Last piece of advice, if you '14 make sure all your wires have extra slack...at some point you will go higher and the extra slack will save you alot of cash....don't ask how i know.....
Hey Jeff, I am going through the exact same thing right now! I am lookin at Carlini Gangster apes and have not decided on 16" or 18" either. I am 6 feet tall with a 33" inseam. I really like how the 16's "look" on the bike. What I mean by that is the lines really flow nicely with the 16's. However, on every thread I have read about apes, someone always says "I shouldve gone two inches higher". I know I will be fine with 18's but I also want comfort and style. As for the risers... you will only need to upgrade the risers if you go with the 1.5" bars. Stock risers/clamps will only acomadate a 1.00" bar, the Carlini 1.25" bars will have a step down section in the middle where they clamp down under the nacelle. Carlini sells the risers you will need for the 1.5" bars should you choose to go that route. They will set you back an additional $149.99. So now you are looking at $500 on a set of bars. If you look at a set of 1.25" bars, you might be pleasantly suprised on how thick they look. Poly bushings are a must, from everything that I have read. As far as measuring to see how high you want your bars, the broomstick method might work but you need to account for pullback which a broomstick has 0. Maybe take two broom sticks and angle each one to mimick the factory pullback angle, secure them where they meet in the midle somehow, then determine how high you want them.
This is one of my favorite kings I've seen here. It has the stance, simple yet tough looking scheme. And it has 16" Carlini's
Good luck with your decision let us know what you decide and definately post pics.
I have 14 gansters. Love them. Great quality and love the look. I wanted the 1.5" and because of that, I don't mind paying for the clamp. For future bikes, carlini are the way to go. Buy what you like so your happy and have no regrets. Don't buy cheap and wish you had others.
The broom handle idea works the best. Don't buy and have to exchange or hate what you bought. Doing the work is not hard, just takes patience. If you can boil water, you can do the bars. Real easy. Lots of people here that can help and give you insight (like this one!!). Any tools you need buy, and you have for the future. Then you can contest to others how easy it is and you csn help someone else.
Hey everyone. So I just bought my first HD. I want to mod first for comfort and wheels.(I'll do stage one over winter) I am 5'11" 220 and have back issues and I hear apes are the way to go. Def look bad ace in my opinion as well. I am leaning towards carlini gangster apes but am open to suggestions. So my question is what apes do yall think are appealing to the eye and reliable and what all am I going to need to install them myself the right way? I'm thinking 14 or 16s 1.5". Is there a install kit I can get that will work with the carlini apes or do I need to buy everything seperate?(I'm looking for SS braided wire) Will everything on my stock bars transfer over to the new ones fine? Any grips and levers anyone recommend? Im thinking gnurl chrome grips. Should I get different risers than stock or will stock be suffice? I know this is alot of questions but the more I read forums the more confused I seem to get. Atleast the forums I have read. Thanks!
5-11", I would start with 16's but 18's might be closer to where you need to be.
I'll add my two cents. I've had 18's and 16's on my Road King. I really like the look of both but the 18's were just too hard to ride long distances with. My hands would go numb with the 18 inch bars. 16's were just right for me at 5'11", Right now I have beach bars on the Road King. But could easily switch back to the Factory 47 Malos if I want to.
Last edited by Jackpot Johnnie; 06-25-2016 at 09:04 PM.
I'll add my .02 cents. I'm 6'2 and went with 16 BR Customs, like others have said I feel I could have went with 18's and wish I did in a way, however the 16's are perfectly comfortable for all day 500 mile rides. So, I wouldn't want to jeoparidize that. Both pics below are 1.5" bars. You will need to order the riser adapter from Carlini also if you go that route, as the stock is not compatible. You can also order your braided cable kit from them as well. You'll have nearly a Grand into them in no time.
My Dad is mid 60's and has the Carlini Gangsters. He's about 5'11 and has the 16's also. Absolutley loves them. Just got back from out West and did 5000 miles in the last 16 days. You won't regret it!
Good luck
Those Carlini bars are nice. One thing to mention, I'm told that the bars actually measure about an 1.5" higher than advertised; 14"= 15.5, etc. That may be something to check with them on. I believe they have a website that shows arm position of a rider with various bars. Good luck.
06-24-2016, 09:04 PM
