Learn Me About Bars
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,624
Likes: 13
From: Fort Worth
Learn Me About Bars
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?
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?
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 32,562
Likes: 2,577
From: Shit Weather USA
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.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 6,129
Likes: 143
From: Santa Cruz
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.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,505
Likes: 56
From: Vancouver Island, British Columbia
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.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 4,416
Likes: 88
From: San Quirino, Italy
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...
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,022
Likes: 60
From: Greer, South Carolina
. 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 
Last edited by one-up; Nov 30, 2013 at 10:47 PM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 4,996
Likes: 655
From: bklyn,ny
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!
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,719
Likes: 6,008
From: Boston suburbs
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'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
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,565
Likes: 3,979
From: Virginia
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.
Tourer
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 362
Likes: 13
From: Okinawa, Japan
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.