I recently went with the HD RK bars with a 3 1/2" rise for $100 from the dealer it got them up where the pressure on my hands wasn't an issue but I'm 6'1" and it might not be the same for you...

 

He means one like this, the older bike models had a two piece handlebar clamp. I suppose it is less rigid and twists. I don't know.

There's a few handlebars on www.kijiji.ca, for example, Road Glide for $40 locally. Heritage bars the the place to start, plenty on Ebay. Anything 1" and OEM will fit. Electra Glide bars will look kind of strange as they are made to fit the batwing, another set for $80 in NB, pullbacks off a Dyna for $15, Heritage $40.

Try a few used one before committing to anything spendy and new. Use google, e.g. "harley handlebars site:kijiji.ca"

 

Good morning Wodan,

Yes, 2 of those bars were ones I was wondering about . (the 2 in NB). It's just that I don't know if Road Glide bars have any more pull back and rise than Road King bars. I have to presume they do for the moment, as I rarely hear anyone driving a 'Glide complaining about leaning over for their bars, but it seems to be a common theme for folks on older Road King's like me.

Appreciate the input.

 

It is difficult to be specific because they changed them all recently and I don't know which take-off is which.

Road Glide bars have a couple of inch higher rise and are a little flatter. I think the problem with the old RK bars was the droop at the end and all of the mentioned alternatives are flatter. Your hand tends to sit on them rather than have to hold on. They are closer to you, better control. I do not have to move around on the seat any more.

A few guys have posted pictures on this site of comparison, holding the bars in a vice.

I understand what you or others feel about the RK bars at full lock, where they are hard to reach. For me, I actually had my hands slip off them a few times because of their downward turn, eg in cold/wet, hitting a pothole etc.

New, they've got new bars now called "Heritage style for Road King" (56902-08 - 3" more pullback, same height at new ones). I've never tried them. I guess they're designed to overcome the one prejudice people had against the Heritage bars which was their narrowness at the triple triple. That is, the FLHs have a wider triple tree and bars with wider bottoms to match. Also the Road King Tall Boys and Freewheelers (2" higher and 1.5" narrower). All seem to address the same problem.

Yes, the factory needs to invent a "handlebar stimulator" where you sit on a dummy seat and move grips around to put your hands where you want them, and then the computer tells you which bars are the closest.

Otherwise, it starts with gambling 50 to 100 Bucks each time and selling them on afterwards. Personally, I like modest, functional handlebars, not decorative ones.

Do you have a riders group nearby? Someone's got to have a few bars sitting around in the garage. Doesn't everyone?