Another apes thead.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,492
Likes: 19
From: Illinois
Another apes thead.
I almost had myself talked into getting some apes this winter. I had one of my sons friends over yesterday and he has a sporty with the 16", 1.25" evil apes on his bike. I have to say, I sat on his bike and didn't much like them, they felt just so odd. Now, it was a sporty and I have a Deluxe and he is a bigger kid so he had them pushed forward a little so I don't know if that was a good representation because I think I would go with the 16 Gangsters and 1.5 inch bars. Can anyone chime in on that? I don't want to get totally turned off on them based on sitting on his bike. It wasn't so much the height that bothered me, it was that they seemed so close together up top. Any comments? I would like to also here from anyone who has had them and then took them back off because they didn't like them.
Thread Starter
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,492
Likes: 19
From: Illinois
Correct me if I am wrong but the Gangsters come in the 16, 1.5, with a 41" spread up top?
His just seemed so close together up top. I love the look but I don't want to blow that money and then be unhappy.
His just seemed so close together up top. I love the look but I don't want to blow that money and then be unhappy.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,856
Likes: 127
From: Middle of Kansas
I sat on two bikes with 16" apes, and I did not like them at all. They just did not feel right , and I am 6'1". Besides the feel, I don't think I like the looks on anything over 12 to 14 at the most. Maybe they take some time to get use to, but I would still have trouble with the look. Probably just me though. Lots of guys seem to like them. Cool is in the eye of the beholder.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,120
Likes: 4
I almost had myself talked into getting some apes this winter. I had one of my sons friends over yesterday and he has a sporty with the 16", 1.25" evil apes on his bike. I have to say, I sat on his bike and didn't much like them, they felt just so odd. Now, it was a sporty and I have a Deluxe and he is a bigger kid so he had them pushed forward a little so I don't know if that was a good representation because I think I would go with the 16 Gangsters and 1.5 inch bars. Can anyone chime in on that? I don't want to get totally turned off on them based on sitting on his bike. It wasn't so much the height that bothered me, it was that they seemed so close together up top. Any comments? I would like to also here from anyone who has had them and then took them back off because they didn't like them.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From: NH
I put 12.5" wild 1's on my fatboy this past spring, at first I wasn't sure I liked them. After I pulled them back a bit (still slightly forward of the fork rake) I loved them. I could sit up straight and even lay back a bit. Much more comfortable than the stock bars, even when I had 4' pullback risers on them. Plus the cleaned up look made the bike look better IMO. I'm 5'10", I could do 14", but I like the height at 12.5"- high enough for comfort, but not so high I look like I'm holding up a WWF belt.
Last edited by CJinNH; Aug 30, 2012 at 03:02 PM.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,010
Likes: 1,240
From: On the Front Range, CO
The Carlini bars are about as good as you can get. 16's, with traditional risers (1.5" risers, not the Deluxe pull-back risers) seem to be pretty popular.
With the 1.5" bars, the spread is wider, but it's not obnoxiously wide. It's comfortable. If you're 5'10" +, I think they would fit well. On top of that, the 1.5" bars look awesome with the FL front end.
That said, I've got hangers on both bikes. I do work on bikes sometimes for a few close friends, and when they ask me to take a quick ride for a functions check, I feel very awkward riding regular bars. They feel so uncomfortable.
I can, and have ridden all day with hangers, and they're really comfortable. And, unless things change, I can't see that this would be a mod that didn't get done on every bike I own in the future.
I can tell you're the type of guy that plans well. Having all the parts on hand and tools will make the install that much easier, and that much more enjoyable.
Oh yeah, keep in mind, if you go 1.5" bars, you'll need to get new risers too. They don't step down to 1" like most 1.25" bars.
With the 1.5" bars, the spread is wider, but it's not obnoxiously wide. It's comfortable. If you're 5'10" +, I think they would fit well. On top of that, the 1.5" bars look awesome with the FL front end.
That said, I've got hangers on both bikes. I do work on bikes sometimes for a few close friends, and when they ask me to take a quick ride for a functions check, I feel very awkward riding regular bars. They feel so uncomfortable.
I can, and have ridden all day with hangers, and they're really comfortable. And, unless things change, I can't see that this would be a mod that didn't get done on every bike I own in the future.
I can tell you're the type of guy that plans well. Having all the parts on hand and tools will make the install that much easier, and that much more enjoyable.
Oh yeah, keep in mind, if you go 1.5" bars, you'll need to get new risers too. They don't step down to 1" like most 1.25" bars.
Last edited by Redbeard719; Aug 30, 2012 at 03:23 PM.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,275
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From: High in the Colorado Rockies
Apes
Check the width of the apes. I have Wild One Psycho Apes 18" and they are over 40" wide. Anything over 40" is plenty wide enough. I also have the 16" Carlini Flying Apes 1.25" and they are only 34" wide. Big difference. Go to the websites and check out the measurements. The 40" will not feel narrow at the top. SJ Ron
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,878
Likes: 579
From: Raleigh NC
I have 16" Wild Ones Chubbys on my Fat Boy, and I really like them. I'm only 5'9" and my hands are not above my shoulders and I have good control. Have a mustang solo seat that is about the same as the stock seat as far as height goes, so that is not a factor.