I have a 2004 Road King Custom
when I got it, I hated the Beach Bars, the wrist position killed me .
I wanted to upgrade to the Heritage Bars, for their widely accepted comfort.
I spent the last 3 years upgrading everything else that needed even more attention, but I always wanted to upgrade those dang Beach Bars.
Finally after 3 years, and new suspension, engine parts, pipes, carb, dyno tune, I finally had enough. I ordered Heritage Bars.
As I was taking the Beach Bars off, I thought how they were like a wheelbarrow.
​​​​​​I installed the Heritage Bars and they felt ok.
rode around and hoped they'd be better on a longer ride.
Then I got to thinking about how a wheelbarrow works.
You grab a wheelbarrow and let it hang low, with your arms down by your side.
The more I thought, the more I realized I had the Beach Bars up to high.
I reinstalled the Beach Bars and adjusted them low as I could comfortably get them.
WOW !!!
I love my Beach Bars now.
When I make a really tight turn , I now have to move my leg out of the way, cause I'm 6'4", and I have them way low, but I don't often turn that tight, and it's really not bad. I could raise them an inch and wouldn't have to move my leg, but I'm leaving them for now.
I wanted people that are unhappy with their beach bars to know, you may need to go lower with them.
I'm so happy I didn't spend a fortune on apes, I wanted to do before.
I've even gotten to like the looks of the Beach Bars. I'm really loving them now.

 

Post a pic. I love the beach bars on my RK as well, same problem as you having to move my leg out in tight slow turns but thats okay by me.

 

Yeah I went the ape route.....they are ok , but I do kinda miss my beach bars. I still have them. It's I spent so much on the apes......

 

Here they are re-installed. I really love them now.

 

A better picture without windshield

 

Those apes do look great.

 

I loved the look but hated the feel. Switched to 12" apes.

 

I put rk custom on my rk classic years ago and love them, can go many miles.

rk classic.

 

My 02 RK Classic (Avatar) had beach bars when I bought it 2005. That was my first bike after a 20 break to raise kids and pay the bills. It was also my first big bike over 250ccs, so I practiced a lot of slow riding in parking lots for a few weeks to get comfortable with the weight and power.

Like you, the beach bars forced me to move my foot back on the boards and my knee way out so I could pull the grip next to the tank to do full lock turns. I've owned several different bikes including a couple of Sport Touring bikes since that bike and my friends still laugh when I move my foot back and my knee way out in full lock turns. The habit won't go away.

I picked up a well used 07 RK Custom a couple years ago and I don't like those beach bars. I don't know what was on my 02 (I think Chubbys), but these are even narrower. I'm OK though, I just move my foot back and my knee out. I'm good to go.

Beary

 

I hated the stock bars on my 05 RK Custom.
Could never get comfortable with those bars.
Put on a set of Wild One's mini apes, and now it's a LOT better in all ways.