I have mine set very slightly forward from the line of the front forks. It depends on the bike and the reach of the rider as well, and honestly thier is a certain "cool factor" withe the look of the bars pushed farther forward. I ride a V2K, and given the length of the bike, their is no way I could push my bars that far forward and still retain a comfortable position. But again, every rider and bike combination is different.

 

I have mine slightly forward as well, but that just becuase that were my hands go when riding.

When I go on long trips I have a backrest in the form of my travel bag and I will loosen up the bolts and then move the bars back since I lean back a little. Around town though I sit more straight.

although I've some guys that are completely stretched out and leaning forward and that just looks painfull.

 

Looking at that shot, I'd say one reason would be to save $$ on longer cables!
The farther you rolled them back towards you, seems the cables would bind up.

 

Mine are slightly forward of the fork line. I have found that apes have quite a bit more room for adjustment according to the taste of the rider.

 

Mine will be forward when I get mine next week. I personally think it looks better with them forward, especially when the rider is holding on to them.

 

i have a 38 inch sleeve (according to Men's Warehouse) and i still think the apes would be uncomfortable, and i'm built more like an ape than most of you guys. like a spider monkey. or a gibbon.

but i'm not really ready to try it out on the road. it doesn't visually appeal to me, and my back isn't bad enough to put up with the buffetting just to straighten out.

my best friend looks like a gorilla.

 

Back in the day you didn't have apes unless your wrists hung above your shoulders. Anything below that were just called high handel bars.

 

I was curious and even found an offical definition:

Apes or Ape Hangers - 1. Handlebars that are very high, and which often raise the rider's hands above his or her shoulders. High handlebars so Biker's hands are at or above their shoulder height.. Refers to a handlebar style where the handgrips are located at a higher position, so as to enable the rider's arms to "hang" Picture "Clyde" from "Every Which Way but Loose" and you'll get a perfect understanding of the riding position. 2. Very high handlebars. Usually found on choppers. 3. A term coined at the height of the custom-bike movement to describe tall handlebars that forced the rider to reach skyward to graps the controls, making the rider adopt an ape-like posture.

 

I know I've seen that bike on the forum before. I especially remember the bag being positioned there.

 

Bar position is a matter of comfort and appearance.
Most people tend to run them forward. Very few have them lined up with the forks unless forced to by a shield or fairing... and there are even "bagger apes" available that have an extra pair of bends that kick the bars back at the base so they can clear a fairing or shield but still look like they're standing straight up.

The only time you see people running them laid back is generally after they've been ticketed and are on their way out of the state or waiting for lower bars to arrive.

 

I just ordered 12" apes and would like to see a pic of some on a bike. Can someone show me their pic with 12" apes installed please?

 

I was curious and even found an offical definition:

Apes or Ape Hangers - 1. Handlebars that are very high, and which often raise the rider's hands above his or her shoulders. High handlebars so Biker's hands are at or above their shoulder height.. Refers to a handlebar style where the handgrips are located at a higher position, so as to enable the rider's arms to "hang" Picture "Clyde" from "Every Which Way but Loose" and you'll get a perfect understanding of the riding position. 2. Very high handlebars. Usually found on choppers. 3. A term coined at the height of the custom-bike movement to describe tall handlebars that forced the rider to reach skyward to graps the controls, making the rider adopt an ape-like posture.

thats why anything lower than shoulder height is usually call a mini-ape.

 

I have mine pulled toward me. I also have Phat II risers on them. That brings the bars closer to me than some people might be comfortable with, but it works really well for me. I've gotten rid of all my upper arm pain since I made this change. Of course, my bars are only 12", but the risers add several more inches to the height.

 

Could you post a pic

 

My 14" Chubby's are pretty much in line with the forks because that's where they're most comfortable to me. I don't really care for the vertical look much but mine aren't set for looks, they're set for max comfort. 8)

 

I have mine positioned forward for style reasons along with the stance it gives me when I am riding it.

 

thats why anything lower than shoulder height is usually call a mini-ape.

Hmm, then I have some 16" minis... sweet.

 

Mine are set in line with the forks. More for comfort than anything else. I personally don't care for the look of them when they are forward of the forks but I also have a windshield. I have 9in mini apes with 5.5in Phat11's

 

I have mine positioned forward for style reasons along with the stance it gives me when I am riding it.

Your bike is on my Top 10 of FAVORITE bikes ever made and designed. Can you make me one? LoL :wink:

 

I recently went from 12's to 16's and I've had them in every way possible and each settin really has its own use I think. Like being forward is ok for around town and sittin upright on the bike. And bein back is good for highway and travel with a passenger that u can lean up against. I personally go more for the being str8 up with the forks or even more back, kinda like i'm layin down in the saddle, probably not safe but its comfy...lol

 

I test fitted mine and I like them straight up with the forks.....then forward a little. They will be on for good by spring (I hope).

 

That's a tuff looking bike.

My 14" Chubby's are pretty much in line with the forks because that's where they're most comfortable to me. I don't really care for the vertical look much but mine aren't set for looks, they're set for max comfort. 8)

 

A bit forward, for looks and feel.

 

I just ordered 12" apes and would like to see a pic of some on a bike. Can someone show me their pic with 12" apes installed please?

12.5" Minis.

YES My cables are tight and YES I completely messed up my clutch cable because I was too lazy to get a longer one, but I learned my lesson :lol:

 

I have mine positioned forward for style reasons along with the stance it gives me when I am riding it.

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I gotta go w/Fl Vulcan Rider here. I'm not usually big on the forward apes but that is one hot lookin scoot right there! Purdy work!! 8) 8)