Handlebars on the NT for TALL PEOPLE with LONG REACH
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 172
Likes: 1
From: Kansas City
Ergo Site
Hi all,
I have perused the existing threads on handlebars for the NT and seen stuff that I like how it LOOKS but without knowing how tall the person is and what their reach is, someone else's "comfy" bars might be a nightmare for me. I'm 6'2" and have a long reach. I had the already 'forward' controls of my 06 NT pushed up 3" and could honestly use another inch or two, it just barely makes it comfortable on the legs.
I recently took my first long ride on the bike from here in Vegas to Palm Springs, CA. The back of my neck/shoulder area was KILLING me. The short straight bars are fine for around town but just not going to cut it for anything more than an hour.
I'm not a motorcycle expert, this is my first HD. People talk about risers and pullbacks and I'm not 100% sure what all that is or which would be best to try. I'm also aware of the NT kit from HD but I'm not so sure I need the bars any closer to me (my reach is long) I think I just need them higher but I'll default to the groups' expert opinion. I'm attaching some pictures of the bike and me on it. Any suggestions are appreciated! I'm also not against possibly changing the seat (would like to keep the 2 up and removable sissy bar option though) or lowering the back end or other mods also.
Thanks for your insight!
Jason
Las Vegas, NV
06 FXSTBI
I have perused the existing threads on handlebars for the NT and seen stuff that I like how it LOOKS but without knowing how tall the person is and what their reach is, someone else's "comfy" bars might be a nightmare for me. I'm 6'2" and have a long reach. I had the already 'forward' controls of my 06 NT pushed up 3" and could honestly use another inch or two, it just barely makes it comfortable on the legs.
I recently took my first long ride on the bike from here in Vegas to Palm Springs, CA. The back of my neck/shoulder area was KILLING me. The short straight bars are fine for around town but just not going to cut it for anything more than an hour.
I'm not a motorcycle expert, this is my first HD. People talk about risers and pullbacks and I'm not 100% sure what all that is or which would be best to try. I'm also aware of the NT kit from HD but I'm not so sure I need the bars any closer to me (my reach is long) I think I just need them higher but I'll default to the groups' expert opinion. I'm attaching some pictures of the bike and me on it. Any suggestions are appreciated! I'm also not against possibly changing the seat (would like to keep the 2 up and removable sissy bar option though) or lowering the back end or other mods also.
Thanks for your insight!
Jason
Las Vegas, NV
06 FXSTBI
Check out http://cycle-ergo.com/
This site gives you a chance to look at different handlebar positions based on your height and bike to see how they impact your overall body position. I think it's really cool and I found it usefull...
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,022
Likes: 70
From: Greensboro NC
I have a 08 train and recently switched to 14" narrow apes with 2" risers. I love it! Some of the HD shops have a bike set up to test out different bars. They have one here in Greensboro anyway. Good luck and sweet ride!
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: Fort Benning GA
Apes are nice but you can do something different. I have 8" West Coast MX TBars cut down to accommodate stock cables which is just 2" off the bottom of the riser. So 6" West Coast MX Bars with a 2" rise on the bars and 4" risers.
Anyhow. The bars sit really well. I am 6'2'' and have ridden 200 miles with no issues. All with back problems from multiple parachute jumps and Afghan explosions. Again apes are awesome but these are just a bit different. The ones below are 14's and a little dramatic but just to give you the idea.
Anyhow. The bars sit really well. I am 6'2'' and have ridden 200 miles with no issues. All with back problems from multiple parachute jumps and Afghan explosions. Again apes are awesome but these are just a bit different. The ones below are 14's and a little dramatic but just to give you the idea.
Thread Starter
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3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
After riding to the HD dealer to see if they had any softtails with different bars for me to sit on, they actually had a train like mine but with street slammer bars on it. I decided that they were far enough back and MUCH more comfortable for me. So that, combined with the fact that I can keep the current cables makes for a more cheap installation, I went ahead and ordered them. Got them for $250 including shipping at choppermonkey.com
I will post pictures both before and after when I get them put on next week, hopefully they will do the trick and help someone else with that decision also.
Thanks for all the replies!
Jason
I will post pictures both before and after when I get them put on next week, hopefully they will do the trick and help someone else with that decision also.
Thanks for all the replies!
Jason
Thread Starter
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3rd Gear
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Just to wrap up this thread, here is what happened: I went to the dealer here in Vegas to sit on their used Softtails, which I figured would have all different kinds of bars. They happened to have a NT with the street slammer bars on it and I thought they were very comfortable so I ordered them online ($250) and had my local shop install them for $140 and here it is.
Now my posture is better and just took a semi-long ride yesterday and back pain was very minimal. I'm happy with the choice.
Now my posture is better and just took a semi-long ride yesterday and back pain was very minimal. I'm happy with the choice.
i went with 12" strip bars with 3" risers on my train.had to keep the bars at shoulder level to keep johnny law happy. i am 6'2" and have the ness extended controls. rode to amarillo and back from southern illinois. my only complaint is the stock seat . OUCH!
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 334
Likes: 53
I'm 6'4" and have carlini evil apes with 2" risers on my train with a bare bones seat and the 3" extensions, I would like another inch or 2 on the extensions but as far as bars go I couldn't be happier with the evil apes, they curve away fro the rider and put my hands right at my shoulders, its perfect, I couldn't stand the stock bars, you'll be happy with evil apes I think
