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The other day I a couple of older gentlemen stopped by my bike while I was in town picking up groceries. One was a retired biker, retired because there had been far to many close calls especially the last few year from inattentive drivers. The other gentleman was an older OTR Truck Driver. He is considering picking up a CVO Electra Glide, so we talked a bit about my bike, fatter tires and safety of all things. Finally towards the end of the conversation he asked "Why do people ride with those tall Ape Hangers on their bikes?" I really couldn't come up with an answer so finally I said, you know, maybe it's to air out their arm pits! The way to cure that is to take a bath a bit more often. Okay, so we had a little laugh.
But I've been thinking about it for the last few days and still can't come up with an answer. So those of you who have ape hangers on your bike, I need to ask why?
For me I just don't see the advantage of having them. I'm not putting them down, just don't understand the need for them.
My first bike came with them but I never rode it with them. And now, they seem to be on the majority of the bikes on the road. TO ME some bikes look good with them but the bikes with fairings, just look silly.
It's all up to the person. Some people find them comfy, some can't stand them. For a few years it seems everyone had apes but now the trend seems to be cooling down. My dad runs apes and floorboards on his fxdc and loves them.
I have mini-apes and they are so comfortable that I can't believe I waited that long to try them. I wouldn't think the sky high ones would be comfortable, but maybe they are for some people. Logic would dictate that most likely they run them because they think they look cool.
I put these 12"-ers on my FLHTC a while back. At first, they felt sky-high, but after a brief adjustment period, they are incredibly comfortable.
I know guys with much taller bars who swear by them. I've never ridden a bike with really tall bars, but the ones I've had the chance to sit on seemed comfortable to me.
From: Depends on who wants to know.........and why.
I tried a set of 14 inch narrow apes. It was kinda cool riding with my fists up in the air. It was very comfortable. But it impaired my vision in turns at intersections. My hands/mirrors/controls were right in my line of sight while turning. I never got used to it. It made the steering feel squirrely for lack of a better word, even with solid riser bushings. I have since put a set of drag style bars on. I have only test rode it around the block with the new bars but I like them much more. Its a better seating position for me with the mid pegs.
I have 14" Apes and like them because they are comfortable and to me I sit up straighter which helps my lower back. I wouldn't go higher than 14" myself.
...he asked "Why do people ride with those tall Ape Hangers on their bikes?"...
But I've been thinking about it for the last few days and still can't come up with an answer. So those of you who have ape hangers on your bike, I need to ask why?
It's simple... as in not complicated. They like them that way.
I like how my mini-apes look and where they place my hands but not sure I would like them much taller, but that's just me.
It's simply a personal preference thing.
I also like red...
...and cheeseburgers...
...and sunsets...
...and beer...
...and drag racing...
...and Sportsters...
all personal preferences.
Explain why you like Hummingbirds.
Some things just don't need an explaination.
We like what we like.
I've had apes on my last 3 bikes and love them. I'm 6-3 and could never find a comfortable riding position. My shoulders would ache and I always felt like I was reaching with stock bars. I have 14" apes on my Road King and I can ride all day with no shoulder pain. Apes look OK on some bikes, and some, not so much.
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Ape Hangers, especially the tall ones!
