Okay, I've been reading up the last couple of days about handlebars.

I'm thinking about getting the OL a set of 14" or 16" bars for her 14 RK. She's not too short (5'6") but would like the bars closer to her and the reach between the bars closer together.

Is this the setback that I am looking for to get the bars closer to her? And, how is this measured?

 

Sounds like you are looking for a narrow end to end width,and a bar with more pull back. End to end distance is measured grip tip to grip tip. Pull back is the amount of angle of the hand grip towards the rider.

 

Apes are not gonna get the bars closer to her and the reach between the bars closer together. Ya ought to be looking at some narrow pullbacks, maybe buckhorns? Look at the Flanders and Kromewerks sites for handlebar dimensions.

 

I think she'd like a set of Heritage Style bars, cheap and if you can get by the goofy looks they are comfy. I'm glad I got some and I'm 6'+ and even with her height they would work I bet.

 

Not really true. If you rotate them towards the rider, they do get closer plus some apes have a bit more pull back...my stock bars were too far away. The reach is perfect with my apes...

 

I don't get the that part. No, they don't look like apes, but GOOFY?? You're killin' me, man. Heritage Style bars are $80 and very comfortable. Plus there is no extra money for cable/wire extensions. A good bang for the buck. Maybe I'm just cheap

 

The stock bars are already similar to the Heritage style bars.I would recommend the 12" fat apes from Khromewerks.Replace the stock risers with FLD ( Dyna Switchback), these bring the bars an inch closer and a 1/2" higher.Another possibilty is the Khromewerks mini apes on the 2 1/2 pullback risers from JP cycles. These bars would have to be notched for TBW, and both sets would require a top riser clamp and a Streetslammer cover,and probably brake line and extended clutch cable. There are endless possibilities,good luck!

 

have her sit on her bike and close her eyes. Then ask her to put her hands up to where she would like her hands to be when she rides. That's where you should get the bars to be.

I'm usually against dealerships for parts, but if she does this at the dealer. They'll be able to put a set of bars that land right where she want her hands, Then all the guess work is gone

 

I usually just have the tech call me before they button everything down, sit on the bike with someone holding it upright and feet on the floorboards and move the bars where I prefer them. Then they are torqued down and everything is good to go.

 

You might want to try the RK reduced reach bars, much like the Heritage style but the angle of the gripends are slightly different and they look as if the pullback is greater. I just put Heritage style on and it really reduced the between the shoulder pain. I'm 5'8 and they fit me perfectly.