Apes - Not Loving 'Em
Road Master
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,240
Likes: 14
From: lancaster,ca
I put apes on my springer classic because like you I loved the look of everyone elses bikes with apes. I had street slammers on my superglide and hated the way my back felt after a long ride. I am just like you, the first time I rode the bike I thought I had made a 1200.00 mistake. I knew I had to figure something out quick or beach bars where in my future. Heres what I did, the first thing is a seat will make a difference on how you are positioned on the bike, one seat can make you sit higher ( stock springer seat) while another can make you seat lower ( c&c lo profile) my point is try different seats I know its kid of expensive but a seat make alot of difference. Also try getting some floorboard extenders foot position also makes a huge difference. Body position is key!
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 365
Likes: 1
From: near Chitcago
Thanks for the tips, DynaJ. I played with the position of the bars and moved them back about 1.5" and they feel a lot better. I also spent some time riding and detailing this weekend...which gave me a lot more time to adjust to the look and feel of the bars. I think I may have just been panicking as a reaction to such a drastic change. I'm sure it'll take a little more time, but they're definitely starting to grow on me!
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area, Ca
i havent been riding long but I know for sure I want apes on my bike. Hopefully sooner rather then later. I want to get used to riding the apes as I learn my bike more. Im aiming for 16's gangsta apes 
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 5,618
Likes: 5,215
From: Green Country
Thanks for the tips, DynaJ. I played with the position of the bars and moved them back about 1.5" and they feel a lot better. I also spent some time riding and detailing this weekend...which gave me a lot more time to adjust to the look and feel of the bars. I think I may have just been panicking as a reaction to such a drastic change. I'm sure it'll take a little more time, but they're definitely starting to grow on me!
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: California
I going with apes as well. Got the 16" 1.5" original carlini apes. Bars are on just waiting on cables now. Had beach bars on my deluxe but was getting back pains so i rode my byddies bike with 18's and felt comfy and back was forced to remain straight. Look wise I like the beach bar look better but looks isn't everything. Don't get me wrong, apes look bad *** too.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Philly Pa
I went from buckhorns to baby apes on my Springer and while I like them - that's it. Not in love. They look killer. I started out with them inline with the forks and it was ok. Then I put them straight up and the look is amazing. It didn't take too long to get used to them. The buckhorns were made for a shorter rider and I was just cramped. I could have put ANYTHING on and it would be an improvement.
Definitely give it some time, put at least 500 miles on them before you make any judgement and don't be afraid to move them around and try different positions. I thought inline was going to be it but now that I have them forward I'll never move them back.
With all that said however I'm going to be trying a set of knuckle bars... Just picked them up and the next rainy day I'm going to swap them on. I'm lucky that I do my own work but it's still not cheap...
Definitely give it some time, put at least 500 miles on them before you make any judgement and don't be afraid to move them around and try different positions. I thought inline was going to be it but now that I have them forward I'll never move them back.
With all that said however I'm going to be trying a set of knuckle bars... Just picked them up and the next rainy day I'm going to swap them on. I'm lucky that I do my own work but it's still not cheap...
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