Handlebar improves handling
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 627
Likes: 195
From: St. Louis
Handlebar improves handling
I want to improve handling on my Ultra, especially at slower speeds. I don't fully understand the geometry of this. Which handlebars improve slow-ride handling?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,858
Likes: 217
From: Puyallup Wa.
I'm not sure about the geometry when I changed handlebars the stability and the feel of the bike was improved felt more solid.
I change to Twin Peaks 10 inch. Being short at around five foot four handlebars for too wide for my comfort I had to change back to stock. But I miss how solid the bike felt with the beefier handlebar.
I change to Twin Peaks 10 inch. Being short at around five foot four handlebars for too wide for my comfort I had to change back to stock. But I miss how solid the bike felt with the beefier handlebar.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,399
Likes: 307
From: Salem IN
My road king came with beach bars. At first I loved them, but slow speed steering was bad. Pulling into a gas station you could feel it. I switched to 14 inch apes and oh wow so much better.So maybe try some 10 inch like Sam2010.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,253
Likes: 11,374
From: San Diego, CA
There are several mechanical/maintenance issues that can affect slow speed handling, ie: head bearing adjustment, tire pressure, etc..
If those are all up to spec... then changing bars to improve your slow speed handling will be very subjective...
Feedback form other riders will be helpful, but you won't know what you will like best, until you feel it...
Handlebars vary as to height, width, pull back, and grip angle.... Plus any given bar when moved (tilted) outward or inward feels different..
Some dealers have a display set up where you can feel/test different bars.... It might be worth checking that out, to get a ballpark idea about what feels most comfortable to you...
If you are new to changing bars, this video from Revzilla gives a good, general overview about what is involved to change out bars... it won't answer your specific question, but is good to know for someone who is thinking of changing out bars and never done it before..
Last edited by hattitude; Apr 27, 2021 at 09:05 AM.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,192
Likes: 2,425
From: USA
Very generically, the likes of dirt bike handlebars will help you control the bike. The basically wide and straight handlebars give you great leverage.
Conversely, the likes of buckhorns, beach bars, or wildly high apes give you poor leverage and poor control. Not to say they cannot be ridden, for they most certainly can, just that it’s not as easy.
Conversely, the likes of buckhorns, beach bars, or wildly high apes give you poor leverage and poor control. Not to say they cannot be ridden, for they most certainly can, just that it’s not as easy.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,807
Likes: 1,488
From: SW Washington State
Google search Motorman, he has a great video on this exact subject. Proper bars will allow you to go full lock while remaining reasonably upright in the saddle without overextending your reach. If your bars are too tall or too far forward, going full lock takes your body way out of position.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,339
Likes: 486
From: Nor Cal
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 934
Likes: 1,050
From: So Calif
Simply put, higher and wider bars provide more leverage than shorter, narrower bars.
Bigger bars might feel better at low speed, but they can be more touchy at high speeds. They 'amplify' your input.
Smaller, narrow bars feel 'tighter' or more stable at high speeds.
Bigger bars might feel better at low speed, but they can be more touchy at high speeds. They 'amplify' your input.
Smaller, narrow bars feel 'tighter' or more stable at high speeds.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 10,602
Likes: 721
From: Bellevue, NE
Khromewerks 10” bagger bobber apes will help a lot.
https://www.denniskirk.com/khrome-we...rd/5900142.sku
https://www.denniskirk.com/khrome-we...rd/5900142.sku