2011 Road King Classis handlebars

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Jun 6, 2011 | 02:03 PM

HaydenHeywoodHayes

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From: NW Georgia

2011 Road King Classis handlebars

I bought a new 2011 Road King Classic and though I am not really uncomfortable on the motorcycle I feel like I am leaning forward to the bars at least a little. I'm 5'8", 30" inseam, have no trouble flatfooting the motorcycle but could use a little more comfort with the handlebars. I've been following some of the threads about handlebar changes for Road Kings and done a search as well. I can't seem to find anything referring to using Wideglide bars on a new 2011 Road King Classic. The Heritage bars have a wierd angle for my hands, but the Wideglide bars don't. The dimesions are similar according to the H-D parts catalog, the H-D parts guy said all the stock cables will work (he even said he didn't understand why more folks didn't turn to these bars because of the hand position), they just need to "notch" the right grip end for the throttle by wire. Anyone know any more about using these bars? I'm tempted to do so but thought I'd ask first. Thanks for any input anyone may have...

Jun 6, 2011 | 03:26 PM

RK14SGS

Road Warrior

Joined: Jul 2009

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From: SC

No first hand experience on these, but now I am thinking...

Jun 6, 2011 | 03:47 PM

FDHOG

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Joined: Jul 2010

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From: Highlands, NJ

I'm also in the market, but I'm a little taller than you (6'3")
I'm looking at the Wild Ones 518's, but the 508's are for shorter guys.

Jun 6, 2011 | 05:31 PM

HaydenHeywoodHayes

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From: NW Georgia

The trouble I think I'll run into with the Wild 1s is the wheel barrow effect...at least their website pictures tend to seem that way to me. I sat on a 2011 RKC with the Heritage bars and they are just too "flat" in the hand position for me...I am getting a Stage 1 done on the 24th and will do the bars the following week if they are indeed the right ones. Otherwise I'll have to wait a bit as my other choices require changing the cables and if I'm going to do that I might as well go Diamondback like the Softail had and if I do that I might as well do the internal wiring at the same time and while I have the bars off might as well chrome all the hand controls and if I do that...;-)! I just don't have the dough for it all right now...but I'll post after the end of the month on what I did do...

Jun 11, 2011 | 10:07 PM

Kudzu

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Joined: May 2011

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From: Santa Fe, NM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HaydenHeywoodHayes

... I'll have to wait a bit as my other choices require changing the cables and if I'm going to do that I might as well go Diamondback like the Softail had and if I do that I might as well do the internal wiring at the same time and while I have the bars off might as well chrome all the hand controls and if I do that...;-)

Yes, I find myself doing this same thing... either settle for the Heritage bars and spend only around $80 knowing that they probably don't have as much rise as I'm looking for. Or end up spending $800-1000+ completely reworking the handlebars, cables, grips, controls, etc...

I'm getting impatient and will probably shoot for Heritage bars as a temporary measure until I can figure out exactly which Apes I really want.

I can't abide these stock Road King bars much longer. :-(

Jun 12, 2011 | 06:26 PM

HaydenHeywoodHayes

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From: NW Georgia

On the bike 2 hours today and my arms paid the price...gotta do something soon. I'm either going short and install Wide Glide bars or bite the bullet and install chrome touring bars (56180). I'll keep this post updated when I do it..