I have 4" risers that puts my hands directly out in front of the shoulders, maybe an inch lower. I find it's all around comfy, and I can take slow corners around bikes, gas pumps, people, ect. with ease.
Higher than that and I'd not be able to tour like I do.

 

My present bike had 18's when I bought it...looked cool, but never could get used to it.

 

I had a Dyna with 14" apes, never could get used to them. Felt like Rocky the flying squirrel. To each his own.

 

The only time i've been on a bike with apes is when I had an opportunity to sit on my friends Crossbones with those HD Mini-apes that it comes with.. I've had shoulder problems in the past, and even lifting my arm past um..i guess you could say straight-outwards.. my hand starts going numb and such, so I had about 30 seconds before i realized that if they weren't working for me at a stand-still, there's no way they could work with me riding.. I've got the Street-Slammers on my Lo.. they're nice, but I sat on a 2012 Lo with those curved bars, and those were far more comfortable, even sitting

 

I've had stockers ... Knuckles... Beachbars... And now apes... Definitely a difference riding with your hands high compared to hands low. Much much more comfort to me with apes. No back pain at all with apes... Knuckles and Beachbars were a nightmare to me. Back/shoulder pain after 45 minutes or so... Diggen my apes and diggen the style of apes... Wouldnt change my apes for any other style.... And my back/shoulders thank apes also... Good luck to you Op

 

I have 4" risers with 14 inch Carlini Evil Apes and absolutly love them. The 2 things I had to get used to was that the bars do feel a little more spongy than I would have thought, and with both hands on the grips (no windshield) I do feel a bit like a parachute at highway speeds lol. But no regrets at all, love the look, love the ride.

 

Loved them the first ride on my first Harley and I never switched back. It was the first thing I added to my Night Train when I picked it up. The riding position is much more comfortable with 14" Apes for me. I'm just under 6 foot. I don't think I would like anything higher like 18" though.

Definitely get the wind effects more but it's a trade off.

 

I've been riding quads, trikes, dirtbikes and assorted streetbikes for about 25 years. I am a pretty skilled rider to say the least. I got apes for the first time last year and it took me a while to get used to them. I was actually surprised how long it took me to get used to them.....but I did....and now I love them. Give it time, it takes a while.

 

i loved mine from day one. Way better than the stockers. Thats a bummer your not feelin it. Give it a few more rides, hopefully you get the feel. Sure does look sick though.

Stone

 

agree with the above.. give it some time.. if you still hate them after a month, you know what to do.. I have a crossbones, originally with a 12" mini ape, ordered a 14" gimp. Will see how it goes.