Had the exact same problem when I switched out my stock seat for the Mustang seat. Stock bars were barely passable with the stock seat but the change in position from the Mustang seat pushed me over the edge.

I was at Laconia and looked at the Helibars booth. Liked the idea that the bars are adjustable, so if your position isnt just right you can change it without changing bars. Ended up buying them at the show so they installed them free. Best $$ I ever spent...and yes I know they are expensive but the upside is you will never end up with the wrong riding position, and if you change seats at some point you can re-adjust the bars.

 

I guess I'm the minority here: I road a bike with high bars; just about shoulder height and my arms were killing me within a half hour; I just don't find holding my arms up that high comfortable at all. The bars on the Ultra allow your arms to naturally rest. Since I have a shorter reach than many of you (33") I had the Reach Bars installed to help me recline a bit. Now I can ride all day every day... and I would if I could!

 

A backrest won't help at all if you're still reaching for those stinking bars. At a minimum, I recommend heritage style bars.

 

I agree with you. I don't think up is the answer, I think back toward you so you don't have to reach is more important. Up might help, but back is better. I've been looking for bars that come back closer to me for quite awhile now, unless you have them custom made by BR or someplace like that they are extremely hard to find.

 

Yup, apes will cure ya

 

Apes cured my upper back pain, backrest cured lower pain

 

Wild 1 575 bars, PM grips fixed it for me on my SG

 

Had the same problem on my Ultra after switching to the Tallboy seat. Put on the Klock Werks Back bars and worked great. Still went up, but also back. What I did to determined which bar was have my gf take a pic of me holding a broom at my "ideal" position, then used the size of the grip as reference to determined up and back. Would have gone an inch or so higher, but didn't want to fool with new cables and couldn't find higher bars w flatter grip angle.

 

I am having the same problem on my 02. Backrest didn't help and the pain is right in between my shoulder blades at the base of my neck. Sorry I can be of no real help!

 

Oh, and Welcome to the forum Red!