Comfortable Bar Size??
Comfortable Bar Size??
I am looking to buy a set of apes for my 2013 FXDB. I think I have settled on the FMB Choppers Phatty Mercs. However, I don't know if I should get 14" or 16". I am about 5' 10", wondering which size is going to be more comfortable. I am running the stock bars right now and I've never had apes before. Looking for any input anyone might have. Also looking for recommendations on black bar risers and cable/wire extension kits. Thanks in advance.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 646
Likes: 16
From: South FL
If you're looking for comfort, I'd stay with 10" apes with a good amount of pullback.
At 5'10" your hands will be far above your shoulders with 14"+ apes. Your hands will fall asleep regularly (hard to pump blood uphill).
I'm 6'1", had 10" apes before going with my current bar/riser setup. My arms were about parallel to the ground. For reference, look at stock bars on touring models. They are low with lots of pullback for high mileage comfort.
Check out Burly Brand for cable kits, biltwell for risers.
At 5'10" your hands will be far above your shoulders with 14"+ apes. Your hands will fall asleep regularly (hard to pump blood uphill).
I'm 6'1", had 10" apes before going with my current bar/riser setup. My arms were about parallel to the ground. For reference, look at stock bars on touring models. They are low with lots of pullback for high mileage comfort.
Check out Burly Brand for cable kits, biltwell for risers.
Last edited by WMX124; Oct 18, 2017 at 08:27 AM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 2,066
Likes: 259
From: Northstreet, michigan
I'm 5-11 and ran the 16 inch el diabalo bars on my old street Bob til I traded it in, now I have them on my lrs. I think 16s are perfect. I could do 18s, but I've ran the 16s on quite a few long trips and never had any comfort issues. I started off with them pulled back further so they ran inline with the forks, but ended up pushing them forward more for a higher grip. Let me see if I can find some pics of them.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 224
Likes: 51
From: Scotland
i put apes on my bike, and rode with them for the first time ever recently
if you are going to be doing the miles, a tip i was told, was to sit in your seat, close your eyes and relax. then reach out to grab the bars at the most comfortable position for a few seconds
open your eyes, check no one has seen you, and note the position of your hands relative to your existing bars
hope that assists
if you are going to be doing the miles, a tip i was told, was to sit in your seat, close your eyes and relax. then reach out to grab the bars at the most comfortable position for a few seconds
open your eyes, check no one has seen you, and note the position of your hands relative to your existing bars
hope that assists
Different strokes for different folks, but I like my bars 14-16" as a bigger guy...also depends on the type of bars, if they have any pull back, how wide they are, etc...
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i put apes on my bike, and rode with them for the first time ever recently
if you are going to be doing the miles, a tip i was told, was to sit in your seat, close your eyes and relax. then reach out to grab the bars at the most comfortable position for a few seconds
open your eyes, check no one has seen you, and note the position of your hands relative to your existing bars
hope that assists
if you are going to be doing the miles, a tip i was told, was to sit in your seat, close your eyes and relax. then reach out to grab the bars at the most comfortable position for a few seconds
open your eyes, check no one has seen you, and note the position of your hands relative to your existing bars
hope that assists
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Stage IV
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta
Hey, Nickd2689...
What kind of crashbars are you using? Model numbers if you have them...
Also, I'm thinking about getting the same bars. I'm guessing you had to use a spacer
where the bars are 1" in the center where they are mounted. Do you know what the spacer is called and where to get them? Thanks, Bob!!!
What kind of crashbars are you using? Model numbers if you have them...
Also, I'm thinking about getting the same bars. I'm guessing you had to use a spacer
where the bars are 1" in the center where they are mounted. Do you know what the spacer is called and where to get them? Thanks, Bob!!!
Last edited by Deduce; Oct 18, 2017 at 11:32 PM.