The All things ROAD KING SPECIAL THREAD
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 173
Likes: 34
From: Aiken, SC
Hello. I have a 2019 RKS and went from factory handlebars, which I found terribly uncomfortable to KST 12" spearheads. I am 5"9" with a 31" inseam. I find the 12" spearheads very comfortable. The 12" bars put my hands a bit lower than my shoulders. I like the adjustability of the bars. I am not a fan of high handlebars, and the 12" seem to be a perfect fit for me. I will mention that if you have a longer torso, a 14" spearhead bars might be fine as well. Good luck
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 261
Likes: 99
From: Dorset UK
Hello. I have a 2019 RKS and went from factory handlebars, which I found terribly uncomfortable to KST 12" spearheads. I am 5"9" with a 31" inseam. I find the 12" spearheads very comfortable. The 12" bars put my hands a bit lower than my shoulders. I like the adjustability of the bars. I am not a fan of high handlebars, and the 12" seem to be a perfect fit for me. I will mention that if you have a longer torso, a 14" spearhead bars might be fine as well. Good luck
Rob
I have searched this thread and found quite a lot about KST Spearhead bars for a RKS but I have a question that I hope someone can offer some advice to, 10" or 12" ?? I am 5`9" and averagely proportioned (my opinion!) I feel that 12" is the way to go but I have never ridden with bars that are higher than my stock RKS bars.
Does anyone about my height have these bars on their Road King Special ?
When I was looking for a new bike I sat on a used one in a dealers which had KST Spearheads on and it was the most comfortable position ever but I do not know how high the bars were (10 or 12 ?) and the dealership has since closed up so no chance of finding out.
Thanks for any help.
Rob
Does anyone about my height have these bars on their Road King Special ?
When I was looking for a new bike I sat on a used one in a dealers which had KST Spearheads on and it was the most comfortable position ever but I do not know how high the bars were (10 or 12 ?) and the dealership has since closed up so no chance of finding out.
Thanks for any help.
Rob
We have put together a great report on the Comfort Triangle, you might find helpful.
In the report you'll see one of the most tried and true ways to find the most comfortable handlebar position.
With this information you can adjust your existing handlebars or visit a trusted vendor to get some bars that put the grips where you need them for max comfort.
Ride Safe, Ride Free.
Shelly
__________________
DKCustomProducts.com
DKCustomProducts.com
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 2,373
Likes: 2,206
From: Midlothian, VA
I'll throw my 2 cents in on this subject. My 2020 RKS came with 14" Harley bars which I hated so I went with Kraus risers and their Fly Motobar. I'm 6'3" with a long reach but I am not a fan of tall bars at all. I am so much happier with the Kraus setup. My 2004 Road King Classic came with 16" Carlini bars which I don't care for either but I left them on for the looks of the bike. I think you are on the right path with the 12" height but I would also checkout what DK Custom posted for you. They are pros and a top notch outfit.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 261
Likes: 99
From: Dorset UK
Hi Bill,
I'll throw my 2 cents in on this subject. My 2020 RKS came with 14" Harley bars which I hated so I went with Kraus risers and their Fly Motobar. I'm 6'3" with a long reach but I am not a fan of tall bars at all. I am so much happier with the Kraus setup. My 2004 Road King Classic came with 16" Carlini bars which I don't care for either but I left them on for the looks of the bike. I think you are on the right path with the 12" height but I would also checkout what DK Custom posted for you. They are pros and a top notch outfit.
I'll throw my 2 cents in on this subject. My 2020 RKS came with 14" Harley bars which I hated so I went with Kraus risers and their Fly Motobar. I'm 6'3" with a long reach but I am not a fan of tall bars at all. I am so much happier with the Kraus setup. My 2004 Road King Classic came with 16" Carlini bars which I don't care for either but I left them on for the looks of the bike. I think you are on the right path with the 12" height but I would also checkout what DK Custom posted for you. They are pros and a top notch outfit.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2024
Posts: 414
Likes: 602
From: Florida
Gonna throw in my 
I was looking to put 10" bars on my FatBoy, Until I started shopping for them. I found 20 or 30 12" bars for every 10" offering. I. probably only found 3 or 4 10" bars available. I could say 6 or 7 if I include ones that where backorder.
I went with 12" bars because of availability and cost. That small shift in my thinking turned into the best decision for my bar shopping adventure.
After ordering, receiving, and then installing my "compromise" 12" bars I was in love. The FatBoy was transformed. I still kick myself for not doing it 25k mile ago.
Fast forward a year'sh and I had adopted a 2023 RKS and the factory bars where "wanting". So, what did I do? I went out to the interwebs and ordered a set of 12" bars for it. No hesitation and no regrets after the install.
Some fitment info about me. 6'2", 32" inseam (long torso?), normal length arm for my size.
Both rides are rocking the HD Hammock seat, Heated on the RKS, Unplugged on the FatBoy.
If you want to try them for fitment, stop by Tallahassee and I'll get you in the seat. I know, it's a bit of a commute. But, the weather here is divine, if a little damp on some days. Could be a good excuse to visit Florida?
I was looking to put 10" bars on my FatBoy, Until I started shopping for them. I found 20 or 30 12" bars for every 10" offering. I. probably only found 3 or 4 10" bars available. I could say 6 or 7 if I include ones that where backorder.
I went with 12" bars because of availability and cost. That small shift in my thinking turned into the best decision for my bar shopping adventure.
After ordering, receiving, and then installing my "compromise" 12" bars I was in love. The FatBoy was transformed. I still kick myself for not doing it 25k mile ago.
Fast forward a year'sh and I had adopted a 2023 RKS and the factory bars where "wanting". So, what did I do? I went out to the interwebs and ordered a set of 12" bars for it. No hesitation and no regrets after the install.
Some fitment info about me. 6'2", 32" inseam (long torso?), normal length arm for my size.
Both rides are rocking the HD Hammock seat, Heated on the RKS, Unplugged on the FatBoy.
If you want to try them for fitment, stop by Tallahassee and I'll get you in the seat. I know, it's a bit of a commute. But, the weather here is divine, if a little damp on some days. Could be a good excuse to visit Florida?
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 261
Likes: 99
From: Dorset UK
Gonna throw in my
I was looking to put 10" bars on my FatBoy, Until I started shopping for them. I found 20 or 30 12" bars for every 10" offering. I. probably only found 3 or 4 10" bars available. I could say 6 or 7 if I include ones that where backorder.
I went with 12" bars because of availability and cost. That small shift in my thinking turned into the best decision for my bar shopping adventure.
After ordering, receiving, and then installing my "compromise" 12" bars I was in love. The FatBoy was transformed. I still kick myself for not doing it 25k mile ago.
Fast forward a year'sh and I had adopted a 2023 RKS and the factory bars where "wanting". So, what did I do? I went out to the interwebs and ordered a set of 12" bars for it. No hesitation and no regrets after the install.
Some fitment info about me. 6'2", 32" inseam (long torso?), normal length arm for my size.
Both rides are rocking the HD Hammock seat, Heated on the RKS, Unplugged on the FatBoy.
If you want to try them for fitment, stop by Tallahassee and I'll get you in the seat. I know, it's a bit of a commute. But, the weather here is divine, if a little damp on some days. Could be a good excuse to visit Florida?
I was looking to put 10" bars on my FatBoy, Until I started shopping for them. I found 20 or 30 12" bars for every 10" offering. I. probably only found 3 or 4 10" bars available. I could say 6 or 7 if I include ones that where backorder.
I went with 12" bars because of availability and cost. That small shift in my thinking turned into the best decision for my bar shopping adventure.
After ordering, receiving, and then installing my "compromise" 12" bars I was in love. The FatBoy was transformed. I still kick myself for not doing it 25k mile ago.
Fast forward a year'sh and I had adopted a 2023 RKS and the factory bars where "wanting". So, what did I do? I went out to the interwebs and ordered a set of 12" bars for it. No hesitation and no regrets after the install.
Some fitment info about me. 6'2", 32" inseam (long torso?), normal length arm for my size.
Both rides are rocking the HD Hammock seat, Heated on the RKS, Unplugged on the FatBoy.
If you want to try them for fitment, stop by Tallahassee and I'll get you in the seat. I know, it's a bit of a commute. But, the weather here is divine, if a little damp on some days. Could be a good excuse to visit Florida?
I am thinking 12is the way to go.
Your advice has been very useful.
Novice
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 15
Likes: 4
From: Nashville, TN
After 35 years of riding, 30 years of wanting, and about 17-18 years of serious looking, this past Monday I purchased my first Harley Davidson - a 2024 Pearl White Road King Special. I LOVE the bike, but as someone of stature slightly larger than a Hobbit, I find the handlebars especially lacking and almost intolerable! I have rotated them back as far as they can go, but I still find the reach to force me to lean forward a bit, I can barely reach the far bar at full lock, and now that they are tilted back the wrist angle is terrible!
I am maybe 5'6" on a good day, and around 170lbs. 29-30" inseam. Probably short-ish torso and arm length. Trying to do research to figure out what bars will work best for me, but I MUST change them out as soon as possible to enjoy the bike. I have tried to sift through as much of this thread as I can. I also will be doing some other changes and upgrades, but the bars and probably some rear shocks to improve harshness on sharp bumps when 2-up are my priorities. Any advice is massively appreciated!
I am maybe 5'6" on a good day, and around 170lbs. 29-30" inseam. Probably short-ish torso and arm length. Trying to do research to figure out what bars will work best for me, but I MUST change them out as soon as possible to enjoy the bike. I have tried to sift through as much of this thread as I can. I also will be doing some other changes and upgrades, but the bars and probably some rear shocks to improve harshness on sharp bumps when 2-up are my priorities. Any advice is massively appreciated!
