Apes and Shoulder Issues?
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Shalimar, FL
I agree. You may just be using different muscles more that you haven't really used before. Give it some time and see how it feels.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 335
Likes: 16
From: St. Louis
I just had 16's put on my bike. No shoulder issues, but started getting lower back issues. I do think I need to push them up as the are pretty much in line with the forks. I think it's more of my body just getting used to being in a different riding position. I sit more straight up now than I did before. I'm 6'1".
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
It is likely that you have a similar problem to your beach bars - poor posture. I had shoulder problems with my stock bars! It took quite a while to realise I was hunching my shoulders a little. The cure was simply making a minor alteration to the angle of the bars, towards me in my case, that let me relax my shoulders properly. Been happy as can be since! So it could be as straight-forward as a small change.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,136
Likes: 6,160
From: SE Michigan
It is likely that you have a similar problem to your beach bars - poor posture. I had shoulder problems with my stock bars! It took quite a while to realise I was hunching my shoulders a little. The cure was simply making a minor alteration to the angle of the bars, towards me in my case, that let me relax my shoulders properly. Been happy as can be since! So it could be as straight-forward as a small change.
Stage II
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Waianae, Hawaii
I'm 6'5" and am running 16's on my Street Glide, my bars are almost exactly even with my shoulders and I get intermittent pains in both of my shoulders. I have noticed over the 2 1/2 years I've had them now that my shoulders have adapted and don't get as sore as often as before. The exception is long rides, I get pretty creative to give each shoulder a break when possible. For me, the Cool Points WAY out weigh the minor shoulder discomfort (;->=
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 613
Likes: 2
From: Tallmadge, Ohio
I'm running 12.5 and wish I would have gone up to 14 and I'm only 5-9. Took a big load off of my shoulders and back when I did this but I would agree with 2 of the others here. 1. Loosen the bars and once your seated, get them to where you really feel comfortable weather it's pulling them near or pushing them away. 2. Probably correct that it will take a little time for your body to adjust but it shouldn't be that much since it really should be better for you. Have somebody take another picture of you on after you get the bars positioned for max comfort and see how it looks. Especially true if only one is bugging you. Keep us informed.
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Takes time to adapt to change....Give it a bit more time then try to position the bars in a few other angles.
Your bike looks great with them on BTW.
Your bike looks great with them on BTW.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,308
Likes: 3
From: Central Texas
After I grew used to a different riding posture, I noticed that I did not have the pain/discomfort in my right shoulder that I was having when the stock bars were on my SG. I read every thread I could find about bagger apes... different makes etc: I settled on PYO 12" apes. They work very well for me and with my utopia backrest? It's all bisquits & gravy !!
Forgot to add.. am 5'6" (on a good day ) lol
Forgot to add.. am 5'6" (on a good day ) lol
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
From: Mesa, AZ
This was my experience also. Took about a month of riding to get the soreness out of my rotators. I did not have shoulder problems before though. So as soon as I trained the arms to the new position it has been great.