Topic: 2015 RGU: 12" vs 14" Handlebar Changeout (Read 7389 times)

RGlideKid · « **on:** March 29, 2016, 12:06:34 PM »

Hi all,
The below pics were taken off the Factory 47 website and I put them together as a collage so I could see the difference over stock.
I have questions for you pros out there, as I am considering a change from the stock.
I'm 6'0" but my reach has been shortened a bit on my left arm due to the motorcycle accident I had several years ago that sheared off a part of my left elbow. It gets sore now after about an hour of riding, but truthfully, I don't think a change in bars will help that. It just gets sore, and I'll have to live with that. Still, I'd like to have to reach out less further than the stock bars make me reach, and yes, I've rotated them a bit, but I still don't care for the bar configuration.
In all the pics I've seen of Malo/Monkey bars, they seem to be rotated forward quite a bit. As you can see by carefully examining where the end of the grips are on the stock versus the two other bars, these types of bars seem to be more about getting your hands higher up, rather than closer.
Did any of you rotate them closer to you for less reach out?
Second, because these bars are taller, did find your hands were getting colder in the wind stream after changing to a higher bar?
Third...width of the bar. The stock is 33" wide, these particular Factory 47's are 36" to 37" wide, and I'm wondering if you wish you'd gotten less wide bars?
Fourth...for those of you who changed out to bars like this, why did you do it? How much did the badazz look have to do with your decision, and how much of it was for comfort and control. And are you happy now with your decision?
Thanks in advance, guys.

SneakyPete · « **Reply #1 on:** March 29, 2016, 12:33:56 PM »

Harry,

I don't have these bars but considered them when I purchased the Wild1 Reapers. I'm 6'2" with 36" sleeve and went with the 12" with 8 1/2" pullback. With regard to the width, I had the Outlawz bars which are narrower, but I preferred the wider Reaper bar, easier to turn the bike IMHO.

Instead of the Malos, I was looking at the RG Assault bars they make which have an inch more pullback so you don't have to push the bars up as far. Might want to look at those as well.

Note that rise is measured differently by the bar manufacturers. Factory 47 measures from the top of the crossbar to the tip of the meathook, so while they advertise 14" it might be equivalent to another manufacturers 12". Just something to keep in mind.

I'm sure others on the forum who have installed these bars can provide better info.

RGlideKid · « **Reply #2 on:** March 29, 2016, 01:11:57 PM »

Thanks for the feedback, Pete. Good stuff to know.

ACfixer · « **Reply #3 on:** March 29, 2016, 07:23:33 PM »

I'm interested in the responses to this as well Harry, but from more of an interest in the rise. I pulled the pin on my stock bars and moved them up, I hated the factory hand position and I've ridden with apes for years on my Heritage and a shoulder height bar for me was the norm. I'm not sure I want to stick my hands out there on this bike for the reasons you stated, but I am interested in a couple inches over stock if it's truly a plug 'n' play like they say. I assume that means no cable or electrical extensions?

My Heritage was an 18" bar with a 2" riser...

Cvostu · « **Reply #4 on:** March 29, 2016, 07:28:17 PM »

I went with yaffe 12" I'm 6'2" . They are high enough for me. A little wider than I was used to. But didn't take long to start liking it. With the 12s. . All cables and wiring reached. You will love it. The stock bars sucked. Stuart

RGlideKid · « **Reply #5 on:** March 29, 2016, 07:52:07 PM »

Quote from: ACfixer on March 29, 2016, 07:23:33 PM

I'm interested in the responses to this as well Harry, but from more of an interest in the rise. I pulled the pin on my stock bars and moved them up, I hated the factory hand position and I've ridden with apes for years on my Heritage and a shoulder height bar for me was the norm. I'm not sure I want to stick my hands out there on this bike for the reasons you stated, but I am interested in a couple inches over stock if it's truly a plug 'n' play like they say. I assume that means no cable or electrical extensions?

My Heritage was an 18" bar with a 2" riser...

Most all of the name-brand "monkey" bars in the 12-14" rise category that I've seen advertise you will NOT need to change any cables or electricals, but most of what I've found is on a RG and not on a CVO RGU. I imagine ours would be OK, but I think it's when you head into that 16" rise or greater that you'll have problems, maybe with the clutch cable first?
I love the looks of them, especially with the bigger diameter and the meat hooks at the top. They scream Harley.
To me, it's another example of the MoCo being so darn out of touch with their customers. They offer a boatload of different grips and derby covers and seats, but what about handlebars? To my knowledge, they don't offer a single bar for a CVO like ours. Why do you suppose that is?

FLSTFI Dave · « **Reply #6 on:** March 29, 2016, 07:58:26 PM »

As Pete mentioned about the measurement, he is correct. Did not know that when I bought my factory 47 14" bars for my 15 SERGU.

I have run Paul Yaffe 14" on my last 12 SERG, and also have them on my 13 SERK. The Yaffe run a little tall. There 14" is closer to 15.

So I went in Oct 2014 to order the Yaffe 14" for my 15 SERGU. I was told January, decided it was worth the wait. So I ordered them. In January I was told February, then in February I was told March, In March I was told April so I canceled my order.

I ordered the Factory 47 14" Had them two weeks later. I loved the look and quality of the bar when they arrived, they were 1/4 thicker than Yaffe and Seemed a bit better quality. Put them on the bike, all factory cables and wires fit. Sat on the bike and they felt low and was a bit disappointed. Measured the bars then measured the Yaffe on my 13 SERK. 3 inches or slightly more difference in grip height.

That said I kept the bars, and have 25K miles on the bars now. I really love the factory 47 14" bars. I'm 6'1" and the grip width is fine with me, slightly wider than the yaffe. I would like 2 inches hight but these are very comfortable height. I have road a 780 mile day, followed by 700 miles the next day followed by 650 the third day with these bars.

My first set of Yaffe Monkey bars 14" were for the looks. After logging 30K miles with the bars in less than 2 years, I got them for my next bike. Then I got them for my 13 CVO King. Was going to get them for this bike.

Next bike will have Factory 47, but will go with 16" so I can be closer to 14 Height. :cool blue: Its all about the comfort for me now. Looks is just an added benefit.

FLSTFI Dave · « **Reply #7 on:** March 29, 2016, 08:00:57 PM »

With Yaffe 14" on a CVO road glide you will have to change out cables and wires, I know I had to with my 12 CVO RG and my 13 CVO RK. With Factory 47 I did not have to change them out

FLSTFI Dave · « **Reply #8 on:** March 29, 2016, 08:02:36 PM »

I run mine parallel with fork legs.

RGlideKid · « **Reply #9 on:** March 29, 2016, 08:13:47 PM »

Dave,
Do you have a picture of the side of your bike with the front wheel pointing straight ahead? I understand you saying the bars are in line with the forks, and I think that look is somehow the most clean and streamlined, but I'd like to see how far back the grips are in terms where they are in relation to the top of your tank for reference with where my grips are at.
I think your bars are 37" wide, right? I wear a 34" sleeve, bet your shirts are longer. And with my left elbow, my reach comfortably is a full 1" less with my left arm over the right.
Reach is everything for me, and not being too high.
I can do the changeout myself, so I can throw the labor money into a better set of bars like the 47's. I know they're top notch.
Thanks, man!

Cvostu · « **Reply #10 on:** March 29, 2016, 08:21:08 PM »

The 47s look really sweet.

FLSTFI Dave · « **Reply #11 on:** March 29, 2016, 08:23:04 PM »

Here is one taken at summit of bear tooth pass.

FLSTFI Dave · « **Reply #12 on:** March 29, 2016, 08:24:53 PM »

Another in the Bad Lands. Hope one of these two show what your looking for.

RGlideKid · « **Reply #13 on:** March 29, 2016, 08:50:24 PM »

Thanks Dave! One last question...if you pulled those bars back by an inch or two toward you, the controls would have to rotate upward (so the levers moved downward to compensate). Do the bars have enough hole in them to allow you to rotate those controls like that?

ACfixer · « **Reply #14 on:** March 29, 2016, 09:08:59 PM »

Maybe it's an optical illusion, but it looks like your bars are slightly forward of parallel Dave and personally I think it looks great.

Cvostu · « **Reply #15 on:** March 30, 2016, 03:40:18 AM »

I wanted to show what I did.

Cvostu · « **Reply #16 on:** March 30, 2016, 03:41:52 AM »

One more. .

SneakyPete · « **Reply #17 on:** March 30, 2016, 08:50:30 AM »

Look great Stu!

FLSTFI Dave · « **Reply #18 on:** March 30, 2016, 07:42:33 PM »

Quote from: RGlideKid on March 29, 2016, 08:50:24 PM

Thanks Dave! One last question...if you pulled those bars back by an inch or two toward you, the controls would have to rotate upward (so the levers moved downward to compensate). Do the bars have enough hole in them to allow you to rotate those controls like that?

On the CVO the hand controls are not pinned like they are on the regular road glide and road glide special. You can rotate the bars as much as you want I believe. I had already pulled the pin at the clamp to rotate the stock bars.

Quote from: ACfixer on March 29, 2016, 09:08:59 PM

Maybe it's an optical illusion, but it looks like your bars are slightly forward of parallel Dave and personally I think it looks great.

I think you may be correct. I just looked at all my pictures and in all they look slightly forward. Will have to check actual bike when I get home from work in two weeks.

Cvostu · « **Reply #19 on:** March 30, 2016, 10:09:55 PM »

Thanks Pete. . . Had dinner with Sachs the other night. Were your ears burning?

He enjoyed seeing you in Daytona. . . Stuart

SneakyPete · « **Reply #20 on:** March 31, 2016, 09:48:46 AM »

Quote from: cvostu on March 30, 2016, 10:09:55 PM

Thanks Pete. . . Had dinner with Sachs the other night. Were your ears burning? He enjoyed seeing you in Daytona. . . Stuart

John is top drawer, we had a blast. Mostly at Hubbard's expense!

Hogism · « **Reply #21 on:** April 17, 2016, 08:22:42 PM »

Just install Factory 47 Milo on my 2015 Road Glide Ultra CVO. Install was not difficult at all. Love the look and chrome is top notch.

Author Topic: 2015 RGU: 12" vs 14" Handlebar Changeout (Read 7389 times)