Good evening,
I have a 2013 Softail Slim and I am ordering Carlini Gangster apes this week. I wanted some opinions from those who have had these on their bikes. I am unsure if I want to get 16 or 18inch bars. I am also uncertain if I want the 1 1/4 or 1.5 bars. I see there is a significant difference in width between these bars. I am 5'10". I want my bars slightly above my shoulders. Will the 16's be high enough?

 

Depends on what size risers you get. Im 6'6'' and i had the 18s and they were shoulder level. I went with the piston risers so they were an extra 2 inchs. This time around Im going to go with 16's.

Gotta go with the 1.5's too, they look better to me and seem to keep in flow with your forks.

 

I am in the same boat. I am 5' 11" and ordered the 14" gangsters with the high roller risers on monday. From my research and measurements they should be dead shoulder height or a hair higher. Police are a little aggressive here if they are over your shoulders so I didn't feel like risking it to much. Search the softail slim apes on here and in the lets see the pics thread has a few bikes with carlinis. I messaged a few guys asking questions and everyone told me to go 14s for shoulder height. If they come in this week I will throw them on and I will toss a picture on here for reference if you want. Definitely go 1.5" tho. looks way better but sucks to have to spend another 200ish on risers.

 

I am 5'10", 225 and I have the 14", 1.5" Gangsters with Carlinis 1.5" bra riser. There bars are ever so slightly above my shoulders. I had originally ordered the 16" but once I sat on a bike with the 16" Gangsters I knew immediately they were to tall for me. I couldn't be happier with this set up and it fits me like a pair of fine Italian leather gloves.

EDIT: It is true that the Carlinis run a little tall and I have been told and read that the 1.25" verse the 1.5" thickness of the bars are a little more "flimsy"! I can not verify that though but I can see where it can be true.

 

Yes. SJ Ron

 

I'm 5'11'' with a Slim, going with the 14's @ 1.5". Gotta keep the beefiness with the 1.5's, 1.25 looks too thin

 

Again, I agree. The 1.5" bars are So much better especially over 1.25". I also agree with the bulk of this bigger style of bike over others, like the Deluxe, Heritage and so on are made for the bigger bikes for with the bigger bars. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

I have the 14" 1.5's with the high roller risers and they're right at shoulder height and I'm 5'10". If your looking for a little higher then your shoulder then go with the 16's.

 

Here are my 14" Carlini's with me sitting on the bike. They are not the Gangsters, but I'm sure the sizing is very similar. I was 5'10"ish last time I was measured.

 

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I think I have made my mind up with the 16" 1.5 bars. Pictures will be posted as soon as I install them. So far I have put a stage 1 kit, vance and hines big radius 2 into 2. Bike is slowly becoming my own. It sure is addicting making modifications.