Best Handlebars For RKC?

I think this is a function of the touring bike frame rather than the seat and is the biggest 'feel' difference between the Touring/Softails frames. Comfort on RKs is pretty subjective; but for the most part (speaking about pre-09's) most new owners replaced the stock bars and seats before they found what they like. Those who have changed to Heritage bars find the switch to be the least expensive and pretty comfortable. Regarding seats; compared to other after-market seats, the HD Sundowner seat is probably the least expensive way to move up in comfort. I have both a Sundowner and Mustang seat. I use the Mustang exclusively only because this one came with a drivers backrest (which my lower back requires)...but I like the Sundowners comfort more than the Mustang (Mustang - 8/10; Sundowner 9/10 for comfort - pretty close).

Unless you change out to a relatively 'thin' seat (ie. HD Brawler) you're probably always going to find yourself sitting 'on' the bike rather than cushioned 'in' the bike.

Good luck on your search.
 
Thanks for the great response. My biggest complaint regarding the stock seat is lack of lower back support. Will the Sundowner help this?
 
I have the 513's and although they are much more comfortable than stock, I wish I had gone with the 515's instead. Will probably look for a 515 and change it out this winter. I also went with longer cables and wiring, just because I did not want too much stress on them or stretched too taut. I went long enough to change out to 12" or so, just like you I could not decide and didn't want to do the tall apes thing.
 
Put a Sundowner on my '10 RK two days after I got it along with a backrest
Most comfortable seat I have ever had - Long trips/short trips no moving around in the saddle - good lower back support without backrest - but even better with the backrest.

Excellent seat - I do not know why HD does not put them on from the factory!
 
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