Apes on a Bagger?
Apes on a Bagger?
How do people decide what size bars to go with when putting apes on a bagger? I have a 19 Ultra Limited that is giving me pain in between my shoulder blades and lower part of my neck after 100 or so miles. I think that bars will help, however I don't know how high is too high?? Also I notice everyone is putting pointy bars on their bikes, not like a regular shaped higher handlebar, what's the reason behind that?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 10,833
Likes: 6,485
From: Canada Flats
Something I learned while I was doing physio , after an accident , is that you want your shoulder blades to be relaxed and not pulled apart while riding , reaching , so to speak . Get someone to help measure your bars while sitting on the bike , find the most comfortable position and place your hands were you think is best .
I experienced , lower , upper back and neck issues as well .
I actually had my physiotherapist help me get my bike in the best set up I could for me . He said my posture was the root of all evil , now I can ride all day without any issues . Keep those shoulder blades together , he would say , and stretch before riding too .
I think the "pointy " bars look great , but not for me , I like the smooth curse of regular bars , it's preference .
I thought this video was well done .
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...9CEE72EC2C229D
I experienced , lower , upper back and neck issues as well .
I actually had my physiotherapist help me get my bike in the best set up I could for me . He said my posture was the root of all evil , now I can ride all day without any issues . Keep those shoulder blades together , he would say , and stretch before riding too .
I think the "pointy " bars look great , but not for me , I like the smooth curse of regular bars , it's preference .
I thought this video was well done .
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...9CEE72EC2C229D
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 597
Likes: 285
From: Gouda
Something I learned while I was doing physio , after an accident , is that you want your shoulder blades to be relaxed and not pulled apart while riding , reaching , so to speak . Get someone to help measure your bars while sitting on the bike , find the most comfortable position and place your hands were you think is best .
I experienced , lower , upper back and neck issues as well .
I actually had my physiotherapist help me get my bike in the best set up I could for me . He said my posture was the root of all evil , now I can ride all day without any issues . Keep those shoulder blades together , he would say , and stretch before riding too .
I think the "pointy " bars look great , but not for me , I like the smooth curse of regular bars , it's preference .
I thought this video was well done .
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...9CEE72EC2C229D
I experienced , lower , upper back and neck issues as well .
I actually had my physiotherapist help me get my bike in the best set up I could for me . He said my posture was the root of all evil , now I can ride all day without any issues . Keep those shoulder blades together , he would say , and stretch before riding too .
I think the "pointy " bars look great , but not for me , I like the smooth curse of regular bars , it's preference .
I thought this video was well done .
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...9CEE72EC2C229D
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 831
Likes: 219
From: The Shit Show
Telling somebody to get a specific size is quite honestly stupid. I had 18s on my 16 FLHXS and would have absolutely hated 12in bars. OP, the general method is to sit on your bike and rest your arms where you feel they would be most comfortable. With your arms in that position, have a friend or the ole lady measure the height.
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 363
Likes: 160
From: Kennesaw, GA
Are you going to do the install yourself? The reason I ask... I wasn't sure what height I wanted either. I fortunately live close to KST which also just happened to be the bars I wanted. I had them do the install. Took my bike and had them put several different ones on so I could get the feel. Ended up with 12" meat hooks. If your dealer is going to do the install, would they be willing to order different sizes and let you get the feel?
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 4,052
Likes: 5,159
From: Below the Gnat Line
I chose KST 12" Six Bend Kickers for two reasons. The 12" puts the top of my knuckle just over the top of the fairing and the wind passes over my hands at speed, so I'm good there. I chose the Six Bend Kickers, because the meathook doesn't look right on a bike with all curves (the engine guards, the saddlebag guards, the pipes, all have smooth curves) and also because I wanted to do the install to save myself the money and I didn't want to hassle with that acute bend when feeding the wires through the bars. I've never made a better purchase for the bike than these 12" KSTs.
Incidentally, I have since helped a buddy put 12" KST Mayhem Baggers on an Ultra Limited. It wasn't as bad as I had expected. We got the wires through after only two tries, but in the process, something inside the bars cut the wires and he ended up going to the dealership to have one wire harness replaced, because the bike would randomly refuse to start. I suspect it was something sharp in that meathook weld, but I never saw the harness that they took out.
Incidentally, I have since helped a buddy put 12" KST Mayhem Baggers on an Ultra Limited. It wasn't as bad as I had expected. We got the wires through after only two tries, but in the process, something inside the bars cut the wires and he ended up going to the dealership to have one wire harness replaced, because the bike would randomly refuse to start. I suspect it was something sharp in that meathook weld, but I never saw the harness that they took out.