I like the way they look....

Is looks the only reason people install them?

Are they comfortable?

Do you lose an amount of control with them?

All opinions are welcome, thanks

 

Tom from http://harleygoodies.com/ here. Some guys I know have apes. They find them comfortable. I have beach bars.

Regards,
Tom
Harley Goodies

 

I was doing the Freedom Run to Ground Zero parade last weekend the boy beside me could not stay on the road. I know New York has bad roads. But it was for 2.5 hours his guy as having a hard time not to kill his self with that bike.

 

Very comfy, i dont feel like ive lost any control i felt like i gained more.. Steering is a little unusual at first with slow sharp turns but you get used to it...i say go for it if thats what your looking for...

 

I had beach bars on mine and I had problems with my hand, elbow and shoulder going numb. I put 12" apes on and all the problems went away. The only thing that I would do different is I should have put on 14" apes.

 

Apes are a must for me, I get all types of shoulder pain when i am leaning forward for extended periods. With the 16" apes i got, i am in perfect posture and have had no shoulder pain since. Not exactly aerodynamic or anything but damn are they comfortable. Planning on going to 18" apes in a week or so.

 

I got them because they looked cool but they are really comfortable. I guess it depends on how extreme you go.

BTW: Some states do actually have laws on how high the handlebars can be.

Like:Connecticut law prohibits a motorcycle from having handlebars that are higher than 15 inches above the uppermost portion of the seat when it is depressed by the weight of the operator.
Texas has a similiar law.

In my opinion these types of laws are ridiculous. if a guy is 6' 7" he might want handlebars that are at shoulder height and that most likely could be higher than 15".

 

Always had either apes or drag bars then I got the RK and hated the beach bars so I put a set of 18"s on it and love it. I am thinking of changing bars to a set with less pullback. I have 12" pullback and wanna go with no more than 6"

By the way you will loearn one thing from an ape thread. Most guys wished they went with the next size up, includingme. If you go with 16", you will wish youhad 18".

 

Can you explain what "Pullback" is?? just curious