Apes after 300 miles..
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,240
Likes: 14
From: lancaster,ca
Apes after 300 miles..
I know I am going to get mixed results on this post but here it goes anyway. I rode 300 miles round trip this weekend in two days and I have to tell you I can't stand feeling like a wind sail. I'm running the gangster apres on my deluxe and I am going to have to change to some beach bars or something close to it. I love the look of my apes but I want to be comfortable also. its not so much the tingling of my hands but more the wind trying to blow me off my bike at 65 mph (or 80) back feels good with them but I need to make the jump to beach bars! What do guys think are the best options for me and what wires do I need?
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 455
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma
If you like the look and they are good around town how about putting on a detachable windshield for highway riding. At highway speeds and no windshield you are going to have the wind hitting you regardless. Maybe worse with apes, but even with lower bars it will wear you out riding into a decent head wind. Ask me how I know. Just sayin.
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,240
Likes: 14
From: lancaster,ca
If you like the look and they are good around town how about putting on a detachable windshield for highway riding. At highway speeds and no windshield you are going to have the wind hitting you regardless. Maybe worse with apes, but even with lower bars it will wear you out riding into a decent head wind. Ask me how I know. Just sayin.
Trending Topics
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,054
Likes: 26
From: Florida
Although my stock mini apes on my Crossbones were very comfortable on the longest of trips, I never would have considered taller apes because I worried that I would have the very experience that you described having with yours. I actually bought a used set of 16 inch apes but just mocking them up and sitting on the bike told me that it was probably going to be a bad idea.
Fortunately, I had also acquired a nice set of the H-D wide beach bars, complete with risers and all controls and wiring. I wanted to go with beach bars for the look on my bike. I completed the install two weeks ago and have logged just over 800 miles. Although my new position took a bit of getting used to, I can safely say that it was a good choice for me. I also got lucky in that almost all of my stock wires and cables worked with the new wide bars. I did replace my throttle/idle cables but that was only because the plastic housing on my original ones was very cracked.
One day I am going to have a scoot with tall apes. I love the look of them. However it is going to be a total bar hopper for sure. For the long haul, I think I am going to stick with my beach bars or at least, something much shorter than what you are running.
Good luck finding what works.
Fortunately, I had also acquired a nice set of the H-D wide beach bars, complete with risers and all controls and wiring. I wanted to go with beach bars for the look on my bike. I completed the install two weeks ago and have logged just over 800 miles. Although my new position took a bit of getting used to, I can safely say that it was a good choice for me. I also got lucky in that almost all of my stock wires and cables worked with the new wide bars. I did replace my throttle/idle cables but that was only because the plastic housing on my original ones was very cracked.
One day I am going to have a scoot with tall apes. I love the look of them. However it is going to be a total bar hopper for sure. For the long haul, I think I am going to stick with my beach bars or at least, something much shorter than what you are running.
Good luck finding what works.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 7,882
Likes: 5
From: So California
I went with 14" and ignored the "go 2" higher" comments.
Same width as the stock bars because I measured first what I wanted before ordering them to size.
Many go with beach bars and you'll get help on what they went with once this thread is seen by them.
Same width as the stock bars because I measured first what I wanted before ordering them to size.
Many go with beach bars and you'll get help on what they went with once this thread is seen by them.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: Boca Raton, Florida
What kind of helmet are you wearing? I felt the same way until this week. I got a biltwell 3/4 helmet with a bubble shield and it feels like I have a windshield or fairing. Now, when cruising at 80 mph, I feel comfortable instead of like I'm hanging on for dear life. Just something to consider. P.S. I have 12" L.A. Choppers Nice Curves Apes with 2" risers.