I changed my handlebars! - Updated Chief Ergonomics
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 ก.พ. 2025
- Hey, everyone.
Today's video is a short one. Just an update on how my riding stance has changed after I put the Cruiser Bars on my Chief. Let me know in the comments, what do you think of the new bars? Do you like the look, or would you have gone with a different set?
What’s up Teed, I ended up on a Low Rider S.. Blacked out like yours! Your bike is still one of the best looking bikes on TH-cam! I love your set up, your videos really got me addicted to a cruiser lol I wanted an adventure bike, until I started following your channel.. so thank you for pointing me the right direction!!
Hey, LastRider! That's awesome! Thanks! I'm glad my videos helped you in your decision. Ultimately, my channel started off one way, and has ended up being a mixed up mash of random content/reviews. I'm glad there was something within that helped!
I hope you have many fantastic adventures on your Low Rider S!
@@teed412 thank you brother, much gratitude for being a positive influence! We need more videos from you, just ride and talk to the world! You never know how many people you’re influencing positively.. nothing better than that!
@@THELASTRID3R No problem! I've got some decent ideas for a few videos this year. Already did a ride with a buddy to Erie with a new 360 camera. Been pulling footage together for that but it's super weird and different with the 360 views.
Either way, I'll definitely keep at it. I don't think I'll stop uploading videos entirely unless something drastic happens in my life.
I have the Bobber, and being only 5'8" it was a stretch to reach the Mini-apes as they were positioned. I rolled them back to fit me and it makes it so much more comfortable. Looks should come second to comfort. I think too many people are concerned about how the bike should look to others than being comfortable. I spent MY $$ to please me not others. Do to your bike what make you comfortable and ride on friend.
Hi, Paul.
You make some great points. I definitely wasn't able to enjoy the bike in its stock form. Putting these bars on lets me comfortably use it, which is all I can ask for!
Did you have to change the cables? Did you get the mid cables or the ones for 10inch risers?
Great move with the cruiser bars but i'd still add 2" rizers to em. Not quite mini apes but also not too low.
As a rider & a tech I recommend "to each their own". Try sitting on bikes with all variations ie mini apes, apes, risers, drag, beach etc etc... everyone is different with body aches/pains, reach so on so forth. You must have the perfect balance of style with comfort or your body will hate you in the long run
The newspapers are abuzz with curiosity...who IS that masked man?? Will The Mystery Biker reveal his true identity? I guess we'll have to stay tuned for the next episode! Hey Teed, on the serious side, my opinion is that comfort and control are the #1 consideration. Besides, these bars don't look bad at all and the cool thing about bikes is that they can be forms of individual expression. Glad to hear the difference is noticeable for you and that comfort is improved. Who knows, maybe in a year or two you'll want to try the mini-apes but for now, enjoy the ride. Have a great riding season and stay safe. I'll be setting up a TH-cam channel soon, mostly for my real estate stuff but I also have some personal-interest videos planned, including for my bikes. Rock on!
Hey, Mister! Great to hear from you again. Haha, I've thought about showing my face for voiceover videos but I don't know if I'm ready for that just yet. I need a good video backdrop/setup to do it in, plus I have to be comfortable with showing my face I guess haha.
I totally agree, comfort and control are super important. You make a good point about individual expression, too. I was thinking about doing a unique paint job at some point, but don't have the time or money to do it right now.
Thanks! It's nice to be able to ride my bike without feeling uncomfortable after 30-40 minutes of zipping around. Now I can take some longer trips!
Ohh, that's exciting! Best of luck with your TH-cam channel! I'll be sure to check it out when you kick it off!
I hope you have a great riding season as well!
I feel the same way. I bought the reduced reach bars, and just wasn't a comfortable riding position. I ended up buying some Rox pivoting risers to help adjust the riding position even more. If I had to do it again, I'd go with the 5 inch bars from indian or something from Dean Speed
Hey, Robert!
Yeah, the 5 inch bars are pretty nice, I considered them but thought the cruiser ones would be fine. I looked at Dean Speed too but had a hard time visualizing what they would look like on the bike.
Ultimately, I think the cruiser ones fit me much better than the stock drag bars, but maybe I'll switch my bars again in the future!
Thanks for making this video Teed! I didn't realise you had your own channel, just subscribed. The cruiser bars certainly sit you up more and it does definitely look more comfortable. I always thought the cruiser bars would place my hands too low putting strain on my shoulders but after seeing you on the bike they look pretty much the same height! If not a little higher. Good to see. I have seen the mini apes rolled back to the rider and I don't mind the look of that either. I'm now wondering if the cruiser bars might look better with a screen?
Hey, Bikes I Like! No worries! I've been watching your stuff for a bit. Love the series on ergonomics and fitting on different bikes. It has helped me envision myself on plenty of bikes. Being 5'6 is a bit of a challenge on most bikes outside the cruiser range, so it has definitely helped!
Yeah, the cruiser bars aren't too bad! I was worried as well, but it turned out okay for me.
I do think they would look better with a wind screen or fairing. I'd love to grab the Sport Chief fairing, but my budget can't handle it right now haha.
I think if I didn't have a fairing planned for the future, I would go with the 5 inch raised bars.
Thanks for subbing!!
@@teed412 I have the bobber with the mini apes and put on the Sport Chief fairing. Very expensive mod! I at first regretted doing it because of the price and the fact I lost the fat front fork tube covers that I liked. However it has grown on me and I get a lot of compliments :), The fairing only really helps at highway speeds as I don't feel like I'm getting pushed off the bike. Now I'm thinking of getting the handlebars to let me sit more upright. Also am hoping aftermarket comes up with an affordable extended footpeg relocation kit as I feel my legs are a bit cramped. Enjoy your vids.
@@paulsumpter9573 Hi, Paul! I agree, the fairing + windshield for it is very expensive. I think I will end up getting it at some point... just need to be smart about when I buy it!
I found that the forward controls Indian sells are pretty good for me. Fits almost exactly the same as my Sportster did. If you have the mid controls, I definitely feel you on the cramping... my hips would be killing me after an hour ride. Thankfully the forward controls help a lot!
Thanks! I always appreciate having conversations in the comments. I would talk about bikes all day if I could haha! I'm glad you are enjoying the videos!
Strengthening the mid section a little helps tremendously.
Definitely. I just recently got back into running, so I should have an easier time, eventually.
Looks like you changed your controls to forwards. Were the drag bars more or less comfortable with the kids?
Hey, poman! I did! I put the forwards on shortly after I got the bike. I couldn't handle the hip pain it was giving me to have my legs crunched up like that.
I'd honestly say I really didn't notice much of a difference there. The pain was mostly in the lower to middle parts of my back. Really tough to get rid of that discomfort and pain with a stretch. It's that kind of discomfort that doesn't easily go away unless you lay down for an hour haha.
The cruiser bars don't cause nearly as much pain as the drag bars did for me.
Hope this helps!
Have you sat on the new sport chief and got an ergonomic feel for the 6 inch / 10 inch moto risers? Ive got your same original drag bars and contemplating making a similar change. its my understanding that the stock DH with drag bars already had 4 inch riser so basically gaining 2 or 6 inches with the new moto risers
Hey, Gordon! Nice to hear from you again!
I saw the Sport Chief at my local dealer but didn't think to sit on it and try out the handlebars at the time. Big mistake on my part, because now they don't have it anymore!! I'll need to keep my eye out to see if they get another one in stock sometime soon.
Ohh, I didn't know that about the stock drag bars. I was also thinking it would have been enough to just get the new risers the Sport Chief comes with. I'd wager it would at least be more comfortable with the larger risers. I'd say the 6 inch ones would maybe be best? Unless you are taller, maybe the 10s would be better. Depends on where you want your elbows I guess, haha!
@@teed412 is it your understanding that the 5 inch mid rise bars you have circled are the same bars that are stock on the DH Bobber? Its a little confusing as the bobber specs call them mini apes, but it appears on the indian garage site that the handlebars rise when the existing bobber bars are changed to mini apes. Was looking to maybe sit on a bobber to see how those bars feel if there indeed 5 inch mid rise bars. thanks teed
@@gdunn33 Hmmm, I think the mini apes might be on the DH Bobber, but I can't confirm that. I think you're right, there's the 5 inch mid rise and then mini apes, which are 10 inch I think.
I'd maybe trust the bike builder more than the descriptions. If it looks like the 5 inch and mini apes are different than what's stock on the Bobber DH, then I'd wager it's something different.
Originally, I wanted the "pull back" bars, but I ended up with the cruiser ones instead... maybe a miscommunication on my end, but I found it weird. Overall the bars are better than the stock drag bars on the Dark Horse, so I'm fine with it.
@@teed412 Agreed.. to trust the bike builder rather than the descriptions or what the Indian showroom salesperson thinks. glad your happy with your upgrades
Hey teed. How much did the dealer charged to swap the handlebars. I have mini apes on my super chief and want to swap it for the highway bars
Hi, Charwak! I dug through my documents and was able to find the exact price. They charged me $609 USD for the parts/labor combined. That doesn't include the tax, since that may be different for you.
They charged me for new wiring, the bars, and I got new grips (as the ones on my original bars did not come off clean) but they didn't charge me for them, with about $350 in labor fees. Hope this helps!
@@teed412 thank you. I just replaced mine myself. Thanks for the info.
@@charwakgummalla8188 Of course! Any time.
@@teed412 also just wanted to ask about the issues with the chief. I have some paint issues with the chief and want to ask you if you went through the warranty process to get them fixed. I want to know the process so that I can get mine replaced or looked at. Thank you.
@@charwakgummalla8188 Hey, Charwak. Sure! I haven't had any paint issues or anything, but I did make a stink about the grips needing replaced when I switched my handlebars. It wasn't exactly a warranty fix I think. The dealership had to open a "Good Will Request" or something of that nature, which gets sent to Indian Motorcycle Corporate, where they determine whether or not they want to replace it.
For warranty related items, I haven't had any insight into opening an official warranty request.
If you have any serious concerns and want to talk to Indian about it, I highly recommend going to Indian's site and sending them an email. You can send an email or call them directly and they will open a ticket for you. I've had a generally great experience when emailing them. They're pretty quick at responding and seem to give a crap about you and your concerns.
So how do you like the bars 6 months in? I have the CDH and I too have too much lean and reach to be comfortable with the drag bars. I start feeling it after about 10 minutes and after an hour, I really need a break. I went to the dealer today and sat on a bike with the cruiser bars and it was much nicer. But they're out of stock and the dealer is trying to talk me into the reduced reach bars. I configured it on the builder on the indian site and honestly the cruiser bars and reduced reach look almost the same. At the moment I'm thinking about doing the reduced reach bar with the 6" riser. Would you say you like the height of your bars? Or could they go a tad higher? I think the 6" risers would give it maybe like a 2-2.5" rise over the stock risers. I also tried the CDH Bobber in the store with the 5" mid rise apes, but my arms were still locked (not much bend at the elbow). The controls are fixed on that bar, so while i suppose its possible to lean them in a tad (maybe a couple degrees), I'm thinking it might not reduce the reach enough. I'm 5'10 by the way.
Hey there! I'm glad I'm not the only one that hates the drag bars haha.
To answer your question, I think out of what Indian offers, the Cruiser or Reduced Reach bars are your best bet. I love mine over the drag bars. To your point, the Cruiser and Reduced are pretty much the same thing. In fact, the dealer I ordered my "Reduced Reach" from, just ordered me the Cruiser ones instead. Not sure if they understood there was a difference or maybe there was some confusion.
Either way, I like my Cruiser bars. I actually did get a chance to try the smaller mini ape bars on a CDH Bobber as well. I honestly hated the height of those bars... my wrists felt really weird after 10 minutes on a test ride.
You're a little taller than I am. I'm 5'6 with a 30 inch inseam... so you've got a little more reach than I do, if I had to guess. I'd say you would be comfortable with the cruiser bars. At first, I thought they were a little too low... but now that I've seen all the options, I think they're my best option, and might be yours too. You could always add risers, like you said.
Hope this helps!
@@teed412 Thanks for the response. Maybe i'll just start with the reduced reach bar and go from there. I saw on a forum where some people have put 1" LA Chopper riser extentions on the stock riser, to get it a tad higher. Something like that might be an option if i feel need for a little more height. I think i have a little more reach than you, but i have back issues, and i need a more straight up stance in order to be comfortable. Any hunching over, and I get pain pretty quickly.
I hear ya. I'm still fairly young, but my back can't handle the stock drag bar stance for more than 20 minutes. I even changed the foot control placement to forwards because it was just awful on my hips and lower back. Hopefully the reduced reach bars help! I did similar comparisons using Indian's bike builder and they look like basically the same thing, so you should be fine.
how hard was changing out the bars?
Hi, WyoLars.
I did not change the bars myself. I had my local dealer do that for me. From what I understand, they had to extend the cables and some electrical wiring. There was an issue with trying to re-use the grips from my previous drag bars. The left side grip was super-glued onto the bars for some reason, and could not be removed... had to order another set of grips to put on the new bars, but Polaris covered that for me under the warranty.
Hope this helps!
Did you consider the reduced reach bars?
Hi, Joe! I did! I actually thought I ordered the reduced reach, but I ended up with the cruiser bars instead. Ultimately I am content with my handlebar situation... but maybe I'll change it up in the future, who knows!