Adding some buckhorn handlebars to the Sportster
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 282
Likes: 42
From: Pennsylvania
The prices on the materials seem to be correct to me, I paid more than that from the dealer 3yrs ago to do this job. The six hour of labor to do this with internal wiring seems about right for a shop that does this type of work, The hourly rate is at the upper end of what shops charge, but if they do good work and you dont have problems then you get what you pay for.
Handlebars are like shoes, everyone has a different opion of what looks good and feels good. Dont second guess your choice, just eyeball the new bars in place and have someone take a digital picture of you sitting in place to make sure your not leaning forward. I went with a set of stock heritage softail bars (miniapes), the difference in quality of riding was really worth it.
Handlebars are like shoes, everyone has a different opion of what looks good and feels good. Dont second guess your choice, just eyeball the new bars in place and have someone take a digital picture of you sitting in place to make sure your not leaning forward. I went with a set of stock heritage softail bars (miniapes), the difference in quality of riding was really worth it.
man i hate the look of the buckhorns but to each his own. those prices for install sound way too high. if you really don't trust yourself with things like the brake line and such, take it to the stealer and have them put on a longer brake cable, tie it up for the ride home and when you get home, swap the bars and ****. how bout a set of mini apes? not too big, not to small and my back loves me for it. good luck, let us know how you made out and post some pics when you're done !
Stage II
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
I know what you mean about the back thing. Unfortunately as we age it happens. I have a 1200 C too and a bad back as well and have been having the same problem off an on over the last couple years. I'd like to have a bar that would be just a bit higher and with a little more pull back so I could sit up a little straighter. Something that you wouldn't have to change all the cables. They look like they would do a little stretching maybe - a couple inches maybe if the bars arent too high. Any suggestions - since the buckhorns don't sound like a good choice. With the riser thats on there already it would take but a couple inches to make a great deal of difference in your lean angle.
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Via a google search I thought I'd resurrect this thread! I'm in much the same predicament, I'm about to get a major overhaul on my bike (2007 Sportster 1200C) and can't decide which handlebars to get. As ashamed as I am to say it, I have no mechanical experience so I am just not confident enough to do this (and other) jobs myself.
I absolutely love the look of buckhorns... but their obvious handling problems did cross my mind. It doesn't take a genius to see the poor performance they would entail given body leaning and positioning in tight curves. However I am admittedly going style over function I am very tempted to get the buckhorns.
I absolutely love the look of buckhorns... but their obvious handling problems did cross my mind. It doesn't take a genius to see the poor performance they would entail given body leaning and positioning in tight curves. However I am admittedly going style over function I am very tempted to get the buckhorns.
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 45
Likes: 18
From: Central, North Carolina
To Shoat and others that swapped out 1200 low bars on a custom. What exactly did you do/purchase to lengthen the front brake line? I've got a set of low bars coming soon and want to have the stuff on hand so I can switch them without needing to go to the parts store/dealer during the work.
Thanks
Thanks
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 366
Likes: 1
From: Savannah, Ga.
Last year I had the bars changed on my bike, a local shop did the work, the cost for everything (new cables, wire extensions, ect.) was $650, so I think your price is somewhere in the ballpark. About the buckhorns, I had them on my previous Sportster, did not like them, they put my hands at a angle I didn't feel comfortable with, but some on here likes them so go for it, like some on here already said, if you don't like them then the bars themselves are not that hard to change, good luck...
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 247
Likes: 1
From: East Central Florida
I'm still undecided on the stock buckhorns on my hugger since I'm a new rider with nothing to compare against and I've only had the bike very briefly now. The HD shop mentioned many people swap them out and they offered to put some stock Sportster "Take Offs" that they had left over from people that wanted Apes/Drags etc that were like new. I find them very comfortable while riding at speed, only very slow maneuvering takes some getting used to and swerving isn't as natural as with the straighter bar we had at MSF classes.
Stage I
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
I'm still undecided on the stock buckhorns on my hugger since I'm a new rider with nothing to compare against and I've only had the bike very briefly now. The HD shop mentioned many people swap them out and they offered to put some stock Sportster "Take Offs" that they had left over from people that wanted Apes/Drags etc that were like new. I find them very comfortable while riding at speed, only very slow maneuvering takes some getting used to and swerving isn't as natural as with the straighter bar we had at MSF classes.