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The number printed on the box — 10, 12, 14 inches — is measured from the riser clamp to the top of the bar, not from the ground and not from how tall the bar looks sitting on the bike. That distinction matters because it is the only way to compare bars across brands consistently, but it also hides the number that actually decides whether this is an afternoon job or a full teardown: how far past your bike’s stock control-line length you are going.
On a Street Glide, that line sits around 12 inches. Multiple installer and forum accounts describing the swap on stock-length clutch cables, brake lines, and throttle-by-wire wiring say the same thing: it just barely reaches at 12 inches, and anything taller needs extended or braided replacements plus wiring-harness extensions for the switch pods. Below that height, at least one bar on this list is confirmed to run on the stock lines outright. Above it, the cable and line kit is not an optional upgrade — it is part of the real cost of the bar, and it is rarely mentioned on the product page.
The second thing that trips people up is fairing clearance. A Street Glide carries a batwing fairing, and a generic ape hanger bent for a naked cruiser will hit the fairing shell, the speaker pods, or the mirrors before it hits the right rise. Every serious manufacturer in this space sells a separate bagger- or batwing-specific bend to clear it, and separately notches the throttle side to match your bike’s throttle-by-wire sensor generation — buying the wrong notch is a common, avoidable return.
Rise is not the only dimension worth weighing, either. Pullback — how far the bar sweeps back toward the rider — changes wrist angle independently of rise, so two bars advertised at the same height can feel different once you are sitting on the bike. It is worth checking a bar’s pullback spec, not just its rise, before choosing between two options that otherwise look similar.
None of this is a claim about how any specific bar feels to ride — we have not installed or ridden any of these, and this site does not test products. What follows is grounded in what each manufacturer documents about fitment, rise, pullback, and the model years each bar is built for, so you can match the bar to your bike’s actual requirements before you are mid-install with the fairing off and the wrong cable in your hand.
| # | Product | Price | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LA Choppers 1-1/4 inch Ape Hanger Handlebar – Batwing Bagger | $225–$320 | Amazon |
| 2 | Burly Brand Bagger Ape Handlebar (TBW) | $290–$350 | Amazon · eBay |
| 3 | TC Bros Narrow Ape Hangers (1 inch) | $100–$150 | Amazon |
| 4 | Paul Yaffe Bagger Nation Pre-Wired Monkey Bagger Bars | $650–$700 | Amazon |
| 5 | KST Kustoms Patriot Bagger | $385–$405 | Amazon · eBay |
| 6 | KST Kustoms Bison Bagger | $365–$405 | Amazon |
| 7 | KST Kustoms Six Bend | $158–$178 | Amazon · eBay |
| 8 | Khrome Werks Bagger Bobber Ape Hanger | $260–$310 | Amazon · eBay |
| 9 | Khrome Werks Custom Bend Stretch Ape Hanger | $220–$280 | Amazon · eBay |
| 10 | Biker’s Choice PrimeApes (Batwing Fairing) | $300–$450 | Amazon · eBay |
The picks, in detail
LA Choppers 1-1/4 inch Ape Hanger Handlebar – Batwing Bagger
LA Choppers built this ape hanger around the Street Glide’s fairing rather than in spite of it: the bend clears the batwing shell, speaker pods, and mirrors on 2006–2023 FLHX and FLHXS models, and the throttle side is notched to match the factory throttle-by-wire sensor so stock switch housings bolt back on. The 10-inch version is the only bar on this list confirmed to run on stock-length clutch and brake lines, which makes it the cheapest way into the look. Taller 12- and 14-inch versions are also available. Made in the USA.
- 1-1/4-inch tube diameter
- 10-, 12-, and 14-inch rise options
- notched for factory throttle-by-wire sensor and switch housings
- fits 2006–2023 FLHX/FLHXS with batwing fairing
- Only bar on this list confirmed to run on stock-length lines at its shortest rise
- Bend is purpose-built for the batwing fairing rather than adapted from a naked-bike bar
- Widely stocked, so fitment questions and reviews for this specific bike are easy to find
- 12- and 14-inch versions still need the same extended cable and brake-line kit as every other tall bar on this list
- Chrome finish shows fairing-lean scuffs sooner than the black finish
Burly Brand Bagger Ape Handlebar (TBW)
Burly’s bagger-specific ape hanger carries the same fairing-clearing bend as the LA Choppers bar above, but only in the taller 13- and 15-inch rises, aimed at riders who have already decided a shorter bar is not the point. It is cut with the correct throttle-side notch for the bike’s throttle-by-wire sensor, so it bolts to the stock switch housings on the model years it covers. Sold in chrome or black, from one of the longer-established names in this category.
- 1-1/4-inch tube diameter
- 13- and 15-inch rise options
- correct notch for factory throttle-by-wire sensor
- chrome or black finish
- Purpose-built bend for batwing-fairing touring models, not a generic ape hanger
- Taller rise options than the 10–12-inch starter bars on this list
- From an established brand carried by most major powersports retailers
- Neither rise option runs on stock-length cables or brake lines — the extended-line kit is a mandatory add-on cost, not optional
- No 10- or 12-inch option if you want a shorter first step up
TC Bros Narrow Ape Hangers (1 inch)
TC Bros’ narrow-diameter ape hanger uses the older 1-inch tube standard instead of the fat-bar 1-1/4-inch size most Street Glide-specific bars use, for a noticeably slimmer look. Each bar is CNC mandrel-bent from American steel tubing and sold in 12- and 15-inch rise, in chrome or black. It is the lowest-priced bar on this list by a wide margin, but the narrower tube is also the main thing to check before ordering — it needs 1-inch risers and controls, not the Street Glide’s stock fat-bar hardware.
- 1-inch tube diameter (narrow, not fat-bar)
- 12- and 15-inch rise options
- CNC mandrel-bent American steel tubing
- chrome or black finish
- Lowest price on this list by a wide margin
- Distinctly narrower, more stripped-down look than every other bar here
- Simple, no-frills steel construction with a straightforward bend
- Requires swapping to 1-inch risers and controls, since Street Glides ship with 1-1/4-inch fat-bar clamps — an extra cost the sticker price doesn’t show
- No throttle-by-wire notch specified in the listing, so confirm compatibility with your model year before ordering
- Less commonly run on this specific bike than the fat-bar options above
Paul Yaffe Bagger Nation Pre-Wired Monkey Bagger Bars
The original Monkey Bars started the batwing-ape-hanger style in 2005, and the Pre-Wired version solves the worst part of installing one: it ships with the CAN-bus control harnesses and connectors already installed, plus a pull-wire fished through the bar for the throttle-by-wire sensor swap, so the internal wiring is done before it arrives. Built for touring models with batwing fairings from 2014 to present, including the Street Glide.
- 1-1/4-inch tube diameter
- pre-installed CAN-bus harness and connectors
- pull-wire pre-installed for throttle-by-wire sensor swap
- fits 2014–present batwing-fairing touring models
- Removes the hardest part of a tall-bar install — fishing wire through the bar — before it ships
- Genuine pre-terminated wiring rather than a splice job at the switch housings
- Backed by a shop that specializes specifically in this style of swap
- The most expensive bar on this list by a large margin
- Still needs separately purchased extended cables and a brake line at taller rise
- The pre-wired harness is generation-specific, so ordering the wrong one for your model year is a real risk
KST Kustoms Patriot Bagger
KST’s Patriot Bagger is stainless steel rather than plated mild steel, made to order in the USA specifically for Harley’s batwing-fairing touring lineup — Street Glide, Electra Glide, Ultra, and Trike — in 10-, 12-, and 14-inch rise. Stainless resists the pitting that chrome-plated bars develop after a few seasons of weather. A pre-wired version is available at extra cost for riders who would rather not fish wire through a tall bar by hand.
- 304 stainless steel construction
- 10-, 12-, and 14-inch rise options
- built specifically for batwing-fairing touring models
- pre-wired version available at added cost
- Stainless resists pitting better than the chrome-plated bars elsewhere on this list
- Made to order in the US rather than a generic stocked bend
- Pre-wired option available if you want to skip the wiring labor entirely
- Among the pricier standard (non-pre-wired) bars on this list
- Made-to-order means a longer lead time than a bar already on a retailer’s shelf
- Pre-wired version adds substantially to an already higher base price
KST Kustoms Bison Bagger
A heavier-look alternative to KST’s own Patriot Bagger, the Bison Bagger uses a thicker 1.5-inch diameter stainless tube with a wider stance and about 8 inches of pullback, built for the same batwing-fairing touring platform in 12- and 14-inch rise (16-inch by special order). The extra pullback is the detail worth noting: more of the bar sweeps back toward the rider than a straight-up ape hanger, which changes wrist angle at a given rise.
- T304 stainless steel, 1.5-inch diameter
- 12- and 14-inch rise (16-inch special order)
- roughly 8 inches of pullback
- notched for throttle-by-wire and internal wiring
- More pullback than most bars on this list, which can ease wrist strain at a given rise
- Heavier-gauge stainless reads as a noticeably more substantial bar in person
- Same batwing-specific fitment as the Patriot Bagger from the same maker
- The thicker 1.5-inch tube needs risers and controls sized for it, which not every existing setup has
- 16-inch rise is special-order only, meaning a longer wait
- Still needs the same cable and line upgrade as any bar over stock length
KST Kustoms Six Bend
The most affordable bar KST makes for this platform, the Six Bend is offered across 10-, 12-, 14-, and 16-inch rise, all built for the same batwing-fairing touring bikes as the Patriot and Bison above. It is the widest rise range from a single model line on this list, which makes it a reasonable way to compare how your own bike looks at different heights before spending more on a stainless bar.
- steel construction
- 10-, 12-, 14-, and 16-inch rise options
- built for batwing-fairing touring models
- notched for throttle-by-wire and internal wiring
- Widest rise range in one model line on this list
- Noticeably cheaper than KST’s own stainless Patriot and Bison bars
- Still purpose-built for the batwing fairing rather than a generic bend
- Steel rather than the stainless used on KST’s pricier bars, so it needs the same anti-corrosion care as any plated bar
- The 16-inch option is well past the point where a cable and line rebuild is mandatory, and that cost isn’t in the sticker price
Khrome Werks Bagger Bobber Ape Hanger
Built from 14-gauge steel and dimple-drilled for internal wiring, the Bagger Bobber is Khrome Werks’ bagger-specific ape hanger, notched for electronic throttle control and sold in 10- and 12-inch rise for 1997–2025 Harley touring and trike models. It sits at a mid-price point between the budget TC Bros bar and the pricier stainless options above, from a brand that has supplied Harley aftermarket parts for decades.
- 14-gauge steel tubing
- 10- and 12-inch rise options
- dimple-drilled for internal wire routing
- notched for electronic throttle control
- Pre-drilled and dimpled specifically for a clean internal wiring job
- Fits a very wide model-year range, 1997 through 2025
- Available in chrome or black
- Tops out at 12-inch rise, so riders wanting a taller look need a different bar on this list
- Still needs extended cables and lines at 12 inches, per the cable-length rule above
Khrome Werks Custom Bend Stretch Ape Hanger
A second bend from the same maker as the Bagger Bobber above, the Custom Bend Stretch is sold in a single 12-inch rise for 1999–2023 touring and trike models, with a diamond-knurled clamp area to grip factory risers without slipping. The profile reads straighter than the Bagger Bobber’s curve, worth cross-shopping if the shape of the bend matters as much to you as the brand.
- 14-gauge steel tubing
- 12-inch rise
- diamond-knurled clamp area
- chrome or black finish
- A genuinely different bend profile than Khrome Werks’ own Bagger Bobber, not a duplicate listing
- Knurled clamp area is a specific slip-prevention detail some cheaper bars skip
- Same broad 1999–2023 model-year coverage as the Bagger Bobber
- Only one rise height available in this line, versus multiple options from LA Choppers or KST
- Street pricing varies more by retailer than most bars on this list, so compare a couple of listings before buying
Biker’s Choice PrimeApes (Batwing Fairing)
Biker’s Choice built the PrimeApes line specifically for FLHT and FLHX batwing-fairing bikes as well as 2015-and-newer Road Glide, machined for throttle-by-wire and available across an unusually wide 10-to-19-inch rise spread. A 0.25-inch spacer adapter is sold separately for bikes still running cable-actuated controls instead of throttle-by-wire. It is a reasonable way to shop rise height first and pick a brand second.
- 1-1/4-inch tube diameter
- 10- to 19-inch rise options
- machined for throttle-by-wire
- made in the USA
- Widest single-brand rise range on this list, 10 inches up to 19
- Built specifically for the batwing fairing rather than adapted from a non-fairing bar
- Cable-throttle spacer adapter sold separately for older setups
- Price climbs sharply at the taller rises, more than the modest difference in materials would suggest
- 16- and 19-inch options are well past the point where a full cable, line, and wiring rebuild is mandatory — budget for that separately
Buying tips
- Measure rise from the riser clamp to the top of the bar when comparing brands — that is how every manufacturer’s chart is built, not the bar’s height off the ground.
- Budget for extended clutch and brake lines the moment you go past about 12 inches of rise — stock-length lines are reported to just barely reach at that height on most model years, and anything taller needs real replacements, not stretching.
- Buy a bar with a batwing- or bagger-specific bend, not a generic touring ape hanger — the extra curve is what clears the fairing shell, speaker pods, and mirrors on a Street Glide.
- Confirm which throttle-by-wire sensor generation your bike’s model year uses before ordering — the throttle-side notch is cut for a specific sensor, and the wrong one will not seat correctly.
- Check tube diameter before ordering risers or grips — most Street Glide-specific bars use the 1-1/4-inch fat-bar standard, but at least one narrower 1-inch option on this list needs different risers and controls entirely.
- Weigh pullback alongside rise, not rise on its own — two bars advertised at the same rise height can put your wrists at noticeably different angles depending on how far the bar sweeps back toward you.
- Price a pre-wired bar against a shop’s labor rate for a standard one before deciding — fishing wire through a 12-inch-plus tube by hand is the single most time-consuming part of this swap.
- Get an installation quote before buying if you are not doing the cable and line work yourself — on a batwing-fairing bike, the fairing has to come off to route new lines, which adds labor time a naked-bike ape hanger swap does not have.
As an Amazon Associate and eBay Partner, toptenpick.com earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are subject to change.