Hard Choice 14" or 16" apes for bagger

R

rusty_nutss

New member
Hey all-

These small decisions are where I struggle. I have previously had wild1 bars on my old RK. They were beach bars so they are the complete opposite that I am looking for with apes.

I like the look of apes on a RK but not quite convinced about the looks on a FLHT. I however dont like the stock bars on my '07 classic now. Everyone I have spoken to says they love their apes. Now which one to order? Coming from a RK w/o windshield, I dont care about the air on my hands.

trying to decide between a 14" Wild1 apes or Cyclesmith 16" apes. I dont have experience with any of them but the CS seem to be a decent price. I am thinking if I go with a 14" I would kick myself for not getting the 16's? I am 6'0 even w/ 32 inseam. Not sure if it matters on that.

Also, I do not necessarily want or need SS lines...is there a place to get just regular black lines on the cheap?

Let me know your thoughts.
 
I love my 14" Wild 1 Chubbys. If I had to do it again, I would stay with the 14". I am 6'3" and they are about shoulder high. I have them pushed forward as far as I can and still get the windshield on.
 
I have cyclesmiths 13" and love them I think 14 would be good as I wouldn't mind a lil higher I 'd say go with the 14 I just think 16 is a lil to high but I could be wrong
 
I would suggest you find a bike with the bars you want and sit on it. I had 14" Wild Ones on my Road King, and now have 12.5" Wild Ones on my Street Glide.

With the RK I wish they were higher (like 16").

The 12.5's on the SG seem just as tall as the 14's on the RK, and I find them very comfortable. In fact, I wouldn't want them any higher. The 12.5" Wild Ones are actually a bit taller than the 13" Cyclesmiths. I'm 5"10" with a 30" inseam, so our torso is similar in length.


Additionally, the WO bars put your hands almost level, fists in the wind, whereas the Cyclesmiths slope downward. The Wild Ones definitely look tougher.

Hard decision to make for sure. I spent a lot of time deciding. I am totally happy with what I got. I knew the minute I sat on the bike with Cyclesmiths that they were not the bars for me.
 
I know I would be upset with 14's as I love my 16" CS's. I considered Wild1's as well but the wife told me I would always wonder about the 16's and just told me to get the taller bars. For once she had very constructive criticism when it came the bike

I had also read plenty of stories of those saying they wish now they had gone higher. One other thing to think about, the Wild1's have more pullback (about 3" more) Also the Wild1 are not a gloss black powder coat, they are more of a flat/matte black.
 
that's a good reason for you to choose them. I was just pointing out the differences in the two bars as I also debated them both just months ago. I personally wanted a gloss black bar.
 
If youa re concerned 14"'s might be too low, get the 16"'s. I put 14"'s on my ride and decided about a week later to get 16"'s. Had to buy new cables all over again.
 
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