Handlebar Poll - High, Low or Wide? Harley Parts & Accessories Discuss Handlebar Poll - High, Low or Wide? in the Harley Products & Services forums; I am seeing more apehangers on bikes these days that I have since the '70s and am curious what people here are riding with. Let us know by hitting the ...

[Buzz Kanter]

I am seeing more apehangers on bikes these days that I have since the '70s and am curious what people here are riding with. Let us know by hitting the poll.

I spend a lot of time and money on every new bike I get setting it up to fit me for maximum comfort for extremely long days in the saddle.
I've learned over the years just what is going to work best for me, mostly by deciding what hurts first and eliminating those one at a time. Although one part is having to condition your body for each change, over time you realize what your body can most easily condition to and strive to achive it.
Although handlbars are the second selection after the seat, I choose bars that position my body and reach where I am relaxed and most comfortable. My reach is relaxed, arms flat elbows slightly bent angleing slightly up from elbow to shoulder. The pullback angle of the grips seem to be somewhere around 5 inches which takes the strain off the wrists. The height can vary according to whether the new seat sitsme forward or rearward but can bepulled back slightly and on my present bike are somewhere around 10 inches best I can remember.
For most rides most people can condition their bodies for most handlbars within reasonable limits. For the extremes in high ones and heavier pullback angles there is some sacrifice for style and coolness but sometimes pain can be worth it for something really cool.

[BlueBob]

I went with "slightly higher than stock." I SAY that, but that is in reference to stock on MOST HDs. I find the fat mini apes, which are stock on a very few bikes (my FXDB included), are just about perfect...

I swapped my stock ones. Now when I ride I can sit straight up and keep my elbows almost at a 90 degree bend. I dont have to reach or back up in the seat. Apes are comming back because someone said they were cool and are now in style. I see alot of weekend leisure riders with Apes. Some have one hell of a time turning their bikes. Apes can be comfortable at the right hight. Sorry folks.. Over the shoulder is stupid. Thats just a way to say look at me! You have less control and it aint comfortable if you are going on a steady long haul.

[jmk713]

My 02 Lowrider has the stock bars on it. I really prefer a buckhorn; but refuse to pay what it would cost to convert since the stockers aren't that bad. I just like them a little higher and an inch or so closer to me. If I could accomplish this without cable changes etc; I probably would.
Actually I'd like to see HD offer "options" when you order a bike so you could get bars, seats etc that you like; put on it from day one.

[Majicbringer]

I'll stick with my drag bars. A little wider, but not much.

*drag bars a bit wider than stock, always drag bars, hell I'd put them on a bagger if and when that time comes.

Wider and lower gives optimum control and handling, if thats even important to ya'll!

[frisco-rigid]

That's an interesting catch-all general statement you made BcknBlk..
When folk make a sweeping claim that appears to include "ya'll!" I must ask for some basis for that claim..
Did you read it, or hear it at the shop or bar or is it simply that you know what is Best For Your "control and handling" or are you also dictating to "ya'll!" what is best for us too..

You may notice that most folk here avoid making all-inclusive, definative
"what's best for everyone" claims because what is best for one may not be for another, my results for example, may be totally different than yours..
The words ""in my experience"" have much more influence than ""this is the best for y'all""

[JCourneyaP]

BcknBlk:
I dunno about lower is better. You seen some of them customs where the bars are wide and below the tank?

I dont know about you but to have your leggs stretched out forward. Chest laying on the tank. Arms extended forward and down does not look comfortable. Your range of motion is greatly reduced with bars below the tank.

Good luck turning around on the street. Your natural balance is way off.

Back when I used play around on my peddal bike before BMX was a sport. Yes I can Jump and ride on One wheel down the middle of the street even in my 40's. My kids love it. Anyway we used to try and be cool. Tilt the handle bars forward and down. Weld on a few extra forks to get that tire out front. When it came down to control the handle bars came back and the extra forks came off.

If not you usally stripped your bars from pulling back or lost a few bucks because you were off balance and could not stick it.

No handle bar or postion of it is the same for all. I put the same bars on my wifes and my bike for cruising but they still are at a different angle then mine well above the tank. I am anal on bars and there position. The first two sets of bars I tried were not right. Stock and recommended by friend. The third set I tried out first on a similar bike. Me liked and me installed.

[Trigger87]

I had ridden my Heritage for 5 or so years befoer my brother-in-law replaced his shovel Low Rider with a '92 Fat Boy. I assumed that the Fat Boy would be similar in handling to the Heritage, but the wider bars on the Fat Boy acted like power steering. It makes a huge difference, especially riding around town. It also has its draw backs-like turning the rider into a human sail at highway speeds. Its something to keep in mind...