Top 8 Best Handlebars for Road King In 2022

Finding the best handlebars for road king can make a huge difference to your comfort. Besides, they can potentially reduce more vibration before it makes its way to your hands. A different size handlebar can also have a major effect on the handling features and stability of your motorcycle.

Generally, most riders settle with what comes on their bike, which in most cases, they are not convenient with it. They simply do not have a choice because they can’t go through the stress of trying every handlebar in the market. In this guide, we will make selection easier with our top eight handlebars.

8 Best Handlebars for Road King

1. Pre Wired Dominator Industries 1 ¼ 12 inch Ape Hangers for Road King

Next on the list, we have the Dominator Industries Handlebars for road king special, which are fully Tig welded and basically polished to perfection. They are also made in the USA. In terms of look and build quality, we put these right up there with the FMB Choppers brand. We also like the fact that they are plumbed for internal wiring and notched for TBW.

They are actually easier to install than the FMB Choppers and feature beveled and deburred joints for a clean interior and easy wire pulling. While we still give it to the FMB Choppers for overall style and quality, the Dominator Industries Handlebars are definitely a close second.

After our research, we found this piece worth everything you can ever need from a handlebar. The bars are prewired with your switch wiring and set up with the ability to pull your existing twist grip sensor in no time. Those of us who have changed our handlebars know, beyond any doubt, that wiring the new bars can be a daunting task.

Due to this experience, the manufacturers have set out to fix that and can provide you with a solution that virtually eliminates the headache. Now, they were able to achieve having the twist grip sensor pulled in under 10 minutes! All that’s is left is to swap your hydraulics, and it’s done.

Virtually every road king users know how high the charges of any dealer can be. But with this unit, you will be saving enough buck to be channeled to other important parts. This is no doubt a piece for the money.

If you are looking for a piece that’s easy to install, carefully designed for optimal pull comfort and a lifetime-backed product, this unit is all you need. According to the manufacturer, it is compatible with the 2017-2020 model years of the Harley-Davidson Road King Special FLHRXS models.

Pros

• Allows for easy internal wire pulling
• Comes with a quality finish
• Lifetime warranty
• Easy to install
• Bolt-on replacement for stock equipment

Cons

• None

2. Paul Yaffe’s Bagger Nation 50300812 Black 12″ Classic Bagger Apes Handlebar 

Another great product when it comes to the best handlebars for the Harley road king is the Paul Yaffe’s Bagger Nation 50300812 Black 12″ Classic Bagger Apes Handlebars. They come in a nice chrome bath or gloss black powder finish. The first thing that comes to mind with these Paul Yaffe’s Bagger Nation Handlebars is style. These handlebars will definitely give you a lot of attention and will make you a star of the show.

They are quite expensive, but we are not surprised after seeing everything in-store with this product. One of these features is that it is made of high-quality materials. This not only makes it sturdy but also let it add to the overall appearance of your road king.

I bet you’ll love to see how comfortable the design is when handling. It makes your ride as long as you want without feeling fatigued. According to the manufacturer, once you find it to be compatible with your road king model, it’s worth considering.

Even with the introduction features, it still comes at a very cost-effective price. This piece comes knurled, dimpled, and predrilled to make internal wiring easy. That alone tells you that you can’t spend the whole day with the installation.

However, it is important to use the one-piece top handlebar riser clamp OEM #55918-08 when installing any of these bars in 2007 and earlier models for perfect fitting. What’s more, these handlebars come in vary in heights (10 12″, 14″ and 16″). The height you’ll choose will now depend on your personal preference.

Pros

• Wiring is easy
• Quick installation
• Resistant to corrosion
• Comes at a cost-effective price
• Adds to overall road glide appearance
• Comes in varieties of heights

Cons

• Fitting may be imperfect without the one-piece top handlebar riser clamp OEM #55918-08

3. Harley Road Glide, Road King, Softail Bars 10″ inch Ape Hangers

If you are for the best handlebar for your motorcycle, then consider this 10 inches MEATHOOK APE HANGER BARS. It is designed to fit not only your toad king but will also make a perfect pick for your road glide, Softail, fat boy, and also Dyna. It’s built to fit a wide variety of motorcycle models except for the 2015-2017 Road Glide.

The Meathook handlebar is a product of one of the leading industries in the US. And it comes with a convenient 10 inches height 32 inches width and 11 inches center width. The 1¼ inches tubing step down to 1 inches tubing for handle control shows that the manufacturers have users’ comfort in mind.

One thing that defines its durability is the 120 wall thickness. Another is the fact that it is 100% Tig welded. That is to say that you can never go wrong with this piece in terms of durability and sturdiness. Every Meathook handlebars are started and finished in the United States.

Every Meathook bar component is CNC laser cut, then cleaned and fully deburred by hand. This makes the internal wiring process less daunting than with many other bars. Then all bars are hand-assembled and placed into a precision drop fixture before being fully Tig Welded.

This handlebar is made to go through a severe quality control process before being sent off to polish. The piece is hand-polished by the Performance Machine. Many other major brands popularly use these vendors.

After the bar has been fully polished, it is then sent to the same vendors as Carlini, Performance Machine, Factory 47, and many others to ensure the best chrome and powder finish. This bar boasts of quality craftsmanship that can be identified with many leading brands as well. Meathook handlebars are custom bars to fit your 1996-2017 Harley Davidson models.

Pros

• Fully Tig welded
• Polished to perfection
• Sturdy and durable
• Improved handle control

Cons

• None

4. Hill Country Customs 1 ¼” Chrome 16″ Hooker Ape Hanger Handlebar

The Hill Country Customs Handlebar is one of the complete basic Ape Hanger Kit in the market. It includes virtually everything that you need to install the 1 ¼ inches chrome hooker ape hanger handlebars on your Harley. 

In the kit, you’ll find a handlebar, extended length cables, extended length Front Brake line, and Wiring Harness Extensions that suit your Harley-Davidson model.

These handlebars are drilled for easy internal wiring and are notched for the throttle using the wire sensor. With this handlebar kit, you’ll get stainless braided cables as well as an upper ABS stainless braided brake line incorrect measurements. The wiring extensions are not excluded.

The ends of stainless braided cables and stainless braided brake lines are covered in chrome ends. Besides, they are covered with a clear UV-resistant plastic Armor to protect your paint and maintain their appearance for a long time. Brake line expansion is better protected, thanks to the protective inner liners.

All the wire extensions are color-coded to fit the factory wiring. Thank goodness the kit comes with all the extensions needed for Radio, Cruise, and CB factory options. If you have heated grips, you’ll have to buy part # 2120-0499 heated grip extensions, which are readily available in our store.

The only snag here is that there is no included user manual guide for each kit. 

We do recommend that you purchase a Harley-Davidson factory service manual for your bike model. This handlebar is ever compatible with your 2008-2013 Harley-Davidson Road King and Road Glide Models with ABS brakes.

Pros

• Brake line expansion are better protected
• Wire extensions are color-coded
• Kit is complete
• Easy internal wiring

Cons

• Does not include a can of brake fluid and labor
• No instruction manual

5. HTTMT HB017-I- Black 12 Inches Rise T-Bars Road King Handlebar

The HTTMT Harley Handlebars are a great choice when you want something in the middle of the road in terms of quality, looks, and durability. Every HTTMT HB017-I- Black 12 Inches Rise T-Bars Handlebar component is CNC laser cut, then cleaned and fully deburred by hand. This makes the internal wiring process less daunting than with many other bars.

Then all bars are hand-assembled, deburred, and placed into a precision drop fixture before being fully Tig Welded. It comes with oversized drilled wiring holes to accommodate any internal wiring. Every bar goes through a rigorous quality control process before being sent off to polish.

The right side has flat spots near the right side handle to allow for the proper installation of the master cylinder. These bars can be run with stock cables, hardware, and controls. It comes with a 12 inches rise, 26 inches width, 2 inches pullback, and 1¼ diameter. It’s compatible with all Harley-Davidson FLST, FXST, Sportster XL, DYNA, LOWRIDER, 48 Sportster, including Throttle-by-wire models, and any Custom Application.

Pros

• High-class quality and very durable
• Good Working Condition and Easy to Install
• Hand-assembled

Cons

• None

6. 12″ Dirty D Bagger Drag Bars Custom Handlebars

Next up, we have the Dirty D Bagger Drag Bars Custom Handlebars for the Harley road glide. If you need something racy and more sporty and built for performance. Sure we know that these are more for the Harley Sportster, but some people like to switch it up a bit and try something new and exciting. They do fit some road king models, but you need a custom job.

So yes, while the installation process will be a bit more time-consuming, we think that it is worth it if you are trying to go for that sportier look. And these handlebars are durable enough and sturdy enough for most people. They are quite affordable in price actually, and the quality is worth the price.

The 12 inches Dirty D Bagger Drag Bars Custom Handlebars are powder coated to give a glossy appearance. Thus, lifting the overall look of your road king. Besides, this makes it stand the test of wet weather conditions. I’m pretty sure you’d like to hear that this bar comes with 120 wall thickness.

They are fully Tig welded, and pre-drilled for easy internal wiring. The 1¼ inches tubing step down to 1 inches tubing for handle control shows that the manufacturers have users’ comfort in mind. Overall, it’s a comfortable and durable handlebar to consider for your road glide, road king, and even Sportster.

Pros

• Compatible with road glides up till 2014 and also virtually all Harley Softail and Sportster
• Powder-coated against corrosion
• Pre-drilled for easy internal wiring
• Price is adorable

Cons

• None

7. BBUT 12″ 14″ 16″ Rise 1 ¼” 14 Inch Ape Hangers for Road King

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Lastly, we have the BBUT Industries Handlebars for the road king, which are fully tig welded and polished to perfection. They are also made in the USA. In terms of look and build quality, we put these right up here in our list if the best handlebars for road king. We also like the fact that they are drilled for internal wiring.

These handlebars are available in varieties of sizes ranging from 12inch, 14 inches, and to 16 inches rise chrome or gross black finish. With that said, it will be able to withstand corrosion and moisture. Mind you, 14inch and 16inch handlebars may require extended cables and extension of handlebar wiring.

We love the fact that this handlebar is made to fit a wide variety of models. This piece is compatible with 1996-2018 Dyna, Softail, Sportster. And will also make a perfect fit with 1983-2014 Touring Models, Dresser, Bagger, Electra Glide FLHT FLHTC, Street Glide, Road King FLHR, and any other Non-CVO models using 1″ risers.

Internal wiring now comes easy as the 1¼ inch diameter bars have been pre-drilled. Mind you, since the bars’ clamp center section is 1 inch, you’ll have to use the 1 inches bottom and riser clamp to finish the installation. However, a whole lot of users attest to the fact that installation is quite easy.

This bar comes with one of the most innovative designs out there. The BBUT Hanger handlebar comes with arched points and corners design against the square corner design known with many bars. Overall, this bar is well built and constructed to give users maximum levels of control and comfort. What’s more, you’ll love to know that it is backed with a lifetime warranty.

Pros

• Comes with an innovative design
• Installation is easy
• Comes with a chrome or powder black coating
• Backed by a lifetime warranty
• Built material is strong and durable

Cons

• Not compatible with some2014 Road Glide and 2015-2019 Touring Model and any touring model with batwing fairing.

Road King Handlebars Buyer’s Guide

1. Height

To decide what height you would like your bars, it is important to consider the ‘riders triangle.’ Your contact makes the three points of the triangle with the seat, the handlebar grips, and the footpegs.

Getting the rider’s triangle is no big deal. When you sit on your bike, lift your arms with elbows slightly bent and hands in a fist shape, holding onto bars and recording the position your body naturally takes.

Simply, your hands will be most comfortable at some height below your shoulders, with hands spread slightly wider than shoulder-width. Run a tape measure down from one hand to the height of the risers on your bike to get an approximate height that you find comfortable.

2. Build Material

The quality of building material determines how long the handlebar will serve you. This goes down to whether the handlebar is made with materials that can resist corrosion. What about the coating.

Be sure to look into these things land yourself the best handlebar for your road king. However, virtually all the products reviewed above are a remade of quality materials you can always depend on.

3. Price

While you are looking for the best handlebar, it is essential to also consider your budget, so you don’t end up spending more than you expect. Although most of the road king handlebars come at a fair price. But normally of them are featured packed.

At this point, you have to take your time in checking the customers’ review section to find which ones are really cost-effective. That way, you can get the best value for the money.

4. Compatibility

Since handlebars are not universal, you have to check well to see that you get the right fit for your road glide. The best place to check is from the manufacturer’s information.

However, you can as well opt for products that are compatible with a wide variety of models. The above-reviewed products are such that fit many models.

Frequently Asked Questions

What holds the handlebars on a motorcycle?

Risers hold the handlebars above their mounting position on the upper triple clamp and may be integrated into the bar itself.

How do you determine handlebar pullbacks?

You can get the pullback by measuring from the center of the handlebar to the string. The height can be measured from the center of the handlebar to the center of the broomstick.

How do you measure road bike handlebar width?

If the handlebar you want to use is measured from the inside edge to the other inside edge, just add 2 centimeters to your shoulder measurement to get the right size.

Recommended read: Motorcycle handlebar type

Conclusion

We believe by now, you will not have any difficulty selecting the best handlebars for road king. Provided you’ve read through, all you have to do is select which one suits you the most. All of our products have been tested to give the best of comfort provided you can get the right height best fit for you.

While considering the height of the handlebar, it is important to check the build material. That way, you can be rest assured to ride even under wet conditions without the fear of anything getting damaged.