Are you looking to improve the handlebars on your Harley Davidson Street Glide? You’re not alone. Many riders find that their stock bars are too low, leading to a lack of comfort during extended trips. By selecting the perfect handlebars such as the Street Glide 12 inch bars, you can make an enormous difference in terms of comfort and ease while riding – there’s plenty of options available.
In this piece, we’ll survey what riders had to say regarding the best handlebars for a 2016 Street Glide in a forum discussion. Additionally, some general advice on selecting bars and installing them will be provided. Allowing you to make an informed decision when it comes time to upgrade your own motorcycle.
Stock Bars on the Street Glide
With the Harley Davidson Street Glide, most riders can enjoy comfortable handling from its set of handlebars. Unfortunately for taller individuals, those same bars are simply too low; resulting in sore shoulders, back pain and wrist fatigue.
In the discussion forum, an individual standing at 6’4″ inquired regarding which Paul Yaffe Monkey bars to select. Reactions featured a variety of different views and personal experiences with various bar sizes and brands.
La Choppers
To ensure a secure installation, for Street Glide 12 inch bars, many people go on the La Choppers bars in black finish with 12″ size. Many owners report that by rerouting the wires and brakes of their bike they were able to easily fasten the bar clamps. Additionally, they recommended drilling and tapping into those same areas for maximum efficiency.
Monkey Bars
If you’re six and a half feet tall, regarding Street Glide 12 inch bars, the 12″ Yaffe Monkey bars get quite a few mentions but if you’re a bigger guy the 14″-16″ may be more ideal for you. It’s better to opt for taller bars than shorter ones for optimal comfort when riding your bike.
Other Bar Sizes
Street Glide riders participating in the forum discussion have chosen a range of bar sizes, from 10″ to 20″. Some people opt for 10″ bars from time to time and many tend to wish they had gone with Street Glide 12 inch bars. For those on the fence about what size to choose, many suggest going up one size more than you think as it allows for flexibility if you want to raise them later.
Choosing Handlebars for Your Street Glide
When you are picking out handlebars for your Street Glide, there are a few key points to consider. The height of the bars is vital because it will influence how comfortable you feel on long journeys. Pullback defines the angle that these bars make while width describes how far apart your hands will be when riding. These three aspects must all be taken into account before selecting the perfect set of handlebars.
Choosing the right handlebars for your bike is simple; simply sit on it and determine where you are most comfortable with your hands. After that, measure the distance from either the clamp or riser to wherever your hand lands before rounding up to the nearest inch. This provides a good benchmark as to what minimum height would be ideal for optimal comfort while riding.
It’s essential to research the style of handlebars you desire, as there are infinite options such as T-bars, drag bars, ape hangers and more. Some may necessitate extra cables or wiring changes so it is crucial to be knowledgeable before making that all important purchase.
Tips for Installing Handlebars
Installing Street Glide 12 inch bars may seem difficult at first, but with the appropriate tools and a bit of determination, it can certainly be done on your own. Here are some helpful hints to get you started when setting up new bars for your Street Glide:
- Gather the right tools – For successful completion of your project, make sure to have a torque wrench, sockets, wrenches, pliers, wire strippers and electrical tape at the ready.
- Disconnect the battery – Prior to beginning any maintenance on your bike, it is critical to disconnect the battery in order to avoid any potential electrical issues.
- Remove the old bars – Gently remove the outdated bars, ensuring no damage to any wires or cables in the process.
- Install the new bars – Carefully thread the cables and wires through the new bars, then securely fasten them to your bike. Don’t forget to torque all nuts and bolts for optimal performance.
After you have successfully installed the new handlebars, make sure to double-check that everything is securely mounted and adjusted before you take your bike out for a spin. Make certain that both brake and clutch cables are working adequately without interfering with any of the other components or the handlebars themselves.
To ensure that you don’t encounter any issues with stuck or slow-moving throttles, make sure to adjust the throttle cable to its precise setting. Furthermore, take a look at how your handlebars are aligned and make adjustments as necessary so they remain straight and in the desired angle.
Once you’re done tinkering, take your bike out for a spin. Begin with a quick ride to make sure that the bike is operating properly and the new handlebars are comfy. If anything isn’t up to par, don’t hesitate to tweak it until all of your expectations have been met; after all, if you’re riding an uncomfortable contraption, what’s even the point?
Street Glide 12 Inch Bars
In the end, customizing your bike by changing out its handlebars can be a delightful and satisfying DIY project. It is imperative to devote adequate time for it in order to guarantee that you have a secure as well as comfortable motorcycling experience. By adhering to all of these steps and being thorough with them, you will be able reap several years’ worth of enjoyment from your new Street Glide 12 inch bars setup.