Stock RoadKing Bars... Just not working for me... HELP, Please!!

J

jpechbre

New member
Well, it's been about three weeks now since I have owned my 09 RoadKing. I've tried to find it comfortable but the handle bars just aren't working form me. I'm 5'9" with a 30" inseam and I'm pretty close to straight armed while riding my King. I have found my right hand going to sleep sometimes and back pain almost everytime I ride. A friend I was riding with the other day said it looks like I'm leaning forward while riding it. I didn't even know I was doing it until he pointed it out. I've seen a lot of King owners put Heritage bars on there bikes. Some before the bikes are even delivered. My dealers told me the Heritage bars could not be put on the newer Kings like my 09 due to the cables. The only bars the dealer told me would fit on my 09 or newer would be the reduced reach bars. These bars would require the TPS replacement but that would be it. I had the reduced reach bars set on my king to see how they would feel and I didn't think they really added much as far as comfort. I am wondering if any of you King owners 09 or newer are running any bars that do not require all the cables to be changed? Between the cost of the cables and the labor to make the changes it's a REALLY spendy swap. I guess if I have no other choice.... well then I need to suck it up because I really love the King but these bars sure need to go.

Thanks for any help or ideas any of your may have.

Thanks!

T
 
Have you tried rotating them back towards you at all? That may help in the meantime.

The Heritage bar won't fit, but for the TBW bikes Harley makes a "heritage style" bar that is $79.95 and requires nothing, all the stock cables fit. You also don't need wire extensions unless you want to run the wires inside the bars, either.
 
Not sure what will work for you but I have the RK High Bars on mine. But I'm also tall so I don't think these would work for you. I've read guys your height using the Heritage bars and liking them.
 
wonder if these are they? http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/gma_product.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524448772549&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302287417&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302287417&bmUID=1283718515852&bmLocale=en_US
 
I had the same problem...I am your size. I ended up putting on Wild One's 508's. It was a toss-up between those and the 518's, but those are made for taller riders. This is a VERY difficult decision, one that requires you (for the most part) to go off of reviews and forums like these to find a starting point, then take the leap of faith and buy them. I opted to have them installed at the stealership because of all the electrical stuff...TBW, cruise, ABS, etc. I am very happy with the fit now. They look great, and are very comfortable. Expensive, but well worth it. I DID NOT HAVE TO USE NEW CABLES, the stocks worked just fine, don't let the dealer tell you otherwise. Also, I wanted chrome bars, not the polished Harley bars. I'll post pics soon. Good luck, Sir. PM if I can help some more!
 
I hd the same issue with my '04 RKC. I was thinking about going with Heritage bars but decided instead on the Road King High Bars. No cable change was required.
 
Those are them. Those are the bars that the police Road Kings come with now as well.

I almost bought them for mine, but rotated my bars forward and it'll make do until I put a set of 16"'s on it. Don't want to buy handlebars twice.
 
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