Looking for help with Apes
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Stage II
Joined: Sep 2006
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Looking for help with Apes
I have decided to go with 16" apes on my 2007 FLHR. I am looking to see if any of you have advice on which brand to go with. I have heard good things about Cyclesmiths, and Chubbies always seem to be popular.
Looking through my J&P catalog, bars from Buff and Burly also look nice, but the pullbacks range for 8.5" for the J&P to 12.5" for the Chubbies.
Can anyone elaborate on their experience with these specific bars? I am 6'2" and am concerned about the different pullbacks. I know there have been a lot of picture threads of apehangers, but if anyone can post a picture of themselves on their bikes with apes and detail their height I am hoping that it would give a good reference for people looking for bar changes that may not be able to try them out first.
Thanks in advance
Chris
2007 FLHR Vivid Black, V&H True Duals w/ Ovals
Looking through my J&P catalog, bars from Buff and Burly also look nice, but the pullbacks range for 8.5" for the J&P to 12.5" for the Chubbies.
Can anyone elaborate on their experience with these specific bars? I am 6'2" and am concerned about the different pullbacks. I know there have been a lot of picture threads of apehangers, but if anyone can post a picture of themselves on their bikes with apes and detail their height I am hoping that it would give a good reference for people looking for bar changes that may not be able to try them out first.
Thanks in advance
Chris
2007 FLHR Vivid Black, V&H True Duals w/ Ovals
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: santa rosa ca.
RE: Looking for help with Apes
i run 14" buffalo bars i think drag speilaties,on my rk i too am 6'2 and my arms are just slightly angled down just below the shoulder. had a buddy with 16's same size guy but said they were to tall got cramps on long rideshope it helps
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2006
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RE: Looking for help with Apes
Don't have any ape pics for you. I'm running bagger bars from Chubby on my FLHX. I have had 13" apes on my wide glide, also from Chubby and also 10"apes and RK bars, all from Chubby. I had 13" apesfrom Flanders a number of years ago also. I am partial to Chubby or Wild 1 as they are called. I think the quality is second to none. Some of the other bars out there, IMO, are Chubby Copy Cat bars w/o the quality. I just ordered a set of "blem" 10" mini-apes from Chubby and you can't even tell where the blem is. They mark it with a felt tip so you can see the blem, but it's really nothing. Substantial discount on the blems. This isa testiment to their quality commitment and workmanship.........
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 57
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From: Utah
RE: Looking for help with Apes
Maybe another place to consider is LA chopper bars. there are pics on their web for ya. I personally have 12 1/2" chubbys on my RK and wished I had gone to 14" or 16". I think chubby's/wild Ones came out with 14" now, check it out. I also have cyclesmith 13 1/2" on my Elec. glide and love em. A buddy of mine put on the 14" LA chopper and love's em he says they measure longer than 14" and they put his hands out a little further than the chubbys and his about 6"1" Good Luck, do it right the first time.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 471
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From: Salt Lake City, UT
RE: Looking for help with Apes
I also have a '04 RK. I went with the Wild1 Chubby 16" apes. I put the bars at the same angle of the fork rake. I am 6' 0" with a 34" sleeve. I have a photo on the home computer I can post later tonight.
PS - It's really comfortable.
PS - It's really comfortable.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2007
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From:
RE: Looking for help with Apes
16s burly gorilla bars there fn awsome 3400 miles no shoulder sorness like people think... there the same measurments as chubbys but a little cheaper... if i had it to do over i would get 18s. hope this helps.........oh yea im 6'2 also
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Joined: May 2006
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RE: Looking for help with Apes
I have 18" apes from www.LAChoppers.com . I love my bars, although I wish that I had not let the wife talk me out of their ***** F'er bars. I am 6'1" and weigh 300 lbs. I am not a tiny guy. My hands sit right at my shoulder height, when I sit straight up. I am more torso than leg, if that helps. Apes made a huge improvement in the pain I was getting between my shoulder blades. Now, I ride in comfort, even with the stock seat and no rider backrest (which I will be picking up soon... I hope). One thing about apes is, they fit everyone different. Now that riding season is here, try and hit a bike night, or go to the local dealer on a weekend. Find someone with apes (on a touring bike) and ask to sit on their ride. I get asked all the time, and have no problem with it. Just tell them you are shopping for bars, and I doubt anyone would mind. You want to make sure you get the correct height the first go round, as the different heights usually require different length cables, lines, and wiring. You wouldn't want to go to short, and be unhappy (or to tall, either) and have to invest in all new parts... Take your time, and if you feel up to it, try the install yourself. I paid to have my done, and after having to make some adjustments, I now know I could have done it myself, and saved some cash. Here is a link to an install page, that should help you decide if you want to try it yourself... good luck, and have fun with it... letme know if you need anything...
http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/hhog/rkbarswap.pdf
http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/hhog/rkbarswap.pdf
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2006
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From:
RE: Looking for help with Apes
I'm about to do this too. Try this, get on the bike, set it upright, in a chock or with someone holding the front wheel, close your eyes and put your arms up. Hold them there and have someone measure you. Mine came out almost exactly like the Carlini bars, so that's what I am going with. Try the bike night thing too. But, your seat and foot position all matter with this, so it is best to find a bike as close to yours as possible.
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Stage II
Joined: Sep 2006
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From:
RE: Looking for help with Apes
Thanks guys a lot of good info amd pics here. I am going to be installing the bars with a buddy of mine who is a bike mechanic and I am definitely looking forward to doing it myself.
I have been on an FLHTC with the 16" Cyclesmith bagger bars and liked the height which is why I have been considering the Cyclesmiths. The bike night idea sounds like a good one, I don't know if I am going to be able to wait though, riding season hasn't started here yet here: we are getting 8" of snow tomorrow! So now is the time do it and not miss out on any riding.
stbunch those Burly's look great on your bike. How do you like the width? I notice those are a little wider than the other bars I am looking at do they really spread you out?
Papatravis I am mostly torso also (I am 6'2" but only a 31" inseam) so I have thought about 18s..are you able to run a windshield with them? I have read that 16s are really as high as you can go with apes and a windshield without having to modify the shield. Judging by the Cyclesmiths I have had my hands onI am going to want to tilt the bars a little forward, i like being stretched out a bit and I do a lot of two up riding soI don't want to squash my girl too much.
I have been on an FLHTC with the 16" Cyclesmith bagger bars and liked the height which is why I have been considering the Cyclesmiths. The bike night idea sounds like a good one, I don't know if I am going to be able to wait though, riding season hasn't started here yet here: we are getting 8" of snow tomorrow! So now is the time do it and not miss out on any riding.
stbunch those Burly's look great on your bike. How do you like the width? I notice those are a little wider than the other bars I am looking at do they really spread you out?
Papatravis I am mostly torso also (I am 6'2" but only a 31" inseam) so I have thought about 18s..are you able to run a windshield with them? I have read that 16s are really as high as you can go with apes and a windshield without having to modify the shield. Judging by the Cyclesmiths I have had my hands onI am going to want to tilt the bars a little forward, i like being stretched out a bit and I do a lot of two up riding soI don't want to squash my girl too much.