Handlebar Help

[ladyff1481]

My husband is getting me new handlebars for Christmas but we do't know which to get. I have a 2011 HD Ultra Limited Trike (similar to the TriGlide.) I really need to be able have about 2 inches so that I can sit properly on the Trike. Some of you saw me at the NE Trike Rally and some of you suggested different handlebars. Can anyone give me suggestions as to what brands/size of handlebars and accessories I may need when switching them out? Thanks in advance.

 

[americanbadass]

I would go with HD Heritage Softail bars. They have a little more rise than your stock bars, so you could tilt them back to where you need. They are also slightly narrower, but this should be insignificant with regard to handling, if you have ez steer-and might even be more comfortable for you. Another advantage is, you should not have to change out brake, clutch, and wiring, unless you have internal wiring on your existing bars. Just my opinion-I know a few people that have liked the Heritage bars. Good luck ladyff.f

 

[Sloufoot]

Harley's "pull back" bars are about the same height, but have a different placement in relation to the rider. You don't have to do any changes to the other things (according to my stealership).
Ask Oldmsocko, he is running the pull back bars. Maybe he can explain the difference for ya.
If you go over 2" higher you will have to get things changed like clutch cable, reverse wiring, brake line, throttle wiring, & I think all the control wiring for the rest also.
You can get bars with everything changed for you, & pre-wired, but they are a lot more expensive !

 

[DTR 11TG]

Batwing Reduced Reach Bat®Handlebar
These high-quality, handlebars are designed to bring the
controls 2" closer to the rider for increased comfort. Especially
helpful for shorter riders or those with short arms.
56176-08 Chrome. $149.95
Fits ’08-later Electra Glide, Street Glide and Trike models
(except FLHTK and CVO models).
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

This sounds like the bars your looking for, it's the bar the original owner put on the '11 Tri Glide I have. At 6'4" I don't need reduced reach, but I just pushed them up & forward and it works great.

 

[jcolson]

I put on the HD 2" pullback bars. They work well. They had to change the brake & clutch cables. No more aching shoulders.

 

[ladyff1481]

Alright the suggestions are coming in, thanks to everyone helping me so far. I probably should have added if anyone has them on their trike so I could see pictures. At least now I have ideas to take to the dealer.

 

[Bruce]

Joann, I think you sat on my trike at the rally, I have the 12" Wild One Chubby bars on the tri-glide. They are 1 1/4" bars. I think the bar # was 505 -- they do make them in

10" also. I had to change the brake, clutch cable, and extend the wiring ( I ran all the wires inside the bars so the job took about 6 hrs.) I'm not smart enough to attach pics on here so if you send me your email address I can send pics of the bars.

 

[Rosy]

My husband is getting me new handlebars for Christmas but we do't know which to get. I have a 2011 HD Ultra Limited Trike (similar to the TriGlide.) I really need to be able have about 2 inches so that I can sit properly on the Trike. Some of you saw me at the NE Trike Rally and some of you suggested different handlebars. Can anyone give me suggestions as to what brands/size of handlebars and accessories I may need when switching them out? Thanks in advance.

Jim you area good hubby! I thought you said you weren't going to get new "bars", surprise!

I hope you get the info you are looking for and get the "bars" changed. Is there anyone in your area who have "bars" so you can sit & feel? How about a dealer near you.

Maybe they are working on a trike and will let you come in and feel the difference. You can always ask the dealer to call you in case they do change one. Won't hurt to contact them.

Good luck! I believe it will make your ride a whole lot better.

Regards,

Rosy

From NH

 

[ladyff1481]

We have no true dealer within about 60 miles so I have to use my local motorcycle shop. He is going to measure me for the bars. I may opt to wait and take it to a Harley dealer that will have switched out bars for the Ultras. Seeing the bars on other bikes is what will be the most helpful.

 

[Rosy]

Gee that's too bad. I have maybe four huge dealers within 60 miles of where I live and that's little Ole New Hampshire.
I believe the ultra best would be to sit, feel, and drive, but that's not going to happen unless there is a TT Member near you who has the set up you may want.
Question, since I really don't know Harleys at all: Do you have a single piece handlebar on the Harleys, or are they like the Hondas with a two piece handlebar. If single you have to buy the whole bar to the shape you want, not risers like Honda's handlebars so they can be adjusted to your specifications?
Good luck and from what I am reading, this could be a very hard decision to make on the right "bars" for you and the trike.
Joanne and Jim have a great Turkey Day!

Regards,

Rosy
From NH

 

[Nana]

Rosy, Most Harleys are made so risers/pull-backs are useable. The V-rod may be the only one that is one-piece. I put the Heritage bars on my FatBoy and used a riser that gave me 2" pull-back. That combination worked great for me. At the time, the option of the "Reduced Reach" bars was not available to me, so I cannot comment on how they would compare.

 

[trikermary]

I just ordered the Reduced Reach handlebars recommended by 92FXSTS in the previous post.......I was getting my heated grips put on and someone told me that would be a good time to get the handlebars done too, the hadlebars were not that expensive but the brake and clutch cables added another couple of hundred on........I don't want to think of the cost of the labor yet................not that I was uncomfortable before but I did have to stretch my arms out completely when riding and I think these will make a big difference........they will do the work when the parts come in and I will post a photo and let you know how much better they are...........

 

[Skeet7373]

I have the HD 2" pull back bars on my TG. The dealer did change out all the cables. I looked at alot of handlebars that would give me the reach I needed. But the issue was for me was the width of the grips. the stock bars and the 2" pull backs are only 30.75" from tip to tip. I found that the Wild Ones (are beautiful chrome bars) are way too wide for me. I would not be able to reach to make a full lock turn (34-36.5" wide tip to tip). The KW bars are great also, very well made, if I had not been pressed to get bars put on prior to delivery, I would have gone with the 2+2 Sweepers, they are only 32" wide. But the amazing thing about them is the wrist angle. Your wrist are straight out from your arm, not tweeked to the outside like the HD bars. Hope this thread works for you HD pull back touring bars - Page 2 - Harley Davidson Forums

Karen

 

[MontgomeryLittle]

Had these put on my wifes 2011 Tri Glide. H-D part # 56176-08 . These are the touring pull back handlebars. Supposed to put the controls two inches closer to the rider. Also needed were the longer clutch cable and brake hoses. I later put these same handle bars on my 2008 FLHTP and found that the stock brake hoses fit just fine on those bars.

Anyway she is 5' 1" tall or so she says, and they work great for her. We fooled around with a reduced reach seat too and it just was not comfy to her luckily they took it back. The 2" pull backs was about the best thing we did to the trike for her comfort.

 

[OlBandit]

ok, I just put on the 2" pull back bars on my 2011 Triglide. I did the work myself and it was fairly easy.

Unfortunately, I'm at work right now and do not have the part numbers that I purchased, but I will look them up when I get home and post those numbers here.

I purchased the 2" pullback bar, the Twist Grip Sensor and new hand grips, the orginial pair was quite worn. Now the wires on the twist grip sensor are very fragile, so when you pull out the connector, a wire could get damaged, so I just saved the aggravation and installed a new one. As far as the cables I did not need any cables, I did have to re-route the clutch cable through the fairing, the cable ran on top of a mounting bracket, I just routed it underneath that bracket and all was fine. The brake hose did need a slight adjustment, but it was just to align the hose with the new bars.

Overall, I am very happy with the 2" pullback and for me it was an easy job!!! I believe we had discussed all the above at the NE Rally this year, as my new bars were at home on the workbench waiting for me to return.

Enjoy!!!

 

[Aussie Annie]

As I have a stiff leg, I sit back further than usual. I have a Tallboy seat on the Ultra which moves me back the 2" needed.
The handlebars I went with are "Horizon Heli-Bars" best thing since sliced bread!!!! Had them fitted last year while at Sturgis Rally.
These things are amazing, they are so adjustable ThumbUp

 

[OlBandit]

Ok, finally found the parts I put on they are:

HANDLEBAR, 2 INCH PULLBACK 56176-08
TWIST GRIP SENSOR KIT 32310-08
KIT, GRIP, E-THROTTLE, LG, CHRM/RUBBER 56263-08

Everything went together just perfect. Hope that helps, oh yea, I purchased the parts from Surdyke as they were the cheapest I could find!

Enjoy and Ride Safe!

 

[eagle1]

i installed the paul yippes 'BAGGER' bars on my '09 tri-glide. wireing good ,no extrernsion needed.
all i needed was the 4"over clutch cable. and the 12" TBW extension.
search for handlebars on this iste & hd talkingforume & v twin forume. if you stick a yard stick under my arm & measure to the socket of the wrist its 23". & i can lean back on the backrest & reach the handlebars. don't go with APE handlebard unless you yabt external wireing. the 90* bend is too tight to get the TBW cable thru.
i also did a external starter switch.

 

[eagle1]

i'm installing the same on my '09 t/g. when pulling the wireing thru the bars. you have to use a screwdrver to push down on the FBY connector to get it to go by the corner pinch in the bars. you also will need a 12" drag FBW extension. (dealer had this on the wall. either the 12 or 15" will work fine.
OEM wireing is long enough. but will need longer clutch cable. i've got a 4" over on order w/dealer & will be in fri. so we'll see.
you will also need a 1/4" metric allen wrench cut off about 2" & glued in a
1/4"drive socket. for riser bolts R&R.
also a 3/16 cut off about 1 " glued in a socket also a 3/16 long Ball socket allen wrench (radio R&R)
on radio lt side i had to use(short) water pump pliers to get the bolts out.
so after the radio was out i drilled about a 7/16 hole forward of the existing oblonged hole in order to get a 1'4" extension thru to tighten up the front bolts.(useing the glued 3/16 a/w in a 1/4drive socket)otherwise the holes just don't line up .
also 3/16 allen wrench with short end cut off about 3/16 cut off and by the
time you true it up. (for tranny) lower bolts.
when you take out the radio you will see that there is a plastic lip under the front edge of the radio that covers up the front riser bolts.(which would require you to remove the ign switch & pull that section forward a bit.
got guts?? if you grill 2 holes about 1/2" above the riser bolts then you can
remove the riser mount bolts3/4" 6pt shallow socket needed. then the handle bars & risers will come out as a unit. the right riser bolt is accessed by turning the handle bars far right. and got in thru the frontof the fairing.
looks like my expenses are bars,transmission gasket & o-ring. 4"over clutch cable. FBW 12" extension. less than $50.00
also while you have the ft. fairing off grease the neck bearings. mine took a-lot of grease ( then kleenex cleanup after the pressure equalized.)
i also parked my trike under a ceiling tress so i could tie a string over it & used it to hold the inner fairing up as i worked.
also get a tube of diaelectric grease & unplug all connectors & give them a dab og grease. also do the fuse box area. just a update.

 

[trikermary]

My parts came in, the grips, cables and handlebars, taking it in to be installer next Friday, will send you pictures when it is done to let you know how much of a difference they make for comfort......

 

[OlBandit]

Ok, did you get those handlebars on yet?

 

[patriot]

I put on the HD 2" pullback bars. They work well. They had to change the brake & clutch cables. No more aching shoulders.

Jolson, did you have your dealer install them? I just returned from my dealer and ask about installing the same bars. They quoted me 10 hours labor. I liked to fell over on the stool. How much time did your installer take? I do have heated grips.

 

[jcolson]

Yes I had the dealer install the bars.I didn't want to mess with pulling off the outer fairing and half the inner fairing, it's a pain. It's not so much the outer fairing,it's taking out the radio and all the crap to do everything. Plus installing a clutch cable and brake lines. It took 7hrs & $689.80 to have them installed.But it was well worth it. Jim

 

[patriot]

Yes I had the dealer install the bars.I didn't want to mess with pulling off the outer fairing and half the inner fairing, it's a pain. It's not so much the outer fairing,it's taking out the radio and all the crap to do everything. Plus installing a clutch cable and brake lines. It took 7hrs & $689.80 to have them installed.But it was well worth it. Jim

Thanks. I do have heated grips and I reckon they old add another hour. Still, I think 10 hours is too long.

 

[Skeet7373]

As Gomer Pyle would say "Gawwwwlee" I'm sure glad mine were installed before delivery and part of my purchase.

 

[waynerid1]

I had to get the 2" bars from harley and they work great but there is a lot of people that have had to change them for more comfort so I would suggest if you see anyone on a tri glide and there is a lot of them out there check with them and ask to set on it and try it out,and as was said you have to change the cables and Harley parts person will set you up with what you need

 

[jcolson]

Hey Don, it was worth having someone else take apart the switches cause I had to do that when I installed the new chrome switch housings. what a nightmare. Jim

 

[kimber45]

I had to get the 2" bars from harley and they work great but there is a lot of people that have had to change them for more comfort so I would suggest if you see anyone on a tri glide and there is a lot of them out there check with them and ask to set on it and try it out,and as was said you have to change the cables and Harley parts person will set you up with what you need

I put the 2" Harley bars on and did not have to change any cables. Plenty of slack in all cables and wiring. My dealer said I would have to change all of them also, so much for spending money i didn't have too.

 

[patriot]

Hey Don, it was worth having someone else take apart the switches cause I had to do that when I installed the new chrome switch housings. what a nightmare. Jim

Good idea. Thanks.

So much help and discussion. It helps make the decision on the swap-out.

 

[Sloufoot]

I had to get the 2" bars from harley and they work great but there is a lot of people that have had to change them for more comfort so I would suggest if you see anyone on a tri glide and there is a lot of them out there check with them and ask to set on it and try it out,and as was said you have to change the cables and Harley parts person will set you up with what you need

I just installed a set of 2" pull back bars on my TG, & did,'t have to change anything but the bars either............Someone is just trying to sell parts ! And it looks like it works.........!
:Trike1: