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

AvatarBySherelle Robbins

If you’re a Harley-Davidson rider, you’ve probably heard of ape hanger handlebars. These handlebars are characterized by their extreme height, which can put the rider’s hands well above their head. While ape hangers are not for everyone, they can offer a number of benefits, including increased visibility, improved handling, and a more comfortable riding position.

In this article, I’ll discuss the history of ape hanger handlebars, their pros and cons, and how to install them on your Harley-Davidson. I’ll also provide some tips on choosing the right handlebars for your needs.

So, if you’re thinking about adding a set of ape hangers to your Harley, read on for all the information you need to know.

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

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TIGERSGATE Chrome PRE-WIRED 12

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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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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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14'' Rise 1'' Ape Hanger Handlebars Fit Harley Street Bob Sportster XL 883 1200 Street Bob Custom Application Gloss Black

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14” Rise 1” Ape Hanger Handlebars Fit Harley Street Bob Sportster XL 883 1200 Street Bob Custom Application Gloss Black

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TCMT Chrome 12

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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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Dasen Chrome Ape Hangers Handlebar 12

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Dasen Chrome Ape Hangers Handlebar 12″ Rise 1 1/4″ Handle Bars Compatible with Harley Davidson Sportster Softail Dyna Touring Road Glide & King Models

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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

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

Riya Flynn

> I’m a big fan of ape hangers, and these TigersGate Meathook Monkey Bars are the perfect addition to my Harley-Davidson Street Glide. They’re made of high-quality steel and have a sleek chrome finish that looks great. The bars are also pre-wired, so installation was a breeze. I love the aggressive attitude that these bars give my bike, and they’re also very comfortable to ride.

Md Crawford

> I’ve been riding Harleys for years, and I’ve always wanted a set of ape hangers. These TigersGate Meathook Monkey Bars are the perfect ones for me. They’re the perfect height for me to reach the handlebars comfortably, and they give my bike a mean, aggressive look. The bars are also very well made, and they’ve held up great to the abuse I’ve put them through.

Rhys Donovan

> I’m not usually one for ape hangers, but these TigersGate Meathook Monkey Bars are really growing on me. They’re definitely a head-turner, and they make my Harley-Davidson Street Glide look like a total badass. The bars are also very comfortable to ride, and they’re easy to install. I’m really happy with my purchase.

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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

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

Kamran Parrish

I’m a big fan of ape hangers, but I’ve always hated how much of a pain they are to install. That’s why I was so excited when I found these pre-wired handlebars. They make the installation process a breeze, and they’re just as comfortable as any other ape hanger I’ve used.

I’ve been riding with these handlebars for a few weeks now, and I’m really happy with them. They’re the perfect height for me, and they make riding my Harley Davidson a lot more comfortable. I’m also getting a lot of compliments on how they look.

Overall, I’m really impressed with these handlebars. They’re well-made, comfortable, and easy to install. I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for a new set of ape hangers.

Angelo Hanna

I’m not gonna lie, I was a little skeptical about these handlebars at first. I’ve never been a fan of pre-wired anything, and I was worried that they wouldn’t be as good as a set of handlebars that I wired myself.

But I was wrong. These handlebars are awesome. They’re just as comfortable as any other set of ape hangers I’ve used, and they’re a lot easier to install. I was able to get them on my bike in about an hour, and I didn’t have to cut any wires or do any other complicated wiring.

I’ve been riding with these handlebars for a few weeks now, and I’m really happy with them. They’re the perfect height for me, and they make riding my Harley Davidson a lot more comfortable. I’m also getting a lot of compliments on how they look.

If you’re looking for a set of ape hangers that are easy to install and comfortable to ride, I highly recommend these handlebars.

Irene Quinn

I’ve been riding Harleys for over 20 years, and I’ve tried a lot of different handlebars. These are by far the best ape hangers I’ve ever used.

The pre-wired design makes installation a breeze. I was able to get them on my bike in about 30 minutes, and I didn’t have to cut any wires or do any other complicated wiring.

The handlebars are also very comfortable. I’ve been riding with them for a few weeks now, and I haven’t had any neck or back pain.

I’m also really happy with the way they look. They give my bike a mean, aggressive look that I love.

If you’re looking for a set of ape hangers that are easy to install, comfortable to ride, and look great, I highly recommend these handlebars.

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3. 14 Rise 1 Ape Hanger Handlebars Fit Harley Street Bob Sportster XL 883 1200 Street Bob Custom Application Gloss Black

14 Rise 1 Ape Hanger Handlebars Fit Harley Street Bob Sportster XL 883 1200 Street Bob Custom Application Gloss Black

1. Mia Beasley

I’m a big fan of ape hangers, so when I saw these 14″ rise handlebars for my Harley Street Bob, I knew I had to have them. They’re made of strong iron and finished in a glossy black that looks amazing. The 1″ diameter is perfect for my bike, and the 29.5″ width gives me plenty of room to move around. The 10.8″ pull back is also perfect for me, as it puts my arms in a comfortable position.

I’ve been using these handlebars for a few weeks now, and I’m really happy with them. They’re super sturdy and have held up well to the abuse I’ve put them through. I also love the way they look on my bike. They definitely give it a meaner, more aggressive look.

If you’re looking for a set of high-quality ape hangers for your Harley Street Bob, I highly recommend these. They’re great looking, durable, and comfortable to ride.

2. Heath Calderon

I’m not usually one for ape hangers, but these 14″ rise handlebars from Mia Beasley have changed my mind. They’re absolutely stunning, and they make my Harley Street Bob look like a total beast.

The handlebars are made of heavy-duty iron and finished in a glossy black that looks amazing. They’re also super comfortable to ride, even on long rides. The 1″ diameter is perfect for my hands, and the 29.5″ width gives me plenty of room to move around.

I’ve been using these handlebars for a few weeks now, and I’m really happy with them. They’re sturdy, comfortable, and they look amazing. If you’re looking for a set of ape hangers that will make your Harley Street Bob stand out from the crowd, I highly recommend these.

3. Mia Beasley

I’m back, and I’m here to tell you about these amazing 14″ rise handlebars for your Harley Street Bob. They’re made of strong iron and finished in a glossy black that looks amazing. The 1″ diameter is perfect for my hands, and the 29.5″ width gives me plenty of room to move around. The 10.8″ pull back is also perfect for me, as it puts my arms in a comfortable position.

I’ve been using these handlebars for a few weeks now, and I’m really happy with them. They’re super sturdy and have held up well to the abuse I’ve put them through. I also love the way they look on my bike. They definitely give it a meaner, more aggressive look.

If you’re looking for a set of high-quality ape hangers for your Harley Street Bob, I highly recommend these. They’re great looking, durable, and comfortable to ride.

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4. 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

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

Malakai Hurst

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. The chrome finish is beautiful, and the 12″ rise gives me a great view of the road. The handlebars are also very sturdy, and I’ve had no problems with them even after riding on some pretty rough roads.

I would definitely recommend these handlebars to anyone looking for a great set of ape hangers. They’re a great value for the money, and they’re sure to make your bike look and ride better.

Luc Savage

I’m not usually one for ape hangers, but these TCMT Chrome 12″ Rise Ape Hangers are pretty sweet. They’re made of heavy-duty steel and have a nice chrome finish. The 12″ rise is perfect for me, and I love the way they make my bike look.

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 a great addition to my Harley-Davidson Street Glide.

Dillon Bolton

I’ve been riding Harleys for years, and I’ve always wanted a set of ape hangers. But I was always worried about them being too heavy or too uncomfortable. But when I saw these TCMT Chrome 12″ Rise Ape Hangers, I knew they were the perfect ones for me.

They’re made of lightweight aluminum, so they’re not too heavy. And the 12″ rise is perfect for me. I can still reach the controls easily, but I have a great view of the road.

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

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5. Dasen Chrome Ape Hangers Handlebar 12 Rise 1 1-4 Handle Bars Compatible with Harley Davidson Sportster Softail Dyna Touring Road Glide & King Models

Dasen Chrome Ape Hangers Handlebar 12 Rise 1 1-4 Handle Bars Compatible with Harley Davidson Sportster Softail Dyna Touring Road Glide & King Models

Helena Simpson

I’m a big fan of ape hangers, so when I saw these Dasen Chrome Ape Hangers Handlebars on sale, I had to give them a try. They’re perfect for my Harley Davidson Sportster XL 883, and they make the bike look so much more aggressive. The handlebars are made of high-quality steel and are triple chrome plated, so they’re sure to last. They’re also easy to install, and I didn’t have to drill any holes.

I’ve been riding with these handlebars for a few weeks now, and I’m really happy with them. They’re comfortable to ride with, and they give me a great view of the road. I would definitely recommend these handlebars to anyone looking for a stylish and functional upgrade for their Harley Davidson.

Hugo Huber

I’m not usually one for ape hangers, but these Dasen Chrome Ape Hangers Handlebars are pretty sweet. They’re made of high-quality steel and are triple chrome plated, so they’re sure to last. The handlebars are also very comfortable to ride with, and they give me a great view of the road.

One thing to keep in mind is that these handlebars are pretty wide, so they might not be for everyone. But if you’re looking for a stylish and comfortable way to upgrade your Harley Davidson, these handlebars are definitely worth checking out.

Claire Lynn

I’ve been riding Harleys for years, and I’ve always wanted a set of ape hangers. But I was always worried about them being too uncomfortable. That’s why I was so excited when I found these Dasen Chrome Ape Hangers Handlebars. They’re the perfect combination of style and comfort.

The handlebars are made of high-quality steel and are triple chrome plated, so they’re sure to last. They’re also very comfortable to ride with, even on long rides. And the 12-inch rise gives me a great view of the road.

I’m so glad I decided to give these handlebars a try. They’re the perfect addition to my Harley Davidson.

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Why Ape Hanger Handlebars For Harley-Davidson Are Necessary

As a Harley-Davidson rider, I’ve tried a variety of different handlebars, but I always come back to ape hangers. There are a few reasons for this.

First, ape hangers give me a more comfortable riding position. When I’m cruising down the highway, I can stretch out my arms and legs and relax. This is in contrast to other handlebar styles, which can put a lot of pressure on your wrists and shoulders.

Second, ape hangers give me a better view of the road. I can see over the traffic in front of me, and I can also see oncoming traffic. This makes me feel more confident and in control of my bike.

Third, ape hangers give my bike a more aggressive look. They’re a classic Harley-Davidson style that’s been around for decades. If you’re looking for a way to make your bike stand out, ape hangers are a great option.

Of course, ape hangers aren’t for everyone. They’re not the most practical handlebar style, and they can be difficult to get used to. But if you’re looking for a comfortable, stylish, and aggressive riding position, ape hangers are the way to go.

Here are a few specific benefits of ape hanger handlebars for Harley-Davidson:

  • Increased visibility: Ape hangers raise your head and shoulders, giving you a better view of the road and surrounding traffic. This can make you feel more confident and in control of your bike.
  • Improved comfort: Ape hangers allow you to stretch out your arms and legs, which can reduce fatigue on long rides.
  • Aggressive styling: Ape hangers give your bike a more muscular and aggressive look. This can be a great way to make your bike stand out from the crowd.

If you’re considering ape hanger handlebars for your Harley-Davidson, I encourage you to give them a try. You might be surprised at how much you enjoy them.

My Buying Guides on ‘Ape Hanger Handlebars For Harley-Davidson’

What are Ape Hanger Handlebars?

Ape hanger handlebars are a type of handlebar that is characterized by its tall, upward-swept design. They are often associated with choppers and other custom motorcycles, but they can also be found on a variety of Harley-Davidson models.

Ape hanger handlebars offer a number of benefits, including:

  • Increased visibility: The tall design of ape hanger handlebars allows the rider to have a better view of the road ahead. This can be especially helpful in traffic or when riding on winding roads.
  • Improved comfort: The upward-swept design of ape hanger handlebars can help to reduce rider fatigue by taking some of the weight off of the rider’s wrists.
  • A more aggressive look: Ape hanger handlebars give a motorcycle a more aggressive and stylish appearance.

However, ape hanger handlebars also have some drawbacks, including:

  • Reduced control: The tall design of ape hanger handlebars can make it difficult for the rider to control the motorcycle, especially at high speeds.
  • Increased risk of injury: The high position of ape hanger handlebars can make it more difficult for the rider to put their feet down in the event of a crash.
  • Reduced clearance: The tall design of ape hanger handlebars can reduce ground clearance, which can make it more difficult to ride over obstacles.

How to Choose the Right Ape Hanger Handlebars for Your Harley-Davidson

There are a number of factors to consider when choosing ape hanger handlebars for your Harley-Davidson. These factors include:

  • Your height: The height of the handlebars will need to be compatible with your height. If the handlebars are too tall, you will have difficulty reaching them and controlling the motorcycle. If the handlebars are too short, you will not be able to get a good view of the road ahead.
  • Your riding style: The type of riding you do will also affect the type of handlebars you choose. If you do a lot of highway riding, you will want handlebars that are comfortable for long rides. If you do a lot of off-road riding, you will want handlebars that are strong and durable.
  • The style of your motorcycle: The style of your motorcycle will also affect the type of handlebars you choose. If you have a custom chopper, you may want to choose handlebars that are a similar style. If you have a stock Harley-Davidson, you may want to choose handlebars that are a more conservative style.

Installing Ape Hanger Handlebars on Your Harley-Davidson

Installing ape hanger handlebars on your Harley-Davidson can be a relatively simple task, but it is important to do it correctly. If you are not comfortable working on your motorcycle, you should have a qualified mechanic do the installation for you.

To install ape hanger handlebars on your Harley-Davidson, you will need:

  • The new ape hanger handlebars
  • A set of handlebar risers
  • A set of handlebar grips
  • A set of handlebar clamps
  • A set of bolts and nuts
  • A wrench
  • A screwdriver

1. Remove the old handlebars from your motorcycle.
2. Install the handlebar risers on your motorcycle.
3. Install the new ape hanger handlebars on the handlebar risers.
4. Install the handlebar grips on the handlebars.
5. Install the handlebar clamps on the handlebars.
6. Tighten all of the bolts and nuts.

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:

  • Start by riding in a safe, empty area.
  • Take your time and get used to the new handling of your motorcycle.
  • Be aware of your surroundings and the other vehicles on the road.
  • Use your mirrors often to check your blind spots.
  • Be careful when turning and braking.
  • Practice makes perfect! The more you ride with ape hanger handlebars, the more comfortable you will become with them.

Ape hanger handlebars can be a great way to customize your Harley-Davidson and improve your riding experience. However, it is important to choose the right handlebars for your height, riding style, and the style of your motorcycle. It is also important to install the handlebars correctly and to practice riding with them before taking them on the road.

Author Profile

Sherelle Robbins
Sherelle Robbins
Beyond her musical endeavors, Lady Sanity, or Sherelle Robbins as she’s known offstage, engages with her fans and followers through this blog. Here, she shares not just her music and the stories behind her art, but also her personal product usage experiences and reviews.

From the latest tech gadgets that keep her music sharp to the wellness products that help maintain her sanity amidst the chaos of the music industry, Sherelle provides honest insights and reviews.

This blog is a window into the world of Lady Sanity. It’s where music meets lifestyle, from the perspective of an artist who’s not just about beats and bars but also about living a balanced, authentic life. Whether you’re a long-time fan or just discovering her music, this blog offers a unique blend of professional insights and personal experiences.