Are bars just bars?

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Oct 17, 2013 | 05:28 PM

Stinger44

Thread Starter

6th Gear

Joined: Sep 2013

Posts: 13

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From: SW Washington State

Are bars just bars?

I'm a newbie and have many questions but will start with this one since I can't find much info! I recently purchased a 08 RK that is basically a brand new blank canvas. I'm looking to do my first mod on it with putting on new apes! My buddy has a '13 RK with some 13" apes! Sitting on his bike these bars are perfect fit for me!
My question is, if I were to buy the exact same bars that he has will there be any difference on my 08 since the frames are different? And is there going to be a major difference from one 13" manufacture to the next?

Oct 17, 2013 | 05:56 PM

FenderGuy53

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2011

Posts: 2,023

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From: New Jersey

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stinger44

My question is, if I were to buy the exact same bars that he has will there be any difference on my 08 since the frames are different?

Even with the frame difference, the risers are probably going to be in the same relative position on both bikes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stinger44

And is there going to be a major difference from one 13" manufacture to the next?

Depends on the manufacturers on your "watch" list. For example, what Yaffe calls a 12" ape is another manufacturer's 13" or 14" ape. Additionally, each manufacturer's bars have a different grip angle and bar width. These are major considerations when choosing the right bars!

Oct 17, 2013 | 08:01 PM

Dew Me

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Jul 2008

Posts: 3,524

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From: Maryland

Yeah, frame changed to a 2-piece so they have the option of a wider swing arm w/o re-doing the whole frame. Also for the trike. Things having to do with the neck and seat pan height shouldn't have changed.

Are bars just bars? Is a motorcycle just a motorcycle? They are all different. All unique one way or another. There are countless threads on handlebars here. A piece of advice I think I've seen a few times: Hand someone a tape measure, sit on your bike with your hands down on your thighs, close your eyes, and raise your hands up to where they seem most comfortable. Ask your buddy to measure how high, how wide, and observe wrist angle.

Best of luck to you, handlebars are a big part of really making it your own comfortwise.

Oct 17, 2013 | 08:13 PM

mikelikesbikes

Banned

Joined: Mar 2012

Posts: 11,232

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From: Socialist Republic of the USA

Just had these put on my bike and couldn't be happier. In satin black.

http://www.kstkustoms.com/products/1...-black-14-rise

Oct 17, 2013 | 11:33 PM

Stinger44

Thread Starter

6th Gear

Joined: Sep 2013

Posts: 13

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From: SW Washington State

Thanks for some input! I think the best thing for me might be to buy what I know I've tried out on my buddies bike! Those KST kustoms have been some I've been looking at though!

Oct 18, 2013 | 01:46 PM

heckfrozeover

Cruiser

Joined: Mar 2011

Posts: 177

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From: Atlanta

You're on the right track! With bars or seats, if you've tried them and know you like them, buy them.

I bought 6 sets of bars for my bike trying to find a set that looked and felt right. As others have said, different vendors have different variations on the same size bars - different grip angles, pullback, etc. - and even small variations can mean the difference between arriving home at the end of a ride relaxed, or with the muscles in your neck and back all tight and in pain.

And every rider is shaped slightly different, so you'll get as many opinions as there are riders about which bars/seats are best/most comfortable.