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I think 16" are the most popular height ape hangers. I have an 09 RKC with 16" Gangster Apes. With windshield on, my hands are about shoulder height and I'm 6'3" with 32" inseam. 16" are versatile, you cam rock them down for touring or take the windshield off and push them forward for some stretch and above shoulder height.
There are times I think 18's would be a better fit for an ape hanger arm position (like a cobra lol)
I had 12" heritage bars that gave me a straight arm position,.bellow shoulders, which was a good riding position. I think 14's look like misfits. Neither an ape or standard bars. Go with 16"!
I think 16" are the most popular height ape hangers. I have an 09 RKC with 16" Gangster Apes. With windshield on, my hands are about shoulder height and I'm 6'3" with 32" inseam. 16" are versatile, you cam rock them down for touring or take the windshield off and push them forward for some stretch and above shoulder height.
There are times I think 18's would be a better fit for an ape hanger arm position (like a cobra lol)
I had 12" heritage bars that gave me a straight arm
position,.bellow shoulders, which was a good riding position. I think 14's look like misfits. Neither an ape or standard bars. Go with 16"!
so the 16s are able to come a little forward to make my arms straight? I would like them shoulder height as I wouldnt want them to go above shoulders for the fear of having my hands fall asleep from being up high. And thats why I worry because 14s dont look as good as the 16s. 16s look better but again I want to be comfortable on long rides.
So you measured 15", was that without the risers?
Ive got 14" bars with 2" risers so I'm at 16".
I'm 6' long arms 30" finger tips to shoulder, not sure WTF inseam has to do with anything but I'm 34" if that's what it takes.
And seat height makes a difference too.
Last edited by RANGER73; Apr 25, 2019 at 06:34 PM.
THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH!!!! Sounds like 14s are perfect. I did measure sitting on the bike and I was around 15 so I think 14s are perfect. Also does anyone know anything about buying the Blemished Carlini bars? Theyre sold out of 14s.
My gangsters were blems. Ill be damned if I can find anything wrong.
Not to complicate things, but if you do decide to go with ape's make sure you take into account handlebar pullback.
I've been doing a ton of research on this forum over the past month as I'm looking to replace my Wild One Road King bars and have yet to decide on replacement 16" ape's as I'm trying to figure out what type of pullback I want. The three Wild One 16" ape version's have three different pullback angles (42 degrees with 12.5" pullback for the Classic, 25 degrees with 9" pullback for the Outlawz, and 28 degrees with 9" pullback for the Hooked). HCC's range from 6.5" to 7.5".
so the 16s are able to come a little forward to make my arms straight? I would like them shoulder height as I wouldnt want them to go above shoulders for the fear of having my hands fall asleep from being up high. And thats why I worry because 14s dont look as good as the 16s. 16s look better but again I want to be comfortable on long rides.
With the shield on and handlebars pushed forward to within 1/2" of touching, the windshield, my hands are 2-3 inches below shoulder height. Arms are mostly extended with a little bend at the elbows. I keep it there for weekends and the majority of the time.
Rock the bars back and they go lower and i usually do that for touring long distances.With the shield off you can push the bars beyond vertical and the higher you'll reach, stretch, and hang, cool for bike nights or bar hopping.
Someone mentioned pullback and that's a good point. I have 35" sleeves and like my arms straighter and higher. Think about where your hands usually are on the steering wheel when you drive a car.
I had Flying Apes, but the pullback was 11" and not where I liked my arms with the shield. The Gangsters have 7" pullback, as do Heritage bars. A good improvement. Dont worry about numb hands, I've never had an issue.
Last edited by StCRider; Apr 26, 2019 at 01:15 PM.
With the shield on and handlebars pushed forward to within 1/2" of touching, the windshield, my hands are 2-3 inches below shoulder height. I keep it there for weekends and the majority of the time.
Rock the bars back and they go lower and i usually do that for touring long distances.With the shield off, the higher you'll reach, stretch, and hang, cool for bike nights or bar hopping.
Someone mentioned pullback and that's a good point. I have 35" sleeves and like my arms straighter and higher. Think about where your hands usually are on the steering wheel when you drive a car.
I had Flying Apes, but the pullback was 11" and not where I liked my arms with the shield. The Gangsters have 7" pullback, as do Heritage bars. A good improvement. Dont worry about numb hands, I've never had an issue.
very informative! I dont know if Im going to cough up $400 plus for bars. My dad has Burly apes and I may just go with that. Any info on Burly bars? I think I may go 16s.
very informative! I dont know if Im going to cough up $400 plus for bars. My dad has Burly apes and I may just go with that. Any info on Burly bars? I think I may go 16s.
If you're looking for good bars at a good price, jsr customs had some I just installed that are solid. And they're veteran owned. I'm 5'10 and their 14" bars were good. Only come steel or powder coated, but $209 shipped is hard to beat. I had carlinis menace apes on my road glide before and loved them. But they didn't allow Harley heated grips (too narrow I'd) so decided to change. Carlinis website says they are slowly transitioning to allow fitment, but price won out.
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