Short rides are not much of an issue, but riding for several hours is different. What problems can there be if arms are higher or lower? Everyone is different, handlebars can be set up in different ways, and that's expensive. So I'm looking for any experience with problems -- and solutions -- in this area.

I wouldn't be interested in ape hangers with hands up by my eyes. I've ridden Heritage with std 10 or 12" height. Road Kings are a couple inches lower. Street Glides are a couple inches lower than that.

What implications for fatigue, arms falling asleep, strain/ache?

I have a torn shoulder cartilage (S.L.A.P. tear) that is a little sore most of the time, surgery to fix is expensive, hurts lifting too much, but it's liveable.

 

I don't think there's any real set answer for your question. I've had surgeries to both shoulders and for me a neutral or lower hand position is more comfortable. That doesn't mean that will be right for you.

Test ride a few bikes and see what works.

For what it's worth - when I first got this RK my shoulder and neck started aching after 100-150 miles. The more I rode it the more accustomed I got to it and now really can ride until the tank needs filling or my bladder needs emptying - whichever comes first. At that point I fill up, get a coffee and move my shoulders around enough to get some blood flowing again and I'm good to go.

 

I agree, that's a way too personal question to quantify.
The best advice is, again, to ride several and see what YOU like best.
For me, I never thought I would like apes. But after riding a friends with them I was astounded how comfortable they were. On my 07 with stock bars my hands occasionally tingle and go numb. Riding with the apes I felt none of that, I assume due to the different angle of my wrists.
You mentioned "expensive" twice , once in conjunction with changing bars. My question to you is "What is your riding comfort worth to you?"

 

I may be wrong but the biggest complaints I see here on the forum relate to back more than arms. If the bars aren't right, you will naturally lean forward or back to adjust for comfort for your arms, then the back strain kicks in. Sitting up you need to find a bar that you don't have to reach for or push you back. I think height is a personal preference. Something also to consider is wrist angle. You want that as close to neutral as well.

It will limit you to the HD offerings but most dealerships have a rig that you sit on that allows you to try different bars. Might be something to consider looking into.

I had a salesman once tell me half joking and half serious that HD builds a little discomfort into each bike so you have to buy new seats and bars to make them fit you. Of course we are all different but there are ergonomic engineers. You think they would be able to find a combination or adjustability that fits most of us but it seems like we all change something to make it more comfortable and fit us better.

 

Our physical differences alone would make it possible for just a few models comfortable for everyone.
I'm 5'11" / 225 and my Ultra is pretty comfortable stock for me. With maybe 1 or 2 exceptions. I cannot see it being the same for someone say 5'6" and 110.
Ergonomic engineer or not, making one bike comfortable for both would be a tall order.

 

I think bars are probably the hardest thing to choose on a bike; just sitting behind different bars isn't a good indicator - at speed air pressure changes the strain on your back. Windshields can actually create a draft that puts forward pressure on you, and can create severe side buffeting at some wind angles, all of which change the pressure on your arms and shoulders. Height you'll have to determine yourself, we all do, but one thing that makes a long term difference, even if it doesn't feel comfortable at first, is angle. Hold your arms out in front of you, at about bar width, gripping a rod or pole but relaxed, in the angle your wrists are at rest. That's the ergonomic, least stressful, kindest to your tendons angle for the bars. It's also the angle nearly all dirt bike bars are - they're interested in performance, not looks. The only stock Harley bars that I've sat behind with that angle are XLCH and Custom sportsters. Does Harley want you to spend money for different bars, or do a lot of folks like bars I find uncomfortable? Probably a bit of both.

 

OP -

First, you should have your shoulder scanned (MRI) to determine the amount of tear in your rotator cuff. Call around and get prices...don't just walk-in with your insurance card/cash.

The rotator cuff is comprised of tendons from 4 muscle around the shoulder blade that insert on the shoulder joint and effect movement. The most stable position for the shoulder joint is with your upper arm pointing straight down and close to your body (like when a soldier stands at attention). As you raise your arm/forearm out to the side and up over your head, the shoulder joint becomes increasingly unstable and easier to damage the rotator cuff (or cause further tearing if you already have damage).

As far as riding positions, the best riding position is sitting straight up, shoulders back and square, keeping a slight arch in the small of your back. Your feet/legs should be under you as much as possible keeping a bend in your knees, so you can lift your can off the seat to help absorb road shocks (potholes and such). You should avoid letting your spine absorb these impacts. With regard to best arm position when riding, try to find bars that will leave your hands at shoulder height (no higher!!) or up to 4-5 inches lower than your shoulder joint and maintain a slight bend in your elbows. When riding, grip the bars using your hand and forearm muscles so that your upperarm/elbow can almost just hang in a relaxed position...as such, you will minimize the stress/work on the shoulder joint. Even at this optimal position, your shoulder joint is still at some risk, especially if you already have a rotator cuff tear. Avoid the classic, bad-a$$ looking custom chopper position with arms skyward, legs extended straight out on highway bars, and your back set in a "C"-shaped curve so that you can reach bars/footpegs. While it looks great on the custom-chopper TV shows and when you pull up to the bar, generally speaking, it's a bad back/herniated-ruptured disc waiting to happen, and your not going to get many years in the saddle in that position without medical repercussions. It's simple biomechanics.

Get your rotator cuff scanned asap to determine the extent of the tear. Even a small tear (which can be easily fixed arthroscopically on an outpatient basis....and you can negotiate the price for that repair too) can feel much worse than it actually is, however, stresses on the shoulder (working, riding, falling down) can make the tear worse, and could result in the need for more extensive/expensive surgery.

Good health and ride safe...

 

What I fopund with my Glide, when I first bought it, is that my bars were just a little too high and made me reach. On longer rides I also tended to lift my shoulders, which in turn gave me a stiff neck. Doesn't sound logical, but that became a problem. The solution proved remarkably simple, although it took me a few attempts to get things just right. I simply rotated the bars a little towards me (a bit at a time), until I could rest my hands on them and keep my shoulders relaxed. Nirvana! Been riding with complete comfort ever since.

In summary, the bars the MoCo install on new bikes are pretty good IMHO. Every demo bike I've ever ridden, however, has had them set wrong from my point of view, but I'm sure that most of us can get them 'just so' with a little time and juggling. In almost 50 years of riding I have only seldom actually felt the need to change bars on a bike.

 

OP. you need to mimic the way you drive a car. When you drive you car, do you lean back, seat straight or lean forward. How about your hands, do hold your steering wheel at 12'oclock , 9 or 3, or 6 positions. What ever your answer to these questions, go from there.

Good Luck

 

From a pure ergonomic standpoint your arms should be parallel to the ground with grips no higher than your shoulder joint. If too high handlebars circulation in your arms suffers and they may eventually tingle and/or go numb. If too low then you will tend to slump and create back issues. Sit upright with back straight. Distance to handlebars should allow a slight bend at the elbows ideally.