T bars/T baggn. Idk but not my thing

 

I have Thrashin' Supply Riser and Handlebar Setup on My Glide and love it.
Also, have plenty of other great parts from Thrashin' Supply and am very happy with them as well.
The fact that Thrashin' makes Their parts right here in the Good Old U.S.A. is a big plus for Me also.
Mike U.

 

Ex Motocross and open desert rider here. I understand what your saying about what your use to but putting t-bars imo on a bagger is like putting 16” apes on a dirt bike, it just doesn’t look right but that’s just my personal opinion. I know two guys that went that route and they love them. The great thing about owning a bike is it’s your bike so do whatever the hell you want and enjoy it. You can see from my bike’s picture on my signature I prefer 16” apes.

 

 

As a broad shouldered individual, T-Bars haven't been my friend.

 

I love the T-Bars on my RGL. I have 16" apes on my Crossbones and love those on that. I like having the gauge relocation up closer to eye level as well, don't have to look down as far to see it.
I think part of the handling difference is that T-Bars have are a shorter lever from the hand to the tree and typically would have less flex as well, since the torque applied from the hand would be transferred over a much longer distance to the tube.
I personally don't care for the looks of apes on a touring bike, especially when they are taller than the fairing, particularly when they have spikes/angles. Just my personal feeling.
If it's comfortable to you and you like it then go with it.

 

As a desert rider I am most comfortable with riser/ T-bars set up. I have that on my chopper.

On the glide I wanted something similar, but didn't want to go thru the extra work of gauge relocation so I went with the FXR Motorwitch bars. I get the same feel as the t-bar/riser style, but I get full view of my gauges.

fxr-division-motorwitch-handle-bars-for-road-glide

 

As a desert rider I am most comfortable with riser/ T-bars set up. I have that on my chopper.



On the glide I wanted something similar, but didn't want to go thru the extra work of gauge relocation so I went with the FXR Motorwitch bars. I get the same feel as the t-bar/riser style, but I get full view of my gauges.




fxr-division-motorwitch-handle-bars-for-road-glide

For what it's worth, I retained full view of everything but the gear/turn signal indicator using the Thrashing 6.5" risers and a high bend bar.

 

Being from and in currently in California ,I will say this. At the end of the day to each his own, there is an unlimited amount of mods that we can do to these things. I do find it funny though ,when liberal fuck boys that cant turn wrench say they have a "performance bagger" just because they have t bars and a thunder header. funny thing is after they drool and take a bunch of videos of my bike, they allways ask me why I don't have t-bars. lol... With that said, I install a lot of them. The real performance builds take ALOT to get them right, at the end of the day its nice to see when they don't have the chopped up gauge clusters and rigged wires hanging around. Maybe on the next build I may throw them on try them out.

 

My .02? The T-bar thing kicked into high gear while SOA was hot on TV. Suddenly every Dyna was running T-bars. Same for choppers and Apes when OCC was a popular show. They were everywhere. I work 1 mile from an HD dealership and this was more than obvious. Personally, I don't think T's look right on baggers, especially with high risers. The MX bar thing on a low riser I get. Bear in mind I've just come from long years on a bike with clip-ons tucked right off the fork tubes. Now my RGU? The stock bar seems ok but I won't change it until I get a seat that pushes me back a couple of inches. Then I might go for a slightly higher bar.

 

check out Spadys Speed Shop handlebars. Better than any bar out there!!

 

No disrespect intended, I do not like the look of these. At least on a RG. (looked at their website pics)

My bike came with my bars, I just upped the risers. If the Tharshin parts were not already on it from the dealer, this is not the route I would have gone. Now, over 4k later on this bike, I truly love my setup.

 

I would love to see someone who is an expert at slow maneuvering a Harley, do so with T-bars. Would love to hear his/her feedback.

 

My guess is this would only be an issue if they were very narrow.

I have only been riding RG's since August of last year. So, I am no expert but I have been riding since 1978 and I currently run a t-bar setup and have no problem on slow figure 8's or tuning around in 2 parking spaces.

 

Not a big fan but to each his own. As with anything else, there is a learning curve. Once you've been using them for a while then you have the muscle memory and I don't see where it would be an issue vs someone who's never run a T-bar trying to do slow speed maneuvering.
Someone on here posted a few months ago the question " Why arent baggers with t-bars called T-Baggers"?

 

Not a big fan but to each his own. As with anything else, there is a learning curve. Once you've been using them for a while then you have the muscle memory and I don't see where it would be an issue vs someone who's never run a T-bar trying to do slow speed maneuvering.
Someone on here posted a few months ago the question " Why arent baggers with t-bars called T-Baggers"?

I prefer the classic look of apes over T-Bars on these bikes. I think I’ve said that a few times. I like the handling characteristics of the T-Bars better though. This is strictly a case of function over form for me.

My only other complaint about the 14” KST Spearheads that I had before I went T-Bars was that I could not get the spread narrow enough to remove the pressure between my shoulder blades. The T-Bar spread has done that for me now.

I personally don’t feel like you go wrong either way. As long as you are comfortable and happy with your bike, that’s all that matters.

 

My only other complaint about the 14” KST Spearheads that I had before I went T-Bars was that I could not get the spread narrow enough to remove the pressure between my shoulder blades. The T-Bar spread has done that for me now.

I'm in heaven after going from my 12" KST Spearheads to a t-bar setup using Thrashin low bend bars, the KST's were so damn wide!!!

 

I'm in heaven after going from my 12" KST Spearheads to a t-bar setup using Thrashin low bend bars, the KST's were so damn wide!!!

Nice!

I feel like those who have a negative opinion have not ever rode a bike with the t-bar set-up.

 

To me the width makes the difference. Grip angle being shallower on a narrower bar makes sense as well. I always saw it as wider is better for slow maneuvering, narrower is better for handling at speed. On narrower bars, small movements have a greater effect. With wider bars it's easier to make fine corrections at slow speeds. You don't see many t-bar setups on police bikes. It all depends on the type of riding you prefer. That's just IMHO, YMMV.

 

You aren't incorrect about the police bikes not using T-bars, but they don't use ape hangers either. They are basically stock for about everything, so they are using the stock wheel barrow bars typically.

I have apes on my Crossbones, and I love them. I have T-bars on my Road Glide Limited, and I love them.
I can do slow speed maneuvers on both easily. I'm not an expert, but at a much higher than average level.
I just found the look of apes on touring bikes, particularly Road Glides to be strange to me. I figured I would want the fairing to help protect my hands, since I had a fairing.

 

At first I didn’t like them either. I had the 14” Factory 47 meat hooks for years then started having arm pain. I switched to 14” KST Pathfinders and also had lots of discomfort. So I then tried the Ness Method Risers and so far they feel great and no right arm pain what so ever. I do think the handling feels better only because of the hand positioning.

 

Changed up my bars today. Went with thrashin high bend from biltwell tracker highs. Moved my risers back, I have OG trees and risers. Moved my gauges for a change as well. Bars feel good, can’t wait for spring. Also installed one of @georgec cool connector covers, thank you George! View attachment 493469 View attachment 493470 View attachment 493469 View attachment 493470 View attachment 493469 View attachment 493470 View attachment 493469 View attachment 493470 View attachment 493469 View attachment 493469 View attachment 493469 View attachment 493470 View attachment 493469 View attachment 493470

 

Bars look great!
Thanks for the props - greatly appreciated!!

 

T-bars all day long on my road glide and I got apes on my road king. Much prefer the T-bars.

 

It's fun to stay at the YMCA....... YMCA......

 

When I see ape hangers especially the ones with the silly points on the ends they are usually attached to some old geezer riding his bike slow with feet dragging. Usually wearing a vest with extenders too. 😂 😂

 

There's a lot of butt hurt in this thread lol

 

I just found the thread earlier and laughed at the meme. I’m actially considering a Thrashin T bar set up, but I want to sit on a bike that has them and feel it first. If I feel like I’m not getting enough pull back with my current bars, I’m pretty sure T-bars will not help me.