Touring Models Road King, Road King Custom, Road King Classic, Road Glide, Street Glide, Electra Glide, Electra Glide Classic, and Electra Glide Ultra Classic bikes.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Handlebar question...

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 14, 2022 | 07:09 AM
  #1  
Briantime1's Avatar
Briantime1
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 32
Likes: 46
From: Chicago burbs
Default Handlebar question...

On my new to me '04 Road King Classic I find the reach to the grips a little longer than I like. I have been searching and it appears this is not an uncommon issue.

One of the most common solutions is a set of Heritage bars. The only ones I can find from Harley say they are for '08 and later models but I have seen many posts and even a review for them on the Harley site from guys with earlier bikes like mine using them.

I'm confused...help?

https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/shop/Heritage-Style-Handlebar/p/56902-08
 
Reply
Old May 14, 2022 | 09:03 AM
  #2  
GOGOBECK's Avatar
GOGOBECK
Road Warrior
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 820
From: Moneta, Virginia
Default

I bought an ‘02 that had heritage ST bars, I swapped ‘em out for HD’s “tall boy” bars… a bit wider and not quite as tall as the Heritage bars. Fit me perfect.
They don’t come with the holes for internal wiring, easy enough to drill though.
 
Reply
Old May 14, 2022 | 09:09 AM
  #3  
decencyxdefied's Avatar
decencyxdefied
Seasoned HDF Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 5,157
Likes: 740
From: new caney, tx
Default

Don't over think this. Bars are bars. If they mate fine at the clamp they will work. The bike doesn't know the difference. Drill and de bur holes for wiring and enjoy it
 
Reply
Old May 14, 2022 | 09:31 AM
  #4  
LoneBone's Avatar
LoneBone
Banned
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 14,866
Likes: 31,162
From: Whiskey Falls, Texas
Default

^^^^What he said^^^^

I have a set of factory '08 Heritage bars. They are not drilled anywhere, 1" bar all the way.

They'll work on your RK, you'll just have to drill the bars if you want to hide the wires....
 
Reply
Old May 14, 2022 | 09:39 AM
  #5  
Barndog107's Avatar
Barndog107
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 13
Likes: 2
From: NE Oklahoma
Default

Don't even bother with 1" bars if you want to internal wire them, Replace the Clamp and go 1 1/4" bars you'll like the look better in the long run.
 
Reply
Old May 14, 2022 | 09:56 AM
  #6  
RKZen's Avatar
RKZen
Seasoned HDF Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,098
Likes: 1,979
From: Somewhere on the Bourbon trail
Default

This ^^^^

I'd get the fatter bars, especially if you want internal wiring. And if you plan to do heated grips. More room for the wiring.

If you like the Heritage-style bars, give KST Kustoms a call. They don't normally sell them but they can make the Heritage-style bars in 1 1/4" for you. That's what I have on my '13 King.
 
Reply
Old May 14, 2022 | 10:12 AM
  #7  
Briantime1's Avatar
Briantime1
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 32
Likes: 46
From: Chicago burbs
Default

Thanks. I couldn't reckon why they would not work. I need to do some more research as I am looking for bars with a couple more inches of pullback than the stock bars but also don't need new cables. I'm not looking to rout them internally and would like the ease and cost benefit of using all the original cables.
 
Reply
Old May 14, 2022 | 10:17 AM
  #8  
decencyxdefied's Avatar
decencyxdefied
Seasoned HDF Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 5,157
Likes: 740
From: new caney, tx
Default

Originally Posted by Briantime1
Thanks. I couldn't reckon why they would not work. I need to do some more research as I am looking for bars with a couple more inches of pullback than the stock bars but also don't need new cables. I'm not looking to rout them internally and would like the ease and cost benefit of using all the original cables.
Hell yea, if the stocl wires are in goos shape just run what ya brung. Id start lookin st ways to run the wires internally. It's not hard but can be frustrating. There are severak ways. If i remember correctly i used a small nut on weedeater string from bottom to top, taped the wires to the string, gave it a shot or 2 of whatever lube you have and get to pulling. Dont use astroglide tho, it's too sticky lol
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

10 Most Awkward-Looking Motorcycles Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-8

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
Old May 14, 2022 | 12:26 PM
  #9  
PiedPiper's Avatar
PiedPiper
Road Captain
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 616
Likes: 70
Default

The 02 RK in my sig has 16" internal wired apes. I'm 5"11 on a good day and I love them. but everyone is different. the best advice I can give you is to try to find a similar bike with bars you think you want and ask if you can sit on it. most people will understand and let you. otherwise, your just guessing and guessing gets expensive.
 
Reply
Old May 14, 2022 | 01:46 PM
  #10  
GOGOBECK's Avatar
GOGOBECK
Road Warrior
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 820
From: Moneta, Virginia
Default

I think the type of riding you do determines where you want the bars… if you’re carving up the twisties, you want wider bars and low enough to get on top of the grips, leaning your upper body forward vs. laying back is a benefit if you like hard cornering.
If you’re a highway cruiser, I think taller and a bit narrower bring more comfort.

I like the tall boy bars, because, I can layback a bit and relax at times and I can straighten up and lean into the bars when I ride more aggressively. I’m 6’1”
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
bronxbill
Touring Models
2
Feb 11, 2013 12:03 AM
primdl
Touring Models
1
Sep 18, 2008 11:23 AM
racinjunkie
Touring Models
8
May 31, 2008 09:01 PM
rfhermo
Touring Models
2
Feb 20, 2008 08:35 AM
Dsrt
Touring Models
3
Dec 8, 2005 09:38 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:37 PM.

story-0
10 Most Awkward-Looking Motorcycles Ever Built

Slideshow: Not every motorcycle can be a design icon, and these machines prove that bold styling doesn't always age gracefully.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:58:41


VIEW MORE
story-1
Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

Slideshow: Jason Momoa's latest restoration project blends 1920s Harley-Davidsons with modern electric technology, creating some of the most unusual hybrid motorcycles ever built.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 17:18:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

Slideshow: Killer Custom's latest build relies on styling changes rather than performance upgrades, giving the cruiser an entirely different personality.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 18:28:05


VIEW MORE
story-3
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-4
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-5
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-9
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE