pain in neck from road king - Harley Forum

stretch75 · #1 07-22-2008, 06:44 PM

i know this is been on here b4 but i just bought a 08 road king classic and have rode it all over the place im about 6'3 but im getting bad pain in my neck and back i know this is a handlebar problem.. any good bars to keeo the bike lookin original w/o major work and to get rid of my pain i heard the heritage bars are goodd?????

myt evo · #2 07-22-2008, 07:28 PM

stretch, I also own an 08 Road King and I know exactly what your talking about. I'm about 6ft and get that same pain in the neck. The Heritage bars seem to be the bars to go with but hold on a minute. I posted some info on how to modify a set of bars because of the new electronic throttle and the fact that new bars as far as I know are not available yet for the new touring bikes. That info is available on the Flanders handle bar web site. Also it may be a good idea to hold off for a while because I'm getting info through the grape vine that it's not just a matter of extending the wires for a new set of bars. It has to do with resistance so by just extending the wires it seems to be playing havoc with the sensors and setting off trouble codes! I would think that Harley or the after market will eventually come out with new bars and if they don't offer the bars that you prefer you can modify any set of bars with the info provided on the Flanders site. As far as the wiring issue is concerned we'll just have to wait and see. Anyone out there have any info to add?

BluesFan · #3 07-23-2008, 09:37 AM

May I suggest that you do what I did?

I have a connective tissue disease. As a result, my hand strength and flexibility are down.

Came time for a new bike, I sat on every bike. Had the sales dude/gal hold it upright, made my legs and butt comfortable. Close your eyes, raise your hands, and drop them to the grips.

Find the style that fits best and adapt from there.

What I found was that 90% of the bikes forced my wrists into a potentially uncomfortable position. Uncomfortable being defined as bent anything but naturally.

Being tall, I'd imagine that your issues are different than mine. But I did find my hokie "blind" testing a help.

nukeguy · #4 07-23-2008, 02:28 PM

I'm 6'2' tall and had the same pain in neck & upper back area from handelbar position. I loosened the handelbars and moved them upward myself almost 2". I don't have the pain any longer, plus the bars don't hit my knees in tight controlled turns. Still shaking around new handelbars once the 2009 catalog comes out. I would still like them to be just a tad higher but worried about stretched out TBW issues.

BluesFan · #5 07-24-2008, 09:45 AM

Hey Nukeguy, Perry?

BaggerDad · #6 07-27-2008, 08:00 PM

A pal loves his RK but not the handlebars. He switched over to Heritage bars and has been happy ever since.

He even said the stock cables and hoses fit without mods.

Desert Drifter · #7 08-03-2008, 02:02 AM

I just received the Krome Werks 2" sweeper pullback bars for the '08 Roadking. Going to install them soon. I'll give a report when they're installed and I have some ride time with them. They look like they're going to be a relief from the stock bars.

The stock RK bars are a pain in my neck as well as my wrists. 6' tall and I can't believe how far I have to reach to the bar.

texan321 · #8 08-06-2008, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nukeguy

I'm 6'2' tall and had the same pain in neck & upper back area from handelbar position. I loosened the handelbars and moved them upward myself almost 2". I don't have the pain any longer, plus the bars don't hit my knees in tight controlled turns. Still shaking around new handelbars once the 2009 catalog comes out. I would still like them to be just a tad higher but worried about stretched out TBW issues.

Raising the bars yourself is a good choice - don't have to mess with the bars. Very easy to do.

Odessa33556 · #9 08-09-2008, 07:08 AM

My friend just changed (month ago) handle bars from a 07 Hertiage with and 08 Road King with no problems. Not having any sensor problems. HD has a "New" Hertiage bar for the Road King with the bottom hole drilled. Going to order one today for the 2009 RK I have ordered. The HD sevice rep said he wouldn't have enough slack in the wires and there was plenty.

#10 08-11-2008, 10:54 PM

I am a little over 6-3 and I have heritage bars on my road king and I love them.