Apes vs T bars vs Drag bars on tall risers
Thread Starter
|
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,572
Likes: 5
From: Templeton California
Apes vs T bars vs Drag bars on tall risers
What I'm looking for is to hear from people who have tried two or three of the above mentioned bars and can compare them.I've run mini apes 10 and 12 inch and narrow and wide flat track bars I'm thinking of either going with T-bars or a drag bar on 8-10" risers.The 12" apes I have now are comfy enough but they feel kind of sloppy or "vague" in low speed handling I thought maybe a drag bar might feel a little more "solid"If I stay with apes I may go with the poly bushings and see how that feels.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,335
Likes: 3
From: Ca.
What I'm looking for is to hear from people who have tried two or three of the above mentioned bars and can compare them.I've run mini apes 10 and 12 inch and narrow and wide flat track bars I'm thinking of either going with T-bars or a drag bar on 8-10" risers.The 12" apes I have now are comfy enough but they feel kind of sloppy or "vague" in low speed handling I thought maybe a drag bar might feel a little more "solid"If I stay with apes I may go with the poly bushings and see how that feels.
What I like most is the rounded bottom corners that transition to z-bars at the top and the overall width. gonna stay with stock risers too.
edit: It's the little pic not the sig pic. Still learning the cut and paste here
Last edited by FBinSoCal; Nov 20, 2011 at 12:33 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 227
Likes: 0
From: Finland
Apes gives opportunity to change position back and forth easily. Risers are static, get used the ones you bought or change risers.. $$$$ ..... If you really know risers do fit the sitting position you prefer, then you have 2 options, and thats difficult to choose 
.
8-10" risers does shoot the bar towards you quite some, the lower the futher away handlebar stays.... You must use one piece clamp over your bars to the risers if your risers are more than 5", otherwise your setup may twist due the steering movement.
Send picture from your current setup
. 8-10" risers does shoot the bar towards you quite some, the lower the futher away handlebar stays.... You must use one piece clamp over your bars to the risers if your risers are more than 5", otherwise your setup may twist due the steering movement.
Send picture from your current setup
Thread Starter
|
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,572
Likes: 5
From: Templeton California
This is how it sits currently Santee 12" apes on stock risers.If I stay with apes I'll probably go to internal wiring and move the signals to the fork tubes.But these are scratched up so they'd either have to be powdered or replaced and If I'm going to replace em I might as well look at all my options.I really don't want to go any taller though.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,953
Likes: 1,168
From: Northern Colorado
it's two totally different looks really. drag bars on tall risers basically lok the same as t-bars. If you like the look of that setup then you cant really go wrong with either one. If you like the look of apes then no sense changing. Personally aside from how poorly they handle, I can't stand the look of apes..on any bike. From vintage choppers, to 80's cruisers to modern bikes. To me it ruins the bike both cosmetically and from a performance standpoint..That being said plenty of prople hate on my choice of tall risers and super bars saying they are just as tall as some apes. It's a significant difference in leverage and looks from say 12-14in apes to my 13.5in height setup. The overall width at both the top tree and at the grips is worlds different. you can run a medium height riser in the 6-8in range and run either flat broomstick drags, pullback drags, super bars which there are plenty of different bends, heights, pullbacks etc so you can tailor the fit and comfort to your preference.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 368
Likes: 2
From: Oceanside
I have some 6.5" risers and sporty bars from an 883 Iron, or the 48 as they are the same. The bars have about 4" of rise and another 4"of pull back. It gives yo a bit of room to play with. I would only suggest not to trim them down any from the stock length which is 27.5" I took a inch off and lost a lot of slow speed leverage. here is a couple of photos. you could get the same from a pair of 8" risers and flater bars.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,250
Likes: 36
From: Montana
thanks for the pics and information. Good post. I am running 12.5 chubby wild one outlawz . I like the comfort , looks and they fit me perfect. I dont think you can go wrong with any of the above setups. Like anything else on the HD's that we love , there is always some give and take with any set up. I completely understand wanting the best handling possible out of these bikes as they are so much fun riding them you just want to keep pushing them past there limits. I do on almost every ride. Good luck with what ever set up you choose and let us know how it turns out.
Trending Topics
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 804
Likes: 1
From: 415
I went from 14" apes to 11" risers with a drag bar. Could not be happier. [Well if I can trim out a couple inches of the bar to narrow it further I will be happier].
Bar choice depends on riding choice and the posture you want to ride with. It's been said many times on this forum before (search it). Risers with a narrow drag bar can give you the upright seating position of apes without catching all that wind, and allow you to lane split better, faster.
Bar choice depends on riding choice and the posture you want to ride with. It's been said many times on this forum before (search it). Risers with a narrow drag bar can give you the upright seating position of apes without catching all that wind, and allow you to lane split better, faster.
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
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 804
Likes: 1
From: 415
Not true. Believe it or not, the bar itself serves this purpose. Recommend metal bushings.
