When am I going to learn my lesson?!?!?! Between Christmas and New Years, i replaced my stock handlebars on my 2013 RKC that I bought in the beginning of December with some 11 inch Santee apes along with some Magnum clutch cable/brake lines. Everyone says "go 2 inches higher than what you think you need/want". But did I take everyone's advice? NOOOOO....LOL

I did actually have a reason, though. I am trying to keep the looks of the king nostalgic and didn't really think I would like the looks with the mods I had planned if I used apes that were taller than 10 or 11 inches.

Well, they still weren't where I needed them to be from a comfort perspective, so i just ordered 14 inch apes yesterday. I went a little long on the cable and brake lines originally because I thought this might end up happening, so I hope I am good there. I just hope they are long enough because I got them a little long thinking I would go to 12s, not 14s. I think the brake line will be OK, but the clutch might end up being a bit tight. I guess I will find out next weekend after I do the install.

 

that'll teach ya!! or better yet: "I told ya so!!" there, thats out of the way, now go fix your bike!!

 

Here is the root cause of your problem.
"I am trying to keep the looks of the king nostalgic"
Then you said.
"I needed them to be from a comfort perspective"

Comfort and looks are not always mutually exclusive but in this case you shoulda tried to fit for comfort first... oh well we tried to tell you..

 

Apes on the king look nostalgic and are comfortable.

Don't confuse fiction and fact.

 

I made the same mistake, picked up a set of 14" apes for my 99 road king and they where way to short for me (might I add that I am 6'6" ) so I actually ended up with a set of 16" and they are about perfect for me. I like the look and am very pleased with the feel. I guess we have to live and learn.

 

Its all good, I try to go with the consensus. I also went with longer cabling just in case I get the itch for 16"ers some day. Im a short bastage and 14's seem to be as tall as I can go before my rotator cuff starts botherin me.

 

I try telling folks but they never listen....

 

I LOVED the look of the apes on my king......too bad my shoulder did not!! GGGGRRRRRRRR!!!

 

Having a clutch is over rated.

 

Yeah, I remember those days...started out with 12's, then went to 14's, then on to 16's, then 18's, then all out to 22.5's and settled in on 20's...all on the same bike!