Drag bars vs apes
Club Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,095
Likes: 4
From: Ponchatoula Louisiana
I thought about mini apes for over a year. When I finally took the plunge, I knew it was the right decision. I got the 2011 Street Bob bars and added 3.5 inch risers. Low speed maneuvering is a little more difficult (parking lots etc.) but the comfort for cruising is fantastic. My bike is set up for highway cruise comfort and handling has not suffered at speed in curves. Ultimately depends on rider skill, and I'm still learning. Sig pic is before the install.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 609
Likes: 3
There is bound to be more flex with the additional height, especially if you consider the handlebars, triple tree, and forks as one cohesive unit, acting as one. If they gave more control, then flat-trackers would have apes.
But that's not why I'll never have apes. I just think they look really, really strange.
There. I said it. Sorry.
But that's not why I'll never have apes. I just think they look really, really strange.
There. I said it. Sorry.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,926
Likes: 56
From: Knoxville, TN
Depends on the rider's ergonomics. Drag bars would lean me over to far and reduce my ability to handle the bike. I have 12 inch mini apes stock on my 2011 Street Bob. I am 6'1" and am keeping my mid controls also. I had forwards on my last 2 Harleys and never felt as in control as now.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 799
Likes: 1
I see you have changed to Tee bars, which are a drag bar. Your big boat will be doing the following.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,949
Likes: 150
From: South of Mordor
I had a 2006 sporty 1200C prior to my 2010 SB. On the sporty I went from stock bars to mini apes to 16" apes. The 16" ended up feeling more natural to me. Guess that is what I get for riding beach cruisers with the bars thrown forward as a kid and teen.When I rode the sporty with the stock bars I felt like I was riding my kids old training bike, way to crunched up. I rode that bike with a bunch for friends from where I worked on weekend outings. The bikes in the group went from sup'd up CBR's and F1's to softies and dressers and even a decked out Goldwing. We would take some good twisties and I never had an issue with control of the bike with the 16" installed.
To me it seems that control comes with a level of comfort and confidence when riding. If you are not comfortable and confident in your riding then you ont be in good control of your bike. Know your skill level and don't push to far beyond it until your skill lets you.
A good set of apes will be strong and won't have much if any flex in them as long as they are secure. I have nothing against 1" diameter bars other then the strength of them. A bigger diameter tube will supply more rigidness to itself then a smaller one.
Also, in my experience it seems that it is easier to turn into a corner with the apes I had then the stock bars, I don't know about drag bars, it just seems that I can lean into the corner more then I had to push into it when cruising. But on the other hand taking corners when going slow or at a walking the bike pace it is a little harder do to the reach when the bars are turned.
Also, I am only 5'7" and I did feel the need to maintain the ability to be able to stand up/lift myself when those bumps and holes come at me, so when I installed my forwards on my SB I left the mid pegs in place, they just dont have the brake or shift lever anymore.
To me it seems that control comes with a level of comfort and confidence when riding. If you are not comfortable and confident in your riding then you ont be in good control of your bike. Know your skill level and don't push to far beyond it until your skill lets you.
A good set of apes will be strong and won't have much if any flex in them as long as they are secure. I have nothing against 1" diameter bars other then the strength of them. A bigger diameter tube will supply more rigidness to itself then a smaller one.
Also, in my experience it seems that it is easier to turn into a corner with the apes I had then the stock bars, I don't know about drag bars, it just seems that I can lean into the corner more then I had to push into it when cruising. But on the other hand taking corners when going slow or at a walking the bike pace it is a little harder do to the reach when the bars are turned.
Also, I am only 5'7" and I did feel the need to maintain the ability to be able to stand up/lift myself when those bumps and holes come at me, so when I installed my forwards on my SB I left the mid pegs in place, they just dont have the brake or shift lever anymore.
Last edited by blueangel73; Jan 11, 2011 at 11:42 AM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,131
Likes: 1
From: Long Island NY
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6,642
Likes: 48
From: Ogden, UT
New riders asking about bar styles should not have a steeper learning curve, than trying to stay alive. Maybe an advanced rider who feels they need the fashion statement.
I see you have changed to Tee bars, which are a drag bar. Your big boat will be doing the following.
I see you have changed to Tee bars, which are a drag bar. Your big boat will be doing the following.
I had no idea T-bars were drag bars, wow, thank you for letting us know......
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 799
Likes: 1
There are a pile of Harley cafe & Sportster riders that will differ with you.
From where I sit, you are.
risers and drags, or Tees, same end result.
From where I sit, you are.
risers and drags, or Tees, same end result.