Hope you have long arms, but it sure should corner good

 

You werent kiddin,... I do have plenty of arm length and I felt as if I could hit a dirt bike trail. Handling is not a problem now

 

This is a great thread. Ive been fighting with this issue for far too long. My stock 2007 Road King Classic bars suck for my riding position. I have to lean far too down and forward to ride and my shoulders/back kill me.

Im 6 foot, 180 lbs, 34-35 sleeve length, 34 inseam. Mustang touring seat.

Im looking at the 518 and the 517. Really wish I could try them out in person before buying though. No one mentions the 550 beachbar. They seem to have ample pullback, is it the look or the rise that keeps people away?

 

503's look to be closer to a drag bar, too close for me for my shoulders; I love the 517's, rode it to work last night and so much easier on me than the 518's even as they were comfortable. I feel so much more in control with the 517's, less stretched on cornering and in tight spots.

 

I had the original bars on my 02 RK Classic and My arms are too short....I was always leaning forward...very uncomfortable for me.

I went to the RK Beach Bars.....I have a throttle boss and cruise control.
Very comfortable for me on long rides and around the block.

I am 6 foot, 32" inseam and 32" shirt sleeve.

This year I am getting a driver back rest and I'll be set for the long cruises!!

I went through all the bars and measurements/angles before I decided on the RK beach bars. (regular beach bars just angle in too much, love the look but not good for my wrist angle)

Have a friend who has long legs, he's about 6'3" and his knees hit the hand grips when turning on my bike....He can't ride it....but they fit me great! Have them set low....the throttle cables sweep about 1/2 inch above the gas tank cap when turning.

Really a matter of personal preference and comfort.

 

I just received the WO515's and I'm getting conflicting information for the needed cable/wiring extensions, I do have cruise control and of course the TBW. The Tech at WO's thought I could get away with just extending the turn signal wiring. I plan on doing the install sometime this week and would like to have the need parts on hand before tearing into it, any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated!


Mike

 

Just a note on my experience with bars on my 2009 FLTR.

From experience on my 2001 FLTRI, I knew that the stock bars suck. So, when I picked up my new 2009 I had Wild One WO515's ready for installation. It didn't take long to realize that the 10" apes weren't doing the trick. I still had to reach and still got that pain in my upper spine and neck.
I opted for WO509's (16" apes) and am now very happy with that choice.

Other particulars:
Seat is Mustang wide touring w/backrest.
I am 6'5" with 36" sleeve length.

I hope this helps someone make the right choice the first time.

 

Want to thank RoadKingKamchi for starting this thread. It helped make up my mind on the Wildone's 502's.

I completed the handle bar change out myself pretty much all done in a day and everything worked the way it did before I started.

And yes it is a Road King.

Between the handlebars and the seat the bike is now like riding down the road in a lazy boy. I would not know how to drive it with the handlebars I had on it before.

 

After reading many of these posts I am still confused. There is no place around to try the different WO bars only those from HD. I was originally thinking about the WO 513 but now think the 517's sound better.

In my case I'm 5' 11" with a 29" inseam and 33/34" sleeves BUT I also have pins in one shoulder and nerve damage in the other arm SO I really need a comfortable bar and one that will make it easier on me in slow turns and with the wife on. I use a Mustang Solo when I'm alone and a Saddlemans Explorer custom when she rides.

If'n anyone has any thoughts I am listening.

 

I have the WO517 on a Road Glide. They are good when you are going straight but they are pretty clumsy making tight turns in a parking lot. It might take me a while to get used to them, but I don't think they will be on the bike that long.

I'm 6' with a 33" inseam, don't have a clue on my sleeve length.