Beach Bars
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 227
Likes: 1
From:
Beach Bars
Was wondering if anyone out there has Beach Bars installed on their RD King? I thought about the Wild-1 RK bars. However, while they do come closer to the rider (I'm about 5"8") it seem like the hand position is like (as some have previously referred to) holding a Wheelbarrow. This look appears to be more so than even the stock bars.
I think I want a wider bar where the hands don't turn in so much, more of a "flatter" position. Was wondering how folks who have the beach bars like them.
While I'm at it, what the heck is the difference between a Beach Bar, and a "Bikini" Beach Bar?
Thanks again
Jimbo
05 RD King
Smokey Gold
Stage-1
Rinehart 2-1
Sundowner 2-up
I think I want a wider bar where the hands don't turn in so much, more of a "flatter" position. Was wondering how folks who have the beach bars like them.
While I'm at it, what the heck is the difference between a Beach Bar, and a "Bikini" Beach Bar?
Thanks again
Jimbo
05 RD King
Smokey Gold
Stage-1
Rinehart 2-1
Sundowner 2-up
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,611
Likes: 104
From: Southern Colorado
RE: Beach Bars
I sure like mine but they take some getting used to. On slow turns I just push my knee out a little further to make room for the bars. They are comfortable and I've never thought that I was pushing a wheel barrel. I also get a few compliments about their appearance.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Beach Bars
Whiskers,
I am facing the same issues as you described. A lot of people have suggested the RK 2 bars, but I am still not wild about the hand position. Never heard it described as a wheelbarrow, but that is exactly it. It would appear to provide a strange hand movement when changing throttle position, almost like you would have to re-grip when applying a heaving throttle. I have even practiced moving my hand to simulate the RK and RK 2 bars - seems odd. Let me know if you find a bar that lessens the required reach and grips are pointed more outward. I have an 2006 RK and not happy with the bars.
I am facing the same issues as you described. A lot of people have suggested the RK 2 bars, but I am still not wild about the hand position. Never heard it described as a wheelbarrow, but that is exactly it. It would appear to provide a strange hand movement when changing throttle position, almost like you would have to re-grip when applying a heaving throttle. I have even practiced moving my hand to simulate the RK and RK 2 bars - seems odd. Let me know if you find a bar that lessens the required reach and grips are pointed more outward. I have an 2006 RK and not happy with the bars.
Road Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 792
Likes: 0
From: LQ
RE: Beach Bars
Hi, I have tried the Beach bars before and didn't like the bends... I now have Wild1 Chubby bars style#504 and I think they might be what you are looking for... If you go to http://www.wild1inc.com/ they have all the dimensions of the bars and pictures on customer rides..
Hope this helps...
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 227
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Beach Bars
Fishafly,
You may be on to something here[sm=icon_rock.gif]. I have a friend who has the Wild-1 Chubby "504s" on his Fatboy. The look is "wide," which I like, and the grips don't appear to be turned in so much. I bet they would look sweet on a RD King.
Whiskers,
How do you like your bars on the "long hauls?" Are they comfy?
Thanks
Jimbo
05 RD King
Smokey Gold
Stage-1
Rinehart 2-1
Sundowner 2-up
You may be on to something here[sm=icon_rock.gif]. I have a friend who has the Wild-1 Chubby "504s" on his Fatboy. The look is "wide," which I like, and the grips don't appear to be turned in so much. I bet they would look sweet on a RD King.
Whiskers,
How do you like your bars on the "long hauls?" Are they comfy?
Thanks
Jimbo
05 RD King
Smokey Gold
Stage-1
Rinehart 2-1
Sundowner 2-up
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,722
Likes: 5
From: Biddeford, Maine
RE: Beach Bars
I had 40" White Bros. Longhorn Beach Bars on my '96 Road King that I had before my Ultra Classic.
They look very cool, and get many compliments................but they killed my back and shoulders.
The only time there were a pain in the *** was in tight situations. When you have to go lock to lock, it's hard to have good control as you have to one hand it.
Going down the road they were very comfortable, but on long rides my lower back and shoulders would kill me from the strain.
Steve
They look very cool, and get many compliments................but they killed my back and shoulders.
The only time there were a pain in the *** was in tight situations. When you have to go lock to lock, it's hard to have good control as you have to one hand it.
Going down the road they were very comfortable, but on long rides my lower back and shoulders would kill me from the strain.
Steve
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 521
Likes: 0
From: Greenwood, IN
RE: Beach Bars
i like my beach bars. i am a little vertically challenged and they work great for me, like maineultra said tight turns are a little touchy until you get used to it, but i love them and i love the look!
Trending Topics
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,457
Likes: 612
RE: Beach Bars
My RKC has the 504's on it right now. I'm pretty short at 5'8" and they are too much of a reach for me. I get achy neck and shoulders from them on rides over an hour. Going to Sturgis this year and can't bear the thought of doing it with those bars. I'm swapping them with my Dad. He has RKII's on his Fatboy and wants a bar with less pull back. There are pics of the 504's on a Road King on the Wild 1 site. They do look good in my opinion, but I'm all about comfort now.
BZ
BZ
ORIGINAL: Jimbo59
Fishafly,
You may be on to something here[sm=icon_rock.gif]. I have a friend who has the Wild-1 Chubby "504s" on his Fatboy. The look is "wide," which I like, and the grips don't appear to be turned in so much. I bet they would look sweet on a RD King.
Whiskers,
How do you like your bars on the "long hauls?" Are they comfy?
Thanks
Jimbo
05 RD King
Smokey Gold
Stage-1
Rinehart 2-1
Sundowner 2-up
Fishafly,
You may be on to something here[sm=icon_rock.gif]. I have a friend who has the Wild-1 Chubby "504s" on his Fatboy. The look is "wide," which I like, and the grips don't appear to be turned in so much. I bet they would look sweet on a RD King.
Whiskers,
How do you like your bars on the "long hauls?" Are they comfy?
Thanks
Jimbo
05 RD King
Smokey Gold
Stage-1
Rinehart 2-1
Sundowner 2-up
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 239
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Beach Bars
The RK Bars (508) are for people under 5'9-5'10...pullback is 1.75 more then 518's but are 3.0 narrow and IMHO give that wheelbarrow look and feel.
508's
518's
I tried the 508's sent them back and got the 518's..then a friend of mine got the 513's and that is the ticket for the taller riders on FLHR or the 518's with a Corbin Seat, (it puts you back and down about 1.0)
508's
518's
I tried the 508's sent them back and got the 518's..then a friend of mine got the 513's and that is the ticket for the taller riders on FLHR or the 518's with a Corbin Seat, (it puts you back and down about 1.0)
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,611
Likes: 104
From: Southern Colorado
RE: Beach Bars
This is my first bike and I was taken with the look of the beach bars on it. So far, the bars have been comfortable for my rides around town and in the countryside (less than 200 miles/day)...but if was going to do a really long trip I think I might take a look at a different set up. I'm just not sure they are meant for that type of riding.
Al.
Al.