I have drag bars on my 03 sportster right now. I feel it in my back after about an hour. The bike has forward controls. Would a set of 8" or 10" apes help to sit me up more to help my back some?

 

I originally had drag bars , they were a back killer for me . I switched to stock Sportster Ram Horns , didn't care for the look , comfort & control wise they were good .
I now have the Super Bar from J&P cycle , they are like the beach bars on a Fat Boy . For me , a nice riding position , good control , something drag bars don't offer IMHO.
Ape Hangers might look cool , but they would be killing my shoulders & low back after 20 miles . They look pretty sketchy as for as control issues .
There are a lot of people that ride with them & love them . To each his own . It's a personal item , like shoes , whatever fits you best .



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I went from stock bars to 12" mini apes specifically to keep my back from hurting. They keep my back in a nearly straight position while riding and I've done 6 hours nonstop (except for gas obviously) without back pain.

 

You could also keep the drag bars and use longer risers, and maybe some with more pullback.
My drag bars are on a 7.5" pullback riser.

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I ditched my drag bars for 14 inch mini apes. What a Wold of difference! I can't post pics cause im on on my cell phone but I made a thread last night with pics of the transformation. It's called my "summer project" hope the pics help with your decision.

 

I have 12" apes on my bike and it's very comfortable. I think any taller would be painful for the shoulders but that's just my $.02. I can throw the bike into the curves just fine with them as well.

 

Make it $.04

OP, I think the answer is just to find something to help you sit up straighter. Lots of riser/bar solutions for that. Higher isn't necessarily better though; when I bought my bike, it had 16" apes on it which were just too high. I had a stock nightster bar on it for a while, and then went to the 12", which has been the best for me.

 

I have 6 1/2" risers with 1" pull back. I think I will give the 8" bars a try. If they are to tall I have a set of 4" risers to try.

 

I was having back pains with the stock bars. But was planning on going to apes when I bought the bike. I when with 14" road 6 bars and there perfect for me.

 

I went the other way, 12" mini apes to 14" Nash Grit Hangers to my Biltwells.

The Biltwell's are more stable, ESP at highway speeds. I don't need a shield anymore, I can go up to 124 mph with zero vibration or wobble. I can turn better and it's easier to Lane split, the bike is more responsive. Due to me sitting more hunched over my back feels much better. With the apes I was sitting upright so al the shock went straight up my spine. Now it travels up behind me. Oh, and I can see with my flipped mirrors so the bars look cleaner IMO.

The apes had only 2 benefits. 1 they look cool 2 the go over car mirrors.

In short I felt like I finally knew what a sportster feels like.