I plan on doing ape bars within the near future but have a question regarding sizes. 10" 12" or 14" I am 6ft with a 36" arm reach. If I do 10's I believe they may be too low. Someone told me 12's would place my hands around the top fairing on my SGS. I was thinking more on 14"'s but don't want to elevate my hands above my shoulders for a long road trip. I do sit back on my seat too on the backrest quite a bit. That being said what do you all have on your bikes, and do your arms stay comfortable on long rides? any help is appreciated. (And I am aware anything height wise over your shoulders in Florida is illegal, but I really don't care about that.)

 

I'm 6ft as well I have 14 and my arms sit pretty level.. I'm goin 16s nxt month tho.. Alot of people have said to go higher than what you actually want.. And some will say that 14s actually measure 16 and yadda yadda.. Which is true on some bars but the height to the grip is still 14 on mine with kst mayhems

 

You're going to get a lot of differing opinions, but here's my 2 cents.... I'm 6 ft tall with a 34/35 arm reach. I am on my second bike with PYO Monkey bars on it. Currently have 12 inchers on my Street Glide. Puts my hands right at the top of the fairing, and basically perfectly level with my shoulders. Here's a pic for reference:



I had 14 inchers on my last bike, and it put my hands about an inch higher than my shoulders. I like both sets of bars and think that they are both very comfortable. I don't think you can go wrong with either 12 or 14 inchers on your SGS. I would not go 10 inches, as I don't think that's tall enough. Just my opinion. Good luck, and nice bike.

 

Depends on your seat and where your feet are for height, go to the bars website you are looking at for their measurements each is a little different way of measuring I found out and do your own measuring for where you want your hands. You also can push them forward and back to you which changes everything measure and measure, measure. Hope this helps plus everyone I know including me wish they went 2" higher. I have them coming.

 

Also depends on your risers. I had stock buckhorn 10's with 4" risers making them 14's.
Changed the buckhorns to 10" mini apes, then the throttle cables were short, so I swapped the 4" rises for 2".
I'm 6' and the 12" rise works for me. JMO

 

Go buy a piece of PVC tubing and a few 90 degree corners.


Mock up a set to see what size is comfortable.

 

14" or 16" depending on brand as well as the seat you use. Good trick is don't bolt them down tight till you get in the seat and rotate them to the perfect position.

 

I almost did 14's but end up going with the cycle smith 16"s and I'm glad I did they are so comfortable. I'm 6'2" I would go 16

 

I'm 6'4" with a 36" inseam and I had 16" Carlini's, which are actually closer to 17"s and my arms were straight out and not above my shoulders.

 

Do the yardstick method: sit on your bike as you normally would. Close your eyes, grab a yardstick by both ends and hold in front of you where it feels natural. Have someone measure the height, and that should be close.
The Carlini website has a graphic that shows rider position with different sizes of bars. The Flanders website also has some good information. Wild Ones makes a quality bar. Several others will make bars to your specifications.
Or just put on a pair of 16s...👍