I am 6'1" and have 14" apes, they are perfect for me. Everyone has their preferences, but to me go as high as you can without your hands getting above your shoulders. Any higher and finger numbing becomes more of an issue. The guy in my avatar likely can attest to this.
Last year, I installed 10" mini-apes (1" tube) and I didn't have to swap my clutch, brake, or TBW wires, but I did have to extend all of the others.
This year, I just bit the bullet and did it all (just recently finished too!) New clutch cable, brake lines, controls, wiring, grips, and moved up to 16" apes (1.25" tube). Here's the finished product. I'm 6'4" with 27/28" sleeve and these put my hands *just* slightly above my shoulder at my 'normal' riding position (read: slouched) but if I'm upright, they're just slightly below. I've only got about 300 miles with these so far and no long trips, but I'm hoping to get into some serious riding in the next couple of weeks. They're pretty comfortable so far. We'll see how they are on distance rides!
There's this outfit that offers internal controls. I've seen a couple of pics floating around where folks have drilled into the bar and run a brake line (which could work for a hydraulic clutch too) but not for the clutch cable.
I installed 12" wild one Reapers, I am 5'8 and only needed to get switch extensions. I got 8" but could have used 4". I would say you would need 8" extensions for anything taller that 12's and you will need clutch and brake cables longer. Someone mentioned +8. It really isn't that hard if you have patience and beer.
Try this. Sit on your bike as you normally would say sitting at a red light. Close your eyes and put your arms out to what would feel like a comfortable riding position. Open your eyes and visualize what the bars you would like would be. Wild 1's are a good company with many different styles and can be helpful on the phone. Been there. I am not saying that they are the way to go but they can be helpful. I like their Reapers. You say you have the coin so don't worry about the height or the factor of cables/wires needed. Do it right the first time or be like many others (myself included) and transition into what works for you, at a significantly higher cost. Best of luck!!!
I did this and had a buddy do the measuring...We actually did this method 3 times to make sure the #'s were what they were...I was holding onto a broomstick at the time.
I then proceeded to check every possible website and catalog to find the bars with #'s that came closest to the #'s we came up with.
I ended up with 16" LA Choppers Twin Peaks ..... only wished I had done this 50,000 sooner !!!!!
Very good advice for the OP........
Originally Posted by jorswift
I need to sit on the bike and have someone measure where my arms are. Can you have brake and clutch cable internal?
I watched a guy at Laconia Bike Week install apes with everything run internally....
I had to ask; "what's the price for this?" His answer; "$100 / inch plus cost of bars"
Last edited by ChickinOnaChain; 06-06-2018 at 10:16 AM.
I emailed Klock Werks because I wanted the 12" Ergo bars they sale for my 2012 Street Glide. The tech said all bars up 12" you don't have to extend any cables lines or wires.
05-31-2018, 08:54 AM
