10" handle bars vs the 8" stock bars on a ultra limited
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,108
Likes: 353
From: Tyler Tx
Once you get used to it, in my opinion there is no difference in low speed handling. I have 12’s on mine. I can no longer make a u-turn with stock bars, they feel awkward.
Rode my FIL’s rental road glide back for him after he flew back to Indy and I didn’t know wtf to think with the bars so low. It’s been years since I’ve been on one like that.
If you find a height height that comfortably fits you, you’ll never want to go back. I ride full to empty time and time again with no shoulder or neck pain at all. Did 300 today in 40-50 degree weather and could have done another 300. 12” are above the fairing but pretty much still in the wind break so just a thin pair of mechanics gloves and off I go.
Rode my FIL’s rental road glide back for him after he flew back to Indy and I didn’t know wtf to think with the bars so low. It’s been years since I’ve been on one like that.
If you find a height height that comfortably fits you, you’ll never want to go back. I ride full to empty time and time again with no shoulder or neck pain at all. Did 300 today in 40-50 degree weather and could have done another 300. 12” are above the fairing but pretty much still in the wind break so just a thin pair of mechanics gloves and off I go.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 6,863
Likes: 3,727
From: St. Charles, MO
In my opinion, 10 inch bars would be a waste of money and effort. Its not much of an increase over stock. I started with 12 bars and ended up swapping them for the 14 bars I should have installed in the first place. Im not the only person on here that went with the lower of 2 sizes and ended up wishing they had gone higher. Think of it this way. If you stand looking through a tall chain link fence and you grab the fence with both hands for comfort, where are your hands. I would say most people would grab it at or above shoulder height.
Anyway, just something to think about. Everyone has differing opinions on whats comfortable.
Anyway, just something to think about. Everyone has differing opinions on whats comfortable.
Corning and handling? No problem at all. Super comfortable on the highway too.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,187
Likes: 805
From: Washington
Think about width as well
Everyone likes what they like and that's ok. I put on a set of Harley "mini-apes". I think they were 12" bars. Hated them. What I didn't anticipate is the increase in tip-to-tip width. It was about 4" to 5" greater. Between the height increase and the width increase I concluded I didn't have as good of control of the bike, and was uncomfortable. Tried it for 2 months then finally thought "this is stupid for me". I put stock back on. If you are built like an orangutan you will have more choices. For what its worth I'm a hair under 6' with a 32 sleeve length.
What I meant to say was protection from the fairing, 12" bars are just above the fairing, but there is still protection. Higher than 12 and your hand is exposed. My fault.
Ride safe!
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 51
Likes: 5
I'm on the fence. On my 2010 Ultra I had the Harley Reach bars for years to bring them closer to me so that I could set up straighter and that helped my back considerable however I did not like the angle of the gripes and probably is what caused my carpal tunnel sydrome. The Reach bars are maybe 2 inches higher and 2 back and that was perfect for me except for the gripe angle.
Now with a new Ultra I'm again on the fence on what to install. The middle of my back is starting to ache me again and my visits to the chiropractor have picked up.
Does everyone on the chat do their own handlebar installs or are you all independently wealthy? Even going to a local shop is 3-4 hundred dollars labor dropping the batwing fairing.
Now with a new Ultra I'm again on the fence on what to install. The middle of my back is starting to ache me again and my visits to the chiropractor have picked up.
Does everyone on the chat do their own handlebar installs or are you all independently wealthy? Even going to a local shop is 3-4 hundred dollars labor dropping the batwing fairing.
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Club Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,684
Likes: 444
I do my own work on my bike because I feel I can do a much better and thorough job than a paid technician working under a time constraint. I also have a long list of mechanical skills developed over years of practicing my profession, doing my own mechanical work and learning from many mistakes.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 42
Likes: 1
From: Texas
I have a 2012 Ultra Classic and am adding 10 inch Yaffee bars. Those of you that have done this do you HAVE TO ADD cables and wires? I have seen many threads saying that you don't have to, but now some are saying they did. So those of you that have done it on a 2012 what is the answer?