At Sturgis this year I might hit the Wild Ones tent at Black Hills HD vendor area. Ever since I got the M8 Road King a couple of years ago, I have not particularly been fond of the stock bars. Ape hangers are just not my thing as I prefer a more laid backs position while touring so those are out. I like the pullback on the stock bars over the older model bars but they hit the tank on full lock when I have them in the position I prefer--low and wide. I was checking out the Wild Ones bars last year at the tent but was still up-in-the-air.

Who here has beach bars or similar style knockoffs like Wild One offers? Not entirely sure what is out there other than what Wild One offers. They don't seem to be that popular so a lot of manufacturers don't even make them in this style for touring. Everything today is Ape Hangers.

 

I had Wild Ones 518 bars on my RK. Absolutely loved them, BUT I have a riders backrest for support. The beach bars sit you bolt upright, and the grips were right where my hands fell when I relaxed. Without a backrest....forget about it.
Had to remove them when I triked the RK. They weren't conducive with the push/pull steering on a three wheeler. Now they're just stuck on a shelf in my shop.
Ed

 

I have Harley's beach bars on my Heritage. I like the riding position they place me in and I find them very comfortable. I do not have a backrest.

 

I've been thinking of putting these on my Road King for about a year now. I currently run 14" Wild 1's. I've been getting pain in my traps and neck and my hands have been going numb. I like the wrist position of the HD beach bar compared to Wild 1's 518 and 550. It seems the wrist position is a little straighter or less wheel barrel.

 

I haven't used the Wild 1's so I can't offer you an opinion or comparison. The only way to know if you'd like the HD beach bars is to sit on a bike with them.

 

I have Wild One 518's on my RK and Burley Bikini Beach Bars on my Softail .... both without riders backrest

If I'm honest I prefer the Burley but both are much better than stock

 

+1

 

I installed RK custom bars on mine, about a 4 inch rise and perfect "for me" pullback and hand position. They sit me up in the seat and never get hand, shoulder or arm fatigue. As mentioned if you know some guys that have them installed ask if they will let you sit on the bike to find out if thats what you really want.

rk classic.