i am 5'5" with long torso 27 28 inseam and buying a roadking classic and i am wanting apes as im not to crazy about the factory bars. would 14 be too much. should i stick with 12?

i am looking at the carlini flyin apes and a couple others

 

I put 12" apes on my 02 road king- hand position is about 3" below shoulder when bars are adjusted to the fork rake- I'm 5"7". My 5'6" buddy put the same bars on his Fatboy and his bars are at his shoulder height due to the fat boys lowrider riding height. He loved the height so much, and the reach is so much better, he pushed them forward- so his hands area above the shoulder (Wild Ones 12.5"). The point is that you can "rake" the bars to increase the height- and reach). You didn't mention sleeve length, but 14" might be pretty high- but you'd truly be flyin with 14s.....

 

I'm 5'10" and I have 16" inchers that put my arms straight out. It may sound odd to some but I find that an incredibly comfortable riding position. I have no problems whatsoever with my hands getting numb. I used to have to shake my hands out occasionally with the stock bars. I don't have that problem with the apes. For your height, the 12"s might work, but if you think you can swing the 14"s, they'd sure look cooler.

 

The other thing you can do is play around with your seat for height and location. My sundowner is much different than my solo brawler. The brawler puts my arms out level where the sundower put them a couple of inches under.

 

5'5" on a RKC?? an 800# bike with 14's?? good luck trying to manuver in tight corners in parking lots

 

Get the 14s and let us know what you think because that is exactly the bars I am considering. Either the 14 or 16 Carlini Flying Apes but leaning towards the 14s. I will wait to hear your opinion. But not too long.

I don't think apes will adversely affect your ability to handle your bike in tight turns. JMO.

 

I am 5"9", 09 Road King, running a badlander and / or brawler solo seat. I put 12.5 inch Wild 1's on her and I wish I would have gone with the 14's, if not the 16's. And yeah, the bike handles just fine at any speed, contrary to what some of the "experts" who don't ride with them will try to tell you. It sure as hell handles better than it did with the stock bars.

 

any measurements i should take.

 

I have 16's on my Dyna and had them on my Sporty as well and I'm 5"6". I know the RK is a different animal, but having rented one a couple weeks ago I found the stock bars positioned below my chest to be extremely uncomfortable and more difficult to handle the bike.
Just my opinion, but If I decide to purchase the RK the first mod I make is 16in apes.

 

I don't know about for a smaller person (I'm not that big) but, for me, the difference in handling was minimal and overcome in an hour or so. Slow speed maneuvering was not compromised for me. Those big bars look like they would have to be more difficult...but in reality it's the opposite.