Ever feel like your hands are just a little too far away or a bit too low on your Road Glide? That feeling, that slight disconnect between you and your machine, can really change a great ride into a tiring one. Choosing the right handlebars for your Road Glide is a big deal. You want comfort for long trips, but you also need control when you’re navigating tight corners. It’s easy to get overwhelmed looking at all the different heights, sweeps, and materials out there. What works for one rider might not feel right for you at all!
But don’t worry! By the end of this post, you will understand the key differences between popular Road Glide handlebar styles. We will break down what matters most, like grip height and pullback angle, so you can finally find bars that feel like they were custom-made for your hands. Get ready to transform your riding comfort and control as we dive deep into the best handlebar upgrades for your Harley-Davidson Road Glide.
Top Road Glide Handlebars Recommendations
- 【Wide Compatibility】This pre-wired handlebar is compatible with Harley Road Glide FLTR/I, FLTRX, FLTRXS 2015-2023, Fit Road Glide Ultra FLTRU 2016-2019, Fit Road Glide ST FLTRXST 2022-2023, Fit Road Glide Limited FLTRK 2020-2024. Please check the detailed fitment list before purchasing.
- 【Easier and Installation】The internal of the ape handlebar has been laid out with a ‘can’ extension cable and a pre-installed switch line. The ‘can’ line is a simple and convenient design; it is notched for TBW and allows you to install the electronic throttle. Pre-installed TBW auxiliary pull cord for easier and faster installation. Reserved connector for handlebar heater harness to keep winter rides from getting cold. So you can quickly complete the installation and always be ready to go!
- 【Durable Quality Material】This ape handlebar is made of durable quality steel pipe with a black powder coating process. It makes the pre-wired handlebars much stronger than other straight-seam welded pipe handlebars on the market.
- 【Comfortable and Beautiful】The prewired handlebar is designed with a 7" pull-back distance. This ape handlebar provides you with maximum comfort and makes you feel relaxed and natural during the ride, reducing the fatigue of long rides. With an Ape bar, it matches the factory look of your motorcycle and makes it natural and beautiful.
- 【Specifications】Bar Diameter: 1.5 inch Fat Bar, End Rise: 12 inches, Center Width: 13.5 inches (outer width), Clamp Area Diameter: 1.25 inch, Grip Area Bar Diameter: 1 inch, Overall Width: 37 inches, Pullback/Sweep: 7 inches, Pre-Drilled: Yes, Pre-wired: Yes. Color: Gloss Black.
- Fitment list: For 2016-2023 Touring Road Glide. (Please ❗Note 1: For CVO & Ultra bikes, the alignment pin hole is on the left side of the bar bottom which is different from our bar, but if you still like our bars, you can use a plier to pull the alignment pin on the risers out to fit our bars, or drill an extra hole on the left side of the bar bottom to fit, thx ❗Note 2: The bottom-to-top rise for this bar is 14", bottom-to-grip end rise is 12")
- 👍Convenient Pre-wired: TIGERSGATE Road Glide Bars have been pre-wired with CAN-Bus switch control wires, and Throttle by Wire(TBW) harness. To help simple wiring work!
- ❗❗Note-the TBW routing plan: (Please click the video at the page bottom to see how to splice the TBW wires) ---We pre-wired extra long TBW wires to meet different needs, so you have to Cut & Splice both the bike's & our TBW wires at right hand grip part due to limited handlebar space. ❗No need to pull out the prewired TBW wire and reroute the TBW wire which is painful.(NOTE❗: please msg us for TBW wires connection instructions if you need, thanks)
- High-Strength Upgraded Steel: Made of high-strength upgraded steel, our FLTR (Road Glide), FLTRXS (Road Glide Special), FLTRX (Road Glide Custom) ape hangers have better strength, toughness, and safety than iron ones. With a solid structure and high tensile strength, they ensure a long service life for your motorcycle
- Enhanced Safety and Comfort: The anti-slip knurl design provides a non-slip and tight , improving the safety of your motorcycle. The larger pipe diameter (1 1/2") also provides a more comfortable grip experience, and the handlebar pullback offers an ergonomic fit that reduces stress and pain in the neck, back, and shoulders.
- Fitment: Our pre-wired ape hangers handlebars for 2016-2023 Road Glide FLTR, Road Glide Custom FLTRX , Road Glide Special FLTRXS, Road Glide Ultra FLTRU, Road Glide Limited FLTRK and CVO Road Glide models, feature 1-1/4" clamp area diameter 12-2/3" base width
- Pre-Wired Design: Our ape hangers come pre-installed with TBW, CAN-Bus wire harness and heated grip wire, making installation more convenient than ever, to complete the setup, simply trim your existing TBW wires and connect them to the corresponding handlebar TBW wires
- Note: In rare cases, the color coding of the CAN-Bus wiring harness may not align perfectly, if this happens, cross-reference the old and new wiring connectors to ensure a proper match, and a multimeter is recommended, specifically, on both sides has an orange with white striped wires you will have to splice together to finish the wire connection
- Ergonomic Design: The pre wired road glide handlebars are designed with an 7" pullback distance for an ergonomic design, providing you with maximum comfort and reducing the fatigue of long rides by reducing wrist and shoulder strain
- Highest Standards: Our road glide ape hangers are made of premium steel that is rust-resistant, long-lasting performance and not easy to break, no burrs inside the bar tube, and the wires are resistant to moisture, solvents and extreme temperature
- Fitment List - Our road glide ape hangers are specifically designed to fit for Harley 2014-2023 FLTRX (Road Glide Standard) / FLTRXS (Road Glide Special) / FLTRXST (Road Glide ST) / FLTRK (Road Glide Limited). NOTICE: NOT for Road Glide Ultra FLTRU / CVO Road Glide FLTRUSE Models as their limited hole is on the left side, need to pull the alignment pin on your bike or drill an extra hole on our bar to finish the install
- CAN-Bus Wire Pre-wired Handlebar - Enjoy a convenient installation with our pre-wired CAN-Bus wire harness and guiding line street glide ape hangers. No longer need to work hard to thread the guide wire, simplifying the threading process and saving you time
- Sturdy Construction - Crafted with a 1.25" diameter and a 14" rise from the bottom to the grip, a 16" rise from the bottom to the top point, featuring a 1.25" clamp area diameter, providing enhanced stability and control, complemented by a 13.5" base width for confident handling on the road
- Medium Carbon Steel Material - Your safety and satisfaction are our top priorities. Pre-wired handlebars for Harley Road Glide are crafted from high-quality medium carbon steel, ensuring superior durability, and rust resistance. Additionally, Our wires are also resistant to moisture, solvents, and extreme temperature
- Sleek Meathook Design - Elevate your bike to a more positive appearance with the cool look of our aggressive Meathook bars design. As your bike stands out from the crowd of ordinary handlebars, the overall aesthetic of your bike is turning heads and captivating onlookers
- 【Fitment】: Compatible with Road Glide FLTR/I, FLTRX 2008-2009. Compatible with Road Glide Ultra FLTRU 2011-2013. Compatible with Road Glide Custom FLTRX 2010-2013.（Not compatible with the CVO model.）
- 【Specifications】: Pre-wired: Yes. End Rise: 12". Center Width: 11". Clamp Area Width: 5.4". Clamp Area Diameter: 1". Bar Diameter: 1-1/4". Knurl Center Diameter: 3.5". Grip Area Bar Diameter: 1". Overall Width: 33". Pullback/Sweep: 8". Color: Gloss Black. Material: Steel Pipe.
- 【High Performance】: Made of high-strength steel pipe with Triple process (copper & nickel plating & black powder coated). It makes this handlebar much stronger than other straight-seam welded pipe handlebars.
- 【Installation】: Our handlebar is PRE-WIRED and Plug design, also Notched for TBW for easier and faster installation. The inside of the handlebars are laid out pre-installed with switch cables, electronic throttle extensions and Heated Grips Wiring Harness extension, it helps you eliminate the complicated wiring job, the Notched for TBW design allows you to install the electronic throttle.
- 【Comfortable】: The Ape Hangers handlebar is designed with a 8" pull-back distance, It provides you with maximum comfort and makes you feel relaxed and natural during the ride, reducing the fatigue of long rides. With an APE Hanger Bar-Flat style appearance, it matches the factory look of your motorcycle and makes it natural and beautiful.
- 👍Fitment List: Our 1.25-inch clamp area diameter ape hangers are perfect for these models: 2023-up FLTRXSE CVO Road Glide, 2024-up FLTRX Road Glide Custom. And 2024-up Road Glide with ABS models （Except FLTRXSTSE CVO Road Glide ST)
- 👍Pull Wires for Easy Installation: TIGERSGATE has Pre-wired the Pull Wires through the bar tube to make install more convenient and fast, saving you valuable time and effort
- 👍Targeted Strength One-Piece Design: The critical clamp area and grip area feature a seamless construction without welds for maximum strength where it matters most, creating a more reliable and solid handlebar
- 👍Own Your Ride's Attitude: Our road glide handlebars crafted with an aggressive meathook for a wicked cool look that makes sure you'll stand out, boosting your confidence on every ride
- 👍Quality You Can Trust: Our ape hangers are made from high-quality steel, black powder coated and hand polished, durable for a long service life, waterproof & rust-proof. Would be so stable after installation
- 【Compatibility】This Ape Hangers handlebar is compatible with Road Glide 2008-2013. (Not compatible with the CVO model.) Please check the following fitment list before purchasing. Size Note: The End Rise height is 12 inches.
- 【Comfortable and Beautiful】The Ape Hangers handlebar is designed with a 8" pull-back distance, It provides you with maximum comfort and makes you feel relaxed and natural during the ride, reducing the fatigue of long rides. With an APE Hanger Bar-Flat style appearance, it matches the factory look of your and makes it natural and beautiful.
- 【 PRE-WIRED Design】Our handlebar is PRE-WIRED design, also Notched for TBW for easier and faster installation. The inside of the handlebars are laid out pre-installed with switch cables, electronic throttle extensions, and Heated Grips Wiring Harness extension, it helps you eliminate the complicated wiring job， the Notched for TBW design allows you to install the electronic throttle, so you can quickly complete the installation and always ready to go!
- 【Excellent Quality】Made of high-strength steel pipe with corrosion-resistant Triple process (copper and nickel plating and black powder coated). This handlebar is much stronger than other straight-seam welded pipe handlebars on the market, which makes it more durable.
- 【Package Includes】1 x PRE-WIRED APE Hanger Bar-Flat Handlebar. Plugs included: Molex MX 150 Male Connector and terminals:33482-1602; 12 Wire Male Molex Connector and terminals：72488-07BK、33482-6201; HARNESS THROTTLE：70415-08A（Includes Heated Grips Wiring Harness extension; You can utilize your stock switches with our product, eliminating the need for a challenging process of removing, extending, and running wires through your new bars from scratch.
- Fitment: Our pre-wired ape hangers handlebars for 2016-2023 Road Glide FLTR, Road Glide Custom FLTRX , Road Glide Special FLTRXS, Road Glide Ultra FLTRU, Road Glide Limited FLTRK and CVO Road Glide models, feature 1-1/4" clamp area diameter 12-1/2" base width
- Pre-Wired Design: Our ape hangers come pre-installed with TBW and CAN-Bus wire harness, making installation more convenient than ever, to complete the setup, simply trim your existing TBW wires and connect them to the corresponding handlebar TBW wires
- Note: In rare cases, the color coding of the CAN-Bus wiring harness may not align perfectly, if this happens, cross-reference the old and new wiring connectors to ensure a proper match, and a multimeter is recommended, specifically, on both sides has an orange with white striped wires you will have to splice together to finish the wire connection
- Highest Standards: Our road glide ape hangers are made of premium steel that is rust-resistant, long-lasting performance and not easy to break, no burrs inside the bar tube, and the wires are resistant to moisture, solvents and extreme temperature
- Highest Standards: Our road glide ape hangers are made of premium steel that is rust-resistant, long-lasting performance and not easy to break, no burrs inside the bar tube, and the wires are resistant to moisture, solvents and extreme temperature
Choosing the Best Road Glide Handlebars: Your Complete Buying Guide
Upgrading your Road Glide handlebars can change your whole riding experience. Better bars mean more comfort and better control. This guide helps you pick the perfect set for your bike.
Key Features to Look For
When you shop for new handlebars, check these important features first.
- Height and Pullback: This is the most important part. Taller bars put your hands higher. More pullback brings the grips closer to you. You need bars that fit your arms and riding style. Shorter riders often want less height and more pullback. Tall riders might want much taller bars.
- Diameter: Most Harley-Davidson bikes use a 1-inch diameter bar. However, some newer or custom models might use a 1.25-inch or even 1.5-inch “fat bar.” Make sure the new bars match your bike’s clamps and control housings.
- Grip Angle: This is how the grips angle toward you. A comfortable angle reduces wrist strain on long rides.
- Wire/Cable Routing: Some bars come with holes drilled for internal wiring. This gives a clean, custom look. If the holes are not there, you need longer cables and wires, which costs more time and money.
Important Materials and Construction
The material of your handlebars affects strength and weight.
Most quality bars use steel or aluminum. Steel is very strong and often cheaper. It can be heavier than aluminum. Aluminum bars are lighter. This can slightly improve handling. Look for thick tubing. Thicker tubing means the bars will not bend under hard use.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Good manufacturing makes a big difference in safety and look.
Quality Boosters:
- Welds: Smooth, clean welds show good craftsmanship. Poor welds are weak spots.
- Finish: A thick, even powder coat (black) or chrome plating protects the metal from rust and scratches. A great finish lasts longer.
- Fitment: Bars that fit perfectly into the stock risers without forcing them are higher quality.
Quality Reducers:
- Thin Walls: Very cheap bars might use thin metal walls. These can flex or break.
- Rough Edges: Sharp, unfinished edges on cut tubing show a rush job. These areas can cause stress points.
User Experience and Use Cases
Think about how you ride your Road Glide.
If you take long highway trips, comfort is king. You want bars that let you sit upright without reaching forward too much. This reduces fatigue in your shoulders and back. Many touring riders choose “ape hanger” styles that raise the hands near shoulder height.
If you ride mostly in the city or enjoy aggressive cornering, you might want lower bars with less pullback. Lower bars give you more leverage over the front wheel. This helps you steer quickly. Always test the bars before a long ride. A quick 30-minute ride can tell you if the fit is right.
Road Glide Handlebar FAQs
Q: Will I need new cables when I install taller bars?
A: Yes, usually. If you go up more than 2 inches taller, you will need longer brake lines, clutch cables, and throttle/idle cables. Check the manufacturer’s recommendations for your chosen bar height.
Q: What is “riser pullback”?
A: Riser pullback is how far back the grips come toward you from the steering stem. More pullback means you do not have to reach forward as much.
Q: Can I use standard Harley grips with any new bars?
A: Most aftermarket bars use the standard 1-inch diameter grip area. However, some very thick bars (1.25 inches or more) require matching grips. Always check the grip area diameter.
Q: Are aluminum bars strong enough for touring?
A: Yes, quality aluminum bars are very strong. They are often used successfully on heavy touring bikes. They save a little weight compared to steel.
Q: What is the difference between “ape hangers” and “mini apes”?
A: “Ape hangers” are generally taller, often 12 inches or more. “Mini apes” are shorter, usually between 8 and 12 inches. Mini apes offer a taller look without the extreme height of full apes.
Q: Do I need special tools to install these?
A: You will need standard motorcycle tools, including torque wrenches and possibly a cable puller tool. If the bars have internal wiring holes, you will need wire extensions or soldering tools.
Q: How does bar width affect steering?
A: Wider bars give you more leverage for low-speed maneuvering. Very narrow bars can make the bike feel twitchy at high speeds. Aim for a width that lets your arms rest naturally.
Q: Should I choose gloss black or chrome?
A: This is purely cosmetic. Chrome shines brightly but shows fingerprints easily. Gloss black powder coat hides dirt well and matches modern bike aesthetics.
Q: What is the easiest handlebar upgrade for a beginner?
A: Swapping to bars that are only 1 to 2 inches taller than stock, but with the same pullback, is the easiest. This often allows you to reuse existing cables.
Q: How do I prevent vibrations after installing new bars?
A: Poorly fitting bars or loose clamps cause vibrations. Ensure you use a torque wrench correctly on the risers. Some riders add specialized rubber damper mounts between the bars and the risers for extra dampening.