Dyna Glide Models Super Glide, Super Glide Sport, Super Glide Custom, Dyna Glide Convertible, Super Glide T-Sport, Dyna Glide Police, Dyna Switchback, Low Rider, Street Bob, Fat Bob and Wide Glide.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

The truth about ape hangers.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 23, 2009 | 08:05 PM
  #1  
ronny c.'s Avatar
ronny c.
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 257
Likes: 0
From: newnan georgia
Default The truth about ape hangers.

Apes look like a torture device and i thought your hands would go numb if there above your heart. But i had a guy tell me they are extremely comfortable cause your back is stretched out, and you can ride all day with no problems, whats the truth?
 
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2009 | 08:14 PM
  #2  
SPECIAL ED's Avatar
SPECIAL ED
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,572
Likes: 5
From: Templeton California
Default

The stock mini apes on my Street Bob made my hands go numb and were uncomfortable at anything over about 60. But that's just me allot of people, maybe with better circulation, like em allot.Bottom line, they put you in a less aerodynamic position than lower bars and will create more wind resistance.
 

Last edited by SPECIAL ED; Feb 23, 2009 at 08:22 PM.
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2009 | 08:15 PM
  #3  
reded's Avatar
reded
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 583
Likes: 2
From: KC
Default

Different strokes for different folks. Personally i like em, drag bars make me feel like I'm hunched over all the time and make my back stiff after a while. Plus apes just look cool and you can't put a price on that. Might wanna try riding a bike with apes for a few miles before committing.
 
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2009 | 08:34 PM
  #4  
donr101395's Avatar
donr101395
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 11,410
Likes: 30
From: NWFL
Default

I'm enjoying mine. They are more comfortable than my mini apes I had and more comfortable for me than drag bars. My back can't take the lean over anymore for long periods.
 
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2009 | 08:48 PM
  #5  
Hickey's Avatar
Hickey
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 577
Likes: 2
From: Brampton, Ontario, Canada
Default

I've got stock mini apes on my street bob, and just added 2 inch risers, cant wait to see how it feels. I do know just sitting on the bike feels a million times more comfertable
 
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2009 | 09:06 PM
  #6  
madden23's Avatar
madden23
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 949
Likes: 1
From: Pacific Northwest
Default

I think apes look really cool, that being said I put 4" risers on stock buckhorns and I'm a happy camper.
 
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2009 | 09:10 PM
  #7  
archergodwin's Avatar
archergodwin
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,440
Likes: 148
From: Northwest
Default

I put mini apes on my FXDC, I like 'em much better than the stock bars.
 
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2009 | 09:20 PM
  #8  
user45's Avatar
user45
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: Virginia, USA
Default

I had drag bars on 3 previous Harley's I owned, and always thought Ape's would be uncomfortable also. That is until I bought my 08 SB with the mini apes. I'm 6'0" and find them very comfortable. So far the longest I've done in the saddle without a break is just under 3 hours, had to stop for gas. Rode 9 hours total that day and I was not fatigued at all. I find the stock bars to be very comfortable and easy on my back, arms, and wrists. I like you always thought Apes would make for a bad ride, but was pleased to find the mini-apes very comfortable.

Note, that at my height and frame, 6' & 190, my hands are about even with my heart when I'm in the saddle. I've never had bars any taller, so I can't comment on the hands above the heart deal.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Feb 23, 2009 | 09:44 PM
  #9  
jbphoto's Avatar
jbphoto
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,438
Likes: 3
From: San Tan Valley, AZ
Default

Originally Posted by Hickey
I've got stock mini apes on my street bob, and just added 2 inch risers, cant wait to see how it feels. I do know just sitting on the bike feels a million times more comfortable
I also installed 2" risers on my stock mini-apes and for my height, 5'8", they bring the bars up to a very comfortable level. My arms are just about straight out. I also have a 2" tank lift so the whole thing has a natural flow and looks pretty dang sharp, IMHO. Definitely the look I was going for.

Hickey, as I mentioned in PM, you'll love 'em like that when you get out on the road.

New sigpic showing all the new mods coming as soon as the weather cooperates.
 
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2009 | 09:46 PM
  #10  
schwangster's Avatar
schwangster
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Shutterbug
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,699
Likes: 15
From: Qualicum Beach, B.C. CAN
Default

I'm 6 ft, with long arms. I replaced the stock mini apes with 12" Khrome Works apes on my WG.
2" higher, 2" wider. VERY comfortable, lets me lean back into the wife, or a bag in the passenger seat.
haven't had any handling issues, and I can get through the twisties at a good clip too.
Best part is my neck is straight, not bent back to look up.
I like apes.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:00 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE