General Harley Davidson Chat Forum to discuss general Harley Davidson issues, topics, and experiences.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Ape Question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 15, 2012 | 08:46 AM
  #1  
Splittine's Avatar
Splittine
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: NW FL
Default Ape Question

Thinking about putting mini apes on my Nightster but have heard conflicting story's about the amount control you have with them. I'm a new rider so don't want to make life harder than it needs to be out of the box. Are they harder to steer than say stock or drag style bars?

Any info would be great. Great forum with lots of info.
 
Old May 15, 2012 | 08:48 AM
  #2  
dFREDb's Avatar
dFREDb
Club Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,095
Likes: 4
From: Ponchatoula Louisiana
Default

Put 'em on my Super Glide and am actually scraping the pegs more. One of the best mods I've done.
 
Old May 15, 2012 | 08:52 AM
  #3  
HarleyLew's Avatar
HarleyLew
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 141
Likes: 1
From: Germany
Default

I'm pro APEs, so go for it. Many will say no, without even had tried them. My Road King had 16" APEs...loved ever mile of the 7,000 miles I road with them. I'm 5'9". I think it brings out the sinister look of the sled..badass!
 
Old May 15, 2012 | 09:22 AM
  #4  
Raider Dana's Avatar
Raider Dana
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
From: Greenville SC
Default

I just got apes last week, and my confidence in cornering grew exponentially. It is a much more fun and relaxing ride. Best mod I have made thus far.
 
Old May 15, 2012 | 09:32 AM
  #5  
Turbinesaint's Avatar
Turbinesaint
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 787
Likes: 2
From: Salinas, CA
Default

I have them on my 08 Nightster. . .no problems with control and they are very comfortable. The sporty is a very nimble bike, so you won't notice much of a difference once you get used to the different riding position.
 
Old May 15, 2012 | 10:22 AM
  #6  
HevyD's Avatar
HevyD
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Default

Go for it got 19s on heritage feels great no problem here with control.
 
Old May 15, 2012 | 10:26 AM
  #7  
stevemucha1's Avatar
stevemucha1
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 335
Likes: 5
From: Vermont
Default

I put 14" apes on my Street Glide. Best mod I've ever done. It was like putting power steering on the bike. The bike handles better and is easier to put through the corners IMO.
 
Old May 15, 2012 | 10:55 AM
  #8  
Encosi's Avatar
Encosi
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: Oakland, CA
Default

Apes will not (or at least should not) cause you any control issues. If you want supreme control and nimbleness (if thats a word) go with T-Style Bars. http://westcoast-tbars.com/ I am in favor of both, so do what looks the best to you!
 
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old May 15, 2012 | 11:06 AM
  #9  
Malum's Avatar
Malum
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: Southport, NC
Default

It's like power steering. You have more leverage.
I miss my apes.
 
Old May 15, 2012 | 11:11 AM
  #10  
Malum's Avatar
Malum
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: Southport, NC
Default

Before you decide on bars I suggest you try this:
Sit on the bike in your normal riding position. Feet up, its fine on the stand. Now close your eyes and relax. Then lift your arms on front of you to your most comfortable height. Have someone else measure from your hands to the trees.
Find the closest bars to that height minus 1 inch. (minus 1 inch for the risers)
 



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:55 AM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE