Road King Handlebars
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Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
From: Northeast Florida
Road King Handlebars
I’ve owned my RK for a few weeks now and one of the things that needs to be changed is the handlebars. I’m considering two different options and was wondering if anybody had an opinion on either or both.
Here’s what I’m considering:
Keeping the stock handlebars and add 4” – 4 ½” pullback risers. This seems to be the easiest fix since I don’t have to touch anything on the bars. It looks like I can just take them off, add the risers and bolt the bars back on.
Change to either Heritage or Road King High bars. Although this option is more complicated, some advice I’ve gotten here makes it sounds easier than I thought. [/ol]
The main reasons for the change are more control and more comfort. The stock bars feel like they are too forward and I don’t get a good sense of balance, especially during tight turns (driveways, narrow roads) and at stops on uneven pavement. While taking the MSF safety class, I dropped it going into a starting gate. I was trying to make a tight right turn and as I was trying to put my foot down, my right knee got caught on the handlebar and it just went over. Fortunately, I was almost stopped and my bike didn’t sustain any damage. Felt kinda stupid with my leg caught under while having to wait for the riding coach to help me get it back up. He assured me that it does happen, even to more experienced riders.
As for comfort, the position of the stock bars makes me lean forward making longer rides somewhat uncomfortable.
What I’m looking for is any “how-to” or “I tried that and it worked or didn’t work because…” comments.
Here’s what I’m considering:
Keeping the stock handlebars and add 4” – 4 ½” pullback risers. This seems to be the easiest fix since I don’t have to touch anything on the bars. It looks like I can just take them off, add the risers and bolt the bars back on.
Change to either Heritage or Road King High bars. Although this option is more complicated, some advice I’ve gotten here makes it sounds easier than I thought. [/ol]
The main reasons for the change are more control and more comfort. The stock bars feel like they are too forward and I don’t get a good sense of balance, especially during tight turns (driveways, narrow roads) and at stops on uneven pavement. While taking the MSF safety class, I dropped it going into a starting gate. I was trying to make a tight right turn and as I was trying to put my foot down, my right knee got caught on the handlebar and it just went over. Fortunately, I was almost stopped and my bike didn’t sustain any damage. Felt kinda stupid with my leg caught under while having to wait for the riding coach to help me get it back up. He assured me that it does happen, even to more experienced riders.
As for comfort, the position of the stock bars makes me lean forward making longer rides somewhat uncomfortable.
What I’m looking for is any “how-to” or “I tried that and it worked or didn’t work because…” comments.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
RE: Road King Handlebars
I have an 07 Road King, and I figured out the same thing you have. I hated the stock bars. Putting Heritage bars on it would be much easier than you think. I put the "reduced reach" bars on mine, whichrequires internal wiring. It was a lot of trouble to put the wiring into the bars. From what I can tell, the Heritage bars are a relatively easy swap. I wish I had gone that route when I changed mine out. The Heritage bars don't require any kind of wire extensions or changing of the lines. A simple swap. They're cheap too. I would try that first, before I went towards anything more expensive.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 252
Likes: 6
From: bloomsburg,pa
RE: Road King Handlebars
I put Heritage bars with 2 1/2 pull back risers onmy 05 rkand it is sweet. no more neck pain.did a 800mile day recently and it was very comfortable.Used the street slamer handlebar cover and all stock cables just need to tweek the brake line.
Bob
Bob
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 704
Likes: 45
From: Western Washington
RE: Road King Handlebars
I went with the chrome Heritage bars on my RKC. Very comfortable and didn't have to change any of the cables or wiring. Bars were around $50 at the dealer if I remember correctly and that was the only cost. Job not too bad to do, follow the manual, worst part is fussing with the nacelle.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,391
Likes: 10
From:
RE: Road King Handlebars
ORIGINAL: FastPitchFan
I’ve owned my RK for a few weeks now and one of the things that needs to be changed is the handlebars. I’m considering two different options and was wondering if anybody had an opinion on either or both.
Here’s what I’m considering:
Keeping the stock handlebars and add 4” – 4 ½” pullback risers. This seems to be the easiest fix since I don’t have to touch anything on the bars. It looks like I can just take them off, add the risers and bolt the bars back on.
Change to either Heritage or Road King High bars. Although this option is more complicated, some advice I’ve gotten here makes it sounds easier than I thought.
[ol][/ol]
The main reasons for the change are more control and more comfort. The stock bars feel like they are too forward and I don’t get a good sense of balance, especially during tight turns (driveways, narrow roads) and at stops on uneven pavement. While taking the MSF safety class, I dropped it going into a starting gate. I was trying to make a tight right turn and as I was trying to put my foot down, my right knee got caught on the handlebar and it just went over. Fortunately, I was almost stopped and my bike didn’t sustain any damage. Felt kinda stupid with my leg caught under while having to wait for the riding coach to help me get it back up. He assured me that it does happen, even to more experienced riders.
As for comfort, the position of the stock bars makes me lean forward making longer rides somewhat uncomfortable.
What I’m looking for is any “how-to” or “I tried that and it worked or didn’t work because…” comments.
I’ve owned my RK for a few weeks now and one of the things that needs to be changed is the handlebars. I’m considering two different options and was wondering if anybody had an opinion on either or both.
Here’s what I’m considering:
Keeping the stock handlebars and add 4” – 4 ½” pullback risers. This seems to be the easiest fix since I don’t have to touch anything on the bars. It looks like I can just take them off, add the risers and bolt the bars back on.
Change to either Heritage or Road King High bars. Although this option is more complicated, some advice I’ve gotten here makes it sounds easier than I thought.
[ol][/ol]
The main reasons for the change are more control and more comfort. The stock bars feel like they are too forward and I don’t get a good sense of balance, especially during tight turns (driveways, narrow roads) and at stops on uneven pavement. While taking the MSF safety class, I dropped it going into a starting gate. I was trying to make a tight right turn and as I was trying to put my foot down, my right knee got caught on the handlebar and it just went over. Fortunately, I was almost stopped and my bike didn’t sustain any damage. Felt kinda stupid with my leg caught under while having to wait for the riding coach to help me get it back up. He assured me that it does happen, even to more experienced riders.
As for comfort, the position of the stock bars makes me lean forward making longer rides somewhat uncomfortable.
What I’m looking for is any “how-to” or “I tried that and it worked or didn’t work because…” comments.
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Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Road King Handlebars
CHECK OUT WWW.WILD1INC.COM THERE BARS ARE EXCELLENT. THEY OFFER BLEMS WHICH I HAVE ALWAYS BOUGHT AND COULD NEVER TELL THE DIFFERENCE. I WENT WITH 14" APES. THEY FIT ME JUST RIGHT AND I'M 5' 11". THEY MAKE SEVERAL DIFFERENCE KINDS AND WILL CORRECT ANY OF THE ISSUES YORU HAVING. GOOD LUCK
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,542
Likes: 2
From: Cocoa Beach, Florida
RE: Road King Handlebars
I just installed a set of Wide-Glide mini apes on mine. Cheap and works/looks GREAT too. No cable changes needed and brake tube was easy to cheat (carefully straighten it outa little bit). Same general rise and width as Heritage but different pullback and grip angle - works better for me. For size references, I have a Mustang solo seatandam 6'1" atabout 210 lbs.