I have a 2019 road king special. I have a seat that sets me 2 " back and 1" lower from stock. Im 6'4" and need the bars to be higher so I'm looking at getting some factory 47 apes. I want more comfort which from what I read, means higher bars. I do like to ride pretty hard through the twisties and I figured lower bars provide better handling. What is people's experience with apes and different lengths. Do you end up sacrificing agility by going with higher bars? I'm wondering if I go with something not as high like a 12" bar to still provide a sitting position that allows me to crouch in for a more aggressive riding style.

Thanks

 

I would say the opposite is true. With stock bars the grips are in my gut on slow speed maneuvering, and I always found twisties easier with 12 or 14" apes. I would think beyond 14" reach may start to become an issue, but I never had bars taller than 14"

 

I did the 12” FXR division streetwitch bars. Very aggressive and narrow bar, same hand and wrist position as t-bars.

 

I had 16 inch bars on a 2005 Road King.

Definitely effected my slow speed maneuvering. Full stop turns especially were tough as your hands ended up in strange positions.

That said.. I loved those bars on that bike. I could ride all day. Super comfortable.

Lane splitting was a pain too with my mirrors being at the same height as a lot of trucks. I know that's not an issue in most states.

 

It really depends. The f47 are REALLY wide! And how far you tilt them forward will affect this as well. I run 13 inch on my RG and except for full lock at a stop I find them to be great. At full lock at a stop my outside hand is way out there. I also have a daddy long legs seat which puts me down and back a lot but I am only 5’ 11”.

 

If the height has you at a comfortable riding position for you, I would think your riding capabilities would be better regardless of the specific height. I recently had custom 16" apes made and I installed them on my Road Glide, that is the height that suited my long bodied torso the best and I have ridden harder in the twists than ever before, because I feel confident and comfortable now.

 

I find it easier to maneuver with a higher bar,about 4-5 inches below the top of my shoulders,arms slightly bent. I've used Khromewerks bars for years.

 

The spread of the grips is the leverage. A wide spread makes the steering feel very easy, where a more narrow spread isn't as much leverage and will feel harder to turn on the same bike.
My 07 I have wide 37" bars on it and they make the steering feel very light. In other words, the wide spread gives me a lot of leverage to turn the wheel, either moving or stopped. Pretty much just think about it and the bike turns. Nearly no effort is needed.
Hope this helps.

 

I find maneuvering easier with my 14” apes. Low speed especially, I have more leverage. I’ve noticed no detrimental effects on high speed maneuvering. I don’t know if it’s better or worse at high speeds but I’m riding a touring bike, not a performance bike.

I think if a person finds low speed maneuvering more difficult with apes, they are overextending their reach and should try lower bars or pulling them back some.

 

I run apes at shoulder length height. I have no chicken strips on my tires. I ride very aggressive in curves. What slows me down is dragging floorboards or dragging the slip ons, it has nothing to do with the bars.