Softail Slim Handlebar Changed
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4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2018
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From: Palm Bay, FL
Softail Slim Handlebar Changed
I am interested in changing the handlebars on my 2017 Softail Slim. I have added risers but it did not give me enough pullback. I am looking for a change that will allow me to fully utilize my Mustang seat backrest and help alleviate shoulder pain on longer rides. Any suggestions of a different bar?
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Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 75
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From: Nj USA
I am interested in changing the handlebars on my 2017 Softail Slim. I have added risers but it did not give me enough pullback. I am looking for a change that will allow me to fully utilize my Mustang seat backrest and help alleviate shoulder pain on longer rides. Any suggestions of a different bar?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 3,332
Likes: 1,279
From: Ky
Have you seen any websites like J&P that sell handlebars with critical measurements like rise and pullback?
it may be a good idea to measure what you have and guess what you want instead of thinking someone else may know what will work for you.
it may be a good idea to measure what you have and guess what you want instead of thinking someone else may know what will work for you.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,965
Likes: 2,059
From: Newport,TN area
I am interested in changing the handlebars on my 2017 Softail Slim. I have added risers but it did not give me enough pullback. I am looking for a change that will allow me to fully utilize my Mustang seat backrest and help alleviate shoulder pain on longer rides. Any suggestions of a different bar?
The HD pullback risers for the Slim have ~4.5" rise / 1.5" pullback.
They are are compatible with the stock control cables. Provides 1.75"
of rise and 1.5" of additional pull back when compared to the stock FLS riser.
Part #55900023
Here's an old side shot pic that might give you an idea if 1.5" is enough pullback...
hth,
T.
Thread Starter
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4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Palm Bay, FL
How high of risers? How much pullback do you need ?
The HD pullback risers for the Slim have ~4.5" rise / 1.5" pullback.
They are are compatible with the stock control cables. Provides 1.75"
of rise and 1.5" of additional pull back when compared to the stock FLS riser.
Part #55900023
Here's an old side shot pic that might give you an idea if 1.5" is enough pullback...
hth,
T.
The HD pullback risers for the Slim have ~4.5" rise / 1.5" pullback.
They are are compatible with the stock control cables. Provides 1.75"
of rise and 1.5" of additional pull back when compared to the stock FLS riser.
Part #55900023
Here's an old side shot pic that might give you an idea if 1.5" is enough pullback...
hth,
T.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 2,285
Likes: 965
From: Eastern NC
That's a tough one. Swapping bars is always a gamble unless you can get to a rally or bike night and see a bike with the heritage bars on the slim. Then you have to be fortunate enough to be able to throw a leg on the bike.
I did have a 2014 slim and a 2015 Heritage at the same time. I loved the position of the stock mini apes on the Heritage and I had HD risers on my slim. I will say that I am 5'2" and the risers did the trick on the slim. Give the risers a chance, sometimes you have to let your body and brain get used to things. Some folks have actually tweeked the bend on the back rest to move it a bit forward or add some thickness to the foam.
Most recently I bought a 2016 night rod special and thought that I needed to change out the bars to mini apes to get some more pull back, actually Heritage bars. Instead of dropping lots of bucks on bars, cables etc I made some 3/4 spacers for risers and got some reduced reach foot controls. I had to ride to bike for a few hundred miles to really give the changes a chance to work. Several thousand miles later I am very happy with my solution and it all feels perfectly natural.
To sum it up, what feels wrong today might feel perfectly natural in time.
Another quick story about my heritage, I added a high $$$ air cleaner from RC. It hit me right in the knee and thought I would just go back to the stock cover and return the 400.00 air cleaner.
Guess again, RC makes all part per order and are not returnable so I left it on the bike. It was really a work of art but my knee did not appreciate it. After 1,000 miles I didn't even know the air cleaner was near my knee and I was once again perfectly comfortable.
A little long winded but I do have a hard time getting these Harley to fit my 5'2" frame.
I did have a 2014 slim and a 2015 Heritage at the same time. I loved the position of the stock mini apes on the Heritage and I had HD risers on my slim. I will say that I am 5'2" and the risers did the trick on the slim. Give the risers a chance, sometimes you have to let your body and brain get used to things. Some folks have actually tweeked the bend on the back rest to move it a bit forward or add some thickness to the foam.
Most recently I bought a 2016 night rod special and thought that I needed to change out the bars to mini apes to get some more pull back, actually Heritage bars. Instead of dropping lots of bucks on bars, cables etc I made some 3/4 spacers for risers and got some reduced reach foot controls. I had to ride to bike for a few hundred miles to really give the changes a chance to work. Several thousand miles later I am very happy with my solution and it all feels perfectly natural.
To sum it up, what feels wrong today might feel perfectly natural in time.
Another quick story about my heritage, I added a high $$$ air cleaner from RC. It hit me right in the knee and thought I would just go back to the stock cover and return the 400.00 air cleaner.
Guess again, RC makes all part per order and are not returnable so I left it on the bike. It was really a work of art but my knee did not appreciate it. After 1,000 miles I didn't even know the air cleaner was near my knee and I was once again perfectly comfortable.
A little long winded but I do have a hard time getting these Harley to fit my 5'2" frame.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 5,649
Likes: 430
From: MASS_hole
At 5’6” I was fine on the Slim till I switched to a Corbin, wich placed me back just enough to cause issues with reaching the bar.
The HD pull back riser worked great, but didn’t like how it made the bar look
Great with out.
Awkward with on
Been waiting patiently for the day to come. And I’m finally having the street slammer installed on it even as we speak.
Hopefully wont regret it
The HD pull back riser worked great, but didn’t like how it made the bar look
Great with out.
Awkward with on
Been waiting patiently for the day to come. And I’m finally having the street slammer installed on it even as we speak.
Hopefully wont regret it
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,965
Likes: 2,059
From: Newport,TN area
Thanks for your response. I do have the HD risers, while they are better than none, I feel like I need a bit more pullback. I am not mechanically inclined and my better half, not so much either. A couple of people have suggested going with the Heritage bars on the Slim. That might be a good choice but between the bars, all the cables needed, the HD labor, we are talking $1000.00. That's a lot of cash, I just want to be sure that is the right choice.
bike with your chosen seat at the lean-back angle you are wanting - then measure
how much more pullback you need. Then either get pullback risers or handlebars
that offer that measurement....
Just thinkin' alot of pullback might look kind of goofy...
good luck,
T.
Thread Starter
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4th Gear
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Palm Bay, FL
"Give the risers a chance, sometimes you have to let your body and brain get used to things. Some folks have actually tweeked the bend on the back rest to move it a bit forward or add some thickness to the foam."
You may be onto something here. This is a new to me bike, I just put 100,000 miles in ten years on another bike (non Harley) and it fit me perfectly. Perhaps I just need to give the risers more time. I just want to have this bike dialed in when our FL riding season gets here.
I have not sat on a Slim with the Heritage bar but a friend has a Fatboy with the Heritage bars and really likes them. Plus, the guy at parts counter at HD says he always recommends the Heritage bar if someone is looking for more comfort in a handlebar change.
I really appreciate your well thought out and thurough response. I know it help in my decision.
You may be onto something here. This is a new to me bike, I just put 100,000 miles in ten years on another bike (non Harley) and it fit me perfectly. Perhaps I just need to give the risers more time. I just want to have this bike dialed in when our FL riding season gets here.
I have not sat on a Slim with the Heritage bar but a friend has a Fatboy with the Heritage bars and really likes them. Plus, the guy at parts counter at HD says he always recommends the Heritage bar if someone is looking for more comfort in a handlebar change.
I really appreciate your well thought out and thurough response. I know it help in my decision.
Last edited by zmean1; Aug 4, 2018 at 04:05 PM.