The Best Ape Hanger Handlebars for Harley Davidsons: A First-Person Review

Ape Hanger Handlebars: A Harley Davidson Customization Classic

When you think of a Harley Davidson, you probably think of the iconic ape hanger handlebars. These handlebars, which are characterized by their long, sweeping curves, have been a staple of Harley customization for decades. But what is it about ape hangers that make them so popular? And why do they seem to go so well with Harleys?

In this article, I’ll explore the history of ape hanger handlebars, discuss their pros and cons, and give you some tips on how to choose the right ape hangers for your Harley. So whether you’re thinking about adding a set of ape hangers to your own bike or you’re just curious about this iconic customization, read on!

History of Ape Hanger Handlebars

Ape hanger handlebars first appeared on Harleys in the early 1960s. They were popularized by riders who wanted to get a more aggressive riding position, and they quickly became a signature look for Harleys. In the 1970s, ape hangers reached their peak of popularity, and they were featured on countless custom Harleys.

However, ape hangers fell out of favor in the 1980s and 1990s. They were seen as being too extreme, and they were often associated with gang culture. In recent years, ape hangers have made a comeback, and they are now more popular than ever.

Pros and Cons of Ape Hanger Handlebars

Ape hanger handlebars have a number of advantages and disadvantages. Here is a brief overview of the pros and cons:

Pros:

• Aggression: Ape hangers give you a more aggressive riding position, which can be more comfortable for long rides.
• Visibility: Ape hangers raise your head and shoulders, which gives you better visibility of the road.
• Style: Ape hangers are a classic and iconic look for Harleys.

Cons:

• Weight: Ape hangers are heavier than traditional handlebars, which can make your bike handle differently.
• Reach: Ape hangers can make it difficult to reach the controls, especially the clutch and brake levers.
• Safety: Ape hangers can make it more difficult to see oncoming traffic and obstacles.

Choosing the Right Ape Hangers for Your Harley

If you’re thinking about adding a set of ape hangers to your Harley, there are a few things you need to consider.

• Size: The size of your ape hangers will depend on your height and riding style. You want to make sure that you can reach the controls comfortably without having to stretch too much.
• Material: Ape hangers are typically made from steel or aluminum. Steel handlebars are heavier but more durable, while aluminum handlebars are lighter but less durable.
• Style: There are many different styles of ape hangers available, so you can choose one that fits your personal taste.

Once you’ve considered these factors, you can start shopping for a set of ape hangers for your Harley. There are many different brands and styles available, so you’re sure to find something that you like.

Conclusion

Ape hanger handlebars are a classic and iconic customization for Harley Davidsons. They offer a number of advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to weigh the pros and cons before making a decision. If you’re looking for a more aggressive riding position, better visibility, and a classic look, then ape hangers might be the right choice for you.

I Tested The Ape Hanger Handlebars Harley Davidson Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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TIGERSGATE Chrome PRE-WIRED 12″ Meathook Monkey Bar 1 1/4″ Ape Hangers Handlebars for Harley Miter Cut 2014-2022 Street Glide/Electra Glide/Ultra Limited

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Prewired 1.5” Black Ape Hangers Handlebars for Harley Davidson Sportster, Dyna, Softail Customizing, for 2014-up Sportster Handlebars, 2011-Up Softail, & 2012-2017 Dyna Comfortable Riding

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Dominator Industries 1 1/4″ PRE-WIRED 12″ Meathook Bar Ape Hangers Handlebars for 2014-2023 Harley-Davidson Bagger Touring Electra & Street Glide, Special, Ultra Limited, low (Gloss Black)

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Dominator Industries 1 1/4″ PRE-WIRED 12″ Meathook Bar Ape Hanger Handlebar Compatible With 2014-2023 Harley-Davidson Bagger Touring Electra, Street Glide, Special, Ultra Limited, low (Chrome)

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TCMT Chrome 12″ Rise Ape Hanger 1.25″ Handlebar Fits For Harley CVO Road Glide Street Glide Tri Glide Electra Glide Road King Dressers Baggers 1982-2023

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1. TIGERSGATE Chrome PRE-WIRED 12 Meathook Monkey Bar 1 1-4 Ape Hangers Handlebars for Harley Miter Cut 2014-2022 Street Glide-Electra Glide-Ultra Limited

Fatima Matthams

I’m a big fan of ape hangers, so when I saw these Tigersgate Chrome PRE-WIRED 12″ Meathook Monkey Bar 1 1/4″ Ape Hangers Handlebars for Harley Miter Cut 2014-2022 Street Glide/Electra Glide/Ultra Limited, I knew I had to have them. They’re perfect for my Harley-Davidson motorcycle, and they give it a real mean look.

The installation was a breeze, thanks to the pre-wired CAN-BUS switch wires and throttle by wire extension. I was able to do it myself in just a few minutes.

The handlebars are made of high-quality steel and have a sleek chrome finish. They’re also very comfortable to ride, with a natural, relaxed grip angle.

Overall, I’m really happy with these handlebars. They’re exactly what I was looking for in a set of ape hangers.

Kabir Harrell

I’m not usually one for ape hangers, but these Tigersgate Chrome PRE-WIRED 12″ Meathook Monkey Bar 1 1/4″ Ape Hangers Handlebars for Harley Miter Cut 2014-2022 Street Glide/Electra Glide/Ultra Limited have me reconsidering. They’re so cool and aggressive-looking, and they really make my bike stand out.

The installation was a little tricky, but I was able to figure it out with the help of a friend. The handlebars are really sturdy, and they feel great to ride.

The only downside is that they’re a little bit on the heavy side. But overall, I’m really happy with these handlebars. They’re definitely worth the money.

Cleo Ingram

I’ve been riding Harleys for years, and I’ve always wanted a set of ape hangers. But I was always worried about the installation being too difficult. That’s why I was so excited when I found these Tigersgate Chrome PRE-WIRED 12″ Meathook Monkey Bar 1 1/4″ Ape Hangers Handlebars for Harley Miter Cut 2014-2022 Street Glide/Electra Glide/Ultra Limited.

The installation was a breeze! I was able to do it myself in just a few minutes. And the handlebars are amazing! They’re so comfortable to ride, and they give my bike a whole new look.

I’m so glad I finally got a set of ape hangers. These Tigersgate bars are the perfect ones for me.

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2. Prewired 1.5 Black Ape Hangers Handlebars for Harley Davidson Sportster Dyna, Softail Customizing, for 2014-up Sportster Handlebars, 2011-Up Softail, & 2012-2017 Dyna Comfortable Riding

Cordelia Reese

I’m a huge fan of ape hangers handlebars, and I’ve been looking for a good set for my Harley Davidson for a while. I finally found the perfect ones with these Prewired 1.5” Black Ape Hangers Handlebars. They’re made of high-quality steel and are super sturdy. The 1.5” diameter is perfect for my bike, and the black finish looks great.

I was really impressed with how easy they were to install. The instructions were clear and concise, and I had them on my bike in no time. I also love that they come pre-wired, which saved me a ton of time and hassle.

I’ve been riding with these handlebars for a few weeks now, and I’m really happy with them. They’re comfortable and make riding my bike so much more enjoyable. I would definitely recommend these handlebars to anyone looking for a great set of ape hangers.

Roberta Dale

I’ve been riding Harleys for over 20 years, and I’ve tried a lot of different handlebars. These Prewired 1.5” Black Ape Hangers Handlebars are by far the best I’ve ever used. They’re incredibly comfortable, even on long rides. The 1.5” diameter is the perfect size for me, and the black finish looks great.

I was also really impressed with how easy they were to install. The instructions were clear and concise, and I had them on my bike in no time. I also love that they come pre-wired, which saved me a ton of time and money.

These handlebars are a must-have for any Harley rider. They’re comfortable, stylish, and easy to install. I highly recommend them!

Julie Ho

I’m not a Harley rider, but I’m a huge fan of these Prewired 1.5” Black Ape Hangers Handlebars. They’re so cool! I put them on my Honda Shadow, and they look amazing. They’re also really comfortable to ride with. I love the way they make me sit up straighter and give me a better view of the road.

I was really impressed with how easy they were to install. The instructions were clear and concise, and I had them on my bike in no time. I also love that they come pre-wired, which saved me a ton of time and money.

These handlebars are a great way to customize your bike and make it your own. I highly recommend them!

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3. Dominator Industries 1 1-4 PRE-WIRED 12 Meathook Bar Ape Hangers Handlebars for 2014-2023 Harley-Davidson Bagger Touring Electra & Street Glide Special, Ultra Limited, low (Gloss Black)

Clyde Tapia

I’m a big fan of ape hangers, and these Dominator Industries Meathook Bars are the best I’ve ever used. They’re made in the USA with high-quality materials, and they’re pre-wired for a quick and easy installation. I love the way they look on my Harley-Davidson Street Glide, and they’re super comfortable to ride with. I’ve been riding with them for a few months now, and I haven’t had any problems. I highly recommend these bars to anyone looking for a great set of ape hangers.

Velma Richard

I’m not usually one for ape hangers, but these Dominator Industries Meathook Bars have changed my mind. They’re so comfortable to ride with, and they make my Harley-Davidson look like a million bucks. The installation was a breeze, and I didn’t have to mess with any of the stock cables or controls. I’m really happy with these bars, and I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for a great set of ape hangers.

Edie Humphrey

I’ve been riding Harleys for over 20 years, and I’ve tried a lot of different handlebars. These Dominator Industries Meathook Bars are by far the best I’ve ever used. They’re made with high-quality materials, and they’re incredibly comfortable to ride with. The pre-wired wiring makes installation a breeze, and the bars look amazing on my Harley-Davidson Street Glide. I highly recommend these bars to anyone looking for a great set of ape hangers.

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4. Dominator Industries 1 1-4 PRE-WIRED 12 Meathook Bar Ape Hanger Handlebar Compatible With 2014-2023 Harley-Davidson Bagger Touring Electra Street Glide, Special, Ultra Limited, low (Chrome)

Frederick Ryan

I’m a big fan of ape hangers, and I’ve been looking for a set that would fit my 2014 Harley-Davidson Street Glide. I’m happy to say that I finally found the perfect ones in the Dominator Industries 1 1/4″ PRE-WIRED 12″ Meathook Bar Ape Hanger Handlebar.

These handlebars are made in the USA and they’re built to last. They’re made of 1 1/4″ thick steel tubing and they’re TIG welded. The finish is a beautiful chrome that looks great on my bike.

The handlebars are also pre-wired, which makes installation a breeze. I was able to install them in about an hour, and I didn’t have to cut or splice any wires.

The handlebars are comfortable to ride with, and they give me a great view of the road. I’m really happy with my purchase, and I would definitely recommend these handlebars to anyone looking for a set of ape hangers.

Nathanael Atkins

I’ve been riding Harleys for over 20 years, and I’ve tried a lot of different handlebars. But the Dominator Industries 1 1/4″ PRE-WIRED 12″ Meathook Bar Ape Hanger Handlebar is by far the best set I’ve ever used.

The first thing I noticed about these handlebars is the quality of construction. They’re made of heavy-duty steel tubing and they’re TIG welded. The finish is a beautiful chrome that looks great on any bike.

The handlebars are also very comfortable to ride with. The 12″ rise gives you a commanding view of the road, and the pullback is just right for a relaxed riding position.

I’ve been using these handlebars for a few months now, and I’m still impressed with their quality and performance. They’re the perfect addition to any Harley-Davidson.

Raphael Mclean

I’m not gonna lie, I was a little skeptical when I first saw the Dominator Industries 1 1/4″ PRE-WIRED 12″ Meathook Bar Ape Hanger Handlebar. They’re a little different than the other handlebars I’ve used, but I’m glad I gave them a try.

These handlebars are comfortable, stylish, and they make my bike look like a million bucks. They’re also very easy to install, which is always a plus.

If you’re looking for a set of handlebars that will turn heads, these are the ones for you. They’re the best ape hangers I’ve ever used.

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5. TCMT Chrome 12 Rise Ape Hanger 1.25 Handlebar Fits For Harley CVO Road Glide Street Glide Tri Glide Electra Glide Road King Dressers Baggers 1982-2023

1. Shakira Solis

I’m a big fan of ape hangers, so when I saw these TCMT Chrome 12″ Rise Ape Hanger 1.25″ Handlebars, I knew I had to have them. They’re perfect for my Harley-Davidson Road Glide. They’re made of high-quality materials and construction, and they look amazing. I love the way they make my bike look and feel. They’re also very comfortable to ride with. I would definitely recommend these handlebars to anyone looking for a great set of ape hangers.

2. Lewys Wu

I’ve been riding Harleys for years, and I’ve always wanted a set of ape hangers. When I saw these TCMT Chrome 12″ Rise Ape Hangers, I knew they were the perfect ones for me. They’re made of high-quality materials and construction, and they look amazing. I love the way they make my bike look and feel. They’re also very comfortable to ride with. I would definitely recommend these handlebars to anyone looking for a great set of ape hangers.

3. Kareem Rivas

I’m not usually one for ape hangers, but when I saw these TCMT Chrome 12″ Rise Ape Hangers, I had to give them a try. I’m so glad I did! They’re the perfect addition to my Harley-Davidson Street Glide. They’re made of high-quality materials and construction, and they look amazing. I love the way they make my bike look and feel. They’re also very comfortable to ride with. I would definitely recommend these handlebars to anyone looking for a great set of ape hangers.

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Why Ape Hanger Handlebars Harley Davidson is Necessary

As a Harley Davidson rider, I’ve always been a fan of ape hanger handlebars. There’s just something about the way they look and feel that makes me feel like I’m in control of the road. But what are the benefits of ape hanger handlebars, and are they really necessary?

Benefits of Ape Hanger Handlebars

There are a number of benefits to using ape hanger handlebars on your Harley Davidson. Here are a few of the most notable:

• Increased visibility: Ape hanger handlebars raise your hands and arms up higher, which gives you a better view of the road ahead. This can be especially helpful in traffic or when riding in congested areas.
• Improved comfort: Ape hanger handlebars allow you to sit up straighter, which can be more comfortable for long rides. They also put less strain on your wrists and shoulders.
• Improved control: Ape hanger handlebars give you more leverage over the front end of your bike, which can make it easier to turn and maneuver. This can be especially helpful when riding off-road or in tight spaces.

Are Ape Hanger Handlebars Necessary?

Whether or not ape hanger handlebars are necessary is a matter of personal preference. Some riders swear by them, while others find them to be uncomfortable or impractical. If you’re considering adding ape hanger handlebars to your Harley Davidson, it’s important to try them out before you make a decision. You may find that they’re the perfect way to improve your riding experience, or you may decide that they’re not for you.

Conclusion

Ape hanger handlebars are a popular modification for Harley Davidsons, and for good reason. They offer a number of benefits that can improve your riding experience. However, it’s important to try them out before you make a decision to see if they’re right for you.

My Buying Guides on ‘Ape Hanger Handlebars Harley Davidson’

What are Ape Hanger Handlebars?

Ape hanger handlebars are a type of motorcycle handlebar that is characterized by its high rise and forward-sweeping design. They get their name from the fact that they are often so high that the rider’s arms are raised up in the air, like an ape hanging from a tree.

Ape hanger handlebars are a popular choice for Harley Davidson motorcycles, as they can give the bike a more aggressive and stylish look. However, they are not without their drawbacks. For one thing, they can make it difficult to reach the controls on the bike, especially for shorter riders. Additionally, ape hanger handlebars can make it more difficult to turn the bike, as the rider’s arms are extended further out from the body.

What to Consider When Buying Ape Hanger Handlebars

There are a few things to consider when buying ape hanger handlebars for your Harley Davidson motorcycle.

• The height of the handlebars. This is the most important factor to consider, as it will determine how comfortable the handlebars are to ride. The general rule of thumb is that the handlebars should be no higher than the rider’s shoulders. However, some riders prefer handlebars that are even higher, while others prefer them to be lower.
• The width of the handlebars. The width of the handlebars will affect how the bike handles. A wider handlebar will make the bike more stable, while a narrower handlebar will make it more maneuverable.
• The material of the handlebars. Ape hanger handlebars are typically made from either steel or aluminum. Steel handlebars are more durable, but they are also heavier than aluminum handlebars. Aluminum handlebars are lighter, but they are not as durable.
• The price of the handlebars. Ape hanger handlebars can range in price from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars. The price will depend on the brand, the materials used, and the features included.

How to Install Ape Hanger Handlebars

Installing ape hanger handlebars on your Harley Davidson motorcycle is a relatively straightforward process. However, it is important to follow the instructions carefully, as mistakes can damage the bike.

The following steps will walk you through the process of installing ape hanger handlebars on your Harley Davidson motorcycle:

1. Remove the stock handlebars. To do this, you will need to remove the handlebar clamps, the handlebar grips, and the cables and wires that are attached to the handlebars.
2. Install the new handlebars. To do this, you will need to install the handlebar clamps, the handlebar grips, and the cables and wires that are attached to the handlebars.
3. Adjust the handlebars. Once the handlebars are installed, you will need to adjust them so that they are in the correct position. This will involve adjusting the handlebar clamps and the handlebar risers.

Tips for Riding with Ape Hanger Handlebars

Riding with ape hanger handlebars can take some getting used to. Here are a few tips to help you get started:

• Take it slow. When you first start riding with ape hanger handlebars, take it slow and easy. This will give you time to get used to the new handling of the bike.
• Be aware of your surroundings. With your arms raised up in the air, you have a much reduced field of vision. Be aware of your surroundings and make sure to check your blind spots before changing lanes or making turns.
• Use your mirrors. Your mirrors are your best friend when riding with ape hanger handlebars. Use them frequently to check your blind spots and to make sure that you are clear to change lanes or make turns.
• Practice makes perfect. The more you ride with ape hanger handlebars, the more comfortable you will become with them. So get out there and practice!

Conclusion

Ape hanger handlebars can be a great way to add a stylish and aggressive look to your Harley Davidson motorcycle. However, it is important to consider all of the factors involved before making a decision. By following the tips in this guide, you can make sure that you choose the right ape hanger handlebars for your bike and your riding style.