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Ok guys so I just jumped off the deep end and traded in my 07 Softail for a 13 Road Glide Ultra.. Coming from my ST with 18" Ape hangers this thing feels like I am driving a moped as far as the driving position.. I need a lower seat and taller bars.. I am told on the 13's you can getaway with 12 inch bars and some 14's with out having to replace any wiring? First is this true? second what measurements to I need to buy as far as the knurling and at the Grips? A guy here local has a set of Factory 47 handle bars he says are 12" for harley road glide will they work? second question what would be the lowest seat I can get that will still be comfortable for a 3 hour road trip? oh yea and does anyone have any before and after pics of stock vs a set of 12" or 14"
I have a 2011 RGU. I went with KST 14 straight jackets. I tried 8, 10, and 12s from various manufacturers until I settled on the KSTs. The wiring will depend on wether you are doing internal wires or not. Running them external, while not as clean will let you get away with not doing extensions, though you will have to reroute a little. I cut notches in the control clamp so it doesnt pinch my wires. This way you can also swap bars easier since the only internal wire will be the throttle by wire. For 14 you will need a new clutch cable, +4 will get you there, I bought 6 because that was the only one in stock when I looked and its a good bit too long. The brake line, you can just cut a couple cable ties and crack the banjo bolt to change the angle. If you dont pull the brake lever you wont have to bleed it. For what its worth, Im a 56/170lb asian dude and the bike fits me comfortably
I know how you feel. Before I bought my 2010 road glide I was riding a crossbones with a low profile seat and 16" bars. The first set of bars I changed to were 12" monkey bars and that lasted 1 month before I pulled them off and went to 14". I am now running 14" KST spearheads and a lucky Daves bagger seat (same as saddleman step up) and it is perfect for me.
Did not change any wiring or cables for the 12" install but changed both clutch and brake on the 14" install. Some say you can get away with not changing for a 14" install but I don't see working.
Crossbone.. how tall are you? I am right at 6 foot.
6'0" with 32 inseam. In addition to the height, the biggest issue with me for comfort was the pull back adjustment on the spearheads as I wanted to be able to lean back not forward.
12" Wild 1 Chubby Z's worked on my 13 RGU with no extensions or cables. For a lo pro seat that's reasonably comfortable, look at the Harley lo pro solo touring.
Guess I am the lone oddity as to bars. Was a wrench for close to 25 years anything with an engine including Heavy Equipment but no aircraft, have serious shoulder issues, had to have two discs in my neck swapped to manmades to keep feeling in my hands and fingers, Tried the dealer sets as to set ups, put hands to sleep, tried riding a brother's ride with apes, shoulders screamed, finally ended up just rolling up the stock bars where felt better. NOTHING and I Mean NOTHING ever felt right beyond Stock Roadie Bars by me. On my 03 Road King I had tried seven different bars to try and find something better, Beach, Apes from 10-18", when it traded it had STOCK HD Roadie bars on it.
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Help please, Road Glide bars
