Why Apes?
My buddy loves his, from what I hear as long as they don't go above your shoulders they can be really comfortable on longer rides.....any higher and Ive heard you can have problems with numbness in the hands after several hours.
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Posts: n/a
I put them on primarily for comfort, they eliminated pain in my back between my shoulders from reaching down to the stock bars, always felt like I was riding hunched over with the stock bars... Side benefit is they look great, I have 14" on mine, if I were to do it again I would put 16", really don't notice any difference in the handling...
Advanced
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 75
Likes: 3
From: Mass
Love my 12" chubbies! I too have shoulder, back and other issues. They are much more comfortable than the original buck horns on my 06 fxdci. Pretty good in the twisties and great on long rides on the highway.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 262
Likes: 31
From: So-Cal, USA
I got some 8" mini apes on my Dyna because i have shoulder probs and i would lose circulation to my right hand after about 15 miles. After instaling my new bars my arms are more straight out but still angled down but i havent lost circulation in my hand since.
Side note, i shoulda gone with some 10" or 12" ones. As those would have made it a straight shot and possibly more comfy.
Side note, i shoulda gone with some 10" or 12" ones. As those would have made it a straight shot and possibly more comfy.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,325
Likes: 7
From: SE Illinois
I'm going to go against the grain here....I love the look of apes, but they are just not comfortable for me.
Before I bought my FXDC in 2012, I demo rode many bikes....in particular the FXDC with pull back bars, the FXDF with drag bars, and the FXDB with mini apes. Out of those 3 I found the pull back bars on the FXDC to be the most comfortable by far for me.
The drag bars had me bent over too far, and the mini apes hurt my shoulders. I've rode used bikes with 12 & 14 inch apes too, and it just kills my shoulders, not to mention I felt like a flying squirrel.
The FXDC bars are pretty comfy to me. I will say I wish they were just slightly higher...about 2 inches higher maybe. Risers would fix that. Down side is they do not look the best compared to other setups. The FLD stock bars are 8", and they are about perfect for me.
Like I said, I love the look of apes I just can't ride with taller bars than about 8". I particularly like Z bars. Seems to me from all the bikes I've rode that about 8" bars would be perfect. If I ever change bars on my bike, I'll go with 8" Z bars.
Before I bought my FXDC in 2012, I demo rode many bikes....in particular the FXDC with pull back bars, the FXDF with drag bars, and the FXDB with mini apes. Out of those 3 I found the pull back bars on the FXDC to be the most comfortable by far for me.
The drag bars had me bent over too far, and the mini apes hurt my shoulders. I've rode used bikes with 12 & 14 inch apes too, and it just kills my shoulders, not to mention I felt like a flying squirrel.
The FXDC bars are pretty comfy to me. I will say I wish they were just slightly higher...about 2 inches higher maybe. Risers would fix that. Down side is they do not look the best compared to other setups. The FLD stock bars are 8", and they are about perfect for me.
Like I said, I love the look of apes I just can't ride with taller bars than about 8". I particularly like Z bars. Seems to me from all the bikes I've rode that about 8" bars would be perfect. If I ever change bars on my bike, I'll go with 8" Z bars.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,586
Likes: 175
From: Los Lunas, NM
I don't recall feeling quite like a "flying squirrel", at highway speeds. But I get what you mean. That is easily fixed with my detachable windshield for longer trips. I don't find it all that bad without a windshield though.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 260
Likes: 2
From: Los angeles
I went with 16s on my superglide. My back felt much better right away. It also made riding more fun for me. I used to run drag bars years ago. They were great when I was in my 20s. Good handling and what not. So I do like them both. Right now I like the feel.
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 139
Likes: 2
From: Ormond Beach, FL
I've always been a fan of drag bars, probably from my days of motocross riding. Even with the stock bars on my Wide Glide it's a comfortable ride, but I feel like I'm fighting to sit up straight. I have a feeling some new handlebars are in my future.
