Bar reach
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 10
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From:
Bar reach
Okay... newbie here, but the posts I've read through searching the archives have confused me as much as helped me, so I'll risk ridicule and ask. 
Just bought a 2005 Road King and the stock bars (PO says they're stock anyway) seem to be about 1-1/2" to 2" further away from my riding position than I would like (I'm 6'2"). I rode a basically stock FXRT for 13 years and the bars never bothered me. These are killing my back within 30 minutes.
With the myriad of aftermarket bars out there, I'm having trouble figuring out what to order based on what I currently have. I'm not really big on the look of the beach bars, although that would be better than what I have now... anyone know of a bar that is shaped more like the stock bar, but simply has a 1-1/2 to 2" longer reach? I'm sure I could go to the dealer and find what I need, but I'm also wanting to explore any other options before I buy. I realize I will have to/want to extend brake lines, cables, and wiring and that's no big deal to me.
Thanks!
JJJ
Just bought a 2005 Road King and the stock bars (PO says they're stock anyway) seem to be about 1-1/2" to 2" further away from my riding position than I would like (I'm 6'2"). I rode a basically stock FXRT for 13 years and the bars never bothered me. These are killing my back within 30 minutes.
With the myriad of aftermarket bars out there, I'm having trouble figuring out what to order based on what I currently have. I'm not really big on the look of the beach bars, although that would be better than what I have now... anyone know of a bar that is shaped more like the stock bar, but simply has a 1-1/2 to 2" longer reach? I'm sure I could go to the dealer and find what I need, but I'm also wanting to explore any other options before I buy. I realize I will have to/want to extend brake lines, cables, and wiring and that's no big deal to me.
Thanks!
JJJ
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 337
Likes: 1
From: Maryland
RE: Bar reach
I'm 6' tall with a 35" sleeve length and in the same boat as you;like many I switched to the Heritage Classic handlbar (only had to install new grips). The Heritage bar (laid back) are very comfortable out on the highway, but Iseem to have a little bit of difficulty making sharp slow speed turns in town (especially into parking spaces); also the bars have more rise and set higher, so they can work loose manuvering an 800 pound bike around. After many hours of handlebar research on this forum, I've decided to go with the Chubby's Wild one 518 handlebar with the new H D diamond back cables. If your interested in viewing the Chubby's web sitefollow this link
http://www.wild1inc.com/handlebars.htmland good luck on whatever you decide on.
http://www.wild1inc.com/handlebars.htmland good luck on whatever you decide on.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 295
Likes: 1
RE: Bar reach
Another resource would be Flanders. I can't remember the actual web address but if you search for Flandershandlebars you'll find that they have a nice site. Lots of pics plus some good charts that give you the stock measurements of lots of different bars plus all of the measurements for their bars.
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Bar reach
Yea... the HD dealer actually recommended the Heritage bars as well, but curiously mentioned that most preferred the handling of the stock Road King bar... wonder if he was talking about slow speed stuff... Anyway... thanks for the info and the links. I had stumbled across Flanders on my own shortly after posting this thread and there's a world of info there. That was pretty much the kind of thing I was after. The Wild1 bars look pretty good too, I'm just not a big fan of the fat beach bar look... just a personal thing I guess. Thanks for the help gentlemen!
JJJ
JJJ
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 337
Likes: 1
From: Maryland
RE: Bar reach
A few riders have recommended the Kuryakyn Burly Bar; it's 1-1/2" thick and claims to be the same style as the Road King stock bar, only with more pull back. After reading the advertisement, I sent an email to Kuryakyn for the exact deminisionswhich leads me to believe it maybe the same shape and deminision as the Chubby's 508 bar; mostly for riders of average heightand under. Anyway, here's the link if you want to check it out http://kuryakyn.com/index.asp; you really need to go to a Harley dealership duringopen house and check out some handlebars, talk to the owners, most are more than glad to let you set on their bikes and check them out.
Thread Starter
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6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 10
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From:
RE: Bar reach
>A few riders have recommended the Kuryakyn Burly Bar; it's 1-1/2" thick and claims to be the same style as the Road King stock bar, only with more pull back.
Hmmmm... I like the look of those. My problem is I bought the bike in Dallas and am looking at a 900 mile or so trip to get it back home to Colorado so I'd like to have the bars replaced before I leave Dallas. Perhaps I should just take it up to the dealer here and let them put a longer reach bar on it. Paying the premium would probably be worth it since I don't have my tools here anyway... would also give me the peace of mind of knowing everything that needed extended was done properly. Fussin' with stuff in your own garage with your own tools is one thing. Trying to do it in a 'foreign' environment and knowing you have to get on it for 900 miles after you're done is another.
Thanks
JJJ
Hmmmm... I like the look of those. My problem is I bought the bike in Dallas and am looking at a 900 mile or so trip to get it back home to Colorado so I'd like to have the bars replaced before I leave Dallas. Perhaps I should just take it up to the dealer here and let them put a longer reach bar on it. Paying the premium would probably be worth it since I don't have my tools here anyway... would also give me the peace of mind of knowing everything that needed extended was done properly. Fussin' with stuff in your own garage with your own tools is one thing. Trying to do it in a 'foreign' environment and knowing you have to get on it for 900 miles after you're done is another.
Thanks
JJJ
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 137
Likes: 1
From: montana
RE: Bar reach
Heritage bars are the best for RK, here...........
[IMG]local://upfiles/49645/639BE02683DE4312965ACC5035917F02.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/49645/639BE02683DE4312965ACC5035917F02.jpg[/IMG]
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Novice
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Middleburg VA
RE: Bar reach
I had the same issue. I learned through this a several forums that back and shoulder pain is related to 3 things bar, seat height and leg reach. You're tall enough that so the leg part is moot. A different seat could put you closer.
I think since you're doing long hauls you need to be aware of more function than fashion here.. I installed HD's reach bars and they had me almost leaning backwards. I was told that too thick a bar (one that really doesn't fit your hand well) can also give you shoulder and arm pain over time.
I suggest grabbing a case of beer and go to your HD dealer, Bribe a service tech and ask them to put your bike up on a rack an try several different configurations... it sounds like a pain but riding in comfort is a kinda important, as least in my book.
I think since you're doing long hauls you need to be aware of more function than fashion here.. I installed HD's reach bars and they had me almost leaning backwards. I was told that too thick a bar (one that really doesn't fit your hand well) can also give you shoulder and arm pain over time.
I suggest grabbing a case of beer and go to your HD dealer, Bribe a service tech and ask them to put your bike up on a rack an try several different configurations... it sounds like a pain but riding in comfort is a kinda important, as least in my book.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 792
Likes: 0
From: Niagara Falls, NY
RE: Bar reach
Another possiblity is Wild 1s mini ape 8.5" being 6'5" with a longer arm, I found these awsome on my RG, plus you can retain all of your cables and brake line. Little massage on the hard brake line, but not to bad. On my RK I had RKII bar, which was nice but a little awkward at first...