Raising the bar

[admin]

A couple of weeks back, I saw a V-Rod roaring down the highway fitted with a set of 18" apes. Never seen that before, and the configuration looked out of place on a V, but everyone's got different style preferences. For all you high-bar riders, any thoughts on practicality and controllability of apes vs. stock bars or drags? Seems like one of the first things most folks change on their rides is the bar set-up, but it can't always be for looks...

Posted by: mc5aw on Jun 26, 06 8:36:09 am

[admin]

I just put 16" apes on my Heritage. You can check out the pics they just posted in the Bikes section of the photo albums "BigBen's Heritage". For me they're sweet. I'm 6'6" and my hands are level with my shoulders. I like how wide they are too. Again, good for me but maybe not for someone a little more average in size. I've got a lot more leverage with the wider bars. My buddies tell me the bike still looks small under me, but it fits a lot better now than stock. I'd like to get some extension mounts for the highway pegs and I'll be in there. A buddy and I switched rides for a little bit, he's about 5'8", and he was streeeetched out!! I was on his softail standard and it looked like I was on a moped....
I really like the look of the wide drag bars, or the beach bars, but for me I just don't physically fit with those styles very well.

Posted by: bigben on Jun 26, 06 2:57:32 pm

[admin]

I'm just too old for apes. My hands go numb on anything higher than a raised beach bar! Yup, I'm on my way to geezerhood!

Posted by: Shooter Bob on Jun 27, 06 5:53:48 am

[admin]

My preference is a drag bar turned downward just a hair. Gives me better control, better comfort and I don't feel like I'm riding Gramp's Schwinn. Beach bars aren't too bad either, but not on a Sporty. Some things just ruin the lines of certain bike. Apes on a VROD? Next he'll be wearing white leather after Labor Day...

Posted by: Majicbringer on Jun 27, 06 12:22:03 pm