Harley Ape Hanger Handlebars

Ape hangers are tall handlebars that raise the grips to shoulder height or above, so your arms reach up and out. On a Harley-Davidson they change the whole riding stance: hands high, shoulders back, chest open. Rise is measured from the base of the bar (where it clamps into the risers) to the centre of the grip, and anything from roughly 10 inches up is generally called an ape hanger. Shorter versions, 6 to 9 inches, are usually called mini apes.

Three numbers matter. Rise: vertical distance from the bottom of the bar to the centre of the grip. Width: total end-to-end width of the bar. Pullback: how far the grips sit back towards the rider from the clamp area. You also need the mount (clamp) diameter, 1 inch (25.4 mm) or 1.25 inch (32 mm) on Harley-Davidson, and the bar diameter of the main tube, which we build in 1.25 inch (32 mm), 1.5 inch (38 mm), 1.66 inch (42 mm) or 2 inch (50.8 mm) depending on the model. The grip section itself is always 1 inch (25.4 mm) so stock grips and controls fit. We build every bar to those numbers, so if you have measured your current bars you can hand us the spec directly.

Up to around 12 to 14 inches of rise most riders find apes very comfortable on longer runs: your back straightens up and your weight comes off your wrists. Above that it becomes a stance choice more than an ergonomic one, and arm fatigue depends on how much pullback you run. More pullback brings the grips back towards you and keeps your elbows bent, which is why we let you set rise and pullback independently rather than selling a single fixed shape.

It depends where you ride. Many European countries and US states set a limit on how high your hands can sit, commonly at or below shoulder height when seated normally. Because we build to your measurements, you can spec a rise that keeps you inside your local limit rather than trimming a stock bar to fit. Check your national or state rule before you order, and tell us the rise you need.

Usually yes, once you go beyond a few inches over stock. As a rough guide, add roughly the difference in rise plus the change in pullback to your existing cable, wiring and brake-line lengths, then add a little slack for full lock-to-lock steering. Tell us your bike model and year and the rise you are after and we will tell you what to expect. Our bars are drilled for internal wiring on request.

Every bar is made to order for a specific model and year, so fitment is set when you order rather than being a one-size-fits-all part. Pick your bike in the garage selector and the range filters to what fits. If your bike is not listed, send us a sketch or your measurements and we will build to it. All parts carry our fit guarantee.