Heritage Bars vs Risers
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: British Columbia
Heritage Bars vs Risers
My 2012 Road King is nice to ride, but a long ride could be trouble for my shoulders/back. The position has me reaching almost straight arm to the grips. Now retired and on a budget, I considered adding Heritage bars, but money says try risers first. I have a set of 3 1/2 inch risers. Actual pull back is about 1 1/2 inches. Anyone change to Heritage bars and could tell me the improvement - more or less the same as my suggested risers ? The only thing I had to buy was the alternate riser cover, and re-using an older set of risers. Heading back to Canada next week and want to install.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,998
Likes: 655
From: bklyn,ny
There's a difference between Heritage bars and Heritge Style bars. I had the latter and they killed my wrists. I pulled them back 40 degrees ,much more comfortable,but too low and i ihad no low speed confidence /control. I changed out to Khromewrks 14" fat apes, im about an even 6 ft tall.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 12,653
Likes: 18
From: Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
I can show you the improvement.
Here is my 2011 right after I got it with stock bars. Note the shoulder and elbow/arm positioning.
Here is the same bike with Heritage Style Bars. Again, note shoulder and arm positioning.
These are pulled back quite a bit. My 2014 has the same bars but rotated more forward to almost align with the forks. I like it better this way. Personally, I think risers won't give you what you're wanting. Heritage style bars are not expensive and you won't have to change cables or wiring. Labor would be about the same for changing the bars as it would be for adding risers.
Also, they don't really bother my wrists. I just keep my wrists straight and not grip the bars too tightly.
Here is my 2011 right after I got it with stock bars. Note the shoulder and elbow/arm positioning.
Here is the same bike with Heritage Style Bars. Again, note shoulder and arm positioning.
These are pulled back quite a bit. My 2014 has the same bars but rotated more forward to almost align with the forks. I like it better this way. Personally, I think risers won't give you what you're wanting. Heritage style bars are not expensive and you won't have to change cables or wiring. Labor would be about the same for changing the bars as it would be for adding risers.
Also, they don't really bother my wrists. I just keep my wrists straight and not grip the bars too tightly.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 720
Likes: 6
From: South Jersey
I can show you the improvement.
Here is my 2011 right after I got it with stock bars. Note the shoulder and elbow/arm positioning.
Here is the same bike with Heritage Style Bars. Again, note shoulder and arm positioning.
These are pulled back quite a bit. My 2014 has the same bars but rotated more forward to almost align with the forks. I like it better this way. Personally, I think risers won't give you what you're wanting. Heritage style bars are not expensive and you won't have to change cables or wiring. Labor would be about the same for changing the bars as it would be for adding risers.
Also, they don't really bother my wrists. I just keep my wrists straight and not grip the bars too tightly.
Here is my 2011 right after I got it with stock bars. Note the shoulder and elbow/arm positioning.
Here is the same bike with Heritage Style Bars. Again, note shoulder and arm positioning.
These are pulled back quite a bit. My 2014 has the same bars but rotated more forward to almost align with the forks. I like it better this way. Personally, I think risers won't give you what you're wanting. Heritage style bars are not expensive and you won't have to change cables or wiring. Labor would be about the same for changing the bars as it would be for adding risers.
Also, they don't really bother my wrists. I just keep my wrists straight and not grip the bars too tightly.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 5,023
Likes: 1,352
From: Virginia
Danny your hand position looks better on the Heritage style grips. The hand height looks like what I have been after also. Are these HD Heritage stock bars?
Trending Topics
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,832
Likes: 127
From: Coastal Carolina
I have a Tallboy seat on my RKC that moves me back 2" so I needed more pullback on my bars to accommodate. I put Heritage style bars about 30,000 miles ago and really like them. They cost about $75 and are an easy DIY swap with no cable changes. Here are before and after pictures:
Stock:
Heritage Style:
Stock:
Heritage Style:
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: British Columbia
The Heritage Bars are closer to $200. up in Canada, and I'm not at all familiar with swapping the bars with the TBW. I already have a set of risers, and just needed the "alternate" riser cover which I picked up at Chester's in Mesa. I used these risers a few years ago on a Valkyrie and they moved the bars up a couple of inches, and closer by about 1 1/2", so that would be a cheap fix for now. I do like how the Heritage bars look though.