Hey all.

I'm looking to put some 16" apes on my superglide because I have a tweaked disc in my neck that pinches a nerve and I can't seem to position my 10" bars so it doesn't hurt to ride. Anyway, I have been shopping for some 16" bars and the price range seems to go from $45 for Santee bars up to 190 or so for some other brands. I'm looking at 1" chrome bars. Your basic apes...not gimps or Z bars. Nothing fancy. What are you getting if you buy a set of bars for 190 bucks over buying the ones for 45-70 bucks? Am I seeing people paying more for basically the same bars because of brand name recognition? Or is there an actual quality difference between the 45$ bars and bars priced 2 or 3 times that price?

Thanks
Chris-

 

The only guide you need is what you can afford....The more expensive bars usually have several layers of chrome on top of the copper base...At the end of the day the deciding factor is what is within your budget!

 

I am not and expert on handlebars but I had two pairs from different vendors. One was $69.00 and the other $219.00. Not sure what they are made of but the more expensive ones were much heavier seemed like a real handlebar. The others very light and likely to bend easier.

 

Thanks for the replies guys. I definitely have to listen to my budget, but I am ok spending more money if that means a noticeable quality difference. I'm probably going to stick in the 50-100 dollar range and if they suck, then I'll know and I'll get rid of them via ebay. I'm going to change out my bushings while I have the bars off. I think they are original.

 

Very true...The more expensive bars are thicker walled and chromed to look like mirrors. High quality indeed with a price to match...If you got da money, then do it!!!

 

The chroming price for mine was $250.

 

I just swapped out bars on a Dyna Wideglide to 16" apes. For the cables and lines I ended up buying the "Kit" from Hill country custom cycles. found them on e-bay. overall it's cheaper than buying everything seperate and the quality is good, plus the brake fittings are already crimped onto the brake lines so there's no 3 piece brake line to mess with (the line and both ends like most aftermarket set-ups)

And for your original question, I've bought flanders 1" bars and cheapie e-bay 1" bars. they don't feel much different to me. Although I have picked up bars at swap meets that felt like they weren't much thicker than beer cans. If you buy from e-bay make sure it's one of the sellers that offer a return policy.

 

Those are some crazy looking bars Kowan. Nice.

PineyRider- Thanks for the input. I have seen the Burley kits online and on ebay. For 179 shipped it's hard not to just click buy. I was thinking I'd save money piecing it all together, but if it's about the same cost or even a few bucks more for the kit I'll probably just grab one.
Just out of curiousity, what brand of bars did you buy and from who?

Thanks
Chris-

 

Them are some sharp lookin' bars there Hauss! Mirror finish...You did good!!!

 

Thanks terrapin88. Good luck on your choice and I think you're going to be pleasantly surprised at the comfort level with apes.