Softail Models Standard, Custom, Night Train, Deuce, Springer, Heritage, Fatboy, Deluxe, Rocker and Cross Bones.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Handle Bars on the Slim

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 13, 2014 | 10:46 AM
  #1  
Juggerpops's Avatar
Juggerpops
Thread Starter
|
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 335
Likes: 1
From: Texas
Default Handle Bars on the Slim

I am about to buy a Softail Slim and this may be somewhere on here but I had no luck finding it.

I am 5'5" 200 lbs (not Sloppy) I have short arms and legs. the Slim Seat height is perfect but the stock Hollywood bars are about an inch to far forward.

My question is, should I go with a 1-2" riser and move the stock bars back, or go with a mini Ape ?

I like the look of the ape but I would like an experienced opinion.


Thanks
 
Reply
Old Jun 13, 2014 | 01:52 PM
  #2  
SoCalSoftailSlim's Avatar
SoCalSoftailSlim
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,719
Likes: 60
From: Los Angeles
Default

I am considering risers on my Slim, (I like the Hollywood bars too much to change them) and asked Jam436 about the risers he runs on his bike.

Jam messaged me recently, but might be tied up with some important family issues right now.

Here's what he said:

I went with the H-D SoftailŽ Slim Pullback Riser Kit p/n 55900023.
I got them mainly to sit me more upright.
With the stock setup I was leaning too far forward (not good for a bad back...), but these risers made just enough of a difference to allow me to sit upright...

Specs are as follows:
Bar Diameter: 1.0"
Tip to Tip: 31.75"
Pullback: 1.3"
Rise: 4.5"
 
Reply
Old Jun 13, 2014 | 05:44 PM
  #3  
Ragnar's Avatar
Ragnar
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 862
Likes: 2
From: WI
Default

What SoCal relayed is dead-on. JAM had the exact issue you are stating - just a little too far of a reach to get to the bars comfortably, and leaning a touch downward, too, I believe. For me at 6'2, it was worse. In JAM's case, he swapped the risers, and was good to go without any further issue (his cables and bushings were fine). His bike is sweet the way he has it set up - one of the more inspiring Slims on here (and SoCal's is another that's downright bitchin').

I opted to go a more extreme route, keeping the stock risers, but putting 16" apes on. MUCH more drastic of a change, a lot more costly, and 8 hours rather than half an hour or less. The mini-apes would be somewhere in between height-wise, and I don't know if the cables and whatnot would still work or if they'd be too short and have to be swapped out.

Here's a shot of mine after the install:

 
Reply
Old Jun 13, 2014 | 06:28 PM
  #4  
AHH's Avatar
AHH
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 115
Likes: 6
From: Southwest
Default

Hey juggerpops, I'm 5' 8" and installed the risers mentioned above.

My first step was a mustang solo seat which moves you forward a bit, maybe an inch. After adding the risers I was in the perfect riding position. The next thing was a 2 in tank lift, which made the gauge easier to see especially when wearing a full face.

Still may install some apes down the road, but those three changes help my comfort immensely.

Good Luck,
Andy
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
dyna2008
General Harley Davidson Chat
6
Apr 10, 2016 10:02 AM
407Guy
Sportster Models
19
Mar 29, 2016 06:35 PM
dhook57
Dyna Glide Models
3
Dec 7, 2015 04:27 PM
robbyville
Dyna Glide Models
6
Nov 27, 2014 11:58 PM
mydogfarted
Sportster Models
11
Nov 24, 2013 08:23 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:37 AM.

story-0
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-4
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-5
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-9
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE