Apes
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 149
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From: Lincoln, NE
State Law Handlebar Height?
I personally like the 16 inch height with very little pullback. Know what your state law is concerning the height of handlebars. Do you want more or less stretch is also something to consider. 10-12 are not really "apes" in my opinion. If you're gonna "hang'em, then hang'em"!
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: Honey Creek, IA
I had 14's on my last bike and really liked them but with as much cold riding that I do there is no way im bringing them up over my batwing now. Not knocking the touring bikes with apes, some are very sharp.
Thread Starter
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,741
Likes: 45
From: Indian Land, SC
Just went out and sat on the bike again with the 10" bars attached, !2" bars would have been the ticket......for the elbows below hands and hands above shoulder position....
OK, I see the front brake line is plenty long with the zip tie cut to extend up another 2", I have a +4 clutch cable (should work, right?) and the SE TBW Extension. What about the wiring, think the stock length will work if the connectors are moved around in the fairing?
Since I only have the left side wired now, now's the time to make the change. I'm sure I can sell the 10" Black LA Chopper Bars and get most of my money back......
OK, I see the front brake line is plenty long with the zip tie cut to extend up another 2", I have a +4 clutch cable (should work, right?) and the SE TBW Extension. What about the wiring, think the stock length will work if the connectors are moved around in the fairing?
Since I only have the left side wired now, now's the time to make the change. I'm sure I can sell the 10" Black LA Chopper Bars and get most of my money back......
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,741
Likes: 45
From: Indian Land, SC
You are absolutely correct, crimson13. Apart from height and pullback, bar width and wrist angle are the two biggest reasons for carefully selecting the right bar.
For reference purposes, I am a long-torso, 6'1" (and shrinking 'cause I'm getting old), with a 35-inch sleeve length and 30-inch pant length.
For me, the stock width was good and the stock wrist angle was good enough, but I definitely needed the bars higher and closer.
In my adventure for options, I found favor with the 12" H-D Mini Apes and the 12" Yaffe Classic Bagger Apes. Both of these bars are very close to stock width, but more importantly, the wrist angle on both of these bars is very neutral (translation: comfortable). Additionally, the grip angle on the bar ends allows for plenty of upward/downward adjustment in the bars without changing the grip angle!
For reference purposes, I am a long-torso, 6'1" (and shrinking 'cause I'm getting old), with a 35-inch sleeve length and 30-inch pant length.
For me, the stock width was good and the stock wrist angle was good enough, but I definitely needed the bars higher and closer.
In my adventure for options, I found favor with the 12" H-D Mini Apes and the 12" Yaffe Classic Bagger Apes. Both of these bars are very close to stock width, but more importantly, the wrist angle on both of these bars is very neutral (translation: comfortable). Additionally, the grip angle on the bar ends allows for plenty of upward/downward adjustment in the bars without changing the grip angle!
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,023
Likes: 6
From: New Jersey
You DO NOT want your hands above your shoulders, HDV-GLIDE.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,023
Likes: 6
From: New Jersey
I'm 5'9" but I too think I can't go wider then stock. Again, I went out and sat on my bike with the 10" Twin Peak bars attached and bike on jack. I tried turning the front end full tilt left & right and my arms were fully extended and pulling me forward. Not a good thing. Needless to say, the 36" width is too wide for me. Now I guess I have to start all over again.....It's a shame the HD bars don't come in gloss powder coat...
From what you have described, the bar width is not the issue; it's the pullback that is the issue. Pullback is influenced by bar height, so a taller bar will allow for more pullback.
Ape handlebars have a good range of rearward adjustment available, so the key is getting a bar that has enough height to gain the pullback you need, while still keeping your hands below your shoulders, but above your elbows.
Your stock bars are 31" wide. The Yaffe Classic Bagger Apes are 35.5" wide and the HD Batwing Mini-Ape's are 35" wide. The difference is about 2" on each side. Truth be told, I don't think you'd notice it AND I think you'd like it.
Oh, by the way, the Batwing Mini-Apes are available in Satin Black finish!