How do your mini ape hanger handle?

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Aug 31, 2011 | 08:50 PM

1sweetglide08

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From: Central Jersey

How do your mini ape hangers handle?

I have a set of Wild 1's 577 12.5 inch apes. I love how they look and handle around town, but at higher speeds (70-90 mph) they dont handle as good as the stock bar. Is it only me that feel like this or are there other that feel the same?

Last edited by 1sweetglide08; Sep 1, 2011 at 07:25 AM.

Aug 31, 2011 | 09:22 PM

patsfan

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From: La Vergne, TN

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1sweetglide08

I've noticed the same thing. I put 10.5s on mine and have been chasing a slightly unstable feeling at 70+ for 2 years.
Some of the things I've done to try and solve this are: tightening the steering head, ricor intiminators, multiple fork oil experiments, E3 tires, poly riser bushings, 18.5" Clearview shield (had a 17"). I've had the front end apart multiple times to re-check all bolts/clamps and alignment procedures. I remember, I really started to notice it right after I shot a tube of grease in the steering head. The entire handlebar assembly suddenly seemed to get a little too easy feeling and a little twitchy, so it may not have anything to do with the bars or anything to do with the grease for that matter.
Everything I've done has had incremental improvements in the feel but still not quite like stock. Dont get me wrong, I can still ride one-handed at 80, just not with the same confidence, hence I rarely do. I also have never experienced any type of wobble at any speeds on this bike just a very subtle instability at high speed.
Very hard to describe the subtle difference but its there.
The comfort of the bars outweigh this however, as I could not ride more than 100 miles with the stock bars without neck pain.

Aug 31, 2011 | 09:38 PM

Bill03E

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From: Indy

I have not noticed any thing bad at all with my bars at high speed, I ride most of the time with one handed.

Aug 31, 2011 | 09:45 PM

JonW

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From: MO

I had 12" minis on my Road King. I didn't feel as comfortable in hard corners as I do with regular bars, and rain grooves were a little disconcerting. I went with 575s on my new Street Glide. The apes were nice for cruising down the highway, but overall I like the 575s better.

Aug 31, 2011 | 09:47 PM

Phat09flhx

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From: Arkansas

I put 11'' on my SG and have never noticed the bike feeling wobbly even at 85 or 90, I'm gonna knock one wood. KNOCK KNOCK!!! Dis you use a 2 piece mounting on the bars or a heavier 1 piece?

Aug 31, 2011 | 09:52 PM

patsfan

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From: La Vergne, TN

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phat09flhx

I put 11'' on my SG and have never noticed the bike feeling wobbly even at 85 or 90, I'm gonna knock one wood. KNOCK KNOCK!!! Dis you use a 2 piece mounting on the bars or a heavier 1 piece?

Stock mount on the 08s are one piece

Aug 31, 2011 | 09:53 PM

harleyheaven

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From: Mebane, NC

I saw this thread and it got me thinking...I feel a little unstable at higher speeds (60+) when going through turns. I haven't noticed this going straight. As a matter of fact, on a good straight road I can ride hands free for miles but when I corner there is just the slightest wobble or instability.

Do you guys notice the instabilty when going straight, corners, or both?

I agree with this statement by patsfan "Very hard to describe the subtle difference but its there".