DOC HARLEY: CHOOSING YOUR HANDLEBARS

[@srok62]

You are an asset to not only your dealership, but any dealership's employees that watch your videos. Well done.

[@thenashvillenightshow5119]

Bingo. After going through about 10 different videos I finally found the right one and this was it. Thank you.

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Glad it helped…..Doc

[@casareeandre9651]

Me too.

[@GJM866]

Excellent advise for a anyone buying a motorcycle. I had a 1983 and 1991 sportsters and the pullback type bars were excellent. They came right up to you making for a very comfortable riding position. There was no leaning forward or difficulty turning.

[@pmdinaz]

Be sure to keep in mind wind blast while operating at highway speeds. I think its a very important thing to consider in addition to the tips by Doc here. Nice display Doc!

[@stuartbuckley8720]

Doc is a very nice guy and extremely knowledgeable so I would take his advice to heart and if you have any questions about your bike, parts, sales and especially service just ask, he is a real service technician and wrenches bikes for a living. I went there and talked to him, real deal guy!

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Thanks for your kind words and taking the time to stop in at Low Country HD.....Doc

[@tomqueisser7706]

Great advice Doc. The wife is looking to purchase a Sportster this weekend and I never considered the handle bar issue. New things to mak sure fit correctly....height and handlebars. THANKS DOC !!!!!!!!!!

[@badmatt4227]

Back in 1999, I purchase a XL1200S, the handlebars were a bit narrow and within a month, I noticed every time I rode my shoulders hurt afterwards. I installed wider Dyna Glide handlebars and that solved the shoulder pain problem.

[@bigdawgqc]

If you plan on changing the stock seat, do that first before switching bars.

[@SB4me]

Thanks Doc! Never thought about the checking turning for selection and safety.

[@nickwinkler1]

Exactly what I needed to know thank you for being straightforward! I've been staring at my phone for half an hour trying to find the info you provided in 5 min flat. I'm new to Cruisers and I was wondering if I would be a little bit more comfortable with some risers seeing as I am a shorter rider. Thanks Doc!

[@pmh1nic]

Excellent video. I'm going through this now on a 2022 Lowrider S. Everything is good on the bike but the lean into the handlebars. I rode it for a few hundred miles a new I had to change the handlebars to make the bike a keeper. Fuse Lo handlebars on order.

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Great to hear…..Doc

[@pelon8387]

Great tip. My wife looking for a bike n I've been try to explain this to her. Thank u sir. I'll make sure she watches this video

[@douglasradowick508]

Hey Doc Harley, I t never occurred to me about the handle-bar "short-coming". Now i can make an even wiser choice in rider's comfort! Im looking at an XL1200(48) model. Doug🏍️👍❤️

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Go for it👍…..Doc

[@pocacosa3]

Thanks for the tips about the handlebars position and comfort for the rider it was very informative.

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Thank you….Doc

[@Info-Med]

Thx Doc and Brooke, I Will install risers on my Sport Glide

[@terryandteresa]

This channel rocks! Thank you for the information. I just bought my first Harley and it has changed my life! LITERALLY! All I think about, all I dream about, all I want is to ride!!👍😁 Unfortunately since I brought it home the weather has gone south.😡 WINTER SUCKS!! I truly appreciate the work you upload to show us newbies what's up and how to care for our bikes and ride more comfortably. After 175 mile ride home on it I know now that my beach bars need to come up and back towards me a bit. I'm 5`10" and my 02 Road King is a big bike. I flat foot it fine but I'm bent over reaching the bars slightly. Not sure if a riser or a longer ape style bar is the solution. I'll roll the bars up a bit to see if that helps first because I really like the "beach cruiser style bars" but I also love the ape hanger looks.

[@CarlosOrtega-hn1qq]

HARLEY DAVIDSON SHOULD REPLACE THE HANDLE BARS FOR FREE YOU PAID FOR A BIKE WITH HANDLE BARS

[@terryandteresa]

@@CarlosOrtega-hn1qq Harley should replace my bars because I'm not perfectly comfortable with them? What planet do you live on?

[@grassblade63]

Doc, excellent video, as usual. Yea, I had to change the bars on my 1200C Sporty because those low bars were awful for me. Now I have a Road King, and it also has low "beach bar" sort of bars. They kill my arms on longer rides and in tight turns, they're hard to control. I want the bars taller and pulled back. To do that, the HD shop wants almost $1400, parts and labor. Dang, that's salty. I guess I'll buy the parts and do it myself. Nonetheless, handlebars are indeed a huge consideration for rider comfort and control.

[@tomtruesdale6901]

When I worked at a dealership and folks wanted to change out bars I would suggest they sit on their bike as we held it upright, feet on pegs or floor boards, put their hands on their thighs, close their eyes and then raise their hands to where it felt the best. Most of the time they ended up at or slightly below shoulder height. We would then find the best bar to put their hands there. You mileage may very. ;-)

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Thank you for serving riders so well...Doc

[@gabbax2hey77]

I've had my XL since 2005 and gone through a variety of handlebars from stock to 16 inch apes to a low slung Z-bar. For me the most comfortable bar, the one I run now, is a 12 inch rise/mini ape.

[@k.r.studio5876]

Sorry, I know it’s been 2 years already, but I really want to know how height are you. I’m considering the mini ape on my XL right now.

[@gabbax2hey77]

@@k.r.studio5876 I’m 6 ft., my XL has mid-mount foot controls … that, combined with the 12inch rise bars is a very comfortable set-up for me

[@k.r.studio5876]

@@gabbax2hey77 oh thank you so much!

[@FLHXSE_HD]

Wow, this would be the best guide to choose the bike for considering with comfort position.

[@XxXDukeTheNukeXxX]

Great Guide Doc! really appreciate all the time and effort you guys put into these videos

[@alexandergadomski1088]

Thanks Brooke!

[@keithevans3676]

Cheers for that! I had a hunch my bars were holding me back on the 180⁰ turns. I shall check out some permutations. K

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Hoping your search goes well…Doc

[@Ronald7077]

Interesting concept. Info a useful tip but my dealership only ever has bikes that are stock fit. Changing is expensive if a mistake is made in purchasing the wrong bars or extensions.

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Fair enough....Doc

[@casareeandre9651]

This video help me a lot, thanks. My bike has a good visual, but for the good ergonomy and safe ride, I will considerer video informations, regards from Brasil.

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Glad it was helpful and thanks for watching….Doc

[@Ark_5688]

This is very informative. Thanks buddy❤

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Glad to hear, thank you

[@GoodGuysCarry]

Hi Brooke! You did a great job! 👍

[@F3502000]

Great info! Looking at different bars now, this really does help.

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Glad it was helpful....Doc

[@heatingairservices8708]

Awesome display & thanks for the guide..... Doc & Brooke ...my bike has the # 4 bars or last w the risers & fells good ..great handling but so love the look on # 3 the hi Rise or min apes ....so thinking of changing mine now to the 10/12 " min apes now @ 6 1 tall ...... I think now they might be just a perfect fit

[@6thwatergateplumber]

Hey Doc, I'm finding myself probably purchasing a 2013 Deluxe! BUT - it only has 272 miles on it. The previous owner apparently owns a few HDs, and I guess decided to cull the heard. Should I be concerned about such low miles on a 7-year-old motorcycle engine? P.S. - It's at an HD dealership. They have a 2012 with 8k miles on it. Both bikes look brand new. Many thanks for your videos!

[@haroldwiser2641]

Excellent advice, thanks Doc!

[@699669king]

I love this channel. Thank you, Doc Harley!

[@TheFatOldGuy]

Great video as I’m considering getting new handlebars

[@curtissumner9797]

Good job Brooke

[@thejoyfulgardener62]

Great advice, thank you.

[@cjmueller5455]

Great vid! The variables of handlebars, seat, foot rests and controls can make all the difference in a bike that is dialed in and fun to ride or a bike that must be endured. Thanks for the advice. As always, your vids lay the groundwork and proceed in a logical direction

[@jamaicanjjason]

Very informative. Thanks for putting this together!

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Glad you enjoyed it...Doc

[@whocares0692]

Thanks Doc for your videos. I've been watching them for the past several days and they're very informative. Personally, I think this one is the most informative to a new rider or a seasoned rider on how to feel with your hands on the bars. And tell Brooke that she has an admirer here and she really didn't need to wear her leather jacket. Lol . Again, be safe and especially in these times. Brooke also. :-) Frank

[@miketodd8640]

Great info, even for older riders. Also, a few videos ago you said a "Build Sheet" could be picked up at any H-D dealership. I was in LowCountry last Saturday and no one, parts or sales, could come up with one. Who would be the best person to talk with to get one?

[@Gatuso2311]

I was too busy looking at Brooke I forgot about the bars

[@echo5226]

🤣

[@omaha1361]

same bro

[@pmrb1984]

It’s because she has thick hair!! Same girl with demon-crazy spike cut will ruin her face value!! Long hair is beautiful

[@ShineBright__]

You are a very good seller man who looks for safety more than it looks !! Awesome

[@kennethgmurphy2923]

Great post. Thank you

[@dougmottert2258]

Brook did a great job.

[@dellscatering975]

Doc sounds identical to Bob from Bob and Tom. Great video!

[@83JTD]

You're a bloody legend mate! Cheers from Aus 🇭🇲

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Wow, thank you for watching....Doc

[@mikebarron5805]

Hi Doc, After scanning through all of the comments I see that no one asked the obvious question. (?!?) Referring to bike number 3, Assuming Brooke hit the stop, it looks like the bars have 3 to 5 inches of verticle clearance above and never actually entered the space above the tank. (?? You had a better vantage point than the camera.) Could those bars be rolled backwards a couple of inches to accomplish the stated objectives?

[@brixtonbanner2899]

Nice video as ever but I can't help thinking along the lines of that one should turn the upper body into the turn not just the head. Brooke was keeping her torso straight. If she had turned her body then, surely, that would have impacted on how her arms reached.

[@stevenlaubach7222]

Great advice I never thought about!!!

[@MarkNiehaus-dn6qg]

Doc I enjoy your videos and find them very helpful. I do as much of my own maintenance and repair on my bike as possible, mainly because I like to turn the wrench myself. I started riding Harleys with a '99 Road King Classic with the 95 cu in kit and had that oil flapper assembly go bad which spewed the oil all over the side of the bike as well as my wifes' leg doing 60mph over a mountain pass pulling uphill for quite a ways. I replaced the flappers myself and upon disassembly I noted that that the fiber gasket was not installed correctly in the first place. Perhaps a mistake when my jugs were upgraded?? The same thing was found when I bought a 2004 Road King, the flapper gasket for the forward head was practically destroyed upon inspection after I found heavy oil residue in the air cleaner and I wound up replacing them both. Currently I'm riding a 2006 Screaming Eagle CVO Ultra and would like some advice on swapping out the handle bars to a mini ape style. The bike is equipped with the hydraulic actuated clutch and I was hoping you might advise me on what bars, throttle cables, clutch and brake line, heated grips and wiring extension kit I would need to do this upgrade. Thanks, I really like your informative videos!

[@leekosinski290]

Very informative. Never really thought about it.

[@jannecoobymolina9585]

Really good video now I know what I want

[@Wheel-1]

Awesome information Doc / Brooke .

[@geraldgoodiii6993]

Go with #3 !!!

[@elguitarTom]

It's weird = on a Harley FXD with buckhorn bars and forward controls, I feel like I will get blown off the bike from the wind. It also makes me super tired and strained after few hours of riding. On an Intruder 1400 with same setup I don't feel that. I have an FXDX with risers and quarter fairing and mid controls. Here I feel safe and don't get that feeling of getting blown off the bike. You really need to the test the bike you want on the highway.

[@richardlohn3557]

If you bought a new bike, would they charge them or put risers in?

[@tamilmukilan7]

Great video, really informative. Love from India🇮🇳

[@neildewitt2869]

Great information as always. Keep up tge good job.

[@chrisphilhower6029]

Doc, Should've tried a 29-19 XL1200C. Would be better for Brook. I have a 2018 XL1200C. Being 5'4" its a god fit. BTW, Brook is Cute!!

[@hxpatil]

What are these different types of handle bars called??

[@jakejacobs7584]

I gotta tell ya. I started riding HD's in the mid seventies. When you got a bike, It usually took all the money you had to get it home. Options and customizing came a lot later, after you got to fill your pockets back up a bit. This off the lot customizing is just not how it was done in the day. Glad these young-uns can afford it for yall's sake.

[@talkingrock7011]

Excellent information thanks

[@danbridges9265]

do you have an instruction piece on how to replace handlebar bushings on an FLTR (Roadglide) '98 specifically? Thanks

[@jimbeam4111]

Great video. Love that sportster roadster

[@hs7382]

She looks very beautiful.

[@Otis884]

Thanks Doc and Brook !

[@keb9196]

what is the maximum height for handlebar risers on a Sportster without having to rewire the front of the motorcycle?

[@ashesdrivered]

The zipper against the tank is killing me!

[@RimauriComposer]

Excellent! Thank you^^

[@iGigaCow]

You’ve got the perfect 1950s radio voice. You should get some gigs doing voice overs! Lol

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Thanks, could be fun during retirement…Doc

[@danielgaskell5490]

Great topic Doc! Thank you!

[@woongtv-naturehealing273]

Wow, that's a great video. Thank you for the useful information about your handlebar. You are too good at explaining. I'm glad to be a friend of your great channel. Happy New Year. Always stay healthy. 👍👍👍🤝🤝🤝🤙👌

[@hssenior]

You should do more videos with Brooke in them

[@scurra01]

How often do you turn that sharp? You will be leaning and not need to turn the bars that much. Maybe in the garage or in a tight parking lot. Never when riding.

Even tho we don’t like it, we have to do u-turns at some point. That’s where we need sharp turns unfortunately. Especially if you are living in left hand side driving country like me and u-turns are towards right 🤮

[@Mikego55]

Great advice.

[@adrian_thegamer9725]

I like my stock bars I like to ride hard in to the turns.

[@smilingbiter]

Thanks Doc Harley.

[@alexred09]

Hey guys I have a Low Rider S 2024 am 6feel tall but the seating position is atrocious so I’m trying to get handlebars that don’t sit too high and come more towards me maybe something swept back with a short pullback rise? Any suggestions as to what I should do and if so what kits you recommend?

[@MrDopestDope1]

came for the handlebars, stayed for brooke

[@bob5213]

Hello Doc Harley Do you have a suggestion for Brakeout 2020 a litteratur bigger pullback an a orginal ? Name ore type thanks

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Not at this time. Keep searching the Net. There are a few Brakeout forums.....Doc

[@kennyrichardson8411]

Brooke looks good on all those Bikes.

[@stevek8829]

I somehow like all my motorcycles fit over the years. When I ride a bicycle for six hours fit becomes way more critical. Ride a bicycle for some hours and a Sporty will feel like s couch.

[@hankkuya4354]

As a daily commuter on the Harley, 20 K a year. Wrong handlebars will bring on the tennis elbow and stiffness of wrists. Body position is everything

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

So true Hank...Doc

[@K9RickRet]

Always good info! 👍

[@dannyboy9784]

Great as usual Doc....thx:)

[@Kai-ze2rb]

maybe adjusting the handlebars is an option as well. You can always adjust by rolling them forward or backwards - the angle is not set in stone ;)

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Good advice…Doc

[@stevechoi7837]

I am seriously considering to change my handle bar. I am looking at 12" bar.Question, can I tilt the bar backward to me? and I won't have to stretch my short arm all the way without leaning my body forward so much ???

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Depends on the model…..Doc

[@stevechoi7837]

@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson 2005 vrod cvo

[@adam6ism]

You're a legend Doc well said 👍

[@jaybones2119]

Yeah Brooke look good straddling those motorcycles

[@HH-zi5ih]

Just install your own bars or get an independent shop to do it. Harley charges 3x more in labor than any other place I’ve been to, and each time they’ve done something simple to my bike, it’s sat disassembled for weeks. I know not all dealerships are that slow, but they all knock your head off with labor. Even the techs tell you it’s ridiculous expensive lol

[@karengill8234]

Great video. Thanks. ....

[@Firestorm637]

With feet forward it is difficult to find handlebars. Mid position helps with less needs buying handlebars.

[@FXD-dw1fs]

thats why I love my old buckhorn, need no ugly riser.

[@Stamatos]

More Brooke, please.

[@MarvFitBikesKicks]

settle down

[@thanosetsitty1896]

Relax my friend.

[@Stamatos]

@@thanosetsitty1896 "seller down" and"relax". Apparently the comment section had never recounted riderss who are actually agro

[@69FOSTER]

I have a 2018 Sportster 48 with the standard stock handlebars. I am 5'8'' and lean forward on the bike more than I would like to, but I couldn't find pullback risers for my particular Sportster 48. I would like to have a 2-inch rise and pullback. Any ideas?

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Drag Specialty sells LA Chopper products. This company offers CNC-Machined Billet Risers for your bike at 1" and 2" tall. Cost near $80.00. Another suggestion is H-D Chizled Lo Handlebars - Part #55800431. See your dealer for correct cables, lines and additional installation components required. ~ Doc

[@ihateemael]

good one.

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Thank you...Doc

[@T3b_Custom]

What handlebar it's perfect for a 5.1 tall person on a road king 2006 ?

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

No one can tell you. Keep visiting your dealer. Sit and try as many as you can. You will find the bars that work….Doc

[@T3b_Custom]

@@LowCountryHarleyDavidson Thank you, I appreciate your videos. I was waiting for an answer from those me in the same height 😅

[@doylehenderson319]

Thanks Doc!!!! You're the best!!! Keep up the great work..... BTW Thanks for the levers suggestion for my wife... ;-)

[@legioneretrangere6597]

Is that 8" high bar? on the third motorcycle?

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Sorry this video was produced a long time ago…..Doc

[@davebarnessr.5805]

Yea, I’ve seen a lot of bikes with really tall apes, and then they are adjusted so far forwards that they actually lean forward with guys so stretched out just going straight, making turns a acrobatic feat, unless you can drag your knuckles on the ground while walking, you will have control issues and in situations that requires emergency maneuvering, it will probably work against the rider. But hey! It looks great parked on the jiffy stand, ouch!

[@LowCountryHarleyDavidson]

Dave you brought up some good points, But a Harley is a canvas for everyone to choose how to draw THEIR picture of a perfect bike...Doc

[@jamesspencerjr8653]

What model is on the third bike she tries out?