2009 road king, with ape hangers? 18inches... : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

sparta531 · 10-18-2008, 05:59 PM

Just wondering am a big guy, 6,7 tall. Was thinking about getting some ape hangers for my road king. U guys think ill have trouble with the cops??? And does any one got any pictures of some one with 18 inch ape hangers?

Thanks

fatboydon24 · 10-18-2008, 06:19 PM

I dont know how they are out in L.A,but that law boggles me.Out here in south carolina,I see a lot of bikes with apes.I have 14.5 inchers plus a 4 inch riser.I'am well above the max.But I hear of no one ever getting pulled.I have been by many and nothin.Gd luck with em.You'll love the 18's.You'll be touchin the sky.I'am 5'11 but have pretty long reach.there will be others to tell ya though 18 might be a little to much.but its your bike,I would sit on one with 18's.I know you'll probably go with braided cables,and everything isn't cheap to replace.

emirharley · 10-19-2008, 04:25 PM

I know nothing about having trouble with the cops in the USA, but I know that allowed handlebar height in California is maximum 6" above shoulders, so you'll be just fine with 18" apes.

Check our my enclosed photo, I am about 6,2 tall, my apes are about 17" - shoulder height.

Do not worry, be happy!

Good luck and do not hesitate!

03GLIDE_ · 10-19-2008, 04:41 PM

You wont have any trouble form the law.

jwoolf · 10-20-2008, 09:32 AM

Here's what 16's look like on mine. In texas, your bars can't be more than 14" above the seat so, with the nylon bushing, I can just pull the bars down to the right height for the inspection sticker. LOL

emirharley · 10-20-2008, 11:49 AM

Maybe this will help just a little bit: in "Easyriders", October 2008 issue, number 424, page 34 it is written in National Law Chart that allowed handlebar height in Texas is maximum of 15" above seat.

By the way, that's outstanding bike, obviously you are tough guy, and the lady is charming. Congratulations.

Ride safe and keep your tires on the ground.

jwoolf · 10-20-2008, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emirharley

obviously you are tough guy, and the lady is charming. Congratulations.

Ride safe and keep your tires on the ground.

Nah, I was giving a friend of mine crap for taking the picture.

emirharley · 10-20-2008, 05:28 PM

I did not even notice the finger.....

route66paul · 10-20-2008, 05:42 PM

Not in LA, you can go 6in above your shoulders. i am 6' even and 16" is below my shoulders on my touring bike - I wish I had gone to 18". As tall as you are, you might consider 20".

kustom_flames · 10-20-2008, 06:26 PM

Well I know in MA it is 15" from the seat, compressed...

I had 18's on my heritage...never got stopped for em. I later switched to 16's...still no problems.

Can you get sh*t for em, yes...will you...unlikely. I guess if you were doin somethin to really piss off the LE, than you could...but most of the time you'd be fine...

I mean the blue dots on the taillights are illegal here, and never caught any grief for those either...

jwoolf · 10-21-2008, 08:01 AM

It seems like people either love the apes are hate them.

I have my road king exactly how I want it now and, I love the apes. They're the right height for me and, they're so comfortable it isn't even funny. No more back aches after riding all day. Just let your arms drape and you'll never have that pinch between your shoulders again.

The one drawback seems to be that you're in more of a position that kind of makes you into a sail so, you're a little more affected by the wind.

I wouldn't trade for the comfort and cool factor though. I love mine.

Good luck getting set up like you want and, for what it's worth, I haven't been stopped or hassled about the height of mine and, they're 16".

GAwildcat · 10-22-2008, 02:37 PM

I wouldn't trade for the comfort and cool factor though. I love mine.

18" Midget Gimps on my "narrow-glide" Dyna, put me in the love 'em crowd. Cool has returned and its hanging like an ape.

mr-moen · 10-26-2008, 09:19 PM

jwoolf, that is a sweet looking classic

wulfdaddie · 10-27-2008, 02:59 AM

Here in washington apehangers can't be anymore then 30 inches from the top of your seat...according to the nice trooper that pulled me over.

head · 10-27-2008, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatboydon24

I dont know how they are out in L.A,but that law boggles me.Out here in south carolina,I see a lot of bikes with apes.I have 14.5 inchers plus a 4 inch riser.I'am well above the max.But I hear of no one ever getting pulled.I have been by many and nothin.Gd luck with em.You'll love the 18's.You'll be touchin the sky.I'am 5'11 but have pretty long reach.there will be others to tell ya though 18 might be a little to much.but its your bike,I would sit on one with 18's.I know you'll probably go with braided cables,and everything isn't cheap to replace.

they did away with our handlebar height restriction here in south carolina just a couple years back. i got one warning in garden city in 2005 i think, for 16's. the officer said they were just starting to enforce it. months later, it was gone.

i'm 5'11" and have 18's on my 98 roadking. they look good and i fel real comfortable with them. just make sure you put some good riser bushings in. i had some solid steel ones made for mine and love them.

head