Pain between the shoulder blades
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 208
Likes: 17
From: Romeoville, IL
Yeah, I'm thinking about getting apes. The stock bars on the 16 are nice but at 6'3 I feel like I have to hunch over when I am riding and after a long ride get that same pain between the shoulder blades until I remember to sit up straight again.
Had a similar issue, but with the addition of my hands going numb because of wrist angle. In October I added a used set of Heli-bars (think stock cable lengths with a lot of adjustability). I assume when I find the perfect position, off to the dealer I go to find a normal set of bars to match the position I end up selecting.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
I had the exact same problem. I have joked for many years that Harley use a gorilla to install their bars in production, as so many bikes I try have the grips set too far away. It took me several attempts to get mine right, but I simply adjusted them until - hey presto, nirvana! So don't go spending money unnecessarily until you've had a go at adjusting your stock bars - for free. You may be surprised how much the grips move when the bars are rotated in their clamps - either up and away, or down and closer.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,089
Likes: 19,250
From: The Wasteland
This^^^. I had a 2003 Road King and the bars on it sucked bad. Put Heritage bars on and never had that shoulder pain again. The Heritage bars rise up and pull back more than the RK bars and give you a more natural, relaxed position. IMO the Heritage has the best stock bars made by the MoCo.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 1,751
Likes: 263
From: Catalina AZ
Everyone is different, I think you need to figure out what the actual problem is before throwing parts at it 
Personally I can't ride with apes
They are awkward for me (almost pile the bike up awkward).
I had to have my 94 delivered (it had apes) because I wasn't sure I would make it home.
I put beach bars on it before riding it more than a couple blocks.
My current bike I had seat work done to get me in the correct riding position.
Ergonomics make a huge difference, the older you get the more important they are.
That is unless you enjoy discomfort (pain).
Personally I can't ride with apes
They are awkward for me (almost pile the bike up awkward).
I had to have my 94 delivered (it had apes) because I wasn't sure I would make it home.
I put beach bars on it before riding it more than a couple blocks.
My current bike I had seat work done to get me in the correct riding position.
Ergonomics make a huge difference, the older you get the more important they are.
That is unless you enjoy discomfort (pain).
Last edited by GRWHD; Mar 30, 2017 at 07:24 AM.
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Joe Kucinski
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 8,039
Likes: 1,305
From: Jayhawk Country
This^^^. I had a 2003 Road King and the bars on it sucked bad. Put Heritage bars on and never had that shoulder pain again. The Heritage bars rise up and pull back more than the RK bars and give you a more natural, relaxed position. IMO the Heritage has the best stock bars made by the MoCo.
I agree, they are nice bars. Put them on my 11 RKC. Best money spent