Didn't bother to read the other responses...

The younger you are, the more peer pressure means to you.
Hence, the need to 'look bad'.

As we get older, we tend to 'lean' towards (no pun intended, but it works too) comfort.
We did our 'lookin bad' many years ago.

The closer we are to the end of our lives, the less we care about what others think.
Never goad an old man into a fight, just for comfort's sake, he'll simply take out a gun and shoot you instead of fight over who's right or wrong!

As for how long it will be 'til you realize all this?
Just as soon as you realize buckling under is pretty much like bending over...

 

Has dick to do with age , were the bars are aligned falls under 2 categories one being the gotta look cool crew and the other where it feels right to ride with bunch . The age thing starts playing in as time in the saddle changes how we ride and how much it hurts to do it. Cool has a price tag ........

 

33 here.

My mini's are in line with the forks, where they're comfortable.

I really don't give two ***** what others think of how I look. I didn't get my sled to impress anyone or look "cool". It's my primary mode of transport, and as such, needs to be comfortable as hell.

 

It's not how old you are-it's how old you feel and act. When your ready you will go for more comfort. I'm 35 and still will have something on the bike not be super comfortable just to look better.

 

Interesting observation about location of the hands and age.I don't have apes,just a personal preference,but have noticed some younger riders with them pushed foward,some so far it looks uncomfortable.

 

Mine are almost straight up. That's where they're comfortable for me. In line with the forks and I would have to lay back on the bike.

I'm 55.

 

I never crack under pressure and I don't bend over for anybody.

 

49 here, mine are slightly forward on my softail. Maybe an inch and a half to 2 inches. Had them straight for a bit but it's a little more comfortable for me the way they are now.

 

I don't get it.Whats a trailer got to do with it? and unless you're the OP's agent or lawyer maybe you should let him answer for himself.Besides it was a joke, only a douche would think otherwise

 

I have my 10" mini's aligned with the forks, they look like hell if they are pulled back to far.
But at my age (60), I really don't give a **** about how I look, or how my bikes looks to others.
I tried them pushed forward, but my windshield wouldn't fit right, and it seemed to change the handling a lot, and not in a good way.