Handlebar Help!
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6th Gear
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Omaha
Handlebar Help!
Hello everyone, I need help determining what bars I should go with, so here's the story....
Just got a 2002 Road King Classic this past summer, traded my 05 Sportster in, I've been riding sportsters for 35+ years, and have always had apes, usually 16" ones, so this is my first "big twin". The stock bars feel great when I'm riding, the wrist angle seems ok, however I am leaning forward, and notice after I get OFF the bike, my lower back aches. So first thing I did was ditch the stock 2-up seat and got a deal on an HD OEM Solo seat w/ matching pillion and had it reworked by a local guy with gel/foam and he shaved it down and shaved it in the back so now it sits me about 2" lower and back. Now I'm trying to decide what size bars to go with, I originally thought about going with HD's Tallboy Handlebars, but after reading forums, they say they make you lean even further forward, so they're out. I've also read that with apes you lose some slow speed safe maneuvering which I don't want. I like my arms to be shoulder level, but I've gotten used to them being lower now, and I don't want to lose any maneuvering capability. I also don't like my arms too far apart, some of the pics I've seen of Road King's with apes, the bars look extremely wide, don't want that!
Actually, now that I think about it, I'm not really "reaching" or leaning forward, it's more like I'm leaning downward. My back is arched forward, leaning downward at the shoulder. I'm sure I need taller bars, but at the same time they'd need to come back a little, and as stated, I want to keep good control at slow speeds, and I don't want them too wide....
I'm 6'2" 190lbs, so if anyone could give some advice/opinions, I'd much appreciate it.
Just got a 2002 Road King Classic this past summer, traded my 05 Sportster in, I've been riding sportsters for 35+ years, and have always had apes, usually 16" ones, so this is my first "big twin". The stock bars feel great when I'm riding, the wrist angle seems ok, however I am leaning forward, and notice after I get OFF the bike, my lower back aches. So first thing I did was ditch the stock 2-up seat and got a deal on an HD OEM Solo seat w/ matching pillion and had it reworked by a local guy with gel/foam and he shaved it down and shaved it in the back so now it sits me about 2" lower and back. Now I'm trying to decide what size bars to go with, I originally thought about going with HD's Tallboy Handlebars, but after reading forums, they say they make you lean even further forward, so they're out. I've also read that with apes you lose some slow speed safe maneuvering which I don't want. I like my arms to be shoulder level, but I've gotten used to them being lower now, and I don't want to lose any maneuvering capability. I also don't like my arms too far apart, some of the pics I've seen of Road King's with apes, the bars look extremely wide, don't want that!
Actually, now that I think about it, I'm not really "reaching" or leaning forward, it's more like I'm leaning downward. My back is arched forward, leaning downward at the shoulder. I'm sure I need taller bars, but at the same time they'd need to come back a little, and as stated, I want to keep good control at slow speeds, and I don't want them too wide....
I'm 6'2" 190lbs, so if anyone could give some advice/opinions, I'd much appreciate it.
Last edited by MmonizZ; Oct 12, 2014 at 01:49 PM. Reason: correction
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
first step is just try rotating your bars forward or back to see if they just you a good position- that is free.
some RK riders use the stock style heritage bars...
other than that it's a guessing game
some guys try to sit on the bike at put their hands out where it "feels right" then look for bars to match.
mike
some RK riders use the stock style heritage bars...
other than that it's a guessing game
some guys try to sit on the bike at put their hands out where it "feels right" then look for bars to match.
mike
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Omaha
Thanks for the reply, I've tried rotating, just make 'em worse though. I've read about the Heritage bars, I think they put your hands higher, which is a good thing, not sure about if they come back towards rider any...
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