Another RKC – Heritage Handlebar Question
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,555
Likes: 119
From: Brockport, NY
Purchased brand new '06 RKC way back in Spring '06. Had debated which handlebars I should've gone with. 2 of my preferred choices were the Heritage Bars or Beach Bar. Read reviews as everyone went with Heritage so I decided to be different. Beach Bar, That is. I also ordered Ultra seat. Not one single problem as I truly loved riding the RKC in so much comfort for the next 3 years before I upgraded to an '09 Ultra.
Good Luck,
Thorey
Good Luck,
Thorey
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 812
Likes: 0
From: Jaw-Jaw (Near The BIG Chicken!)
Maybe the 12" SG shocks?
Someone earlier mentioned that this thread and my questions weren't relevant unless I gave weight, height and other measurements. OK, I can see that. I'm 220 pounds, 6' tall, wear 35/36" sleeves and have (Don't laugh!) a 29-29 1/2" inseam. Guess that kind of inseam at 6' means my height from the seat up may be an inch or two higher than someone else with a longer inseam. Actually, I have a buddy with the same inseam, but a tad shorter that sat on my RKC that found it difficult to flat foot it (No, I can't figure out why if we pretty much have the same inseam). He loves the 2011 RKC, but says it sits higher than his 2011 Street Glide. I know the new RKC has 13" shocks and I'm wondering if the answer for him would be to put the SG 12" shocks on instead. Also wondering if he'd give up any riding comfort? He and his wife ride a lot together, but she may be getting a Deluxe later this year. Any thoughts on this?
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 511
Likes: 0
I did it and 2 hr rides are fine. After 8 hrs or so I still get the knife in the right shoulder blade. I dont know why its only the right side. On the second day It starts coming on after a couple hours. I dont think theres a universal fix. Bars are too pricey to keep changing. I just deal with it. But after all the sucess from others I would go for it.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 354
Likes: 2
From: Toledo, Oregon
This should be the sticky for this topic!
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 812
Likes: 0
From: Jaw-Jaw (Near The BIG Chicken!)
I've got to do an update here 'cause I'm very pleased. I've made the following changes, and for me, they've really changed a nice RKC into a super rider:
Added the Sundowner seat I had of my old Street Glide - The 2011 Street Glide seat was OK, but I'd forgotten how comfortable this seat was.
Got a used set of HD 12" SG take off shocks to lower it AND so I can send my set of 12" 440 Progressive shocks back and have them take off the Heavy Duty springs and install the Regular springs ($30 for parts and labor - I pay shipping both ways naturally). With a 29" inseam, lowering the height helps a LOT.
The Heritage bars were nice, but not as comfortable as I wanted, so I pulled them back until I liked the "fit & feel," then tightened them up. Wonderful ccomfort!
I bit the bullet and added the HD rider's back rest (RK style). Wow! Why didn't I do this years ago? Amazing! I hear comments all the time about "riding in the bike" versus "riding on the bike." With this last change and with those above, I now feel like I'm riding IN the bike - makes you feel integral with the bike. Great feeling!!!
I absolutely HATE looking through windshields, but appreciate the protection they offer. The stock RKC windshield was no exception. Like I said, I hate looking through a windshield... plus my visor AND my glasses. Got a 15" lightly gray smoked Clearview recurved windshield and LOVE it! It took longer to remove the protective plastic (nice packaging) than it did to install it.
These changes worked great for me and I really appreciate the comments on changing the bars! Thanks!!!
Added the Sundowner seat I had of my old Street Glide - The 2011 Street Glide seat was OK, but I'd forgotten how comfortable this seat was.
Got a used set of HD 12" SG take off shocks to lower it AND so I can send my set of 12" 440 Progressive shocks back and have them take off the Heavy Duty springs and install the Regular springs ($30 for parts and labor - I pay shipping both ways naturally). With a 29" inseam, lowering the height helps a LOT.
The Heritage bars were nice, but not as comfortable as I wanted, so I pulled them back until I liked the "fit & feel," then tightened them up. Wonderful ccomfort!
I bit the bullet and added the HD rider's back rest (RK style). Wow! Why didn't I do this years ago? Amazing! I hear comments all the time about "riding in the bike" versus "riding on the bike." With this last change and with those above, I now feel like I'm riding IN the bike - makes you feel integral with the bike. Great feeling!!!
I absolutely HATE looking through windshields, but appreciate the protection they offer. The stock RKC windshield was no exception. Like I said, I hate looking through a windshield... plus my visor AND my glasses. Got a 15" lightly gray smoked Clearview recurved windshield and LOVE it! It took longer to remove the protective plastic (nice packaging) than it did to install it.
These changes worked great for me and I really appreciate the comments on changing the bars! Thanks!!!
Road Captain
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 563
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City, MO
In Kansas City, it's $80/hour at most dealers. Even the Indies are getting $70/hour.
I'm in the wrong business...
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Joe Kucinski
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,488
Likes: 30
From: Maryland near DC
Hate to throw cold water on this, but the responses mean nothing unless they state such things as height, insearm and sleeve length. Also, the seat you have can make a major difference. I am 5'10", 29 inch inseam, 33/34 sleeve, currently running the sundowner seat on my 09 RKC. Had the same problem you describe and changed to the Heritage bars. Helped, but did not resolve the problem. Changed to a Dyna Wide Glide seat and that helped, but still no cigar. Went to Wild Ones WO518 and my sundowner seat, and again, it helped but clearly is NOT the right combination for me. I am tired of throwning considerable money at the problem, and am looking for a good used Honda Shadow to replace an otherwise great bike. Riding should be fun, and I have 57 years of enjoyable riding plus 2 years of misery. There has to be a solution, but I am not the only one that failed to find the right one. Good luck, but only consider solutions that have your same bike and personal measurements.
I had the same sort of issues with my last bike (08 streetbob)....I finally ended up selling that hateful bitch...no matter what I did the bike just wouldn't fit me...
Stage II
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: ksa
hi,
as I knew that the new heritage comes with APS so we can't cut the wiring for the handle bar and extend it if we are going to install the 20 inch's handlebar so is there any update for this issue please ?
as I knew that the new heritage comes with APS so we can't cut the wiring for the handle bar and extend it if we are going to install the 20 inch's handlebar so is there any update for this issue please ?