What's with all the Ape Hangers?

bryawn · 09-21-2012, 04:36 PM

Over the last week, I've seen about 10 bikes running around town with ape hangers. Over the weekend sport touring around southern Oregon I saw one group of five or so cruiser types all with ape hangers.

Is there something in the water?

I can think few stupider trends than ape hangers. Let's put a long flexible piece of tubing between the controls and the contact patch. Now lets stick our arms out wide and hold our chest up so we get lots of wind blast. Looks uncomfortable as hell and is probably dangerous.

I guess its another on one of those style over function things. Sort of like guys who wear their pants so low that they can barely walk. And yeah, no one really does want to look at your fat ass. Thankfully, that one seems to be going away, but ape hangers are gaining ground. WTF.

Ok, end of rant. Anyone else seeing this?

Tromatic · 09-21-2012, 04:43 PM

I think the reason will boil down to you are "just jealous, because it's better than any POS you ride."

james1300 · 09-21-2012, 04:48 PM

They need a place to hang all their black t-shirts?

OlyS1KRR · 09-21-2012, 04:51 PM

It just gives them a more visible location to hang their "Bike broke down..need help" sign.

Bluuu · 09-21-2012, 04:55 PM

It's so they can have longer tassles...

whipping them in the face.

daytona595 · 09-21-2012, 05:20 PM

I have seen 'em with ape hangers and a fairing. What are you thinking!!!

OlyS1KRR · 09-21-2012, 05:21 PM

^ LOL!

Jims08Z06 · 09-21-2012, 07:23 PM

One must look cool when performance and handling cannot be obtained...AJ

http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/...ps183fcedd.jpg
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/...psd4526697.jpg
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/...psb5470b79.jpg
http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/...psa4942640.jpg

SX/4 · 09-21-2012, 07:38 PM

Seen lots of them here too.....

Schupperts · 09-21-2012, 08:52 PM

There daughters are in juvy and they stole the handle bars of there Schwinns so they could get a ride in...

CoastRun · 09-21-2012, 10:00 PM

Really for older folks with slipped discs. Helps take weight and strain off the spine.

Word is you can find ape hangers at Brookstone now

DevanJones · 09-21-2012, 11:44 PM

Ape hangers? Like this ruck from someone on the forums?

dsett1889 · 09-22-2012, 04:11 AM

Depending on what size you go with they can actually be pretty comfortable. I've got a buddy with an 01 Dyna Wide Glide and hes got 10" minis I believe. They come to just before the top of the windshield and his hands are right at shoulder level. If he takes his windshield off though the windblast is definitely an issue.

CoastRun · 09-22-2012, 07:31 AM

Originally Posted by dsett1889

Depending on what size you go with they can actually be pretty comfortable. I've got a buddy with an 01 Dyna Wide Glide and hes got 10" minis I believe. They come to just before the top of the windshield and his hands are right at shoulder level. If he takes his windshield off though the windblast is definitely an issue.

I think that's fine. Your ability to push and steer isn't greatly compromised. If your hands start getting above shoulder level, then I think there's a problem.

Bmwridr05 · 09-22-2012, 07:47 AM

Originally Posted by dsett1889

Depending on what size you go with they can actually be pretty comfortable.

I have/had 12" to 18" apes. Comfortable enough for me. Fit the look of the bike, I like em. A trip or two through the gorge is pretty killer on the chest though.

Wayne · 09-22-2012, 08:41 AM

Pretty simple. They want to look like apes. . .

ELI the ICE man · 09-22-2012, 06:40 PM

Just like dogs, cats, and most animals... when threatened they "puff" up to look bigger.

Stv360 · 09-22-2012, 07:31 PM

I think they came from back in the day when "bikers" couldn't find a shower or deoderant
to save their lives. The ape hangers are to air out the arm pits?????

Desvio · 09-22-2012, 07:56 PM

Originally Posted by bryawn

Over the last week, I've seen about 10 bikes running around town with ape hangers. Over the weekend sport touring around southern Oregon I saw one group of five or so cruiser types all with ape hangers.

Is there something in the water?

I can think few stupider trends than ape hangers. Let's put a long flexible piece of tubing between the controls and the contact patch. Now lets stick our arms out wide and hold our chest up so we get lots of wind blast. Looks uncomfortable as hell and is probably dangerous.

I guess its another on one of those style over function things. Sort of like guys who wear their pants so low that they can barely walk. And yeah, no one really does want to look at your fat ass. Thankfully, that one seems to be going away, but ape hangers are gaining ground. WTF.

Ok, end of rant. Anyone else seeing this?

What would be even funnier is if you asked one of them the very same question.

Suzuki Stevo · 09-22-2012, 08:14 PM

My '79 GS750L came with some kinda mild rise Buck-O-Bars on it, they were comfortable enough, but I replaced them with the "Tiller" type bars that came on the GS750E, big improvement when cornering.


09-21-2012, 04:36 PM	#1
bryawn Endorsed Joined: Jun 2011 From: Portland, Oregon I Ride: GPz 1100	What's with all the Ape Hangers? Over the last week, I've seen about 10 bikes running around town with ape hangers. Over the weekend sport touring around southern Oregon I saw one group of five or so cruiser types all with ape hangers. Is there something in the water? I can think few stupider trends than ape hangers. Let's put a long flexible piece of tubing between the controls and the contact patch. Now lets stick our arms out wide and hold our chest up so we get lots of wind blast. Looks uncomfortable as hell and is probably dangerous. I guess its another on one of those style over function things. Sort of like guys who wear their pants so low that they can barely walk. And yeah, no one really does want to look at your fat ass. Thankfully, that one seems to be going away, but ape hangers are gaining ground. WTF. Ok, end of rant. Anyone else seeing this? __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter Last edited by bryawn; 09-21-2012 at 04:38 PM.. Reason: typo in headline


09-21-2012, 04:43 PM	#2
Tromatic Railer Joined: Apr 2011 From: Portland I Ride: Yamaha Warrior	I think the reason will boil down to you are "just jealous, because it's better than any POS you ride." __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


09-21-2012, 04:48 PM	#3
james1300 Track School Dazed Joined: Oct 2005 From: CENTRAL I Ride: When I can	They need a place to hang all their black t-shirts? __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


09-21-2012, 04:51 PM	#4
OlyS1KRR Newbie Joined: Jul 2012 From: Olympia, WA I Ride: 2012 BMW S1000RR	It just gives them a more visible location to hang their "Bike broke down..need help" sign. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


09-21-2012, 04:55 PM	#5
Bluuu Señor verde Joined: Mar 2011 From: Kirkland I Ride: behind the girls.	It's so they can have longer tassles... whipping them in the face. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


09-21-2012, 05:20 PM	#6
daytona595 Permit Joined: Jul 2012 From: Port Orchard, WA I Ride: Triumph Daytona T595, Tiger 1050	and to make it worse! I have seen 'em with ape hangers and a fairing. What are you thinking!!! __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


09-21-2012, 05:21 PM	#7
OlyS1KRR Newbie Joined: Jul 2012 From: Olympia, WA I Ride: 2012 BMW S1000RR	^ LOL! __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


09-21-2012, 07:23 PM	#8
Jims08Z06 Bat Crazed Joined: May 2009 From: WA I Ride: 08, R1	One must look cool when performance and handling cannot be obtained...AJ http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/...ps183fcedd.jpg http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/...psd4526697.jpg http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/...psb5470b79.jpg http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/...psa4942640.jpg __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


09-21-2012, 07:38 PM	#9
SX/4 Pit Crew Joined: Jul 2008 From: Prosser, WA. I Ride: '12 S1000rr, Suzuki's and a few others!	Seen lots of them here too..... __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


09-21-2012, 08:52 PM	#10
Schupperts Endorsed Joined: Feb 2010 From: Tacoma Washington I Ride: YAMAHA FJR1300AE	There daughters are in juvy and they stole the handle bars of there Schwinns so they could get a ride in... __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


09-21-2012, 10:00 PM	#11
CoastRun Permit Joined: Aug 2012 From: Tillamook	Really for older folks with slipped discs. Helps take weight and strain off the spine. Word is you can find ape hangers at Brookstone now __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


09-21-2012, 11:44 PM	#12
DevanJones Endorsed Joined: Apr 2012 From: Bonney Lake, Wa I Ride: 79 Suzuki GS850G	Ape hangers? Like this ruck from someone on the forums? __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


09-22-2012, 04:11 AM	#13
dsett1889 Licensed Joined: Jun 2008 From: Snohomish, WA I Ride: Yes	Depending on what size you go with they can actually be pretty comfortable. I've got a buddy with an 01 Dyna Wide Glide and hes got 10" minis I believe. They come to just before the top of the windshield and his hands are right at shoulder level. If he takes his windshield off though the windblast is definitely an issue. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


09-22-2012, 08:41 AM	#16
Wayne Pit Crew Joined: Jan 2010 From: Milwaukie, Or	Pretty simple. They want to look like apes. . . __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


09-22-2012, 06:40 PM	#17
ELI the ICE man Endorsed Joined: Mar 2011 From: Oregon City, Oregon I Ride: 2007 Z1000	Just like dogs, cats, and most animals... when threatened they "puff" up to look bigger. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


09-22-2012, 07:31 PM	#18
Stv360 Permit Joined: Aug 2012 From: VANCOUVER I Ride: Yamaha R1	I think they came from back in the day when "bikers" couldn't find a shower or deoderant to save their lives. The ape hangers are to air out the arm pits????? __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter


09-22-2012, 08:14 PM	#20
Suzuki Stevo Railer Joined: May 2008 From: Seattle, Wa I Ride: at a speed that allows me to ride again tomorrow GSX650FK8, DL650K5, SH150i, AN400K7, 2013 WR250R	My '79 GS750L came with some kinda mild rise Buck-O-Bars on it, they were comfortable enough, but I replaced them with the "Tiller" type bars that came on the GS750E, big improvement when cornering. __________________ Follow PNW Riders on Facebook and Twitter

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