I'm not trying to be snarky here, but am really trying to understand.
Over the weekend my wife, son, and I were driving to a county fair when we ended up near a guy on his Harley with massive ape hanger handlebars. The grips were just about at his maximum reach both vertically and laterally. The guy looked as if he were being crucified as he rode along.
We tried figuring out what the attraction could be. I can't imagine any conceivable advantage in terms of control, performance, or comfort. My wife eventually decided it must be some sort of "style thing, like riding with your feet splayed way out in front of you" but we still couldn't see why anyone would want bars like that in a real-world riding situation.
I know there are current and former Harley folks on the board. If anyone could help me understand the appeal of these bars it would be appreciated.
It saves a lot of $$$ on deodorant if you just keep those things aired out.
;D
-SORRY ...I know you were trying to be serious and all... [cheeky]
your a looser and you woudlnt understand. Ape hangers are for the cool kids, and the cool kids rule.
seriously, i dont know. do you ever wonder what they think of us?
"man their bars are so low, how can they ride like that?"
to give the front end a longer, stretched-out appearance?
they would like to remember their "previous life" ..... [evil] [laugh]
Oh come on....
They are so bad ass. I ordered some for my Monster.
Cant wait to get them
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3139/2709784492_3a6d8e055f_o.jpg)
Just don't forget to show us the pics ROBsS4R ;D [laugh] [laugh] ;D
Obviously they serve an important purpose. Suzuki wouldn't be offering them as an option (http://www.google.com) on their 2009 GSX-R line, otherwise.
Perhaps, Vertical Hang Gliding?
I think that it [must be] about the thrill of having very little control of a very torquey, heavy cycle. Doesn't hanging on in fear for dear life sound like fun? ...especially if you raise the ante with *no protective gear*.. a mild requisite for the 'ape hanger' crew...
I think I'd be terrified at about 15-20 mph...
I always think about the guys' visibility when they're trying to look through a turn, they'd get an eye full of tatoo'd arm instead of a read on the road..
It is like putting a bone through your nose, wearing your pants around your ankles, or getting a tribal tattoo. It says "I want to be different. Just like everyone else." Rebel without a clue pretty much sums it up.
Quote from: SUPER DUKE! on July 27, 2008, 10:09:01 PM
It saves a lot of $$$ on deodorant if you just keep those things aired out.
I think that's the most convincing one I've heard thus far.
Quote from: He Man on July 27, 2008, 10:10:00 PM
your a looser and you woudlnt understand.
That's what everyone keeps telling me, so it must be true.
Quote from: ROBsS4R on July 28, 2008, 12:02:10 AM
They are so bad ass. I ordered some for my Monster.
Aren't the "City" bars on my 620 the Monster equivalent of ape hangers?
Well I thought they were cool when I was 14.....
Ya know though all bike groupings probably have similar things.
Ex. I was getting the Monster inspected at the local Harley shop. The Harley wrenches usually are interested in my Ducks. The one mechanic was talking with me and mentioned the open clutch cover. He said, " I guess it helps keep the clutch cool." I said, "Ah, it's for looks." He chuckled.
OK so a better case might be able to be made for an open clutch cover vs ape hangers...But, I think you see my point.
BTW I think ape hangers are silly/stupid. To each his own.
Quote from: ROBsS4R on July 28, 2008, 12:02:10 AM
Oh come on....
They are so bad ass. I ordered some for my Monster.
Cant wait to get them
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3139/2709784492_3a6d8e055f_o.jpg)
you beat me to posting that picture, but not this one! ;D
(http://i320.photobucket.com/albums/nn327/supakpow/H-D20Badass.jpg)
REAL Apes don't need them - only posers
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc190/stankbone/monkey.jpg)
The height in an inverse measurement directly proportional to the operator intelligence.
>:(
???
huh? WhadIsay???
It's a measurement of how bad ass you are. Looks alone. It's an attitude. Same as not wearing gear etc.. Harks back to the easy rider days, it's really just about having a custom bike that has a certain attitude, why did people start ripping fairings off sport bikes? Same reason.
People have been putting bones through their noses and sporting tattoos for thousands of years, so it's nothing new really.
I actually think they can look cool when they're not too tall, still the attitude you get off of some of those guys is enough to put you off Harleys/ cruisers for good.
If I get me another 30-40 SpeedyMoto 20mm risers - I'll be cool too? 8)
What's the name of that company selling customized brake/clutch lines? New business for them.
Quote from: ROBsS4R on July 28, 2008, 12:02:10 AM
Oh come on....
They are so bad ass. I ordered some for my Monster.
Cant wait to get them
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3139/2709784492_3a6d8e055f_o.jpg)
where i grew up, only little girls put fringe on their handlebars.
Quote from: abby normal on July 29, 2008, 07:18:32 AM
where i grew up, only little girls put fringe on their handlebars.
"though it's been said, many times, many ways"
Still funny, nice.
Quote from: ROBsS4R on July 28, 2008, 12:02:10 AM
Oh come on....
They are so bad ass. I ordered some for my Monster.
Cant wait to get them
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3139/2709784492_3a6d8e055f_o.jpg)
I would just like to point out the exhaust it appears to be taller than the bars and structurally sound with no visible support beams.
clearly there are some things the italians just aren't as good at...
(http://www.medium.ca/DML/ape.JPG)
Quote from: ROBsS4R on July 28, 2008, 12:02:10 AM
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3139/2709784492_3a6d8e055f_o.jpg)
LOL... that looks so stupid.. I would be embarrassed to ride that thing.. Maybe these guys are part of a circus? Like cirque de le stupide ? [popcorn]
I currently own two Harleys. Neither has ape hangers or anything close; one has drag bars, the other has bar rise of less than my Monster did stock.
I have ridden a few bikes with apes and do not see the attraction. To me, they make maneuvers twitchy and more than a little spooky. Throw in a foot clutch and hand shift and the spooky and twitchy go up exponentially.
And I think they look silly. :)
Quote from: VeryMetal on July 28, 2008, 04:17:58 PM
why did people start ripping fairings off sport bikes? Same reason.
/thread jack
new fairings are expensive, so they left them off after crashing.
end of thread jack/
What's the point of ape hangers?
So you can steer. Need bars for steering.
Duc owners don't do anything impractical just for looks?
Open clutches, belts, tail chop (hello rooster tail!) titanium bolts.
2 wheels good-four wheels bad.
Yeah each to their own really.
I try not to judge.... to often ;D
However they do look dangerous. I can't see anyone having much control over that setup ???
i have bacon tassels on my bar ends.
raw bacon. crispy bacon doesnt flow well in the wind.
Quote from: He Man on July 29, 2008, 10:27:51 PM
i have bacon tassels on my bar ends.
raw bacon. crispy bacon doesnt flow well in the wind.
Crispy bacon is for looking like you are going fast even at a stand still. It keeps pointing straight back!
1. when you get pulled over by the popo, your hands are already up.
2. keeps the pits dry when riding
3. good to keep John McCain from riding your bike (bad taste....) [laugh]
or Bob Dole, but he'd just do circles anyways.
Quote from: fwtcc on July 30, 2008, 06:54:42 AM
or Bob Dole, but he'd just do circles anyways.
mean!