Questions about handling with apes...
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
From: GLOBE AZ..
I agree with "preference and comfort" part. Ground off pegs don't tell the whole story, though.
You can be a great rider and ride agrresively or
you can be a poor rider with lots of bad riding habbits or
you can be OK rider with lowered shocks or just clapped out suspension .... hard to tell
my first year of racing I wore out a set of knee sliders. My second year I went much faster, but didn't drag my knee all that much .... I've come back to the same track few years later on the same bike with 1in taller ride height and went faster yet, while touching the knee down just in couple of corners....
one thing for sure. I CAN'T hang off with tall bars and forward controlls
You can be a great rider and ride agrresively or
you can be a poor rider with lots of bad riding habbits or
you can be OK rider with lowered shocks or just clapped out suspension .... hard to tell
my first year of racing I wore out a set of knee sliders. My second year I went much faster, but didn't drag my knee all that much .... I've come back to the same track few years later on the same bike with 1in taller ride height and went faster yet, while touching the knee down just in couple of corners....
one thing for sure. I CAN'T hang off with tall bars and forward controlls
shocks are stock!!! and the only time i feel the need to hang in corners is when i am goin fast, like 50-60mph while gettin on or off the highway or long sweeping curves goin threw the mountains
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 12,946
Likes: 32
From: Colorado Springs, CO
Handling is kind of a subjective question...what kind of riding do you do? At some point, a Harley is going to be disappointing if all you want to do is go corner carving.
Apes are comfortable for cruising. The key is to sit on the bike, hold your hands up where you want them, and take a measurement. Get the bars that will fit that measureemnt. If you just buy the set that looks cool, it may work, and it may not. Some guys only ride to the bar and back home, others want to put down some miles between stops. I have 13" apes, and they work GREAT for me. Anything higher than what I have is too much for me PERSONALLY.
~Joe
Apes are comfortable for cruising. The key is to sit on the bike, hold your hands up where you want them, and take a measurement. Get the bars that will fit that measureemnt. If you just buy the set that looks cool, it may work, and it may not. Some guys only ride to the bar and back home, others want to put down some miles between stops. I have 13" apes, and they work GREAT for me. Anything higher than what I have is too much for me PERSONALLY.
~Joe
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,519
Likes: 0
From: Nomad
can't tell if you're serious or bustin *****.
I'm willing to bet that without formal riding training or some sort of racing expirience you won't be able to hang.
Few years back when I used to teach, there were dozens of squids coming to the track thinking they were the next AMA Pro. It takes just a couple of laps to prove them wrong. Not because I'm great, but because I have few laps of practice. Can't remember who wrote it (maybe Keith Code) :
SPEED IS A BY-PRODUCT OF KNOLLEGE AND EXPERIENCE
In any case, I'm not here to prove anything to anyone. Couldn't give a **** less. I'm not the ***** mesuring kind, but I do know a little about what makes motorcycle go around a corner.
I'm willing to bet that without formal riding training or some sort of racing expirience you won't be able to hang.
Few years back when I used to teach, there were dozens of squids coming to the track thinking they were the next AMA Pro. It takes just a couple of laps to prove them wrong. Not because I'm great, but because I have few laps of practice. Can't remember who wrote it (maybe Keith Code) :
SPEED IS A BY-PRODUCT OF KNOLLEGE AND EXPERIENCE
In any case, I'm not here to prove anything to anyone. Couldn't give a **** less. I'm not the ***** mesuring kind, but I do know a little about what makes motorcycle go around a corner.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,519
Likes: 0
From: Nomad
bike may look like clapped out turd, but it will handle and stop the way I want it to.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,050
Likes: 44
From: VA
Ive got the mini apes on an 05 Lowrider and they are the narrow style due to the narrow glide front end on the pre 06 dynas and are very comfortable for myself but I am a vertically challenged. No fatigue in wrists arms or shoulders and handling is fine for me
carl
carl
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,562
Likes: 11
From: Palm Harbor fl.
Better on your lower back. You will lose some control. Kind of like riding with the body rather than the hands. Much more comfortable. Also a lot of the handling depends on the angle and height. What works for other may not work for you. How tall, how long are your arms, rake of the from end. Sit on the bike put your arms out where you will like them to be and go with that. But you cant have your cake and eat it. You will get better over time and handling will not be a concern by then. Thats my opinion and everybody is different.
Last edited by rounder; Oct 17, 2010 at 10:06 AM.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
HTRAUD
General Harley Davidson Chat
32
May 24, 2007 12:59 AM
