Handlebars and arm positions
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 290
Likes: 0
From: MX/AZ/NV
Handlebars and arm positions
2011 FXDC Super Glide
Right now I have stock Super Glide bars with a 2" Rivco pullback riser....2" up and 2" back. (see photos for reference)
It's comfortable most times at that position. Now and again I get some discomfort in my shoulder.
My arms are just below level by about a 2" drop from horizontal.
I have my eye on a 2014 Street Bob that comes with "mini apes" as the stock bars. (actually it's that Voodoo Purple metal-flake that wants me)
I am a bit concerned about the additional height and how it would affect my comfort on short hauls of 200-300 miles.
I sat on the SB and the height felt ok.....no shoulder discomfort for the brief time I was in the saddle.
Someone told me once that your arms should not be higher than your heart.....circulation reasons?.....I haven't a clue.
I am not sure the height of these "mini apes" on the SB....6" or 8" rise??
I suppose I am just looking for the most comfortable arm angle, as experienced by others.
Opinions??
Right now I have stock Super Glide bars with a 2" Rivco pullback riser....2" up and 2" back. (see photos for reference)
It's comfortable most times at that position. Now and again I get some discomfort in my shoulder.
My arms are just below level by about a 2" drop from horizontal.
I have my eye on a 2014 Street Bob that comes with "mini apes" as the stock bars. (actually it's that Voodoo Purple metal-flake that wants me)
I am a bit concerned about the additional height and how it would affect my comfort on short hauls of 200-300 miles.
I sat on the SB and the height felt ok.....no shoulder discomfort for the brief time I was in the saddle.
Someone told me once that your arms should not be higher than your heart.....circulation reasons?.....I haven't a clue.
I am not sure the height of these "mini apes" on the SB....6" or 8" rise??
I suppose I am just looking for the most comfortable arm angle, as experienced by others.
Opinions??
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 4,046
Likes: 398
From: sugar land, gulf coast, tx
http://cycle-ergo.com/
I went here and used the customizer section to get the SGC bars to resemble the SB bars in height and pull back. I found that 4 1/2" risers with 1 1/2" pull back gave me the same basic position. The stock cables wiring and hoses work fine, too.
Only paid $40 for the risers, A cheaper investment than new bars to see how I liked the feel. So far, so good.
Good luck, and post pics of your decision. tp
I went here and used the customizer section to get the SGC bars to resemble the SB bars in height and pull back. I found that 4 1/2" risers with 1 1/2" pull back gave me the same basic position. The stock cables wiring and hoses work fine, too.
Only paid $40 for the risers, A cheaper investment than new bars to see how I liked the feel. So far, so good.
Good luck, and post pics of your decision. tp
Last edited by dirtdreamer50; Dec 14, 2013 at 12:05 PM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 5,120
Likes: 17
From: Indiana
It depends on the person. My street bob had the 10 inch mini apes when I bought it and after about 30 miles my fingers would start to tingle and my lower back would hurt. I have a bad right shoulder from pitching in baseball too. I went to taller apes with the Fred Kodlin Bonana II's 15 or 16 inches tall and no I can do 400-500 mile days. No tingling in my fingers or kinks in my shoulder and my back does a lot better, plus I got a new seat. I'm 6 feet tall here's an idea of where my hands are. Unfortunately you'll only find out by switching out bars.
OP. How tall are you? Arm length?
It makes a difference.
Stock Street Bob bars are 10' mini-apes, but you have to look at hand position too. Look at Jaron's example. Tall apes, but the grip ends turn down at a fairly steep angle. In effect, because of the downturn, he is using about a 14" height, but his wrists allow a somewhat vertical grip.
Now, look at mine in the sig pic. 11" risers and about 2" of bar height. But, my bars are almost flat across the top with a very slight backward angle.
My point is, don't just look at rise and pullback; you need to pay attention to hand position.
Also, I used to have 16" apes with wide almost flat hand position. They were great around town, but the wind resistance on the interstate was brutal. No hand numbing for me, but major fatigue from acting like a sail for 100 miles at a time.
It makes a difference.
Stock Street Bob bars are 10' mini-apes, but you have to look at hand position too. Look at Jaron's example. Tall apes, but the grip ends turn down at a fairly steep angle. In effect, because of the downturn, he is using about a 14" height, but his wrists allow a somewhat vertical grip.
Now, look at mine in the sig pic. 11" risers and about 2" of bar height. But, my bars are almost flat across the top with a very slight backward angle.
My point is, don't just look at rise and pullback; you need to pay attention to hand position.
Also, I used to have 16" apes with wide almost flat hand position. They were great around town, but the wind resistance on the interstate was brutal. No hand numbing for me, but major fatigue from acting like a sail for 100 miles at a time.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,586
Likes: 175
From: Los Lunas, NM
Here is a comparison photo I did back when I was researching apes. Left is 8" drag bar style and the right are the 14" Santee Fat Bar apes (by Fred Kodlin) with 3" risers. I don't have a pic of my current setup (14" bar with 2" risers and an inch lower seat) yet, but love the comfort over the 8" bars so far. Can't wait for a 2-300 mile trip now. And for the long highway speed trips, I can toss on my detachable windshield...
Tourer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 280
Likes: 3
It depends on the person. My street bob had the 10 inch mini apes when I bought it and after about 30 miles my fingers would start to tingle and my lower back would hurt. I have a bad right shoulder from pitching in baseball too. I went to taller apes with the Fred Kodlin Bonana II's 15 or 16 inches tall and no I can do 400-500 mile days. No tingling in my fingers or kinks in my shoulder and my back does a lot better, plus I got a new seat. I'm 6 feet tall here's an idea of where my hands are. Unfortunately you'll only find out by switching out bars.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 20
From: Connecticut
I went from suoerglide pullbacks to 17in apes and is much more comfortable to me...sits at about shoulder height and im 5'10"
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 5,120
Likes: 17
From: Indiana
Lol! If it was my house I would have painted the garage. I move to damn much right now!! Bought my third house in the last ten years 3 years ago (not the one in the picture) and I move again in 7 months. I'm done buying till I stay put.
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Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Anchorage, Ak
I have a 2012 SGC. I was looking to put higher risers on but I didn't want to spend the money without being sure of the right fit. My son put mini apes on his 2012 Softail Deluxe and gave me his stock risers to try. I believe they are 4 up with a 1" pull back.
For me at 5'9" the fit was just where I wanted it.
For me at 5'9" the fit was just where I wanted it.
