Need help on picking new handlebars
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Joined: Jun 2010
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Need help on picking new handlebars
While the stock handlebars are pretty comfortable, I'm needing something with a little bit more pull back to fully relax my arms. Currently, my arms aren't completely out stretched, but they're a little further out than I'd like them to be. However, I don't know a whole ton about bars (I only knew about drag bars and apes when I had my Sportster), and I'm seeing beach, ape, cruiser bars, etc, so I need some guidance.
I like the look of apes, and I'll probably go with 12", since it seems like that's about the highest that would be comfortable for me. I also don't mind some of the beach bars. In either case, I don't want to go too wide, and some of the beach and ape bars I see are pretty wide (some of the apes are pretty wide at the bottom, and the beach bars are wide grip to grip). So are there some apes that are relatively narrow at the bottom, or cruiser/beach bars that are close to stock in looks and size?
And one more thing, will I lose some handling with apes? I like how the stock bars handle right now, a lot better than my drag bars I had on my Sporty. Seems like I get better leverage with their width.
Edited to add: So far I've checked out Carlini, LA Choppers, and Burly.
I like the look of apes, and I'll probably go with 12", since it seems like that's about the highest that would be comfortable for me. I also don't mind some of the beach bars. In either case, I don't want to go too wide, and some of the beach and ape bars I see are pretty wide (some of the apes are pretty wide at the bottom, and the beach bars are wide grip to grip). So are there some apes that are relatively narrow at the bottom, or cruiser/beach bars that are close to stock in looks and size?
And one more thing, will I lose some handling with apes? I like how the stock bars handle right now, a lot better than my drag bars I had on my Sporty. Seems like I get better leverage with their width.
Edited to add: So far I've checked out Carlini, LA Choppers, and Burly.
Last edited by CruzB; Sep 10, 2012 at 03:00 PM. Reason: Added what brands I've checked outl
Novice
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 19
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From: Hull, MA
I'm with you on this. I like the stock bars myself but a few inches closer would be great just to get rid of that slight forward lean. I think I might have to go with the mini-apes but I'm not ready to make that decision yet. Good luck.
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One thing I did the other day was loosened the risers and rotated the bars slightly toward me. It did bring it back a little bit, but I haven't been able to test it out on a long ride yet. It's an idea you can try for now.
Novice
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 19
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From: Hull, MA
I thought about that, too, but was afraid it would also bring them down a bit. I may give it a shot. Thanks.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,553
Likes: 36
From: Four Corners
I suggest you go to a dealer and try a bike that has a set of Heritage bars on it. Similar in dimension to Harley's Mini Apes, they are very easy to ride and super comfortable. They sound like IMHO just what you're looking for. HTH.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 738
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From: Brigham City, Utah
When I bought my 06 SB I was worried about the 10 inch Mini Apes....1st time with any Ape Bars.....Piece of cake to handle, way more comfortable than the 1200 S Bars I had on my Sportster.
Bought a FB and called and asked about switching to Beach Bars and the tech advised me not to do it on an EVO bike so I said to switch over to 10 Inch Mini Apes. The reply back was something like Get Real....Let me toss some Wild 1 12.5 inch Chubbies on that FB. He told me the ride height would be way more comfortable and the added leverage makes it easier to control.
So I trust him and say go for it....He hasn't been wrong yet and he was right, it just feels natural.
So after getting them both side by side the SB with 10 inch Mini Apes looked funny/lacking so I shipped it up for a pair of LA Chopper 12 inch Nice Curves.
What ever you do get 1.25 inch bars over the 1 inch....World of difference looks wise.
Karsten
Bought a FB and called and asked about switching to Beach Bars and the tech advised me not to do it on an EVO bike so I said to switch over to 10 Inch Mini Apes. The reply back was something like Get Real....Let me toss some Wild 1 12.5 inch Chubbies on that FB. He told me the ride height would be way more comfortable and the added leverage makes it easier to control.
So I trust him and say go for it....He hasn't been wrong yet and he was right, it just feels natural.
So after getting them both side by side the SB with 10 inch Mini Apes looked funny/lacking so I shipped it up for a pair of LA Chopper 12 inch Nice Curves.
What ever you do get 1.25 inch bars over the 1 inch....World of difference looks wise.
Karsten
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Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 503
Likes: 9
From: NM
I'd say get the 1.50 bars for the Fatboy. 1.50 14s would be perfect. That's why its called Fatboy... cause it's beefy and big. You'd be suprised how comfortable it would feel.
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Club Member
Joined: May 2007
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From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
The most popular bars that others put on their bikes around here is the Heritage bars..
visit Ur dealer and sit on one to get the feel of them..
and the 07-08's are different than the 09's and up... so see if u can find both kinks of them.
.
visit Ur dealer and sit on one to get the feel of them..
and the 07-08's are different than the 09's and up... so see if u can find both kinks of them.
.