Ideas on more comfortable R.K. Handlebars
Thread Starter
|
Stage I
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Ideas on more comfortable R.K. Handlebars
Hey, I tried doing a search, but couldn't find anything about this. I'm not real happy with the stock bars, especially on long trips, so I'm looking for some that come back a little futher sothat I'm not reaching so far for them. I've heard that heritage bars are better,but I'm worried about them coming up to high. Also been looking at some Chubby 508s, but it can be hard to tell form pictures, and nothing beats first hand experience, so anyinput would be appreciated. Thanks.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 605
Likes: 1
From: Minnesota
RE: Ideas on more comfortable R.K. Handlebars
I had the same problem with the stock RK handlebars... changed to the RK pull backs and loved them. Didn't raise the height much, but made a world of difference.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,220
Likes: 2
From: iowa
RE: Ideas on more comfortable R.K. Handlebars
I have an '06 RKC and have the same problem with the stock bars. I have a buddy with a Heritage and I tried his bike and to me something just didn't feel right. I was still reaching for them. In another post PhilM mentioned that he had great luck with the Dyna Wide Glide Bars. I looked them up and they have a little more pull back and about the same rise and overall width. He also said that he used the stock cables. I placed a set on order last night and will post about them when I get them installed.
Jeff
Jeff
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,611
Likes: 104
From: Southern Colorado
RE: Ideas on more comfortable R.K. Handlebars
06;
I spent a bit of time this winter researching the same thing thatyou are asking.There were some who liked the Heritageand HD extended reach bars and some who didn't...but everyone who commented on the Wild 1 Chubby's gave super reviews.
I called the techies at Wild 1 and they were pretty helpful and I eventually settled on the RK-II 0518's. I'm 6'3" and was told the 0518's would fit me better whilethe 0508's work best for those about 5'10" and shorter.The retail price on the 0518's is about $204 direct from Wild 1...so I went shopping. M and MCycle had the same bars for $155 andI ordered from them (great service by the way).
I had a local shop install them on my Road King and added stainless cables at the same time...this all wasn't cheap ($625 but don't tell my wife!). The bars have been on the bike for a couple of months now and I can't believe how great they feel! The back pain I experienced with my other bars is a thing of the past. These bars are 1 1/4" in diameter so they do look a bitbeefier than the ones I replaced plus thewiring is routed inside the bars which cleanedthings up.The finish on the bends and chrome are excellent. The Wild 1 web site has a lot of good information with comparisons of stock vs Chubby's. Also, take a look at the bike gallery for some great pictures of bikes with various Chubby models.
I can't speak for the Heritage or extended reach HD's but I can say that I'm very, very happy with the Chubby 518's.
Do a search for Chubby bars on the forum and you'll find several others who bought them and who really like them. Sorry for the long winded answer but I'm sure this is the type of information you were looking for.
Good luck and ride safe.
Whiskers.
I spent a bit of time this winter researching the same thing thatyou are asking.There were some who liked the Heritageand HD extended reach bars and some who didn't...but everyone who commented on the Wild 1 Chubby's gave super reviews.
I called the techies at Wild 1 and they were pretty helpful and I eventually settled on the RK-II 0518's. I'm 6'3" and was told the 0518's would fit me better whilethe 0508's work best for those about 5'10" and shorter.The retail price on the 0518's is about $204 direct from Wild 1...so I went shopping. M and MCycle had the same bars for $155 andI ordered from them (great service by the way).
I had a local shop install them on my Road King and added stainless cables at the same time...this all wasn't cheap ($625 but don't tell my wife!). The bars have been on the bike for a couple of months now and I can't believe how great they feel! The back pain I experienced with my other bars is a thing of the past. These bars are 1 1/4" in diameter so they do look a bitbeefier than the ones I replaced plus thewiring is routed inside the bars which cleanedthings up.The finish on the bends and chrome are excellent. The Wild 1 web site has a lot of good information with comparisons of stock vs Chubby's. Also, take a look at the bike gallery for some great pictures of bikes with various Chubby models.
I can't speak for the Heritage or extended reach HD's but I can say that I'm very, very happy with the Chubby 518's.
Do a search for Chubby bars on the forum and you'll find several others who bought them and who really like them. Sorry for the long winded answer but I'm sure this is the type of information you were looking for.
Good luck and ride safe.
Whiskers.
Trending Topics
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Ideas on more comfortable R.K. Handlebars
Not to hi-jack your post but, Retired Ted, you happen to have a PN for those extended reach bars?
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom
Verdad Gallardo
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public
Verdad Gallardo
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Road Captain
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 720
Likes: 2
From: Kansas
RE: Ideas on more comfortable R.K. Handlebars
I have rode about 45k miles with Heritage bars between my '00 RK and now my '06, I tried about 8 different sets of bars before I settled on them, the angle of your wrist is what bothered me about ALL the RK style bars for long rides, the Heritage bars puts the angle at a much more natural position, "pullback" is a term that is a bit confusing, it doesn't necessarily mean the grips are closer to the rider, Heritage bars have little "pullback", but the grip position is much closer to you, depending on how much you rotate the bars towards you.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 121
Likes: 2
From: Atlantic City Area
RE: Ideas on more comfortable R.K. Handlebars
When I took delivery of my bike, I had the dealer put Heritage bars on. That was okay for the 1st year, though after 3-4 hrs ride time, my shoulder blades were sore. I'm at the lower side of 5'9" and I wanted more reach and ended up having to roll the heritage bars way back to acheive that. I hated the look of having them rolled back so far. So 2-3 weeks ago, I just put Wild1 Chubby 508's on and wow...what a difference. Lots of pullback and the bars look just awesome. I've only put a few hundred miles on since I did the bars, but I can tell it's a huge improvement. I also did new cables, hoses, and switch housings at the same time. My sig is with the new 508's. I'll also attach a link with before, during and after photos. The before pics are with the heritage bars and the afters are with the 508's. If you're 5'9" or shorter, the 508's are great. If you're over that height lots of folks go with the 518's.
Photo link is here.
[align=center]
[/align]
Photo link is here.
[align=center]
[/align]