Handling with Apes
Handling with Apes
Quick question for all of you with Apes on your ride. How much different is the handling than stock? Im thinking of going with soem 14" or 16" apes and was wondering about how the handling is.
Those of you that have them, do you still enjoy long rides with them?
Is the handling that much worse?
What brand do you have? What size?
Thank yall! I LOVE the way Apes look, just want to make sure ill still enjoy the ride as much. im sure i will! Thanks!
Those of you that have them, do you still enjoy long rides with them?
Is the handling that much worse?
What brand do you have? What size?
Thank yall! I LOVE the way Apes look, just want to make sure ill still enjoy the ride as much. im sure i will! Thanks!
I have mini-apes on my 2003 sporty and love them, I just put 14 inch apes on my FLHTK and it took a bit of getting used to. I thought at first they were a little sensitive, but I think it was just me. On the 1st highway ride it just seemed like if I just push a little the bike was off in that direction. I got over it on the 1st 100 or so miles and could not have been more pleased the rest of my vacation with them.
As for the brand I went with HCC and they sent the wrong cables and the HD heated grips wich came stock, did not fit easily to say the least. I swaped out stock rubber grips for heated ***** G style and those to were not easy to get on. THere was modification to be made, but once I got the right cables and finally got the heasted grips on things were back to being good.
As for the brand I went with HCC and they sent the wrong cables and the HD heated grips wich came stock, did not fit easily to say the least. I swaped out stock rubber grips for heated ***** G style and those to were not easy to get on. THere was modification to be made, but once I got the right cables and finally got the heasted grips on things were back to being good.
Last edited by Timmy B; Oct 9, 2012 at 05:56 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 960
Likes: 1
From: United States
I have 14'' wild 1's and to be honest I will never go back to the drag bars I had before. My first ride with them I was thinking "WTF" and then a couple days later I was jumping on it and everything was normal, didnt even think twice. You will feel kinda like a parachute at higher speeds, but in town they are great!
I have 14'' wild 1's and to be honest I will never go back to the drag bars I had before. My first ride with them I was thinking "WTF" and then a couple days later I was jumping on it and everything was normal, didnt even think twice. You will feel kinda like a parachute at higher speeds, but in town they are great!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 5,618
Likes: 5,206
From: Green Country
Quick question for all of you with Apes on your ride. How much different is the handling than stock? Im thinking of going with soem 14" or 16" apes and was wondering about how the handling is.
Those of you that have them, do you still enjoy long rides with them?
Is the handling that much worse?
What brand do you have? What size?
Thank yall! I LOVE the way Apes look, just want to make sure ill still enjoy the ride as much. im sure i will! Thanks!
Those of you that have them, do you still enjoy long rides with them?
Is the handling that much worse?
What brand do you have? What size?
Thank yall! I LOVE the way Apes look, just want to make sure ill still enjoy the ride as much. im sure i will! Thanks!
The reason I bought them was for better comfort on longer rides.
I have the 16" 1 1/4" Chubbies with 1" offset riser.
Running with a windshield isn't a problem, and my bars are pushed forward a bit.
apes are like power steering in a car. I have 14s on the Crossbones and the Road Glide. There isn't as much total rise on the RG, which is fine with me because My hands are still protected a bit by the fairing. Long rides are WAY better IMO. If my hands rest below shoulder level, I get a pinch between my shoulder blades. That doen't happen on either of my bikes now
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,778
Likes: 69
From: Badlands of ND
Maybe it is a old shoulder injury, but I felt I did not have the control with apes as I did with more standard set ups. Granted it was only on a test ride.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,275
Likes: 149
From: High in the Colorado Rockies
I have 18's and the handling and control is not an issue. It takes a few rides to get used to the new positioning, but I rode all mountain passes over 10,000 in Colorado this summer and never had any issues with handling or control. My only complaint with apes is when you are riding for long periods into a strong headwind it can be a bit taxing. SJ Ron
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,133
Likes: 125
From: Japan
I have 18's and the handling and control is not an issue. It takes a few rides to get used to the new positioning, but I rode all mountain passes over 10,000 in Colorado this summer and never had any issues with handling or control. My only complaint with apes is when you are riding for long periods into a strong headwind it can be a bit taxing. SJ Ron
Yes, that.
