Handlebars
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,101
Likes: 1,013
I went with some 10" Wild Ones mini apes on my Road King.
Used the stock cables, but did have to extend the wiring which was no big deal.
Don't get stuck with short bars that you wished were higher later on just because
you wanted to save a few bucks on the install.
Used the stock cables, but did have to extend the wiring which was no big deal.
Don't get stuck with short bars that you wished were higher later on just because
you wanted to save a few bucks on the install.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 527
Likes: 25
You can see the pic of my 2006 FHLRI below. Those are 14" bars with stock wiring, throttle cables and clutch cable. There was some attachment of the wiring in nacelle right before it exited towards the bars. We unattached those there to give the needed wiring length. The clutch cable is not mounted to the nacelle anymore and is rerouted. No problems at all with throttle cables. All of this was at the limit though as far as clutch cable and wiring. 12's would be much easier. I did this project on mine to "hold me over" until I had some more funds. Been riding it this way for 7 years now. No plans to change.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,143
Likes: 6,165
From: SE Michigan
Wise advice. I'd go further and say that choosing bars so that you can keep the stock cables is incredibly foolish.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 9,384
Likes: 1,776
From: Central Texas
Heritage Handlebars are what the police Road Kings use so I figgered that if the cops were comfortable riding all day, then that is what I would get, and I really like them and no changing out wires or cables either.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
There is no simple answer, as bars come in so many different shapes, ignoring height. In any event, it is far more important that you are comfortable with the end result, so chose your bars and make them work. Unless you buy from a supplier who can guarantee what fits, you could find yourself having to buy parts anyway. Don't start this job early one morning while planning to go on a ride out for breakfast!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 34,647
Likes: 36,241
From: outskirts of ba habba
Find what's the most comfortable bars and proceed accordingly.
You only want to pay for/do this once !!!
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 7,101
Likes: 1,013
At the very least, if you decide to go the short route to start with,
when you extend your wires add in some extra length.
That way when you decide to go higher, at least the wiring part will already be done.
when you extend your wires add in some extra length.
That way when you decide to go higher, at least the wiring part will already be done.
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