Apes and the Vertically Challenged
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Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 581
Likes: 7
From: Portland, OR
Apes and the Vertically Challenged
Hey guys,
I normally don't ask questions like what bars do you think look the best, but I'm going nuts trying to decide what new bars to go with and thus seeking options. My primary reason for changing out my stock '06 FXST bars is to hide the hideous electrical wires, other wise I like the stock Standard bars. However, I love apes, always have, to me, it's real old school. The problem I have is that I'm only 5'6" on a good day and most apes in the 10" rise only have a pull back of 11.5". I need a pull back of more like 14". My stock bars with the 2" pull back on the risers has a total pull back of about 12.5". Most apes only have a pull back of 11" or less. Most apes are also wider then my stock bars. My stock bars are 31" wide, most apes are 35" wide or greater.
I know ideally, you should align ape handle bars to be in line with the front forks, but is it ok to lean them back a little to get them closer to your chest for vertically challenged riders like me?
Are there any vertically challenged riders on this board running 10 or 12" apes? If yes, how comfortable are they for you? Do you have issues making a sharp turn?
Robert at Wild1 suggested the low profile drag bars since they have a pull back of 14.5", but I'm still not sure if I want to with a drag bar.
Jack
I normally don't ask questions like what bars do you think look the best, but I'm going nuts trying to decide what new bars to go with and thus seeking options. My primary reason for changing out my stock '06 FXST bars is to hide the hideous electrical wires, other wise I like the stock Standard bars. However, I love apes, always have, to me, it's real old school. The problem I have is that I'm only 5'6" on a good day and most apes in the 10" rise only have a pull back of 11.5". I need a pull back of more like 14". My stock bars with the 2" pull back on the risers has a total pull back of about 12.5". Most apes only have a pull back of 11" or less. Most apes are also wider then my stock bars. My stock bars are 31" wide, most apes are 35" wide or greater.
I know ideally, you should align ape handle bars to be in line with the front forks, but is it ok to lean them back a little to get them closer to your chest for vertically challenged riders like me?
Are there any vertically challenged riders on this board running 10 or 12" apes? If yes, how comfortable are they for you? Do you have issues making a sharp turn?
Robert at Wild1 suggested the low profile drag bars since they have a pull back of 14.5", but I'm still not sure if I want to with a drag bar.
Jack
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 517
Likes: 0
From: Nebraska
You raise an interesting question for us shorter riders (5'8" with a 30 inch inseam). My Crossbones has 12" apes, but with the spring seat they seem pretty short. In fact, I was thinking about going with 16" apes to raise my hands. Even then, they would only be up to my shoulders. Turning for me is not an issue. I'm digressing.....
Obviously you could simply adjust the bars back a bit to where they would work best for you. We did that with my wife's stock Heritage bars. They are adjusted as far back and as low as possible.
You could go with Carlini apes, but they only have 12" pullback and cost $350. My suggestion is to go with Wild1's and simply adjust as necessary if you are looking to save some money. Of course you could get some custom apes made (I think Road 6 Customs does this?).
I really used to not like apes, but now that I have a set I would never own a bike without them. They did take a little getting used to, but man they look cool.
My point: for enough money you can get anything you want these days.
Obviously you could simply adjust the bars back a bit to where they would work best for you. We did that with my wife's stock Heritage bars. They are adjusted as far back and as low as possible.
You could go with Carlini apes, but they only have 12" pullback and cost $350. My suggestion is to go with Wild1's and simply adjust as necessary if you are looking to save some money. Of course you could get some custom apes made (I think Road 6 Customs does this?).
I really used to not like apes, but now that I have a set I would never own a bike without them. They did take a little getting used to, but man they look cool.
My point: for enough money you can get anything you want these days.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 8,280
Likes: 3
From: Portland Oregon
Not sure about the other companies that sell bars but carlini does sell blems...if you're interested in them just ask the salesperson if they have any blems in the style and size you want...save a little coin that way
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
From: Lincoln, NE
I think avg. height for american is 5'9". So if your just a little under I wouldn't say your short...short would be like 5'5" and below.
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Ultimate HDF Member
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Just be happy if you don't have a friend that 6'8" like I do. If he calls me little feller just one more time.....
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Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 581
Likes: 7
From: Portland, OR
Thanks for the encouragement guys. I should have asked this question 3 months ago. Instead I’ve been driving myself crazy drawing diagrams, etc. I even made a mock up rig out of 1/2” x 1” batting strips. I really want to go with 10” (maybe 12.5”) Chubby’s and 1.5” risers. That will put the bars 1.5” above where my bars are now, which should be a perfect height for me with my CC touring seat and I’ll just lean them back so that I’m not stretching out my shoulders.