Choosing the Right Ape Hanger Handlebars

It's a popular question. Do I go with 10", 12" 14" 16" 18" bars on my V-Twin ride? There's no one answer for every rider. But this video should put you on the Right Track to make the Right Choice.

[@MOTOPILOT6]

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[@mattkoontz5517]

I love 12" bars...I'm 5ft 7 and they are perfect!!....BRAAAP

[@Ivon1oh1]

Definitely some good advice, Thanks!... Full disclosure.. I wasn’t sure if I was a fan of your channel at first.. but you are seriously growing on me dude... lots of great content lately! Keep it up!!

[@tankeater]

Bro... You're doing 35 on the Cajalco straight before La Sierra. Going that slow is CRAZY dangerous if a car caught you in a blind corner.

[@harleydave2316]

I have 14" bar on my RKS and love it. I'm about 5 ' 9" and my arms are shoulder height. Good vid!

[@thomasbarnardjr9657]

Bars are an interesting topic, because you can't go by just one or two pieces of information. Finding the right bars has everything to do so many different things. A bar that's perfect on one motorcycle will not be good at all on another bike. A great example I can point out is the difference in my 2 Harleys. I have 2 Harley Davidson Sportsters. The daily rider is a 2003 Harley Davidson xlh 883 that's pretty much bone stock except the bars and exhaust. The bike came with drag bars, which really began to cause lower back aches after any substantial amount of time on the bike, so I put a set of tbc 9ers 9 inch mini apes on it. I love the feel because it's not too low and not too tall, and the sweep of the bars puts me in a really comfortable riding position. Then there's my custom sportster bobber. It's a 1988 883/1200 Buell xb conversion. The bike was totaled after a driver in the oncoming lane lost his trailer, and it took me out. So now the bike is a 35° raked pauchgo rigid frame with no stretch. The bike sits very low, and the rider triangle is much different than on the other bike. Oddly enough, this bike has the exact same drag bars as the 03 had factory, and I love them on it. I tried 16 in apes originally, but they just didn't fit the bike and handle like I wanted. So if you're looking for bars, you need to account for several key issues. Your height, the kind of bike you're riding, the style of foot controls you have, your ideal type of riding you prefer, any physical issues you may be dealing with ie... bad back, shoulders hands etc. And most times experience is the biggest factor. You usually have to chance it, with the understanding it may not work like you hoped it would. As far as what constitutes ape hangers? Well that's a question that doesn't really have an accurate answer but for me, I do agree with you Motopilot. The name ape hanger suggests a tall bar that gives that long armed effect. So I would say 14" would probably be a typical starting point that could be considered an ape hanger. My 9ers are called mini apes, but I just see them as 9 in handlebars myself. Either way, I enjoyed the video. Keep up the good content.

[@Mike-bp6hn]

Hey, Happy Belated Birthday! I'm creeping up on the big 60 myself. This vid brought back some memories. Back in the late sixties, early seventies, I lived in Riverside with my folks in a mobile home park, And it was near Lake Matthews. I haven't seen the lake since 73 when we moved to Sacramento, until today. Thanks for that. Btw I'm 5'11" and ride with 10" bars. I wouldn't call them apes, but they are comfortable.

[@yoboo6167]

Height definitely plays a part but your seat height / riser height also factor in also. Each bike is unique so I've found it's best to just sit down, put your arms out and measure off the risers. Building a mock bar out of PVC at that point will give you a general idea and it's easy to go up or down from there. Theres always solid info and entertainment on your channel. Keep the great vids comin!

[@shanes_bs2659]

I'm 6'2". I run 14s on my bobber but only 10s on my Electra. Could go higher but I didn't have to extend wires or brake lines and they feel comfortable.

[@jasonsanderson9385]

Happy birthday, I have a sazuki Blvd c50 2006 with drag bars noticing back hurts after longer rides especially with backpack... I'm 5'9 putting (lower than stock) profile saddleman seat. Do you think putting bar risers with drag bars or mini apes around 10". Thanks in advance

[@1americanfrmsocal529]

Best BDay to you bro Wandering do all the stock lines and cables from the stock bars work on your 14 in ape hangers

[@bluebeard6189]

I was taught years ago to use PVC pipe the mock-up a set of risers, and a straight bar. Basically make it set a t bars out of PVC to see which height feels the best to you. The new know what ape hangers you want

[@itssanktime82]

Happy belated birthday, brother!

[@countryboyscooter3402]

ape's give you great control!

[@obriantomlinson2776]

But I see on other reviews people say they don’t and that the turns are not as sharp

[@refinersforge1781]

Good info, thanks!

[@erionpetro9655]

You measure the bars by sitting on your bike,straight line with shoulders is ideal but if you plan to low your seat,consider that too. Im 5 9 riding with 16" which are lightly higher than my shoulders,many times my hands are blocking the view and my fingers get numb!thinking to lower my seat just for the look and definitely have to go with 12"

[@jf704]

Where did you get the helmet with the dark visor

[@mrmurphy8609]

I’m 5’10 and have ten inch bars on my 2019 Indian Scout Bobber they come just below my elbows. Very comfortable

[@BerserkerNick]

14s on my vtx1800, looking at getting a roadking with 16s, low bars aren't comfortable for me

[@AdaMoto83]

Nice vid bro 👌🏾. Big help too.

[@KeveniveK21]

I'm 5'4". Which bars should I get? Thinking 10". Idk. Planning my first bike to be an iron 883 sporster. Thinking I want a spring seat too. Alot of folk complain about the rear suspension on 883s.

[@mississippidrifter5960]

6'2" and my 14's are great

[@ianmacdougall8812]

6’ put 12s on wish I had done 14s. The 12s are very comfortable but I like the look of 14 better.

[@thevieweybrothers8960]

That looks like a nice place to ride. I’m 5’8 thinking about 12’s or 14’s

[@vito2645]

I am 6'2" and run 20" bars on my pearl cholo'd hard bagged EVO heritage with many miles. My second bike is a M8 cholo'd Road Glide also 20" bars pushed as far forward as possible many miles. No issues and beyond comfortable. Disclaimer, I ride with many different seats so changes how I adjust to the riding position. The numbness though is do to vibration through the throttle hand (I find by stretching my fingers over the levers provides alot of relief).

[@Cheaps928]

Thats cholo asf hellyea . These bars be making us look mean on the bike i swear hahaha.

[@jasonhauck8415]

I would like to see your cholo

[@vito2645]

@jasonhauck8415 the thumbnail has an older Pic of the start of the project

[@jamess6853]

If my arms are parallel to the ground, the bars are perfect for me. I don't want to look like I'm raving down the highway. XD

[@timthrasher9703]

Congrats on the 60th!!!

[@ardhy81]

I interested to use ape hanger on my ultra classic, my height is 179 cm and 82 kg of weight. What is your recommendation for me? I ride more 3 hours.

[@_.Dave._]

I have 12" Vintage Roland Sands. They're beautiful but not comfortable. They should have more pullback. My wrist feel like they're turned in at the time but especially to push the buttons.

[@BamaTraveller]

Bars need to be measured. One person who is 6’0 may be all legs while another who is 6’0 has a longer torso. That would make the fit of the same bars different for those two. Type of bike, seat height... the list goes on! The point is on one bike a 14” bar may be perfect and another too high or low. It will save folks money/time to be properly measured and not go off what someone else their same height has. My $0.02 based on wasted time/money!

[@dylanupdyke2745]

Im 6'-4 300lbs. Im thinking 16" bars for my 06 road king? Everything else is still stock. ..for now.

[@4SA904]

What year was that fat bob with 14” bars it looks good.

[@MOTOPILOT6]

Fat Bob? My Fat Boy had 18" and 10"

[@Kash6161]

Apes are those that sit your arms level to shoulder or higher. Generally being an Ape, hanging off the bars up high. 😎👍

[@kekoamarshall8193]

5’6 on 2017 sportster 48, would I go 12” or 14”?

[@Cheaps928]

@@gabrielybarra3379 true and im in the same page but ive finally made up my mind. Im 5’6 and im getting 6” zbars and will probably be adding a 2” riser to make it 8”

[@mattcushing4978]

I’m 5’7” and I’m putting on 14” bars right now. I’ll let you know how I feel. I’m going from stock bars on my 2015 ultra limited cvo. I’ll keep everyone posted!

[@horsfe4therzfishin448]

How’d they feel??

[@mattcushing4978]

@@horsfe4therzfishin448 feel awesome!! Stood me up just a little and relieved pressure off lower back. It did take a little getting used to but once I did, I’d never go back!

[@capteban]

Hi !!! Where did You Buy Your ZBars on Your Fatboy Bobber ...Your quick response is gladly appreciated!!! Stay Strong and Healthy...GOD BLESS US ALL 🙏🏽🙏🏽💕

[@joseenriques5791]

Hi!! I have a street glide 2014 bike, with Paul Yaffe 14” bar. I have issues with my right hand. I stop feeling my fingers after 1 hour and I am 6ft tall. Is it because is to close to me? Or to far? Or what can it be?

[@281sTravel]

Are your hands above your shoulders? If so you might want lower bars.

[@jameslinbeijing]

you should check your seat. It may too low.

[@nickricholetti754]

pull the bars back a little. It will lower the height a little , put a little bend in ur arm and you’ll be good 🤘🏻

[@usMarinecuv902]

Your arms looked the same height on the bobber with 10s as on the street glide with 14s. I think the seat is much higher on the street glide.

[@MOTOPILOT6]

Lol. I noticed that also while editing this video. But in reality my arms are at a slightly higher angle with the 14"

[@usMarinecuv902]

@@MOTOPILOT6 nice

[@humbleservant1294]

@@MOTOPILOT6 Looked exactly the same

[@geoffreyjones2000]

16" max in my regulated state (measured from the head stock) no attitude allowed, sir

[@chrisaskme811]

I’m 4’10” and I’m running a custom set of 30” apes on my HD pan America. It keeps my back straight and practically pain free. Hope this helps.

[@thatbboyAli]

😀😀

[@daver8298]

LMAO

[@iaespinosah76]

😂😂😂

[@user-li3no8lj2u]

I don't understand why the ten inch handle bars would cause you discomfort , but not the fourteen inch bars . Any ideas ?

[@MOTOPILOT6]

It is strange. But I think its the angle of the arm in the shoulder socket that puts an uncomfortable strain on the socket when riding. Just like riding with forward controls seems like it should be super comfortable but after a while puts a strain on your hip sockets.

[@norris1781]

I'm 6' 3" have a 2019 fat bob. I'm looking for 14" bar. Should I be thinking taller for longer rides?

[@BerserkerNick]

16s or 18s

[@repo6592]

Im 6’4” and have 14’s. But my seat sits 3” lower than a stock fat bob. So my advice for you would be a 16-18.

[@norris1781]

@@repo6592 I plan on getting a different seat so that's good to know!

[@Silverwinger82]

I would only consider the bars to be ape hangers if your hands are higher than your shoulders.

[@ChadwickRider]

14 up is what I call an ape

[@nickstone1905]

I want a sportster but I'm 5ft 3 and want apes just idk size

[@zk1018zt]

I'm 5 9 a I had 20s tolk about num arms

[@Cheaps928]

Damn fuc that im not trying to die on the freeway because of numb arms lol. Thats why im starting with 6” bars and maybe adding 2” riser

[@hillbilly8336]

When you 're riding down the road and you look like an ape hanging from a tree!

[@startwithmi1197]

hi there Sir, A very blessed happy birthday to you, hopeful my greet may still catch up.. God bless to you sir ..

[@edwardarbelaez8177]

No fourteens not an ape hanger it's pretty standard. Some people try to say it is but you don't look like a ape on 14.

[@samruvalcabaskating]

u have covid bro

[@j.s.hutchens7623]

I'd like to start a movement to rename them. Maybe Bobber Bars would be good. I just don't like to think of myself as an ape.

[@Augcliffe]

I hate ape hangers, the obnoxious ones anyway.

[@zzz8596]

Tell someone who cares

[@12tribesofjudah1]

Get to the point

[@daver8298]

Too much BS talking

[@ernestgreen6821]

Get to the point! You so busy showing off other people’s property I forgot what I was watching! Good Lord!