I'm a young man of over 50 and am pondering the idea of new handlebars on my bike. I want them to be comfortable and most importantly easy handling/maneuverable while riding. I'm 5'11" and have been eyeing the Ape Hangers, I think they would look good on my bike. I would like to hear your opinions, ideas, experances and recommendations that you're willing to share.

 

I started with a drag bar on my Nightster, and shortly after riding a friends bike with ape hangers I will never ride a bike without them again. I have put apes on all of my bikes and wouldn't trade it for anything. It's still all personal preference, so I suggest you test ride a few first. Put 100 miles on a friends ape-laiden bike and see how it fits. I'm 5'11" and 205lbs and like I said.... APES OR DEATH.

 

Thanks Tyrel, How tall are your Apes?

 

The stock Fatboy Lo bars were horrible for me. Sore elbows and middle of my shoulder blades. I went to the 14" Apes and I am very happy with them. I can ride all day pain free.

 

I put 10" Wild One Chubbies on my Fat Boy in the sig pic. I love the way they look and feel. I had 16's on one of my old bikes, and I got tired of the "tingling hands" on long rides. The older I get, the more I am all about comfort. I think 10 or 12 inch bars are the perfect combo of looks and comfort. I am 5'-11"........your results my vary.

 

I had 12 inch wild ones on my 09 RKC and I have Harley 16's on my FLSTC. The 16's are the most comfortable to me but the 12's were good too. When I replaced the bars on my other softail I am going with 16 inch Carlini original apes.

 

Have done the stock bars and beach bars on my 2012 Deluxe before I switched to my current set up 10" Mini-Apes with 1.5" Risers, can ride all day without my arms, wrists or hands in general falling asleep. My stats: 43-5-10"-200....haha

 

I've got 16 Carlini's on my Slim I'm 5-10 and 3/4's. They are much better than the stock Hollywood bars. No more lower back issues. Personally anything 12 and up will take the strain off your back. I went with 16's mostly cuzz they look bad ***.

 

I too will never ride without apes again. For years I thought that they must be so uncomfortable but I found just the opposite to be true. I'm 5'10" and I went with 14" gangsters with 1" risers. I also ran everything internally and it fits me like a glove!

 

I will only ride with apes now (going on 10 years with apes). The apes are much more comfortable than stock, beach bars, etc. The only negative is long rides on the freeway into a strong wind can give you the parachute effect if you don't have a windshield. I am 6' and have 16" Carlini Flying Apes on a Deluxe and 18" Wild One Chubby Apes on a Heritage. I would recommend going somewhere between 12"-16" depending on your torso height, seat height, and riser height. You don't want your grips to be (much) higher than your shoulders. SJ Ron