More or Less control with 16 inch apes?
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 103
Likes: 19
From: INDIANA
Coming from a performance bike background where I could lift the rear wheel with the front brake if I wanted to show off and always felt a lot of pressure on my wrists and arms when braking aggressively, I have always wondered how safe the tall Harley bars are.
For those of you that have had to white knuckle stop for a dog or car or whatever, any issues? Will the bars resist rotation when you are squeezing the brake hard enough to activate the anti lock on dry paved roads?
For those of you that have had to white knuckle stop for a dog or car or whatever, any issues? Will the bars resist rotation when you are squeezing the brake hard enough to activate the anti lock on dry paved roads?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,339
Likes: 486
From: Nor Cal
Coming from a performance bike background where I could lift the rear wheel with the front brake if I wanted to show off and always felt a lot of pressure on my wrists and arms when braking aggressively, I have always wondered how safe the tall Harley bars are.
For those of you that have had to white knuckle stop for a dog or car or whatever, any issues? Will the bars resist rotation when you are squeezing the brake hard enough to activate the anti lock on dry paved roads?
For those of you that have had to white knuckle stop for a dog or car or whatever, any issues? Will the bars resist rotation when you are squeezing the brake hard enough to activate the anti lock on dry paved roads?
Road Captain
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 616
Likes: 70
I too came from a racing background and i just cant wrap my head around apes, no leverage at all over the bike, with the yaffe sport bars on my RGS i can throw it around like a sport bike. and yes i can see the bars easily moving in the clamps, that's why they make one piece bar clamps with setscrews and pins and such to try and stop it.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 11,475
Likes: 3,001
From: Charleston, SC
I guess when I emergency brake I don't use the bars to hold me in the seat - prob more my legs... I guess.
Also, don't have any problem with leverage. I can turn lock to lock and do the policeman's course without any issues. I watched "Ride like a Pro" and stayed in a Holiday Inn Express a bunch of times...
Note: My bars are not over my shoulders (prob 2-3 inches below) and only 34 inches or so wide. They are more like riding with high MX bars.
Yeah... I could say I'm slouched in the seat but the reality is that I like food.
Last edited by lp; Apr 1, 2022 at 10:04 AM.
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,693
Likes: 460
I have 14” apes and never had them move in the clamp. Proper installation and torque is a big factor here I would think. I also never felt like I had any lack of leverage over the stock bars. I can turn them stop to stop without a problem, and I haven’t stayed in a Holiday Inn express for several years.
Another thing, I don’t ride my heavy bagger like I’m racing, or too look cool, I ride it to cruse around in comfort.
Another thing, I don’t ride my heavy bagger like I’m racing, or too look cool, I ride it to cruse around in comfort.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 104
Likes: 54
From: Salem Oregon
Great topic and some great responses. Thank you all for the good read and info. I would really like a set of 12" or 14". Not quite sure which just yet, but, I know I want them. I really like the Mayhem Bagger. I just don't like the width.
Jes
Jes
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,693
Likes: 460
So my advice, get the 14 bars. I dont think youll regret it, in fact I think youll be happy you did.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 64
Likes: 40
From: Murfreesboro
If I were going to do new bars and move away from my current I would go with the FXR streetwitch all day. They are more narrow than most of the bars out there and look solid.
https://www.fxrdivision.com/handleba...t-glide-models
https://www.fxrdivision.com/handleba...t-glide-models