It didn't take long to know I was going to need new handlebars on the bike. We took a couple rides and the stock bars were so low that I had to reach downwards to get a grip on them. Soon after my shoulders and back began to hurt from the awkward reach. Something had to be done.
I went with the Paul Yaffe monkeybars again because the pullback and width fit me well when they were on my 2012 Street Glide. This time I put the 10" bars on instead of the 12" though. Doing this kept the hand grips behind the fairing which keeps my hands from being exposed to rocks and wind. This will help in winter riding for the cold too. They are still high enough to allow enough pull back to keep from having to reach downwards like the stock bars. And they still look nice too.
The process of installation was much easier on the 2015. Harley made marked design improvements that affected many areas of the new bikes. Fortunately some of those improvements also affected modifications to the bikes making the task easier. Installing the handlebars is an example. They put longer brake lines and hydraulic clutch lines from the master cylinder so you don't have to replace those as long as your only putting 12" or lower bars on the bike. They also made a wiring junction on a plate that is mounted under the radio. The wires in this junction are able to be removed from the zip ties that hold them and re-routed back towards the handlebars which allows you to put up to 12" bars on the bike without having to cut and solder extensions. Even the removal of the inner fairing was made easier with the new style of fork mount that allows you to simply lift upwards then back after removing the turn signals, turn signal bolts, and accessory console. That also makes adjusting them later much easier and quicker without hardly any tear down.
I did a video on the process and as mentioned for the 2012 model you need to have some mechanical and electrical aptitude to successfully accomplish the install. Even though its easier to install bars on the 2014 and 2015 models, its still not going to be for everyone. Safety is the first goal when doing something like this and not performing even one task correctly could put your life at risk on the road. If there is any hesitation about doing the installation yourself, then you probably should let your dealership do it for you.
Stock Handle Bars
Paul Yaffe 10" Monkey Apes
How to Install 10" Paul Yaffe Monkey Bars on a 2015 Harley Davidson Street Glide Special
