Help with Batwing handlebars
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,321
Likes: 12
Thanks to everyone for the replies. I do not currently have a backrest, but am considering one. One reason why I have not added a backrest at this time is that the pain I am encountering is in-between my shoulder blades up into my neck. It is also mostly on my left side. Therefore I am not sure if a backrest would help. I think that I am reaching too far out and hunched over due to the bars being low (which is why I've tried apes in the past).
My previous bars were Khrome Werks 12" apes which were ok, but I still had shoulder pain and I find apes to be not as stable as lower bars. I prefer the handling of the bike with lower bars, but it does seem that higher bars are more comfortable.
My previous bars were Khrome Werks 12" apes which were ok, but I still had shoulder pain and I find apes to be not as stable as lower bars. I prefer the handling of the bike with lower bars, but it does seem that higher bars are more comfortable.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,321
Likes: 12
You might want to reconsider whether you really want your hands higher. It sounds like all of the bars you have tried get your hands higher but that hasn't worked. The most comfortable bar I ever had were the Chubbys 508's (on a RK), which brought my hands much closer and lower(my upper arms were pointing almost straight down) and were 32.5" wide (stock is 31.5). It required some getting used to in tight turns as it was basically a narrow beach bar, but I could ride all day long with no back or wrist issues. Now I have a SG and am in search of that elusive perfect bar. I have been exchanging emails with John at Chubbys and he is almost finished getting out a similar set of bars that will work on a Bat Wing. I'm just thinking that sometimes a nudge to think out of your own box leads you where you want to go. Good luck! Oh, don't forget a backrest. That cannot be overemphasized!
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,321
Likes: 12
The only Harley mini-apes I am familiar with are 12" tall (which is taller than 2" over shock). Do you have a model #? How is the wrist angle changed?
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 415
Likes: 1
From: Virginia Beach
I just exchanged emails with John at Chubbys on Monday. He says he is almost done with them and to keep checking the new product link on their website.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,351
Likes: 461
From: Illinois
Thanks to everyone for the replies. I do not currently have a backrest, but am considering one. One reason why I have not added a backrest at this time is that the pain I am encountering is in-between my shoulder blades up into my neck. It is also mostly on my left side. Therefore I am not sure if a backrest would help. I think that I am reaching too far out and hunched over due to the bars being low (which is why I've tried apes in the past).
My previous bars were Khrome Werks 12" apes which were ok, but I still had shoulder pain and I find apes to be not as stable as lower bars. I prefer the handling of the bike with lower bars, but it does seem that higher bars are more comfortable.
My previous bars were Khrome Werks 12" apes which were ok, but I still had shoulder pain and I find apes to be not as stable as lower bars. I prefer the handling of the bike with lower bars, but it does seem that higher bars are more comfortable.
I tried the backrest first because it was cheaper and easier to install. I have had no desire to change the bars since then.
My wife only rides short rides, so I take the backrest off when she is with me to give her more room knowing that we will only be riding 50 to 100 miles at a time. I miss my backrest in the first 50 miles.
It would be hard for me to go back to long trips without a backrest.
Dennis
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 238
Likes: 0
From:
I got the backrest with the infinite adjustment, and between that, and my apes, all my pains went away.
Now with that said, we all have those days when we are tense, or are upset about something and tend to squeeze the grips, or sit funny. There is no magical cure. Give it some time, and adjust your self often.
Now with that said, we all have those days when we are tense, or are upset about something and tend to squeeze the grips, or sit funny. There is no magical cure. Give it some time, and adjust your self often.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 968
Likes: 11
From: Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
Thanks to everyone for the replies. I do not currently have a backrest, but am considering one. One reason why I have not added a backrest at this time is that the pain I am encountering is in-between my shoulder blades up into my neck. It is also mostly on my left side. Therefore I am not sure if a backrest would help. I think that I am reaching too far out and hunched over due to the bars being low (which is why I've tried apes in the past).
Get a backrest.. you won't regret it.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 13,422
Likes: 2
From: Las Cruces, NM
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
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From: Bedford UK
I suffered from pain between the shoulders on my Glide many years ago and couldn't find the solution. In fact when I did, all I had to do was make small changes to the location of the bars (rolling them around in the clamps, a little at a time), until - bingo! Been fine ever since.
Another thing to consider is tension, caused by noise. We were alerted to the noise levels riders are subjected to back in the 70s and it is a lesson that seems to have been forgotten not long after. I have been wearing ear plugs ever since, except on short trips.
Try them, they cost a few cents. If you find you are able to relax your grip on the bars and lower the level of discomfort you suffer, you are a large part of the way to solving your problem.
Another thing to consider is tension, caused by noise. We were alerted to the noise levels riders are subjected to back in the 70s and it is a lesson that seems to have been forgotten not long after. I have been wearing ear plugs ever since, except on short trips.
Try them, they cost a few cents. If you find you are able to relax your grip on the bars and lower the level of discomfort you suffer, you are a large part of the way to solving your problem.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 11,185
Likes: 7,961
From: In my head
At the risk of sounding stupid "have you gotten a new helmet"?
The area of your pain can be caused by the weight of your helmet... I know that whenever I wear anything but a Benie type helmet my back hurts in the exact same area as yours..
just thinking out loud
The area of your pain can be caused by the weight of your helmet... I know that whenever I wear anything but a Benie type helmet my back hurts in the exact same area as yours..
just thinking out loud