I'm going to sit on my bike tomorrow and have to make a quick decision where i want my 14" monkey bars positioned. i think i want slight elbow bend in normal riding position? i've never had apes before and want to get it right the first time.

thanks

 

To me this is easy they don't look right on a batwing (assuming you have a batwing you didn't say?) unless you push them up against the fairing all the way. I picked a pair with a lot of pullback because I am short and I wanted them rolled forward. Good luck.

 

I like them adjusted within a range of a few degrees of the angle of the forks. Adjust them where you feel most comfortable/confident.

 

My 12.5" Wild 1's felt the best as far forward as they would go. I left about a 1/4" gap between the bar uprights and the inner fairing.

 

You'd be amazed at what a simple 1/2 inch rotation back would do for you. Don't worry about perfect alignment.

Here is the thing. I have a 6 1/2 inch KW shield and my 12s where pushed as far forward as that shield would allow. This means they weren't as far forward as my buddies who still have the stock shield. (look at my sig pic) There was barley enuf room to slide a toothpick between the bar and the shield (keep in mind, the KW shield bends/curves). Rode like that for a while and things felt super comfy on my stock seat. Then I switched to C&C solo, which put me back and down an inch and I felt that I was reaching just a little bit. Plus the backrest is much shorter than stock. The bars were now "okay" but weren't "super" comfy like the stock seat set up.

So, I had them rotated back about 1/2 of an inch. I can stick my finger in between the bar and shield now. They are no longer in line with the fork...which they weren't anyway due to the KW shield. I was concerned about how it would look to other people, then I slapped myself really hard (darn near drew blood) and said.....man, this is my bike, it's a touring bike, meant to be comfy, so make it comfy for me, and don't concern myself with an exact alignment with the forks. Then, I went on a ride with alot of my buddies, looked around and realized that they all had all sorts of different angles--I had never noticed cuz folks in my circle don't look for stuff like that on others' bikes.

BTW...its super comfy with that little 1/2 inch back.

Jswerve....man, everytime I see ur CVO---I like it even more!!

 

It is very tough to just sit on bike and adjust bars without riding it. I installed new Ergo back bars on my Electra Glide Classic myself, sat on it locked down bars where they felt perfect. I then just left everything off and took it around the block to test it, and within a quarter mile knew they needed adjusted. Made the adjustment, retested and perfect. If possible sure better to try it on the road to make sure. Can definitely feel different.

 

The angle you use depends on if your going for looks or comfort, I put MBB on for comfort because of a bad back. The stock bars had me reaching forward putting strain on my back, my 10" bars are raised enough and pulled back enough to keep me in an upright comfortable seating position were I can still use my back rest. If your going for looks than in line with the angle of the forks is normal. If I had my bars any further forward I would have to reach for them. Also I'm only 5'8" so your height we make a difference on were you should put your bars.

 

 

Like a few have said, the angle is up to your personal taste and comfort. Textbook (if there really is one) would have the bars inline with the forks. That seldom will be seen. You are on the right track with bending your arms; let your largest muscle group carry the strain, feel the pull in you biceps, not joints or rotator cuff...

 

If you have already decided on handlebars check out the video by BR customs pertaining to location. Sitting on the bike during mock up with your eyes closed and a second person marking location which is comfortable for you.