View Poll Results: Have you ever tried ape hangers 14" tall or higher, and did you stay with them?

I tried them, but didn't like them.

17.31%

I tried them, and stayed with them.

58.65%

I tried them, and stayed with apes but went shorter

2.88%

I tried them, and stayed with apes but went taller.

21.15%

Voters: 104. You may not vote on this poll

Ape hanger poll

Closed Thread Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Aug 31, 2011 | 05:58 PM

#21

npbaker

Advanced

Joined: Jan 2011

Posts: 87

Likes: 0

From: Hollywood, MD

Had to vote a little different than I would have liked. Voted "didn't like" but that isn't completely true. Bought my '01 DWG 4 years ago with 20" apes and 4" riser. Think that's a little higher than most. I never was uncomfortable, and my hands never "went numb" when I rode for a while, like everyone asked. Only control issue I had was one handed riding over 55 or 60. The wind hitting one fully extended arm on one side of the bar tended to pull a little and gusts got downright squirly(sp?). Enjoyed that ride immensely and kept it for the rest of the riding season, but that was my first bike, and, on a permit, was a bit afraid of the law. Went the other direction at the end of the season with drag bars and 2 in 1 pipe. In answer to the poll, my response would really be, "would be willing to go back."

Aug 31, 2011 | 06:58 PM

#22

Snal

Thread Starter

Advanced

Joined: Jun 2011

Posts: 82

Likes: 0

From: WNC

Quote:

Originally Posted by npbaker

I suppose my "opinion" might be different if I only had one bike, as most of the bikes that I've owned have worn drag bars.
Being blessed with 3 Harleys (2 FXD's and a Sportster) I have bars for all occasions! Drags on the Sporty, stock low rise on one FXD and 16" apes on the 2nd FXD.
After riding the aped FXD for a week...jumping on the stock FXD gave me an "I'm on a Honda" feeling that I wasn't expecting. That's actually why I started the poll.
Another thing I noticed ( and this doesn't mean crap to me since I'm a firm believer in making your bike whatever YOU want it to be ) is that folks look at you differently when you're sporting apes. Looks from the wannabe's are different, and looks from fellow bikers are different. Just something I noticed, and as far as I'm concerned...anything that makes other motorists NOTICE you is a good thing...safety wise anyway.

Aug 31, 2011 | 08:27 PM

#23

Dyna_in_the_works

Tourer

Joined: Aug 2009

Posts: 310

Likes: 1

From: Dayton, OH

I had apes on my dyna, 16" on 3" risers , and loved em... never had any issues.
but as you can are I went " hot rod" and lost the apes. But id go with tall apes in a heartbeat on a different build...

Aug 31, 2011 | 08:31 PM

#24

Ronneh

Intermediate

Joined: Aug 2006

Posts: 30

Likes: 0

tried but didn't like em =\

Aug 31, 2011 | 11:15 PM

#25

blair

Tourer

Joined: Jul 2009

Posts: 307

Likes: 2

From: Ontario Canada

16" and would never go back !!!!!

Aug 31, 2011 | 11:22 PM

#26

dirtracin23

Road Warrior

Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 1,979

Likes: 4

From: Central IL

Tried apes, didn't like them. Just not my cup of tea. Got quite a few buds that have them and like them. To each his own I guess.

Aug 31, 2011 | 11:28 PM

#27

Cowboy Rob

Big Kahuna HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2010

Posts: 32,562

Likes: 2,577

From: Shit Weather USA

I just can't get used to any other bar,other than apes. I had 18's,now I run 17's on the new bike.

Oct 4, 2011 | 10:40 PM

#28

traveler

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2005

Posts: 12,946

Likes: 32

From: Colorado Springs, CO

I had 13" beefy apes on my superglide with the factory 1 3/4 risers, and I LOVED them.

I am feeling the call for them again on the bagger....I love apes.

~Joe

Last edited by traveler; Oct 4, 2011 at 10:46 PM.

HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders