Need help on picking new handlebars
#1
Need help on picking new handlebars
While the stock handlebars are pretty comfortable, I'm needing something with a little bit more pull back to fully relax my arms. Currently, my arms aren't completely out stretched, but they're a little further out than I'd like them to be. However, I don't know a whole ton about bars (I only knew about drag bars and apes when I had my Sportster), and I'm seeing beach, ape, cruiser bars, etc, so I need some guidance.
I like the look of apes, and I'll probably go with 12", since it seems like that's about the highest that would be comfortable for me. I also don't mind some of the beach bars. In either case, I don't want to go too wide, and some of the beach and ape bars I see are pretty wide (some of the apes are pretty wide at the bottom, and the beach bars are wide grip to grip). So are there some apes that are relatively narrow at the bottom, or cruiser/beach bars that are close to stock in looks and size?
And one more thing, will I lose some handling with apes? I like how the stock bars handle right now, a lot better than my drag bars I had on my Sporty. Seems like I get better leverage with their width.
Edited to add: So far I've checked out Carlini, LA Choppers, and Burly.
I like the look of apes, and I'll probably go with 12", since it seems like that's about the highest that would be comfortable for me. I also don't mind some of the beach bars. In either case, I don't want to go too wide, and some of the beach and ape bars I see are pretty wide (some of the apes are pretty wide at the bottom, and the beach bars are wide grip to grip). So are there some apes that are relatively narrow at the bottom, or cruiser/beach bars that are close to stock in looks and size?
And one more thing, will I lose some handling with apes? I like how the stock bars handle right now, a lot better than my drag bars I had on my Sporty. Seems like I get better leverage with their width.
Edited to add: So far I've checked out Carlini, LA Choppers, and Burly.
Last edited by CruzB; 09-10-2012 at 03:00 PM. Reason: Added what brands I've checked outl
#2
#3
One thing I did the other day was loosened the risers and rotated the bars slightly toward me. It did bring it back a little bit, but I haven't been able to test it out on a long ride yet. It's an idea you can try for now.
#4
I thought about that, too, but was afraid it would also bring them down a bit. I may give it a shot. Thanks.
#6
#7
When I bought my 06 SB I was worried about the 10 inch Mini Apes....1st time with any Ape Bars.....Piece of cake to handle, way more comfortable than the 1200 S Bars I had on my Sportster.
Bought a FB and called and asked about switching to Beach Bars and the tech advised me not to do it on an EVO bike so I said to switch over to 10 Inch Mini Apes. The reply back was something like Get Real....Let me toss some Wild 1 12.5 inch Chubbies on that FB. He told me the ride height would be way more comfortable and the added leverage makes it easier to control.
So I trust him and say go for it....He hasn't been wrong yet and he was right, it just feels natural.
So after getting them both side by side the SB with 10 inch Mini Apes looked funny/lacking so I shipped it up for a pair of LA Chopper 12 inch Nice Curves.
What ever you do get 1.25 inch bars over the 1 inch....World of difference looks wise.
Karsten
Bought a FB and called and asked about switching to Beach Bars and the tech advised me not to do it on an EVO bike so I said to switch over to 10 Inch Mini Apes. The reply back was something like Get Real....Let me toss some Wild 1 12.5 inch Chubbies on that FB. He told me the ride height would be way more comfortable and the added leverage makes it easier to control.
So I trust him and say go for it....He hasn't been wrong yet and he was right, it just feels natural.
So after getting them both side by side the SB with 10 inch Mini Apes looked funny/lacking so I shipped it up for a pair of LA Chopper 12 inch Nice Curves.
What ever you do get 1.25 inch bars over the 1 inch....World of difference looks wise.
Karsten
Trending Topics
#9