Next upgrade/Mod: Apehangers
Bike:2003 heritage softail
Stats:50yrs old/6'3"/195lbs
experience: 3yrs
For ergonomics and comfort I've decided to modify my riding position and I'm looking at apehangers ssap!
My question is what height is the best for safe handling and comfort including the application of risers height and pullback? Nowadays most shopping is done online with knowledge and experience being the ultimate guide of which i have neither so I'm once again reaching out to the community for help and advice.
with my stats provided could anyone give me some advice or directions for the best practical solution?
Thanks in advance Jim

 

Hi Jim. I have an '03 Fatboy and recently went from drag bars to apes for comfort. I'm 43 yrs old, 6' tall, and 215 lbs. I went with 14" bars and 1 1/2" risers. This setup puts my hands just under shoulder height when sitting straight up, and slightly over when slouching. I'm loving them. I recently posted some pics. Check out the "Ape hanger ****" thread here in the Softail section. Lost of great pics there for ideas. Hope this helps

 

Jim,
I have always ridden with apes & my stats are the same as yours. That being said, I had 16" at one point & they're comfortable (just at/under shoulder height) & no problem to handle. Even with apes above shoulder height 20" or so, handling isn't an issue once you're used to it. Try the old trick & mock up some bars using pvc or the like & see what height is comfortable!

 

I'm 60. .5'9" 160lbs. Had 14s on my sporty wishing I had gone 16. I'm putting 16" stainless on my Heritage. 1 1/2" risers..
Whatever you think they should be, add 2". And short risers.
Nothing looks more retarded than trying to make 16s out of 10s with 6" risers. As tight to the top of the forks as possible.

 

^^^ THIS!!!!!

I am only 5'8 and I went with 13 inch Apes on 1 inch risers. I wouldn't change a thing!!!!

 

Sorry, but I'm a "broken record" w/ ape advice...don't decide on bar "height" = measure for "comfort!"

Sit on bike, close eyes, hold hands out in comfortable position & measure. It's not just height, bar angles are equally as important and DON'T skimp on cables (e.g. will stock cables work w/ these NN" bars.). Do it right, measure appropriately & get new cables that work w/ the bars. Here's a site to assess:

https://www.chapmoto.com/blog/2014/0...lebars-harley/

 

Only “safe” height is what you can reasonably control. At the end of the day these things are different for everyone. Being 6ft anything doesn’t matter because that could be all legs, all torso, and factoring in arm length means any height can influence your preference.

I’m 5”10 and find 14s comfortable on all of my bikes including my breakout, springer, and my road glide. Despite the geometry differences of all three. Sometimes the 14s on my breakout feels taller and more fatiguing, but that’s because my seat sits lower and there’s no windshield. I recently sat on a bike at a dealership with 16s and that felt comfortable as well. But actually riding it may be different. My guess is 14s minimum and consider 16s.

 

You have a lot of good advice here, especially the piece of peoples heights. Don't worry about peoples heights because some have longer legs, longer arms etc.

That said I'm 5'11" and have 16's on my Deluxe and absolutely love them and feel far more comfortable and have way more control. The angle of the bars definitely matters, go for the old broomstick or pvc method and try out what fits for you. I was originally going to buy 14's and am super glad I went with 16's instead.

 

I am 6'2" tall and 380lbs, I run 18" tall apes with stock clamp and risers on my 05 Heritage and they are perfect imo.

 

im a short dude lol..
but i did 10 inch todds strip bars with 1.5 inch risers and man is it comfy
wouldnt change a thing