grill down the street and Ontario Ca., why was he driving 80 miles for Taco's??

After about 20 min of showing him around, letting him sit on my ST with his BMW approved britches I found out he was from Canada and on his way to Baja Mexico and thought he would stop by. After a nice visit I drove about 1/4 of the way to Ojai with him as he was visiting Bill Myer the seat guy in the morning. I drove my ST and played with the pegs on the way. I have a 34" inseam and when my legs are fully draped over the pegs the pegs are about 6 inches above my boot soles hitting above my ankle. The question about men with 29,30" inseams I can assure you that you will love them, actually better than guys with 34" inseams as your legs wont be as bent.

Now I think I will make pegs for my KTM 525 and Honda 650XL for the duel sporters, what a concept.

Larry

Slider13

04-13-2006, 10:58 AM

Got an email from Larry, saying I didn't make the first cut :( Now have to wait until 5/1 to get my blades. Oh well, atleast I can stop stretching my neck looking out the window everytime a freakin' delivery truck drives by the house. Thanks alot :D

Slider13 :04biker:

Medicine Bear

04-13-2006, 12:04 PM

Okay, here's the promised pics - no comments on the rider please.

888688878888

The first pic is normal position, Blades extended, backrest installed.
The second pic is a closeup of my feet in normal position on the Blades.
The third pic is feet resting on the Blades. You can't really see them but you can see about where they hit my leg - about 2" above the cuff. As a reminder, I'm 6'2", 260 lbs, 33" inseam.

Fred :03biker:

sherob

04-13-2006, 12:13 PM

I got mine yesterday... Project Wing will commence this weekend :D Gotta say... sweet looking! ;)

Txrebel

04-13-2006, 02:34 PM

So Fred, you managed to get rid of those 'scuf' marks on the tipover wings huh? :D

Putt

04-13-2006, 02:56 PM

I bet it would ride better if the center stand was up Fred...

Putt...

TLTONEY

04-13-2006, 03:46 PM

Does anyone know if The fairing deflectors would be a problem when using the "wings"?

Trey
:biker:

Medicine Bear

04-13-2006, 04:08 PM

So Fred, you managed to get rid of those 'scuf' marks on the tipover wings huh? :D

Temporarily...:o:

Fred :03biker:

Medicine Bear

04-13-2006, 04:10 PM

I bet it would ride better if the center stand was up Fred...

Putt...

Yeah, but I don't scrape the tip over wings that way. As you know, Silver is so fast that my wife's digital camera could only get a blur so I "posed" for the shot. :D

Fred :03biker:

rsadler221

04-13-2006, 05:37 PM

Fred do you think these wings would be damaged if the bike was dropped? Not that I would drop my bike.;)

Robert

Medicine Bear

04-13-2006, 07:25 PM

Fred do you think these wings would be damaged if the bike was dropped? Not that I would drop my bike.;)

Robert
I asked myself the same question after installing the Blades. The tip over wings are cut very close to the Blades so that the Blades bind slightly. When the Blades are folded, the slight bind stops them from closing all the way and I left them like that as they only had maybe a quarter of an inch to full close.

On further reflection, I think it would depend on how hard the bike was dropped. If hard enough to deform the tip over wings, the Blades will contact the ground.

The brackets that hold the Blades to the frame are engineered so that they will only fit in one place. There is no play at all and no way to move them even slightly.

I know this post is starting to sound like "stream of consciousness" but I just went out and pushed the Blade as far as it would go. I had to slightly pry up the top of the tip over wing to get it to fully retract. the middle part of the edge of the Blade is flush with the tip over wing. The rest of the Blade is inside the curve of the tip over wing. I don't think the Blades would be damaged but they would be scratched.

Sorry about getting to the answer the long way around...:o:

Fred :03biker:

maxified

04-13-2006, 08:30 PM

I installed by MCL Wings yesterday and tried them out for ~300 miles today. As I initially put my feet up and out I had a sudden urge to remove my helmet and ride to a tatoo bar and hoist a few cold ones. I even had some HD folks waving at me thorought the day.

Long distance comfort is enhanced by being able to choose multiple foot/leg positions. Even modest breaking will be noticable as the weight is transferred forward, not uncomfortable (read scary), just different. 80mph sweepeers on a nicely paved road were fun with the legs extended. The cool breeze was welcome on the calves. The wind deflectors are not a problem for me at 6ft with 32" inseam.

This is one farkel that will get quite a bit of use.

Ken

Putt

04-13-2006, 08:33 PM

Groan...... :)

Putt...

Yeah, but I don't scrape the tip over wings that way. As you know, Silver is so fast that my wife's digital camera could only get a blur so I "posed" for the shot. :D

Fred :03biker:

sherob

04-13-2006, 08:42 PM

Groan...... :)

Putt...

Alka Seltzer will help... :rolleyes:

Medicine Bear

04-13-2006, 08:43 PM

Groan...... :)

Putt...
Oh, Putt, you know you asked for it. Personally, as my '03 ST is faster than the combined top speeds of my old Honda 50 Cub (black and white) and my CB350 Twin (gold or as we say down here, "yaller"), I don't care which color is faster. For sure it is faster than most of the chrome I see on the street. :D

Fred :03biker:

Medicine Bear

04-13-2006, 08:47 PM

Alka Seltzer will help... :rolleyes:
Yeah, just toss a couple down and swallow lots of water. Reminds me of when we used to do that to the local dogs and tell everyone they were rabid... :eek: :D

Fred :03biker:

Jamie Z

04-14-2006, 03:52 AM

Does the 1300 sit on the centerstand with the front wheel raised, a la BMW, or is just from having a rider in the saddle?

Jamie

Burger

04-14-2006, 03:56 AM

Normally it sits on the center stand with the rear wheel raised. With a top box fitted it's a fine balance mind you even with no one sat on the bike. I should imagine a fully loaded top box and saddle bags could tip the balance.

Regards,

crjav8r

04-16-2006, 10:04 AM

no one has mentioned if the kit includes the black covers to replace the originals on the bike. Larry's site does not mention it..

sherob

04-16-2006, 10:14 AM

no one has mentioned if the kit includes the black covers to replace the originals on the bike. Larry's site does not mention it..

Covers included :)

pmorritt

04-16-2006, 11:14 AM

About ready to order ML's Highway Wings. Do any of you who have installed the Wings see potential damage to the wings in case of a tip-over-not that I'm planning this. In other words-by the design and placement of the wings on the internal bars-will the bars still protect or will the wings get hit first? :biker:

Never mind--Dave was kind enuf to redirect me to this thread and my question is answered. The ordering will start as soon as the little women leaves the room.

maxib

04-16-2006, 12:46 PM

I've had mine for a couple days but just got around to installing yesterday. I have to say that I am very pleased with the product and quality of manufacture. In my case however, it takes a bit more than 15 minutes to install. Not much more, but I would recommend one reserves an hour and two brews when scheduling installation. (It's not complicated at all, I just work slow)

Yes, it comes with the modified tipover covers which was a plus for me, as I keep every stock part I farkle out to replace upon resale of any of my vehicles. (Between cars and bikes I don't think my attic can structurally hold anything more, but I'm thinking about the basement next.)

I've had to extend my legs over the wings for relief on long rides before, so I am happy to find something that would make it much easier when I need to stretch. I also like that they are black and blend in (stealth) with the black covers.