All,

I've been reading several posts, and one that Sincecrazy made in the Sportster (I think) forum struck me.

When I ride, I get a lot of pain in my upper back between my shoulder blades...long rides are bad. When I lean waaaaayyyyy back and look down (placing my chin against my chest), it stretches it out, and it HURTS when I do that.

I took a ride today and was thinking about my hand position. I believe I "hold" my elbows up, rather than having them down, in a more relaxed position. I experienced this with my bike, and the Ultra that I rented in Hawaii. The buddy that I rode with told me he feels the same thing...he's roughly the same height.

I'm looking into the Wild1 Chubbies, W0575 I think. I sent them an email and they told me that the stock handlebars are not set up for an ergonomic position. (no kidding). Well, I'm not sure what to do, I'm thinking that getting a lower seat (Corbin) will raise my hands up, forcing me to relax my elbows...and of course the handlebars.

Thoughts?

Mac

 

Id replace the seat first, if thats what youre after. Then I would concentrate on your hand postion from there. Find what you feel to be comfortable. A comfortable riding position is one that takes the least reach. I would add some 1 1/2 diameter bars and run the wires internally. Nothing looks better than 1 1/2" currently! With a full fairing, ape hangers are out. Ive seen them on a few bikes and they just dont go with the lines! I would try something with more rise, and more pullback than stock. Keep width in consideration also. My bars are 16 1/2"rise, 10 1/2"pullback, and 39 1/2"wide. Id recommend something like a beach bar, 5" rise, 13"pullback, and 36"wide.

 

Sincecrazy,

Look at this, tell me what you think...

Wild1 Bars You have to scroll down to the 575 part

This is how they look:

Wild1 575 pics

I don't want to go outside the fairing...

 

Those look good, and have a good flow with the bike. With them raised, you may get better visability out of your mirrors, which is always good. You can always 'mock' up a set of bars by bending up some coat hangers to get a feel, if you dont have a bike in which there mounted, that you can put your hands on.

 

I like the way they look...here's the question though.

You quoted dimensions to me, the Wild1 W0575 seem to be close...based on what I'm describing to you, do you think it will help? I know there is no test like a road test...

Mac

 

Im thinking you will notice a big difference, and be happy with it. I would mock up the bars with a coat hanger just to get a feel for it.

 

HEY MAC, DID YOU CONSIDER PUTTING THE RK CUSTOM BARS ON? FOR THE PRICE OF THE WILD ONES YOU CAN GET THE HD BARS AND A BRAKE LINE KIT FOR WHAT YOU WOULD PAY FOR THE BARS ALONE. PLUS YOU WOULD PROBABLY STILL HAVE TO BUY A BRAKE LINE KIT ON TOP OF THAT FOR THE WILD ONES. I DO REMEMBER THAT YOU SAID YOU ARE WANTING TO CLEAN UP THE WIRING, AND YOU CANNOT DO THAT WITH HD BARS, BUT I DONT THINK YOU CAN DO THAT WITH THE WILD ONES EITHER. AS FOR THE SEAT, I PUT A BADLANDER SEAT (LOW PROFILE) ON MY BIKE (TO GET ME CLOSER TO THE GROUND DUE TO BEING VERTICALLY CHALLENGED) AND THAT MADE MY HANDLEBAR SITUATION WORSE (UNTIL I PUT THE RK CUSTOM BARS ON.) JUST A THOUGHT, I THINK THIS SET OF BARS WOULD WORK PRETTY GOOD FOR YOU. AND IF YOU HAVE AN HD DEALERSHIP NEARBY, THEY WOULD PROBABLY LET YOU RETURN THE BARS IF THEY DIDNT FEEL RIGHT TO YOU. SENDING THE OTHERS BACK TO WILD ONE COULD BE A PAIN. JUST MY 2 CENTS.

 

TBall,

I'm not sure they would fit behind the fairing, and I want to keep that area like it is, meaning I agree with what Sincecrazy said above...it just sort of goofs up the lines when you go outside the fairing.

I just ordered a set of Wild 1 Bars...I'll put them on, and see how it goes. If they are not right, I'll sell them on eBay, but after riding another 80 miles today, I've got to do something, and after doing the mock up with the coat hangers, it seems to be better.

I'll post back with the final results.

Mac

 

Good deal, Mac, I think youll be happy. Keep us informed.

 

Suckers are out of stock, told me they won't be able to deliver for a week or more, offered to refund my money. I'm on the road again this Sunday, so I hope they will be here when I get back...gonna be a few weeks, but that is alright...looking forward to it.

Mac