Best bars for road king?
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Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Old Fort NC
Best bars for road king?
My bike came with beach bars. I dont like how far they turn in and put my wrist at an awkward position. I am 6'7" and plan on getting a custom seat that puts me back 2 inches and down an inch or so. Any body have a good idea of what bars to get. I want the bars to better a little straighter and closer to the front.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,187
Likes: 11
From: Ladera Ranch, CA
I ran beach bars for over 2 years and realized they were causing lower back pain on long rides. I'm 6'4" and I ended up going with 16" apes. I'm still getting used to them and adjusting them back and forth, but I haven't had the back pain. They seem to work for us tall guys!
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 338
Likes: 0
From: Chicago burbs
I'm a short little turd compared to you guys LOL!! At about 5'8 ish. I have 16 inch apes on mine as well. Took some getting used to, but I LOVE em now. My 2 cents. Here's a shot of me with the apes along the tail of the dragon. Just as a reference.
Banned
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 11,232
Likes: 16
From: Socialist Republic of the USA
Just for starters I suggest going to http://www.wild1inc.com/ and clicking on the link Handlebars 101. Fact if the matter is you are just too darned big to be riding a motorcycle!!! LOL. Actually there are plenty of seat and handlebar combinations out there that should be able to set you straight. Just do plenty of homework first as things like cables add to the cost of getting your bike right for you.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,832
Likes: 127
From: Coastal Carolina
Do a search on the forum for "Heritage style bars." There are numerous thread discussing changing the bars on an RK. While some people hate the Heritage style bars, it is the most common replacement on a road king. They have 3" more pullback than the stock bars which is why I got them. Although I'm not as tall has you (6'2"), I have long legs and have the Tallboy seat that moves me back 2 inches so I needed more pullback so I didn't have to lean forward. The nice thing about the Heritage style is that the existing cables work and it is an easy swap. Here is a thread that shows how easy installation is and also has photos at the beginning showing the different geometry of the heritage style bars as compared to stock. https://www.hdforums.com/forum/touri...road-king.html
Here are my before and after pictures. Like alot of people I pulled the bars back past alignment with the forks which improves the wrist angle and gives me more pullback. VERY comfortable for me.
Before:
After:
Here are my before and after pictures. Like alot of people I pulled the bars back past alignment with the forks which improves the wrist angle and gives me more pullback. VERY comfortable for me.
Before:
After:
I'm a foot shorter than you at 5'7" and I have Heritage bars on my RKC that the previous owner had installed. They are comfortable to me. With the many seat and bars available you shoud have no problem.
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,230
Likes: 2
From: Niagara, Ontario, Canada
Absolutley had to remove the Heritage bars from my cop RK, I effin hated em. Im 6'1", went with Santee 10" mini apes, only had to change my brake line, and they feel awesome! Havent ridden the bike with them on yet (lol) but they sure feel great sitting on the bike. They were 32 dollars from J&P powdercoated black.
Perfect hand position for me, fairly straight arms, and way less inward wrist angle if that makes sense! Heres a pic....
Perfect hand position for me, fairly straight arms, and way less inward wrist angle if that makes sense! Heres a pic....