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:

Ape-hanger question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 21, 2009 | 10:22 AM
  #1  
manhands94's Avatar
manhands94
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Utah
Default Ape-hanger question

I'm looking to buy my first Road King. An 07 with apehangers. I go about 6'2 and when I sit on the bike my hands are at, or slightly above my shoulders. Having never riden with apes, I'm a little concerned. Should I stick with standard bars or go with the apes.
Advantages, disadvantages ???

Any input appreciated.

Not sure what size the apes are.
 
Reply
Old Mar 21, 2009 | 10:45 AM
  #2  
bigdumbnoitall00's Avatar
bigdumbnoitall00
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,341
Likes: 714
Default

stay apes i found the stocker too far away im 6'1 and got shoulder pain from reachin u can also roll em in the clamps to find a better position.if they turn out to be too tall go in between stock and what u got now.
 
Reply
Old Mar 21, 2009 | 10:47 AM
  #3  
manhands94's Avatar
manhands94
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Utah
Default

I've heard that hands will go numb if they are above your heart and that the apes are less comfortable in a long ride. Maybe it's just personal taste?
 
Reply
Old Mar 21, 2009 | 10:53 AM
  #4  
rick's Avatar
rick
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,879
Likes: 5
From: miami,fl
Default

I'm 6'1 and have 16" apes on my RKC.I used to have a fatboy w/12.5 apes.I will tell you my experience with apes is that maneuverability,handling are alot better than when i had stock bars.With apes you can easily change your riding position to whatever suits you.Long rides they are extremely comfortable.I as of yet have not had any type of numbness.But in all honesty it probably is a matter of tastes.I wont ride w/o apes its just too comfy.
 
Reply
Old Mar 21, 2009 | 10:59 AM
  #5  
manhands94's Avatar
manhands94
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Utah
Default

Here is a pic of the bike. The bars look pretty high. Maybe 15 or 16. Thanks for the input on the apes. I need to ride both and see which I like better.
 
Attached Thumbnails Ape-hanger question-10184511.jpg  
Reply
Old Mar 21, 2009 | 11:03 AM
  #6  
bigdumbnoitall00's Avatar
bigdumbnoitall00
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,341
Likes: 714
Default

those are tall i usually like them even or slightly below my shoulder and rolled back closer so i have plenty of bend in elbose. it would be very easy to go a little shorter as u already got plenty of cable lenght but stock is way to low for me.
 
Reply
Old Mar 21, 2009 | 11:03 AM
  #7  
MotorSgt's Avatar
MotorSgt
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 333
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville FL
Default

i just installed 16" apes on my 07' king. LOVE them, I can now turn lock to lock without the bars hitting the tank or my knees, and I havent found any numbness. Im 6'2" as well, you shouldnt have any problems.
 
Reply
Old Mar 21, 2009 | 11:05 AM
  #8  
SROJason's Avatar
SROJason
3rd Gear
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Hollister, CA
Default RE:

I have 14" Chubbys on my 07 Road King Standard. Apes are much more comfortable. I am about 5'7" and my hands are just under shoulder height. Handling in slow tight turns can be difficult but the long trip rides are great.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Mar 21, 2009 | 11:13 AM
  #9  
gibbyflhx's Avatar
gibbyflhx
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
From: So New Hampshire
Default

I would stick with the Apes, I put 13.5's on my streetglide and have alot more leverage and they are alot more comfortable on longer rides
 
Reply
Old Mar 21, 2009 | 11:15 AM
  #10  
manhands94's Avatar
manhands94
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Utah
Default

Thanks for the posts. I found another thread on apes which I should have read first. Sounds much like this one, people that have apes love them for the most part.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:20 PM.

story-0
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-1
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-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE