Midget's Apes!
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 63
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From: Joliet, Illinois
Midget's Apes!
Hi Forum!
Looking for some help and hope someone has advice
I am 5'4" (On my good days) with a 28" inseam. I have had to do a lot of work to make my 2012 FLTRX fit me for the long haul. Rear shocks rebuilt and cut by BadAss Baggers, custom springs from progressive because I ride too aggressive for their normal shortened spring, hooker boots made, etc, etc.
I have now come to my bars, I am using the hammock seat with a adjustable backrest, the back rest is all the way up and I'm hardly touching it, my arms are completely stretched, and I'm kinda leaning forward to grab the stock bars, I rolled them back as far as I could without hitting the tank. It was better but I find that after 20 miles I am doing one of 2 things - I set the cruise and turn my body a little so I can lean back and relax but only one arm reaches the bars or Im actually leaning on the bars.
Besides the Trask V-Line (I tried them at a show and the wrist angle is way off) Any suggestions on what to use? Im not against an ape, mini-ape, I just thought the look would be odd because I am sure I would have to roll them back. Obviously it would be cool if the wiring and clutch cable didn't have to be extended but Im not afraid of it.
Thanks for the help!
Looking for some help and hope someone has advice
I am 5'4" (On my good days) with a 28" inseam. I have had to do a lot of work to make my 2012 FLTRX fit me for the long haul. Rear shocks rebuilt and cut by BadAss Baggers, custom springs from progressive because I ride too aggressive for their normal shortened spring, hooker boots made, etc, etc.
I have now come to my bars, I am using the hammock seat with a adjustable backrest, the back rest is all the way up and I'm hardly touching it, my arms are completely stretched, and I'm kinda leaning forward to grab the stock bars, I rolled them back as far as I could without hitting the tank. It was better but I find that after 20 miles I am doing one of 2 things - I set the cruise and turn my body a little so I can lean back and relax but only one arm reaches the bars or Im actually leaning on the bars.
Besides the Trask V-Line (I tried them at a show and the wrist angle is way off) Any suggestions on what to use? Im not against an ape, mini-ape, I just thought the look would be odd because I am sure I would have to roll them back. Obviously it would be cool if the wiring and clutch cable didn't have to be extended but Im not afraid of it.
Thanks for the help!
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 52
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From: San Antonio, TX
I'm about your height at 5'5" (my inseam is closer to 27" with no boots on). I have the LA Choppers 10" Twin Peaks apes and I have no issues with them. I do have them slightly pulled back but not by much. The position they put me in are kind of aggressive forward lean though, not a touring laid back position.
I think if you are having issues reaching for the stock bars then you might have issues with reaching for the apes. Maybe if you can get your seat done to where it can push you forward some more. I have my stock seat redone by a local guy and he pushed me forward almost 2 inches.
I think if you are having issues reaching for the stock bars then you might have issues with reaching for the apes. Maybe if you can get your seat done to where it can push you forward some more. I have my stock seat redone by a local guy and he pushed me forward almost 2 inches.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 5,072
Likes: 104
From: Prescott, AZ
5'6" and about the same inseam, ride two up 95% of the time.. first tried lowered back and front - ride too ruff for the wife.... I live in Central CA and 80 miles from the Corbin factory in Hollister, CA - I have been on Corbin seats since 97 and each one has been at their "Ride in appointment" arrive at 0800 - work with seat builder all day, leave at about 4pm with a seat made to MY ***. Back rest and I use the Flanders pull back bars and Love the set up... the seat was made for my short arms and legs and I fit perfect. My bike is an 04 IF I had a newer bike with the two piece frame - not sure what year that started,, I would 100% spend the money on the Drop seat frame set up. When I first read about these, I thought, lower the seat frame area and us short riders would be staring AT the dash on our baggers.. Finally was at a dealer during a ride back east, saw the sign and ask, could I sit on it... WOW is all I could say,,, my feet firmly on the ground and I could see over the dash with NO issues.. I was ready to spend the money when I learned MY frame was NOT a un bolt, bolt new back on...
So, look into that , its a little pricey but I would go for it..
OR get your bike and you to Hollister, CA and have a seat made for you, it really helps.
PS - I have 75K miles on my bike... retired in 08, made four coast to coast trips on the corbin.. June 12, 8000 mile trip in 26 days.. this year a little shorter rides... July 4K and two weeks ago 1600 miles.. I can do 400 mile days all week with my Corbin
I will say,,, Corbin is a Love it or Hate it seat..
So, look into that , its a little pricey but I would go for it..
OR get your bike and you to Hollister, CA and have a seat made for you, it really helps.
PS - I have 75K miles on my bike... retired in 08, made four coast to coast trips on the corbin.. June 12, 8000 mile trip in 26 days.. this year a little shorter rides... July 4K and two weeks ago 1600 miles.. I can do 400 mile days all week with my Corbin
I will say,,, Corbin is a Love it or Hate it seat..
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 538
Likes: 18
From: Lexington, Ky
I put the heritage style bars on my RKC, I think they added about 2" rise and another 2" or so of pullback. Not apes but $89 and no changes to the stock cables or wiring. Don't know if that would give you enough reach or not but it wouldn't look obvious if you rolled them back slightly.
How do you like the adjustable backrest on the Hammock? I have the seat but no rider backrest. I wonder if you could have someone make a custom pad for your backrest to get it closer to you?
How do you like the adjustable backrest on the Hammock? I have the seat but no rider backrest. I wonder if you could have someone make a custom pad for your backrest to get it closer to you?
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 63
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From: Joliet, Illinois
I think I am going to hit up my dealer and see if I can talk them into letting me sit on a bike with apes. They do about 50 of them each winter.
A friend of mine has the Heritage bars on his RGU and they put me right about where I am now from when I rolled them back.
Too bad it isn't easier to customize! lol
A friend of mine has the Heritage bars on his RGU and they put me right about where I am now from when I rolled them back.
Too bad it isn't easier to customize! lol
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 595
Likes: 21
From: Weston, Fl
I'm 5'4" with a 29 inch inseam. MY 2006 RKC has the following modifications. 11" rear shocks modified by Bitchin Baggers, Progessive Springs in the the front with 1" drop, Stock RKC seat lowered 1" by Mean City Cycles and 2008 and up Heritage handle Bars. I've had Heritage Style bars and didn't like wrist angle. Also had a set of bars off a Road King Custom, didn't like the wheel barrow effect. The late model Heritage bars are the best so far. None my bars have needed to extend cables or wiring.May go to apes or beach bars in the future. Best thing to do is go a large motorcycle gathering and check out what others have done. I would do bars last after lowering and the seating postion. That's were I'm at now, sending my Sundowner (for 2up) to MCC next month. After that is done I'll get a new set of bars(hopefully my last).
Ed
Ed
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,283
Likes: 4
From: nebraska
I AM 5.7" 28" INSEAM my 2008 FLHRC came with 10" mini apes .They were straight up looked cool but I had to tilt them way back to have a comfortable reach MY FIRST MOD.
Then I sent my seat to MeanCity Cycle lowered narrowed memory foam added .
Then I got some tall boots and had a cobbler make the sole and heel thicker .
Next 11" Bittchin Bagger Drop Shocks ,there stock air shocks cut down stiffer spring heavier oil .
I also installed the HD kickstand extension .
The lowered bike stod up to straight so I installed a Drag Specialties wedge thingy to change the kickstand angle .
Bike handles great .
Then I sent my seat to MeanCity Cycle lowered narrowed memory foam added .
Then I got some tall boots and had a cobbler make the sole and heel thicker .
Next 11" Bittchin Bagger Drop Shocks ,there stock air shocks cut down stiffer spring heavier oil .
I also installed the HD kickstand extension .
The lowered bike stod up to straight so I installed a Drag Specialties wedge thingy to change the kickstand angle .
Bike handles great .
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,863
Likes: 55
From: Sedalia,Missouri
I looked at a lot of different bars trying to find something with a lot of pullback. I'm 5'7 with a 30 inch inseam and have a 2010 Ultra Classic. I found the 12.5 Wild One's to be my final choice. They are pulled back to where they are pretty much in line with the forks. After 3 years I am still very happy with them.
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