On my Wide Glide...I run 18" bars on a 1" riser.
I'm 5' 6" tall and my hands are slightly above my shoulders...like in "woodworking1" profile picture.

 

Go for comfort, unless you are one of those guys riding a garage queen that just goes to the bar and back once a week, then go for the tallest apes you can find.

It is a good idea to do some checking on the laws and the LEO's in your area to find out if they will hassle you about tall apes, as in over your shoulders. I have 18"s ordered for my WG and that should be about shoulder height, maybe slightly higher.

By the way, I'm 6'3. I'll let you know when I get them on how they feel and post pics.

 

98 wideglide , lowered , mustang vintage seat ,2 inch risers , LA chopper 16 inch apes. I'm 6 foot tall. I made sample bars out of pvc before I ordered . this is a mock up but gives a good idea of where you will be , if using wildone apes , the bars will need to be pushed further forward because they have a lot of pull back in them

 

Only thing keeping my bike in the garage at the moment is the 3 ft of snow outside. Other than that it is my daily commuter, tourer and my only means of transport when the snow aint around

Local laws allow + 6 cm (about 2 inches) above the shoulder.

Have to admit i really do like profile 16s give to a bike, but since I spend all my traveling time on the bike whenever possible i'll opt for the 14s and push 'em up with risers if I need to. Main driver is to get my arms up higher than the stock buckhorns give me to straighten myself up as my upper back is screwed thanks to a wreck years ago. Need my hands higher to stop myself hunching over.

Thanks again to all for the input, and have a Rockin' New Year!!

'8s