usually don't do what I consider long rides..300 plus...have done a few and afterwards my neck and shoulders are paining me..when I bought this bike, it seemed to fit me perfectly..but the more I ride lengthy trips, it seems that I am having to reach a little farther than I should be? I sat on a Heritage at the dealership the other day and wondered if the higher bars would be my answer...seemed a little more comfortable with the slightly higher bars..anyone experienced the same issue? maybe 4" risers are all I need?

 

I'm experiencing the same riding my Fat Boy. Just ordered some Wild 1 chubbys mini apes which should be close to the height if the bars on the Heritage. Not sure how soon I will get them on but can report back when I do.

 

I put on the 4 inch riser kit by HD. Here's some pix of the after. No changes necessary as far as cables. I went back to the stock FatBoy Seat. I have the Brawler, but it puts me back further and does not have the comfort for long rides. Hope this helps [/IMG]

 

Had the same problem and installed Heritage bars. All is good now.

 

Thanks...interested on how they work for you...thanks...Michael

 

as i was purchasing my 2012 fatboy lo, everyone that i talked to (my buddy that went with me to help and everyone at the dealership) all said that it wouldn't be long before i would be back wanting to change to apes. i thought they were crazy because I really liked the feel and looks of the bars on the bike. but now that i've put 4000+ miles on it and been on 4 or 5 longer rides, i really have to think some mini apes might be more comfortable. i'm also considering finding a new seat too. surely something other than that stock seat has to be more comfortable on those longer rides.

 

Have had them on for several years, they work great. Heritage bars are the tallest bar you can install without changing cables, brake lines and wiring. 14"/16" apes would be a little nicer but funds are not there.

 

As popular as apes are, and as cool as they look, I think everyone is different as far as ride comfort goes. Hubby had tended to like apes on past bikes. But he had 16" apes on his last Fat Boy and came back from a trip to Indiana and back (from MA) in agony (shoulder and neck). He attributed it to the apes and figured he was just too old to ride the "sexy" bikes. Long story short, after trading in for a Road Glide, he realized he STILL had neck and shoulder aches although no where near what he experienced with apes. He now attributes it to just getting old (almost 55). So he went back to the style bike he truly loves - just bought a new Fat Boy Low. He does not intend to go back to apes, but does say he may add a riser that just raises up the bars a little bit. Expensive lesson.

Yet other people say they have more problems with low bars. So go figure. It's a personal thing - everyone's built differently and bodies react differently to different riding positions.

 

I put on the HD mini apes with 4" risers and changed seats, made a big difference for me. On stock setup, I could go 50 miles before it got painful, now I can go on much longer rides with lots less pain, albeit I still get some. I'm 55 myself but have back and neck damage.

 

Love my new apes