Help! Really Confused About APES.
#11
03-26-2016, 06:13 PM
Originally Posted by ZenGlide
Bearing in mind that I'm in the extreme minority on this, here's my experience. I originally couldn't decide between 10" and 12" WO Chubby bars on my FLHTCU. My gut told me that 10" would be best, but I followed the much offered advice to go higher than you think you want and got the 12". Normally, the general consensus advice offered here is extremely helpful and true. However, it just didn't work out for me in this instance.
My 12" bars are at max rollback and very close to shoulder height for me. My arms are close to level when riding. I find this position comfortable on short rides. But on longer rides, I find myself taking my hands off the grips occasionally to lower my arms and "shake them out". Granted, some of this discomfort may come from being 55 years old and maybe the old heart isn't pumping like it used to. I don't know... this is only a guess on my part, but I'm clearly not getting full circulation to my hands and arms in this position over long distances. I'll be performing handlebar reduction surgery soon and taking mine back down to 10".
Again, most everyone else seems to love the higher bars. I'm in the minority on this and just wanted to offer a contrasting POV.
Good luck with your decision.
My 12" bars are at max rollback and very close to shoulder height for me. My arms are close to level when riding. I find this position comfortable on short rides. But on longer rides, I find myself taking my hands off the grips occasionally to lower my arms and "shake them out". Granted, some of this discomfort may come from being 55 years old and maybe the old heart isn't pumping like it used to. I don't know... this is only a guess on my part, but I'm clearly not getting full circulation to my hands and arms in this position over long distances. I'll be performing handlebar reduction surgery soon and taking mine back down to 10".
Again, most everyone else seems to love the higher bars. I'm in the minority on this and just wanted to offer a contrasting POV.
Good luck with your decision.
#12
03-26-2016, 06:21 PM
I have 12" on my RK but probably would have been happier with 14". Sometimes I feel like I am reaching for the bars after I get settled in on a long ride. With 14" I could have kept the bars at the same angle but the extra height would have got them a little closer to my body. I am the same height and weight as you. The seat that you use also has a lot to do with fit. My 12" bars fit better when I have the two-up Sundowner seat on because it puts me closer to the bars. The solo seat that I use the most sits me farther back on the bike, and I have to reach for them a little more.
I don't think that you will regret the 13" at all.
I don't think that you will regret the 13" at all.
#13
03-26-2016, 08:09 PM
Seasoned HDF Member
#14
03-26-2016, 11:35 PM
OP: Find a way to try them. As previous posters have said a lot depends on the seat you have. If you are considering a new seat, do that first. I am 5'8" and have 12.5 WOs on my RK. I wish I had gone with 14s for the same reasons Quickbiscuit stated. I would think at you height 16s would be about right.
#15
03-27-2016, 12:41 AM
#16
03-27-2016, 02:15 AM
Read about this somewhere on the forum, worked well for me in deciding bar height for my Softail.
You'll need a pole of some sort, dowel rod or maybe a broom handle. Sit on the bike, feet on the footboards; you'll need to figure out how to keep the bike balanced, lift works well. Now close your eyes and hold the pole in a position that feels comfortable. Open your eyes and measure the height for your new bars. Also good way to confirm width and pullback. Measuring can be tricky if you are doing this by yourself. I rigged a yardstick at the base of the bars and leaned it against the pole.
Some may find this silly, but it worked for me. And that's is how I will do it when I switch out the bars on my RK.
Remember to replace riser bushings with poly while you are at it.
You'll need a pole of some sort, dowel rod or maybe a broom handle. Sit on the bike, feet on the footboards; you'll need to figure out how to keep the bike balanced, lift works well. Now close your eyes and hold the pole in a position that feels comfortable. Open your eyes and measure the height for your new bars. Also good way to confirm width and pullback. Measuring can be tricky if you are doing this by yourself. I rigged a yardstick at the base of the bars and leaned it against the pole.
Some may find this silly, but it worked for me. And that's is how I will do it when I switch out the bars on my RK.
Remember to replace riser bushings with poly while you are at it.
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cass (03-27-2016)
#17
03-27-2016, 04:25 AM
Road Warrior
I've always changed the stock bars on the Harleys I've purchased because the OE bars always seem to give me a pain in my shoulder and neck. The ones that worked best for me were the ones that put my hands at shoulder height, hands wider than my shoulders, & a slight bend in my arms. So, from my experience, height, width, & pullback will not only affect whether you need different cables, they may affect your comfort. Buying bars over the internet is somewhat of a crap shoot without knowing the dimensions you want. And that's difficult to determine sitting in a shop trying different bars at a display for a couple of minutes. What may seem comfortable for 1 minute can turn into the situation ZenGlide runs into after riding for a length of time. And what works for me, may not work for you. Take your time, do some research, take down some measurements & talk to some reputable manufacturers. Good luck, be comfortable & ride safe.
#18
03-27-2016, 07:33 AM
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I really like the comfort of these 16"....Could have been a little wider maybe, dunno...
Overall, I have put many 500 plus mile day-rides on these and really like'em
Your best bet is to measure, measure, measure....ask a friend to help will make it much easier.
Overall, I have put many 500 plus mile day-rides on these and really like'em
Your best bet is to measure, measure, measure....ask a friend to help will make it much easier.
Last edited by ybnorml; 03-27-2016 at 07:39 AM.
#20
03-27-2016, 01:11 PM