Hey guys,
I'm new to Harleys, I just bought a '17 lowrider S and I am learning how to re-ride a bike that isn't a crotch rocket; its been fun.

That said I have nerve damage in my right arm and the stock handlebars are aggravating the hell out of it. Would I be better off going with a higher handlebar to try and stop any of the pressure on my hand, say an ape or mini ape, or would such an extreme shift from what I am used to cause more issues than it would be worth? I'm not going to lie, remembering that my feet go into front of me rather than under my *** is hard lol.

I've never driven a cruiser before this bike so I'm already relearning lean angles, how much speed I can safely carry into curves, braking distance required etc...

Thanks for taking the time to read this and offer up any advice!

 

Higher bars can be a great help, it depends on where your issue is, where in your arm is the problem? The other concern to keep in mind, is that with higher bars, the vibration will be different. Part of that is due to the poly or solid bushings required, and part of it is just length. If theres any way you can maybe test ride a street bob, you’d at least have an idea of what 13” bars would feel like for you.

 

The nerve is in the right wrist, so any sort of pressure on it causes numbness up my arm. I have sat on bikes with mini apes and apes and they seem to be comfortable, just worried about having to relearn to turn with such an extreme arm angle.

Thanks!

 

These are comfortable bars if used with whatever size risers you need to get them in the right zone for you.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Black-1-Supe...3D252247163067

 

Get your bike on a stand or have someone hold it for you take a seat on it, assume a comfortable riding position without touching the bars, close your eyes and reach out for the bars where you think you hands/arms should be, that natural position. Have someone standing by to take photos of where your arms/hands are at, be sure to photograph your wrist angle. you want your existing bars in all the photos as a baseline reference. Repeat this process a few times to zero in on the position of your arms/hands, this will pretty much tell you where you need to be. start shopping for bars with a bend that puts you where you need to be let the photos and a tape measure be your guide. Here is a link to Flanders Handlebars as they provide good dimensional data and a vast selection of bends.

http://www.sideroadcycles.com/Americ...andlebars.html

: Mike

 

Congratulations on the new bike. Don't 'worry' too much about the bars; it's a Harley and it -will- be different no matter what bar you choose. As the others have suggested, find the bar that's the most natural and most comfortable for you.

I've got a 250 dirt bike, a ZZR600 and the Wide Glide. Every ride is a 'relearn'.

 

I would suggest go over to the DK Customs website and purchase some 2 or 3 inch risers. These will fit on your stock bars. The 3 inch risers will bring the bars up to 8 inches stock they are 5 inches. The risers run 20-40 bucks and are cheaper then buying a full set of bars and cables that you are unsure of and will get a good feel if this is why you want. The risers you want are for 1.5 inch bars.

 

Thanks for all the suggestions guys, I am going to try the eyes shut method AND buy some risers to get the bars a touch higher while staying stock.

I really appreciate all the help.

 

you can get a throttle assist which allows you not to have to grip the throttle so tight. I find that post surgery I get numbness in my right hand for that very reason