I have a 2008 street glide with stock bars. Going to change out to 12 inch mini apes. Do I need to change my cables or get extension.

 

You most likely will. I just did 12.5" apes on my 2016 SG and I changed my cables. Supposedly you can reroute on the newer bikes up to 12" (depends on the brand of bars and how they measure them), but some shops recommend not doing that.

 

I never got the whole ape hangers on touring bikes gimmick.

 

^^^ They are comfortable. Just like apes on any other bike. I tried to stay behind the fairing, but I am much more comfortable with shoulder height bars. With the stock bars (and Yaffe 10's) my back and neck were killing me. With the new apes, no pain.

This is the third set of bars I have had on my SG in about 2k miles, and I tried to stay behind the fairing, but it's just not comfortable for me. I would rather have some wind on my hands, and be comfortable. Slow speed control is also much better with the weight of the fairing. You get more leverage with taller bars.