Female riders-mini apes question

[NightKat]

New female rider here with an '08 nightster. I'm looking for a female who rides with mini apes on their bike. Is it tough to ride? Everyone says they are more comfortable but I feel like I may not be able to control the bike well. Opinions?
THANKS!

[AsSeenOnTV]

I have a hard enough time riding with trained circus chimpanzees. I think that is so kewl you can ride with mini apes!:D

And on a serious note, I will turn the time over to a professional here....


:bump

[flashedwards]

Jeez Shelle...you're pretty quick on the trigger tonight...I was going to make some comments concerning your simian companions but you're on top of it already. To clarify things are you talking about "mini" apes as in small monkeys or "many" as in multiple monkeys? Are bananas hard to find up there...uh-oh that might start a whole other line of thought. I better quit now.
Flash

[AsSeenOnTV]

KnightKat, close your eyes, and place your hands out in front of you and hold the imaginary grips where it is the most comfortable to you. Screw what others say is the best. No such thing.

[onebrkbstrd]

KnightKat, close your eyes, and place your hands out in front of you and hold the imaginary grips where it is the most comfortable to you. Screw what others say is the best. No such thing.

Bingo. Good seating position is good seating position regardless of gender.

Also, I ran the HD mini aped for a little while, the hight wasn't too much different than stock, and the bars were a little wider, which made the front end feel lighter in tight turns.. You can always try them, and change them out if you don't like them.

[sportytrace]

I personally prefer my nightster bars to the mini apes. Let me clarify though... the mini apes I have experience with were on the softail not the sporty so I am comparing apples to oranges. But it very much depends on the type of riding you do most frequently and your height, position, forwards etc. My dislike for the mini apes was that I couldn't drop my elbow and shoulder into my corners. But I'm short which I'm sure didn't help.
At least a couple of ladies here have them on their sporties... RubyRed (she lives in and around the Dragon so should be able to comment on handling on winding roads), 883CfirstHD, Toolgirl too. Maybe try pm-ing them if they don't chime in here.
Probably best if you can at least sit on a sporty with the mini apes with your feet up and see how it feels.
Good luck :)

[rubyred]

NightKat...sent you a pm with details.

I'm with Shell, on it's different for everyone, but I love mine.

Trace is right, too...depends on your height and riding style.;)

I will never ride with anything else. They handle great and my riding position is more versatile now. INMO, the look is classic with the internal wiring done.:wonderlan

[waycoolsportster]

I am not a girl..at least lot the last time I checked, but I have big apes on mine and often get asked "how do you ride with those?" or "do your arms fall asleep?" or "is it hard to turn?"...there seems to be quite a stigma towards the tall bars, mainly from those who have never ridden with them. If you want to run the mini-apes go for it! I seriously doubt you will have any problems whatsoever!

[NightKat]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I'll keep ya updated on my choice :)

[NightKat]

Ordered some black mini apes last week...can't wait to get them in!:D Thanks again for the comments

[jharback]

Ordered some black mini apes last week...can't wait to get them in!:D Thanks again for the comments

I think once you get use to them you'll never go back. They are extremely comfortable and I never found them difficult in the twisties.

[NightKat]

I think so too! I'm long and lanky and the low leaning towards the stock bars is just not comfy for me anymore.

[pdbigt357]

My wife has mini apes on her 883 low and she is 5'3". She prefers them to the stock bars. Did you get your bars?

[NightKat]

Its been a freaking month and I'm still waiting!! Pretty pissed about it!

[waycoolsportster]

A month???? Who did you order them through???????

[NightKat]

Chicago Harley...never will do that again. My dad used them for alot and never had any problems, i've been waiting a month and when called they said they should be here this Tuesday. I'm calling again to double check the guy wasn't lying to me. About to ask for a refund and just spend the extra $20 buck and get em straight from the dealer here

[waycoolsportster]

Wow...that's rediculous!!!!! My best advice would be to tell them where to go and order the 12" Narrow ape kit (cables and all) through Burly!

[09 blackthunder]

My dealer here has a pair in stock

[meeshforty]

NightKat,
I am also long and lanky (6'7"), but not a girl. I can tell you that the apes make me feel more secure on the bike than lower bars because it is easier for me to apply pressure closer to my shoulders than my waist since I have forwards and don't lean forward. I replaced my last set after an accident with the Burlys. Nothing but good things about them. Dimpled for wires, Knurled for your risers. Hand positioning and pullback is perfect for me. They are really easy to wire internally, too, due to the way the dimpling in inset, for lack of a better term. Any indy, or other Harley dealer, can order them from Drag and get them in a day or two, you need to forget waiting on that Harley dealership. Somebody can get them sooner than a month! They are great bars. Post some pics when you get them on. You'll love em.

[shotgun46]

Hey Nightkat any up date

[NightKat]

So I couldn't wait anymore and went to my local Harley dealer and bought the 12in mini apes. I measured them when I got home cause they look like a pair we have in our garage we are hanging onto for a buddy. They only measure 8in! I took them back and they said Harley measures the bar with the stock risers. Still with my stock risers that would put them at 10.5in. I decided to put them on and take it for a spin to see how the rise was.
http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i56/colonel22/DSC_0003.jpg
http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i56/colonel22/DSC_0002.jpg

I also relocated the turn signals. I really like that mod. Only got to take the bike for a spin the day i put on the bars and I love it! So much more comfy and I feel like I do have more control! The bars put my arms a bit below shoulder level. They rise feels good, but I'm curious if I should find a pair of actual 12in. I'll let ya know if I decided to keep em or not

[shotgun46]

I like it and if they are comfy why change them again ??

[NightKat]

True Shotgun but I've only taken it for a ride once so after a few more I'll know my decision :)