A History of the Motorcycle Ape Hangers/ Tall Handlebars

[@zozoa1]

My Grandad told me that in the Second World War the army messengers would ride from the front lines back to the logistics on there bikes carrying written messages or small equipment. Sometimes the Germans would get behind enemy lines and put wire up across the road to kill the riders of the motorcycles. To counter this the service men made and put tall bars on to protect them from having there heads removed. True story. Some of these bikes with the tall bars made it back to the states and the rest is history.

[@DG-cu1vt]

Exactly! I couldn't have said it better myself. That is the actual origin of Ape Hangers.

[@kevanhoffarth1186]

Back in the day they had a real purpose. On a hard tail Harley they were used to pull your ass off the seat as you hit potholes and other bumps in the road.

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

Now that's awesome

[@robertormes2178]

Yeh, had 16's on my rigid shovel, the above is right and I reckon they helped in cornering as I could swing off the apes.

[@1badombre82]

Good to know! I just built my first hardtail out of an 81 kawasaki kz 650 and I decided not to built front set pegs and just use my pegs in the factory location for that same reason. So I can lift my ass off the seat for bumps

[@GTGibbs]

Truth.

[@stevepearson-g2r]

Your right brother, works the same way today on my bagger ,I live in a city where there's more pot holes than road

[@jimkraft9445]

I love buckhorns. They just fit me perfect. I have been riding with them since 1984. To each his own. With the pillow seat and buckhorn bars on my 99 Softail Custom I am comfy. I am 83 years old and need all the comfort I can get.

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

I loved hearing that your riding at 83. My dad is a decade behind you!! Gives me inspiration

[@SaddleTrampTV]

For me, it's where my hands rest on that specific bike. Right about shoulder level or an inch below is just about right for my comfort without trashing the aesthetic flow of the whole bike. Too often you can look at the other guy's bike and say "Hey look at those handlebars with the motorcycle on them".

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

I absolutely agree!!!!

[@citychick4154]

The kitchen chairs of the 1950's were made of 1" chrome plated tubular steel. Before Hap Jones (Indian dealer San Francisco) started selling British and aftermarket parts (Flanders and Bates in particular) these were often used as handlebars. Continental kits (a chrome plated spare tire accessory) were easy to "borrow" in the dead of night and were used as flat fenders. Chrome plated P trap plumbing fittings were also used to cover the slugs to extend the front ends.

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

This is amazing information

[@DerekEvan]

Literally just finished 14” apes on my 07 sportster 1200. LOVE the APES !

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

Hell yeah Derek!!!!

[@MicahBell_1860]

I'm 5'4". My first ape hangers were on a 97 Softail Custom. I was Captain America (in Australia) Today, I have a 1960s style Chopper with 6" over springer & 12" ape hangers for bar hopping, a stock 95th Anniversary Electra-Glide Ultra Classic with stock 8" apes for touring, & a 1994 Road King with buckhorns for my daily rider. The apes on my chopper still makes me smile. The buckhorns are comfortable too

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

That's absolutely awesome

[@razbishara6491]

I had 30” + 1” risers on my 2008 Heritage,rode it for 12yrs no problems,lotta guys couldn’t keep up with me on the corners,and we gotta lotta corners on our roads over here in Aotearoa-New Zealand…Replaced them with 20” Tees with a 4” pull back at the top,still on their now after almost 5yrs now…End of the day it’s whatever floats your boat right,different strokes for different folks…Yep Apes will always be around mate no doubt…From what I know when the boys were at war the opposition use to run wire across the roads to take out the boys on bikes and whatever else they could take out so the boys on bikes put big bars on to break through the wires…that’s the story I was told but I’m sure everyone’s got their own version… End of the day they look fkn cool🙌❤️‍🔥💯🔥Stay up n keep the rubber down n go hard or go home😜😎🦅

[@jerrylong381]

In 1994 I bought a 72 Sportster with 16" apes. I rode it that way for a year, but didn't really care for them. I didn't like my hands going numb and having to shake the blood back into them, especially my right hand since I didn't have any kind of throttle lock. The first winter I tore it down, rebuilt the motor and put forward controls and Tee bars with 7" rise and 4 " pull back on it and fell in love with them. For me, they are just so comfortable. I'm 5'10" and they just fit me well. And I like the way they look. Now the Sporty has been passed to my son and he is talking about putting apes on it. I told to him go for it, you'll never know unless you try it.

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

I love this

[@kaderedmond8475]

Running 10 inch apes with 3 1/2 inch pullback risers on my super glide. Perfect combination for me.

[@timbarnett3898]

You remember picture of Brando on bike with trophy tied up to handlebar. My motorcycle won 3rd out of 168 bikes, so I was invited to Seattle International motorcycle show. Every bike entered got 2 posters. One of that picture of Brando with trophy an other of race bike! I still have them. I see Sonny Barger in Hell Angel booth. (I didn't think they would have they're own booth!) I say his name, he calls me over. He asked about my bike. He said he come see it! Which he did with a group. Met Malcom Smith there too!

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

That is one hell of an american moto-story!!!

[@kjaubrey4816]

Anytime my family were out riding and saw guys with ape hangers, my uncle would lock the throttle on his Valkyrie and speed past them with his hands up in the air off his bars. It was frickin hilarious.

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

Very awesome

[@rckwldrn]

I don't think anyone calls them "meat hangers", but there is a style of ape hanger called "meat hooks"

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

Yesssssss. With the pointy thingy at the top

[@mikepersia5362]

I like everything from drag bars to apes. I have 14” apes on my 2023 Road King Special and for me, they are perfect!

[@jeffstange9183]

over the years I have road stock, mini apes, 6 inch risers with drag bars , and now i have 12 inch apes on my 2020 softail , the ride and the look is what fits me, and yes bike looks pretty FN cool, ride safe brother

[@rock-n-roll4865]

ape hangers originally called lane splitters .they were made from the bottom of shopping carts originally .cage drivers didn't like bikers splitting lanes they would stick a broomsticks from car to car to stop lane splitters. hence the high bars to snap the broomstick.

[@StreetBob-tn1ed]

i was told that apes came about when american dispatch riders invented them because the germans used to strech wire across roads to chop off there heads off i had 2 uncles in the war and thay told me about it

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

Awesome so it is true

[@AfterWorkRipper]

My first Harley came with 18 apes and forward controls. I put about 1k miles before I low sided or high sided( couldn’t tell it was too fast coming to a stop in the rain) was a very happy slightly forced mid control upgrade

[@westoniii]

I'm a vet now Got a AMF sporty with apes cause it's my style. I can sling that sporty around turns with big bars

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

Love hearing that

[@timbarnett3898]

Don't stress about being 5 ft 6 inches! My dad was 5' 5" in boots, but he walked with family across southern deserts from Little Rock to S. California. Which made family like iron. Dad's 2 brothers survived Pearl Harbor attack, dad joined Navy an underwater demolition team UDT. He an 5 others were picked out of over 200. Six were then sent to advance Marine guillia warfare training. Dad was asked to run obstacle course for time, holding record for 13 years, until after I was born. Six were joined by other sixs into black ops. Then submarine school in Connecticut an war in Pacific. Black rafts ties to pt boats, etc... you'd fit right in!

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

I promise I'm a confident 5'6...your Dad sounds like a rad feller!!!

[@timbarnett3898]

We made wedding cakes an catered parties so mom an dad always had they're own crews. When dad walked by mom an her friends they'd always say, "Allan Ladd, Richard Widmark, throw in a little Paul Newman! Then they'd all laugh! But in reality I was raised by a trained killer that took score of night knife kills! He started me in gun safety in First grade. Dad did look like moms sayings, but I thought he looked more like Steve McQueen when we bought him his 250 Honda Elsinore! When I got into HS, those same friends started calling me the same!

[@theeastman9136]

With all the factory bikes fitted with them lately, I think the name should be changed to something more functional like “Armpit dryers”. Cool enough for the factory custom crowd.

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

I like it

[@williamsnyder1205]

Hahaha, 😂 lol, you Cracked me up ,thanks, lol

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

One thing I’m good at besides riding these motorsicles, is making people laugh. Thanks for watching homie

[@itsnotme7859]

My first ticket at 15 was for having 16's on my chopped rigid tiger cub. It only went down hill from there lol.

[@stephenmartin8331]

I've got nerve problems with my arms. Regular handle bars make my arms and hands go numb on long rides. Ape hangers prevent that.

[@GTGibbs]

And 60’s- 70’s- all through the 80’s and into the 90’s. Tall bars, no cars.

[@stevepearson-g2r]

It is a different experience with apes , been riding my whole life, at 16 I built a ridged 69 bonnie put a set of 14 inch apes on and never looked back now im 63 and all 9 bikes I've owned have all had apes, love them

[@Conejo147]

I'm 5 foot 8. My first HD was a road king. 12" was too small so I went to 14". Then... I changed my stock seat to a saddleman. Woops. Had to go to 16" apes. I ride a heritage now and just got original classic apes at 16" and ya its just right for me. If anyone is my height worried about how tall they should go. I recommend going to 16" first and see what you feel is right for you.

[@andrewbecker3700]

We always called the super extended ones, "Ape Scrapes" because you'll inevitably be doing that with them.

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

Now that's good humor

[@Bassfreake]

I love ape hangers and in particular the meat hook style ape hangers, but when I got my Low Rider ST I decided to go a little more performance oriented with it but I still like meat hooks so I got some 16" Dominator Evil T Bars so they've got the performance based narrow T Bars, but they still have the meat hook styling

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

I’ll check those bars out now, I looooove the Lowrider st

[@ojaichuck]

I have 16" apes on my roadstar Love them

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

Hell yeah

[@sidneysnottley6414]

Nicely done.👍

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@darwinortiz6394]

Good video. Do you have a one on drag bars on coppers??

[@18WheelstoHell]

I went from a bone stock 1987 Sportster, to a 3/4 cholo'd out 2004 Fat Boy that had ridiculous 24" apes. I was intimidated by it at first, but found it to be extremely comfy. I also felt like the baddest dude on the road. Sadly, only had that bike a month. It had undisclosed engine problems that I didn't have the time or money to address. I have 2004 Superglide now that'll I'll be aping out soon.

[@BahamutUematsu009]

It cools my armpit in a sunny long ride. I love them

[@Edward-uw3qj]

2003 road King classic 16 inch ape hangers

[@terrymassey7619]

Great video 🤘

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

Thanks! More historical and Educational.ones coming down the line. Thanks for watching Terry

[@cmgzfiveonezero]

Aye man that was a dope video bro! Thanks so much for the inspiration and confidence boost I needed to slap some ape hangers on my Honda Grom! Idc what people say wen I fly past them in my little monstrosity! ❤

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

I wont lie, I absolutely looooooove that idea haha.

[@cmgzfiveonezero]

@@Americanmotorcycleexperience hahaha LFG! 🤙

[@yardbird-wh2bx]

My ol lady calls em "monkey bars"! Fuckin funny

[@davesleyer9393]

I wrecked my Dyna with tbars. Broke my elbow like a bottle. It doesn’t bend anymore and now I need high bars. I have 18” apes on my roadking and it’s as comfortable as it gets for me. Good call on the background music dude 🤙

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

1. Super sorry to hear about your elbow, I shattered my ankle and totally understand. 2. I'm Hella stoked your still riding 3. Thanks for noticing the music, I'm a Ole Indie Rock kid and try to put music that's not your typical "Rally" music into my vids....thanks for noticing it

[@LukeVentura-l9w]

Actually thought it had to do with neck high wire during the world wars

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

You are correct

[@garyhopkins6337]

Cool show, I just subscribed after watching this, I am in Australia and have Apes on my Shovel, which I love to death but I have FatBoy bars on my 2012 FLS, which I also love to death ( not as much as the Shovel ) but just love riding, I'm 67 now and still going.

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

Hey Gary, thanks for digging the show!!! Loved reading about your two bikes and how at 67 your still tearing up the roads down their!!!! Your an inspiration, I'm 22 years behind you. Cheers, 10K

[@AnnoyedCoastalBeach-nl4tm]

I was told by an old biker they got the name from cops , said they looked like apes hanging from the bars. Originally called high rise bars.😅

[@wilburross9709]

This is what I've heard too

[@PFay]

As other comments have mentioned, have heard the origins of tall bars dates back to WW2 despatch riders’ attempts to avoid enemy piano wire booby traps? For mine, any other purpose is impractical and to the detriment of optimal riding position.

[@It4twenty]

Do a video about T-bars!!

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

In Da Werks

[@smoke7261]

I have some Carlini Gangsta Apes on a Crossbones Springer. ✊🏾

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

That’s legit my favorite Harley ever made

[@Leoneidas]

Great vid! I thought it was before deodorant and the bars kept your armpits dry.

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

Well your not wrong

[@wilburross9709]

Hygiene and regulating body temperature. Gotta keep those 'pits aired-out.

[@wilburross9709]

As far as the history goes, I would trace them back to the stock low, wide, non-adjustable handlebars that Harley had on the springer front ends and then look at the buckhorn bars that were becoming popular with the dirt-track racers in the US in the late '40s. They offered more leverage than the stock bars in the rough stuff and you could still tuck down behind them in the straights. There's a famous series of pictures of guys racing up the beach at Daytona in the early '50s tucked down behind their buckhorn bars. A company called Flanders offered these in various heights along with the dogbone risers needed to adapt them to the springer front ends. Almost immediately, guys running them on the street wanted taller and taller bars to out-do anything they had seen up to this point There's a video here on KZbin of home-movies taken at motorcycle events in 1956 that shows an Ariel Square 4 with tall apes, even back then. From there I'd fast-forward to the mid-60s to the Hunter S Thompson book 'Hells Angels' for popularizing the culture and inspiring a number of biker movies. The early movies featured real club members and their real bikes and apehangers were popular with some of them at the time. Movies like 'The Wild Angels' and 'Hells Angels On Wheels.' People that saw movies like that and who wanted to build bikes like those picked up on the apehanger handlebars. That's how they became traditional and everyone since then is either copying that or were inspired by a bike they saw that they admired and said "OOoo, yeah! I want a set of those on my bike!" I like that some in the younger generations want to keep the tradition alive.

[@janicegelbhaar7352]

That's so awesome 😎

[@getrehkt3139]

Midwest Apes, East Coast Rabbit Ears, West Coast Tbars. Kinda sums it up.

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

You just nailed it

[@rodge9763]

When I was much younger and reading about motorcycles in magazines, I read a writer claim apes were the fastest/cheapest way to turn your bike into a chopper.

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

Fun how one modification changes the whole look

[@rjoetting7594]

I've got drag bars with 6" pull back risers on my 78 shovelhead bobber/chopper, and truthfully, after an hour of riding, I can't feel my fingers anymore from the vibration. I also have an 82 FLT (no fairing or windshield), and I can ride all day, no problem 16" apes. My 91 Springer Softtail has T-Bars, and it is comfortable on most rides. I'm guessing that it all depends on the bike and the rider. Oh, by the way, I'm 61 years old and 6'4" I'm getting ready to change the bars on my 92 Electra Glide Ultra Classic from stock to 10" apes.

[@davebrowning5370]

In the 70s had a mate that could stand on his seat to reach the top of his bars.

[@timbarnett3898]

I got phone call from Mr Honda! Holy Crsp! I find i know his new rep. an friends. Mr. Honda asked to use my motorcycle to develop 100cc oversized piston system for all his Honda shops! It comes back to me with 2 into 1 exhaust, custom paint, new tires, etc... but I liked the higher bars it came back with. You'll like this! My riding partner is a cop in city I was teaching in. He told his Chief of Police about my custom bike. Me riding partner told him it could beat everything on the road! Chief an cops orange cone off hwy 205 near I-5 all way into West Linn Oregon. My riding partner is racer between us, so he went first. Then his cop riding partner, all with huge smiles. When front end started too lift, I looked down at 150+mph speedo! You think you'd every run now like that with cops? It never happened now! Chief had me get in touch with Mr Honda.

[@joshuadille5005]

I’m a tread sitter lmbo I ride Yamaha’s lol got one with way over 100 horse got a custom got a bobber got got got …….. but my favorite is a little v star 650 custom with a set of mini apes. 12” with 4” risers. Love that little bike to death . We actually call it mini bike . Foot video fella

[@Warchief1337]

I loved the 16" apes on my Softail Slim! But after a minor accident trashed my bars, I decided to take the opportunity to do something different. So I went with some custom made 1.25" Buckhorn bars! Maybe not as comfortable for long hauls as my apes were, but god damn they're great for tight control and they look sick as fuck.

[@pb68slab18]

Had a cop tell me with apes, you have no steering control. I asked if he ever rode a bike with apes. He said no. I asked if he ever rode a Harley. He said he rode a dirt bike when he was a kid.

[@joeallen-xo1fs]

BMX bikes technically have ape hangers, just with a cross bar at the top

[@timbarnett3898]

First thing I've done with all my bikes is put taller bars. My FXDX came with T-Bars, which I swapped out for chrome taller bars. I don't go as ape as you though.

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

Love it

[@teakey]

you won my sub on this video

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

Hell yeah!!! Thanks man, hope you like our future videos

[@levialston518]

Thanks its why we ride

[@Killer_Kovacs]

If you take the riders course and pass with ape hangers then they're legal.

[@taytrong]

I have 18" on my fat bob shovel. High/wide and narrow/low are good to clear the car's rearview mirrors when you're lanesplitting.

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

Absolutely

[@Gavin-tx1cv]

Hello from Qld, Australia 🦘 just saying that I have been running 3in risers&16in ape's all my life that said Telly's up to 38yrs.the main reason I run ape's is when I hit potholes or bumps in the road I can use them to lift my ass off the seat.Riding a ridgid they save your kidneys.cheers from Australia 🦘

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

Thank you for sharing!!! Cheers

[@Blackwater-Bandit]

I've never heard them called Meat Hangers. I've heard them referred to as Meat Hooks but that is only referring to a specific style of bar.

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

I misspoke with meathangers , but now me and my homies are calling them meathangers hahaha. The younger crowd calls all apes Meathooks now, not just the actual meat hook style but all

[@joeferreira7382]

Good content, You a character my friend 😂 My bikes have 16 inch apes , Every time I go into Nevada 70% of time.They stop me and make me set up to make sure my bars not higher than my shoulders 😂 because they are cry babies

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

Thanks for watching man!!! Keep riding and please keep watching. And darn those crybabies!!! Cheers, 10K

[@kennethwise7108]

Awesome

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

Thank you!!!!

[@5FingerRule]

Cool till yer hands go numb .

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

It does happen

[@Keith-rk4td]

I was told first apes were mad by cutting out the bottom of a shopping cart.

[@mississippidrifter5960]

I currently ride a Evo rigid with 18's and for me being over six feet tall and using my bag for a backrest they are the most comfortable for long distance for me. Granted I'm almost 50 years old. I mean yeah low speed handling sucks and she vibrates like a bitch at low speed but once I get her on the highway everything just melts away when she smooths out about 80

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

I loved reading this!!! Keep riding Bro!!!

[@dieselrotor]

Like Muh drag bars.

[@DeputatKaktus]

As someone who is just getting into bikes, ape hangers always were kinda puzzling for me. The reason being that the owners are sometimes going WAY overboard with the length, to the point where the ape hangers become the primary dominant feature. Which tends to make them look goofy to me. The combination of handle bars that sit at basically eye level or above (give or take) with extended forks isn’t doing much for the look of a bike if I’m being honest. I mean….you do you, but me personally - I don’t want to ride around on something that visually looks like a handlebar that happens to have a motorcycle attached to it. There’s got to be a „sweet spot“ between looks and practicality. Slightly below shoulder height is as far as I would take it. Y’all do whatever you like.

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

Hell yeah very well written!!!

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

I will say as time goes in your moto-Journey your taste will change, the bikes I once loved I’m not into anymore and I bet in ten years it will be different also

[@davebaker9128]

Actually, tall bars were created by the King of surf guitar, Dick Dale in 1955, this is a fact, all other stories are fiction, they were made from shopping carts and were two parts, left and right. And used the stock riser.

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

Another feller was talking about the shopping cart aspect..: Dick Dale? Truly? I’d love to verify this….

[@davebaker9128]

@@Americanmotorcycleexperience Yup, Dick Dale, I have pictures in my files that are in storage,

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

@davebaker9128 that’s absolutely verified!!! Thanks for teaching me that man

[@Micray55]

I don't like to screw my gas tank,so i got 16" apes🎉

[@richardahola692]

I tried aps for a while in the 60's ony 305 Honda. Didn't like them. Now I ride a GL1200 Gold Wing. The Wing has 10" tall bars that some call mini apes. Height is perfect for me. Bars don't look high because of the huge fairing.

[@KMRB951]

Had 18” apes on one of my previous bikes. You can see it my profile pic here to the left. Loved them. I’ve heard something that sounds like a myth but maybe someone here have facts. I’ve heard that the reason ape design was to protect rider from wires their enemies had put across the road. Apes would be like roller cage in a rally car… sound far out but anyways…

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

I learned the same thing in my research, I didn't put it in the video because it seemed far feth but I'd love to find out from a ww2 vet......I better hurry huh?

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

Here is a article about it: www.pnwriders.com/threads/wwii-motorcycles-and-their-war-time-use.180375/

[@KMRB951]

@@Americanmotorcycleexperience super thanks!!! 🙏

[@AustentatiousProductions]

Harley Davinson?

[@scottewell9743]

Anyone remember the old rams horn bars ?

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

Yassssss, I’ve never rode with them though

[@scottewell9743]

0:53 ​@@Americanmotorcycleexperience

[@TheFicklesMistress]

NOFX 👍

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

They are awesome!!

[@mitchp-x5x]

If your handlebars work on a mile dirt track bike, they are correct.

[@andrewkellicutt3222]

I also run 16s

[@alkempton1512]

They were made from the bottom of shopping carts,we never had no cash so lots of us did stupid shit like this,,next time your out grocery shopping look at the bottom of the cart and there is your new bars,spare cash is for beer not bars

[@michaelreed9805]

We called bikes that had zero custom parts or straight stock "baggers." Walk in the store, and out, with your goodies in a "bag" baggers.

[@chrishoesing5455]

You know when skinny guys walk around with their arms fluffed out like their muscles are to big for their arms to hang at their sides? Ape hanger bars remind me of that. I also find it funny how bagger fairings have jut-outs to keep the wind off your hands, but people get ape hangers and negate them. lol

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

Hahaha I totally agree!!!! Btw I like the word "negate" good word

[@majormalarkey405]

Maximum armpit air conditioning. 🤘🏻😂

[@MapleBar777]

No credit for Fugazi???

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

Great band!!!! They don’t need the credit, we all love them

[@MapleBar777]

@@Americanmotorcycleexperience word

[@Dustin359]

I ride with apes because I HAVE to. Lower height bars put me in pain (spinal injury)

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

That’s badass your still riding though, you could ride with tall tbars also though

[@Dustin359]

@@Americanmotorcycleexperience I went from a 2010 fat boy with 16s, to a '22 Road Glide with 16" meat-hooks. I actually find riding easier on my back than going in a car/truck. I need to keep my back straight, and I have too long of a torso to do that in most vehicles now.

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

I’m inspired bro

[@Dustin359]

@@Americanmotorcycleexperience The Good Lord didn't get me through that accident to be scared!

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

@Dustin359 that’s the truth!!! God is awesome homie

[@davidrubin9258]

HOW COULD YOU NOT MENTION LANE SPLITTING?!?!?!

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

True story

[@drewdavis4614]

Arm pit dryers...😊

[@knowbody9679]

Apes put your hands in a fighting pose. It looks awesome

[@terrytummons8898]

No its hilarious

[@kurtfoulke5130]

Fighting who ?

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

The wiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnddddddd

[@knowbody9679]

@@kurtfoulke5130 Authority. My boss. The government. My disrespectful wife. Bankers. Yuppies. Power trippin religious folk. And so on.

[@tonykelly6757]

Apehangers WHY?

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

Why ask why

[@IvanhoeWolfe-zn6fc]

I dont like apes. Haven had ape scince my bicycle with a banana seat in the 70s I like drag bars shortened forks and raked . But you do your thing. I feel a bike isnt yours until YOU customize it. I also like stripped down, shotgun pipes, and fat bob tanks. Thin tires spoke rims. Blacked out or chromed out. Oh and as low as you can get it. But front always like you just popped the clutch.

[@SpidermansSymbiote]

Those look so uncomfortable

[@MichaelBrown-qh3fq]

I have a 2007 Harley Davidson Dyna Street Bob Chopper Trike called "The Monster" which has 18 inch Apehanger Bars on it, it's Black, Moody and Menacing, and freaking Badass!! And causes a stir whenever I pull up or ride down the Motorway with my Ex Glamour Model Ol' Lady Jules on the back, It's Wicked and Cool with that 60's - 70's vibe to it, Mike from Wales over here in the UK 👍🤘😎🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

That's absolutely awesome Mike from Wales!!!

[@tinalemon3898]

Ohh man, meat hangers kinda sounds hard, I think I might like it more 🤣🙈

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

Haha I totally agree, let's start something new, I'll keep saying it if you do hahaha

[@tinalemon3898]

@@Americanmotorcycleexperiencedone and done that’s all I’m calling them

[@kurtfoulke5130]

Ape hangers on a hardtail with a springer is a classic look - Ape hangers on a dresser or Sportster is just dumb. No race bike ever had ape hangers !

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

I sorta agree, but I feel my dresser looks pretty badass with 16" and I'm known to go a lil fast lol...

[@patrickrowe3970]

I really don't see where the history of ape hangers comes into play

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

I feel like I shared the historical aspect of apehangers.

[@patrickrowe3970]

@Americanmotorcycleexperience seemed more like your point of view anyhow whatever

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

@patrickrowe3970 I definetly talked a bit on my apehanger view points, I feel like the explaining how they came into existence post war world 2 and the medias influence gave the historical representation of them. Hope you still enjoyed the video though!!

[@egyptwns89_26]

I'm not a fan of ape hangers. I have a friend who has apes on his bike and he says they're comfortable, but I don't see how they're comfortable.

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

Have u ridden them? I have 16” and I’m a True distance rider and find them very comfortable. Give it a try sometime and let me know

[@rodneybugher9312]

Go individualism! That being said, ape hangers just look stupid. Haha. No offense to all those customers whose motorcycles I've ruined the looks of by installing those things.

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

Now that's good humor

[@scottkinkead6324]

In the beginning they weren't that tall now there so tall there dangerous/stupid wait till ya get in a bad Situation and they start flexing around hopefully you live through it and wake up

[@joetroutt7425]

I won't buy a bike unless it has apes on it. I put one set on a Sportster that i still have and they weren't that bad to install but add fairings and a radio and all that jazz. I'll pass. And i definitely don't won't to pay the high ass cost to get some installed.

[@Americanmotorcycleexperience]

It's pretty wild how much installation cost. Now saying that, I will say here at AMX we believe in doing as much work on the bike as a riders skillset will allow. (I wouldn't pay for a install either)