Do bars really make that much difference?

[buckshot85]

It seems no matter what bike forum I'm on, bars are always being changed. Do they really make that much difference? When I ride for long distance, I get a stinger in my neck on the right side. Have had it for years from flipping the welding helmet down I suppose. Also get hand knumbness. No, it's not from death gripping.

Give me your opinions:
Did the swap help you with any aches or pains?
How did this affect bike control and cornering?
How is the long distance ride? 300 plus milers.
Was the cost worth it?
Did you just go taller or further away or closer also?
How much taller, closer, further worked for you?

Thanks fellas!
Mike

 

[Sday73]

Last year I had a BMW 1600GTL. Handle bars were low and I had same issue of knumbness and stinging. Sold bike and picked up my SGS with the 12" bars on already. Wow what a difference. I could ride a full day and still feel good. Then on July 1 a milk truck destroyed my bike and I had to ride a stock 14 ultra rental. The stinging and knumbness came back and had to take a break from riding every 2 hours. Or I had the wife massaging the shoulders while riding. 2-½ months of riding stock before I got my bike back and I was so happy to ride in comfort again.

 

[buckshot85]

Thanks, great info.

 

[Spazz]

For me... 12 YMB changed my slouched and fwd leaning position to a more upright and comfortable position for sure

 

[buckshot85]

I'm about 5'8-5'9 depending on the sun angle. How tall are some of you guys that changed the bars?

 

[Gunner]

For me... 12 YMB changed my slouched and fwd leaning position to a more upright and comfortable position for sure

Same here my 12.5" bars helped my lower back.

 

[14 FLHX]

I cant comment on my new bars fixing the numbness in my hands. I just installed kst 10 3/4" mayhem bagger bars, but i cant ride right now do to winter in minnesota.

I have owned my bike for a little over a yr and i always got numb hands in 20 minutes. I researched bars for a long time. I also ride sleds and atvs and those have straight bars where the stock bars are at a bad angle for me and i think that why my hands go numb. Im hoping these will help me out.

Stock vs kst bars

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[buckshot85]

How does it feel just sitting on it? Awkward, comfy?????

 

[Spazz]

I cant comment on my new bars fixing the numbness in my hands. I just installed kst 10 3/4" mayhem bagger bars, but i cant ride right now do to winter in minnesota.

I have owned my bike for a little over a yr and i always got numb hands in 20 minutes. I researched bars for a long time. I also ride sleds and atvs and those have straight bars where the stock bars are at a bad angle for me and i think that why my hands go numb. Im hoping these will help me out.

Stock vs kst bars

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Numbing hands was NOT my bars... but it WAS my grips... too small of a grip for me made my hands numb and tingle... The Arlen Ness Deep Comfort grips I have now are over-sized and have yet to have the numbing/tingling return.

 

[14 FLHX]

How does it feel just sitting on it? Awkward, comfy?????

It feels good, cant wait to get out on it. It will be april im sure. My wife caught me siting on my bike while on my j &s jack and said, what are you doing? Me: pretending im riding. Hehe.


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[Mojo]

+1 Spazz. Grips can make a huge difference.

 

[buckshot85]

+1 Spazz. Grips can make a huge difference.

Those are the ones I have.

 

[Crumb]

12" ymb here to and I am 5'10" not only do I love the height but the wrist angle is what I really like over stock bars

 

[buckshot85]

For me... 12 YMB changed my slouched and fwd leaning position to a more upright and comfortable position for sure

How tall are you Spazz?

 

[blackx-runner]

I am hoping they make a difference. I just bought my bike last fall and had real issues with neck pain and hand numbness after a pretty short ride. Something I never really had on the night train. I'm really hoping the 12" bars i put on make as big of a difference as everyone says. Like most I'm down for the winter and probably won't get a chance to try them out for a couple months. Sitting on the bike everything seems pretty comfy and in a much better position. Hopefully it will be a worthwhile project.

 

[Spazz]

How tall are you Spazz?

short ... 5'7"... LOL!!!

 

[buckshot85]

Thanks guys.

 

[buckshot85]

Well, got all the parts and began the install today. I went with Wild Ones 10" 578s. I got an 8" NAMZ kit incase I go taller. Clipped the ends and soldered everything. 4" over stock clutch cable, New chrome tranny side cover, Kuryakyn Trident mirrors, Kuryakyn Iso grips with the throttle boss and fork fangs. New bars are wired now and should be able to finish tomorrow. Throttle side gave me some grief with pulling the new CVO TGS and the control harness. Lubed it but it still was a bugger. Then had to pull it back 6" to file the notches because the TGS wouldn't fit.

Before pics.

Tear down.

 

[buckshot85]

Wiring begins.

Bars are wired and hopefully good to go.

I've got about 5 hours in now. An extra set of hand would have been a big help, but, all is good.
Will post more pics tomorrow if I get it done.

 

[Spazz]

Keep it up!!! Good job!

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