Apes vs standard bars

[flatsboy]

Love 'em or hate 'em, they elicit an opinion. I went from 12" apes on the '05 Hammer to Hammer S bars. I rode the S bars for a few weeks and about 1,000 miles. I got the S bars from Dean Cross, his opinion was they are more comfortable and increase handling over the stock Hammer bars. I never tried the stock bars for any serious miles. Here are my observations:

Looks (everyone will have a different opinion on this one) - personally I like the apes better, I thought the bike lost a lot of personality (cool or ugly, your pick) when I switched them. With the windshield on I think it looks better with apes than with the S bars, it just seems to blend in better.

Comfort - no brainer to me, the apes are more comfortable, my hands are still below my shoulders. Higher apes would be another resonably significant adjustment and less comfortable. I had 20" apes on a past ride and it was more for fun than practicality.

Handling - no question, when I switched from the apes to the S bars it was a totally different feeling bike. It went from a cruiser to a sport bike feel. Could I do anything with the S bars that I couldn't with the apes? No because once you get used to the apes you don't notice the little extra effort required or the low speed balance in turns, you simply adjust.

Cost - you will need longer cables with the 12" bars, the wire looms will be OK.

Intangible factor - I found myself not as excited to ride with the S bars on. With the apes I wanna get on and go every time I go into the garage.

I'm probably in the minority on this one but they work great for me. The apes are back on and I'm happy again.

[King Moto]

IMHO the straight bars look best - when the windshield is on.

With the windshield removed - the apes look better.

[flatsboy]

Hmmm, a CC with 26” apes, c'mon Aaron

[John Ritter]

Always has been a good debate. When younger, my brother had a dyna-chasis, shovel head, springer, 8" ape, w/ suicide shift. While it was never that reliable, it was fun to drive.

My .02 - any ape for me would have to be short, and pulled back because all of my length is obviously in my......ahem.... - my TORSO!(and neck) Keeping the hands near heart level is good for circulation, but again, it's about you and choice.

Although, I do enjoy seeing the sky-high ape riders shaking their numb hands every few miles. But that could also be attributed to tooth-filling rattling from vibrations their engines create. (even with rubber mount engines and handlebars)

[flatsboy]

Although, I do enjoy seeing the sky-high ape riders shaking their numb hands every few miles. But that could also be attributed to tooth-filling rattling from vibrations their engines create. (even with rubber mount engines and handlebars)

John, thanks for hitting on something I forgot to mention, my apes have less vibration in them than the S bars did, thought it woud be opposite. The high ones I had years ago were real buzzers, even with a Bar Snake in them.

[sks700]

Bars below shoulder level I guess I never really considered "apes". I get a kick out of the guys that look like they're getting ready to do the crane kick from The Karate Kid:crazy:

[Sparky_Bill]

I get a kick out of the guys that look like they're getting ready to do the crane kick from The Karate Kid:crazy:

Do you mean like this? :BigLaugh:

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSfYxHayyVVwog6vyjNxbnBZ1ix8hKs8 K6ueeb5Dbsy5eMsL7VZ-nIpg6ZW

[waynes]

Larry,

I'm not usually a fan of apes but your bike does look better, to me, with your apes and if you are comfortable and in control with them, go ride cuz they look good too!! :biker83: Now, 18" or better apes I think are pure nonsense IMHO. Ever heard Peter Fonda's comments about the making of Easy Rider? Riding the bike with the apes was the worst part of the movie making process for him. lmao I think he probably still rides, but not with 18" apes.

[flatsboy]

Do you mean like this? :BigLaugh:

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSfYxHayyVVwog6vyjNxbnBZ1ix8hKs8 K6ueeb5Dbsy5eMsL7VZ-nIpg6ZW

Ritter could be standing on the tank and he'd still look like this :Jester: Sorry John, couldn't pass it up once you opened the door :lol:

I'm very sure you'll be getting me back...

[Goose]

Bars below shoulder level I guess I never really considered "apes". I get a kick out of the guys that look like they're getting ready to do the crane kick from The Karate Kid:crazy:
I agree, maybe Larry's bars are just "monkey bars" not full grown "apes"? :BeatsMe: I would put a set of flat bars on a high-ball so that shows where I stand. :)

[flatsboy]

I agree, maybe Larry's bars are just "monkey bars" not full grown "apes"? :BeatsMe: I would put a set of flat bars on a high-ball so that shows where I stand. :)

I filled 'em with steroids but they just don't get any bigger... Gotta admit it, been doing monkey bars (ok, buckhorns) since 1966 when I chopped my Royal Enfield, haven't found a more comfortable/different set of bars since... and I don't think flat bars would have enticed Candy Walters to jump on the back, maybe that's my subliminal reasoning ;-)

Nice horn & Hammer rear fender, eh?

[John Ritter]

Ritter could be standing on the tank and he'd still look like this :Jester:

Larry, you be tellin the trut there. :FoodDrink:friday:

Although, I think it would be a good team building effort if Sparky and me could do it tandem style.

Think about it:

He could sit in the seat, balance the bike.........I could sit on shoulders; run the steering, throttle, and clutch........and back to Sparky to shift, manage rear as I do the front - brake.

I think we could do it but am sure Sparky would try to to turn it into :faceoff:

[Goose]

Nice photos Larry, is that a Cuda in the background? Tell us more about the Royal Enfield days.

[flatsboy]

Nice photos Larry, is that a Cuda in the background? Tell us more about the Royal Enfield days.

Yep, my '67 Formula S, Isky 320 duration, 510 lift, 456 rear, 90/10s, Hooker fenderwells, Offenhauser dual quad with Carter AFBs, 8 mpg and worth every cent in Sunoco Blue. 80,000 miles before it spun a rod bearing. New Process tranny was a crappy shifting SOB.

The R.E. 736cc Interceptor was my first bike, kept the 1st one stock (pictured), carved up #2. Stock unit was coolest bike in the '60s including Bonnevilles, Commandos, Spitfires, etc. Leaked oil everywhere, kept 2 shop rags in my rear pockets for each stop light. But what a sound and feel, better than the '70 Norton Combat Commando with Dunstalls (no slouch either). Haven't had an experience on a bike to match it since, pure passion on 2 wheels.

Rode the "chopper" from Miami to Tampa in '70 through a cold front that got down to 30 degrees in my pea coat, no gloves. Imagine that, got my first frostbite in Florida :-)

Man, did this thread get off-track...