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So, I think I'm going to look into putting apes on my Superglide. Before pulling the trigger, I'd love some opinions and/or advice. I'm not going crazy, no higher than 12" - just so my arms are straight. What I'd like to know:
* Are they comfortable on a multi hour ride - do your arms get tired? Sitting on the seat and holding my arms out to measure how how I'd like to go isn't very comfortable, but then again I have nothing to hang on to.
* Any control issues?
* Any surprises (good or bad)?
* Any equipment advice - risers, etc?
* Did anyone absolutely hate them and revert back to stock bars.....why?
I'd appreciate any and all feedback. I do ride the bike back and forth to Northern Michigan several times during the Summer - about a 225 mile trip one way and don't want that to become a miserable experience.
Bars that hold your hands at shoulder height are perfect. For me, that's 12" to 14". Running Khrome Werks 12"s now & trying to decide if I want to go back to the Burly 14" narrows I ran on the FX front end. Set your bars so that when you are sitting up straight, your arms are fully extended. No fighting the wind/"sail effect", either.
No surprises or handling issues, but on a barge like mine, I ain't strafing no apexes. If it feels awkward while turning the bars for low speed maneuvers, bring 'em back a bit closer to you. Stock risers are fine. I've got my Super Glide set up for comfort & with a good seat (C&C Custom Seats, in my case), FLD footboards & apes make a 200 mile putt a piece of cake. No back, shoulder, wrist, or hand pain whatsoever.
Bars that hold your hands at shoulder height are perfect. For me, that's 12" to 14". Running Khrome Werks 12"s now & trying to decide if I want to go back to the Burly 14" narrows I ran on the FX front end. Set your bars so that when you are sitting up straight, your arms are fully extended. No fighting the wind/"sail effect", either.
No surprises or handling issues, but on a barge like mine, I ain't strafing no apexes. If it feels awkward while turning the bars for low speed maneuvers, bring 'em back a bit closer to you. Stock risers are fine. I've got my Super Glide set up for comfort & with a good seat (C&C Custom Seats, in my case), FLD footboards & apes make a 200 mile putt a piece of cake. No back, shoulder, wrist, or hand pain whatsoever.
Great looking bike!
Is that an older style Sportster air cleaner on it?
I had an 07 Street Bob with the stock mini apes- 10 inches I believe- they were mounted on the stock 1.5 inch risers. I really liked how comfortable they were. I had no shoulder or back pain but it did take a little while for me to get used to the wrist angle.
Why not go to a dealership and rent or ride a bike that has apes on it already? Then you'll know if its for you or not.
+1 on shoulder height or just under being the sweet spot. 14" apes on my RK, love them. Reaching down for the bars puts strain on my back and causes slouching, with the apes I sit up straight.
Why not go to a dealership and rent or ride a bike that has apes on it already? Then you'll know if its for you or not.
Good idea, thanks. Almost embarrassed I did't think of it! I've got four dealers withing striking distance at the very least, I'll go sit on a few bikes to get feel.
Is that an older style Sportster air cleaner on it?
Thank you. Yeah, it's a Sporty a/c cover over a Hammer Performance "Crush" a/c with 2.25" tall filter element. They only list 'em for XLs, but with a DK Customs carb bracket, it bolted up like it was made for my bike. Nomadmax is right, I was going for a more retro look. I'm a child of the '70's, so I had to sprinkle some of the late '60's through early '80's styling cues I loved as a kid on 'er.
I'm sensitive to wrist angle & like bars with less pullback & drop at the grips. My current 12"ers put my hands perfectly at shoulder height, but I do notice a smidge of lower back discomfort with them. I'm going to rotate them forward just a hair to see if that alleviates it, otherwise I'll need to go back to my 14"s (which I'm dreading, as running the wiring throught the bars & futzing with the connectors is a royal PITA).
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