Anyone Install Lower Bars on a Road King?
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,842
Likes: 502
From: Northern WV
Anyone Install Lower Bars on a Road King?
The bars on my 09 FLHT were the perfect width, pull back, and height for me but the ones on my 15 Road King are too high for comfort, for me at least. I would simply order FLHT bars but they are wider at the base then turn up vertically while RK bars are narrower at the base and angle up and I think the clamp distance is different. Looking at the specs on all bars Harley offers I can't see any that seem to be what I'm after, anyone know of any other sources?
I just returned from a 10 day ride out through Colorado and Arizona and the only thing that bothered me at all were those bars. They make me feel like I'm actually leaning slightly backwards and by afternoon my back up around my shoulders was starting to hurt. I took a back rest and used it a few times but it only helped so much.
Also I think lower bars would make riding w/o a shield much more comfortable because I'd be leaning slightly forward.
BTW the bike ran beautifully. MPG ranged from a low of 35 heading west at 75mph against a slight headwind, almost 50 in Colorado, and 41-43 coming back east at 75 with a slight tailwind. Over 5,000 miles the oil level barely dropped, maybe 1/4" from half way up the dipstick where it was when I left. It's a wonderful motorcycle.
I just returned from a 10 day ride out through Colorado and Arizona and the only thing that bothered me at all were those bars. They make me feel like I'm actually leaning slightly backwards and by afternoon my back up around my shoulders was starting to hurt. I took a back rest and used it a few times but it only helped so much.
Also I think lower bars would make riding w/o a shield much more comfortable because I'd be leaning slightly forward.
BTW the bike ran beautifully. MPG ranged from a low of 35 heading west at 75mph against a slight headwind, almost 50 in Colorado, and 41-43 coming back east at 75 with a slight tailwind. Over 5,000 miles the oil level barely dropped, maybe 1/4" from half way up the dipstick where it was when I left. It's a wonderful motorcycle.
Thread Starter
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,842
Likes: 502
From: Northern WV
Thanks Dan. I didn't know HD offered narrower beach bars but they may just be the ticket. I recall sitting on a RK a few years back with stock beach bars and found them a little wide and somewhat of an odd bend for my wrists.
6th Gear
Joined: Apr 2015
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From: US
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,372
Likes: 250
From: NW Kentucky
Might look at Bikers Choice part# 404278. What I plan to go with once I get all the parts together.
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Grand HDF Member
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From: Northern WV
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Northern WV
Thanks I check them out and see how they compare to both 14+ RK and my old 09 EG bars!
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 181
Likes: 24
From: Eau Claire, Wis
I felt the same way you do when I 1st rode my 2013 RK. I have Wild One W518 ... close to a beach bar but comes up a bit higher ... I had beach bars before and had to stick my leg out when turning in parking lot but these feel great in close quarters and feel just like what the doctor ordered out on the open road ... love them.
I have 2013 RC. Picture is not current because I have since installed black peril magnum cables ... plus 4 on the brake and stock length on the clutch.
Timm
I have 2013 RC. Picture is not current because I have since installed black peril magnum cables ... plus 4 on the brake and stock length on the clutch.
Timm