Hi fellas -

Got my new softail custom 6 months ago it has been an excellent bike been enjoying each ride getting close to 8000 km already .i find these bikes a pleasure to own .

As you know these bikes come standard with the mini apes bars i was thinking of changing my handle bars to something lower i was wondering if you get a better ride with lower bars and what the cost would be

considering the cables would need to be shortened before i went ahead i just wonder if there was much a difference in the ride and feel and really if it is wortwhile to change .

I ride with plenty of other fellas with all different types of harleys but dont like to ask for a ride of there bike to see and feel the difference.

Cheers.

I've got the Aussie made Burleigh T bars on mine with the 6 inch rise. Best single change I've made comfort / control wise. Feels like chalk and cheese really I'd recommemd you try to geat a ride on a bike with a similar bar configuration to what your looking at. I had to get all new cables all up it was around $800.00 fitted, which was pretty steep but worth it for the extra comfort offered, especially at highway speeds.

Regards

Oggie,

we have fitted 8 and 10" tee bars to FXSTCs and you can pretty much get away with the stock cables.. the one advantage you have is they aren't too short. You will most likely need to still change the brake line plus end fittings.
Accell and clutch cables are around $400 and bars vary depending on what you are after from $200 (avoid from a Quality perspective) to $500+. Paying someone to fit it all up with hidden wiring etc may be around $300 ish, depending upon where you go.

plenty to choose from out there- I originally went from stock (FXST) to 6"tees and now gone to 11.5" tees. These give better reach to my shorter frame and arms..... I was leaning forward a little too much with the 6" tees.

From a comfort perspective, the 10"mini apes that come std are very good. If you are looking for a different hand position or riding position, suggest you talk to the guys you ride with and ask if you could just sit on their bikes to feel. You will know pretty quick what you don't like which will help narrow the field of choice.


Not sure if this helps. I have a colleague who has gone through 3 different sets of bars in 1 month. He has a set of 1.5" x 6"rise burleigh western style for sale if anyone is interested.

Cheers

Mick

oggie,

Here's some pics of the burleigh T bar (8" riser) on my 08 custom. Couldn't wait to get my mini ape bars off and these on.  Great riding position and they look great too

BTW: I still have the standard cables on from when the mini-ape bars were on and will be replacing them with braided lines soon.

I put a set of mini westerns on to my standard. I've always liked low bars and find these really comfortable. They are budget (ventura) $100 bars. I wanted to ride the position for a few thousand KM before committing to any of the flash and expensive bars to make sure i'm comfortable.

11000km later and I'm happy. Am I going to spend $400 up on a set of burleigh bars etc.........not at this stage, nothing wrong with the cheapies. I'll change when and if the chrome goes to shit.

Hi Peter

No mate all stock, if you go to the MID westerns ya could have issues but all ok with the MINIs. They are plenty wide enough as well and suit the bike.

I read recently the burleigh have recently released mini westerns in 1&1/4 inch as well necked down to 1 inch for using the stock risers and controls.