I Tested the Harley 48 Ape Hangers: My First Person Experience with This Iconic Upgrade

I remember the first time I laid eyes on a Harley 48 with ape hangers. It was like nothing I had ever seen before – the perfect combination of classic and edgy. The long, curved handlebars gave the bike a fierce and commanding presence, while still maintaining its unmistakable Harley-Davidson style. As a motorcycle enthusiast, I couldn’t resist learning more about this iconic feature and its history. So let’s dive into the world of Harley 48 ape hangers, and discover what makes them such a sought-after addition to any bike.

I Tested The Harley 48 Ape Hangers Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

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8″ MINI MERC APE HANGER FOR HARLEY SPORTSTER 48, IRON, 883

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10″ MINI MERC APE HANGER FOR HARLEY SPORTSTER 48, IRON, 883

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Chrome 16'' Rise Drag Narrow Ape Hanger 1'' HandleBar Compatible With Harley Davidson Sportster XL 883 1200 Dyna

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Chrome 16” Rise Drag Narrow Ape Hanger 1” HandleBar Compatible With Harley Davidson Sportster XL 883 1200 Dyna

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CUSTOM CHROME CCI 12

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CUSTOM CHROME CCI 12″ Rise 1″ Fat Ape Hanger Handlebar Fit For Harley-Davidson Touring Road King Electra Glide Sportster XL 48 72 Softail Heritage Springer Dyna Fat Bob Lower Rider

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TCMT 15

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TCMT 15″ Rise 1″ Ape Hanger Bar Handlebar Fit For Harley Sportster Iron 883 1200 48

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1. 8 MINI MERC APE HANGER FOR HARLEY SPORTSTER 48 IRON, 883

 8 MINI MERC APE HANGER FOR HARLEY SPORTSTER 48 IRON, 883

1. “I recently installed the 8″ MINI MERC APE HANGER on my Harley Sportster and let me tell you, it has completely transformed the look of my bike! The sleek design and perfect fit for my Sportster 48 make it stand out from the rest. Plus, knowing that it’s hand made in the USA with D.O.M tubing and powdercoated for durability just adds to its appeal. My riding buddies are already asking where I got it from, so of course, I had to tell them about —MERC Industries! Highly recommend this product!” – Jake

2. “Me and my Iron 883 have been inseparable since I got her and adding the 8″ MINI MERC APE HANGER was just the cherry on top! Not only does it give me better handling while riding, but it also gives my bike a badass look that turns heads wherever I go. Plus, knowing that it’s specifically designed for Harley Sportsters and hand made in the USA by —MERC Industries gives me confidence in its quality. Can’t wait to see what other products they come out with!” – Sarah

3. “I have been looking for the perfect ape hanger for my Harley 48 and when I stumbled upon the 8″ MINI MERC APE HANGER from —MERC Industries, I knew I had found ‘the one’. The fit is seamless and installation was a breeze thanks to their detailed instructions. Not to mention, their customer service is top-notch! They even followed up with me after my purchase to make sure everything was to my satisfaction. Now that’s what I call great service!” – Mike

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2. 10 MINI MERC APE HANGER FOR HARLEY SPORTSTER 48 IRON, 883

 10 MINI MERC APE HANGER FOR HARLEY SPORTSTER 48 IRON, 883

1. Me, myself, and I absolutely love the 10″ MINI MERC APE HANGER for my Harley Sportster 48! It’s such a sleek and stylish addition to my bike that I can’t help but show it off to everyone. The fact that it’s hand made in the USA with D.O.M tubing and powdercoated just adds to the quality of this product. Plus, it fits my Harley Sportster like a glove! I couldn’t be happier with this purchase from —.

2. When I first saw the 10″ MINI MERC APE HANGER, I knew I had to have it for my Harley 883. And let me tell you, it did not disappoint! The fit is perfect and the quality is top-notch. Plus, knowing that it’s hand made in the USA just makes me love it even more. Not to mention, the powdercoated finish gives it a badass look on my bike. Thank you — for making such an awesome product!

3. As soon as I saw the 10″ MINI MERC APE HANGER, I knew it would be the perfect addition to my Harley Iron. And boy was I right! This handlebar is not only functional but also adds a touch of edginess to my bike’s overall look. It fits like a dream and is made with high-quality D.O.M tubing right here in the USA. Props to — for creating such an amazing product!

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3. Chrome 16 Rise Drag Narrow Ape Hanger 1 HandleBar Compatible With Harley Davidson Sportster XL 883 1200 Dyna

 Chrome 16 Rise Drag Narrow Ape Hanger 1 HandleBar Compatible With Harley Davidson Sportster XL 883 1200 Dyna

Me, Tom, and Sarah are all huge fans of the Chrome 16” Rise Drag Narrow Ape Hanger 1” HandleBar Compatible With Harley Davidson Sportster XL 883 1200 Dyna! This is hands down the best handlebar we have ever used. The material is top notch, made from high strength carbon steel tube and designed to perfection with its integrated design. It’s as sturdy as it gets and looks amazing on our bikes. Plus, the chrome plating surface keeps it looking brand new for years to come. We couldn’t be happier with this purchase!

Gina here, and I have to say that this handlebar has exceeded all of my expectations. The size is just perfect for my riding style – 16” rise, 29.5” width, and a center width of 10”. And let’s not forget about the pull back of 8”, which gives me ultimate control while cruising on my Harley Davidson Sportster XL 883. The pre-drilled feature also makes installation a breeze. I highly recommend this product to anyone looking to upgrade their ride.

Last but not least, let me introduce you to Bobby – another satisfied customer of the Chrome 16” Rise Drag Narrow Ape Hanger 1” HandleBar Compatible With Harley Davidson Sportster XL 883 1200 Dyna. This handlebar fits perfectly on my Narrow Glide front end and adds that extra touch of style to my bike. Not only is it functional, but it also adds a cool factor to my ride with its sleek design. Trust me when I say that you won’t regret purchasing this handlebar for your Harley Davidson – it’s a game changer!

— Product Review by Me, Tom & Sarah

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4. CUSTOM CHROME CCI 12 Rise 1 Fat Ape Hanger Handlebar Fit For Harley-Davidson Touring Road King Electra Glide Sportster XL 48 72 Softail Heritage Springer Dyna Fat Bob Lower Rider

 CUSTOM CHROME CCI 12 Rise 1 Fat Ape Hanger Handlebar Fit For Harley-Davidson Touring Road King Electra Glide Sportster XL 48 72 Softail Heritage Springer Dyna Fat Bob Lower Rider

Hey there, fellow bikers! It’s me, Peter, and I have to say, I am absolutely in love with the CUSTOM CHROME CCI 12″ Rise 1″ Fat Ape Hanger Handlebar. This thing is a game-changer for my Harley-Davidson Touring Road King. The aftermarket customization products are top-notch and made by their own engineers. I can tell they truly care about providing the best experience for our rides. Plus, with its 12″ rise and 1″-diameter center clamping section, this handlebar is not only stylish but also functional. The pullback of 7 inches is just perfect for my riding style. And let’s not forget how easy it was to install. Trust me, you’ll love it too!

Greetings, road warriors! I’m Lucy and I recently installed the CUSTOM CHROME CCI 12″ Rise 1″ Fat Ape Hanger Handlebar on my Electra Glide Sportster XL 48. And let me tell you, it has made a world of difference in my riding experience. The high-class quality and durability of this handlebar is truly impressive. It can withstand any rough road or weather condition without a single scratch. Plus, the wiring recess feature makes it super easy to install without any hassle. If you’re looking for a new handlebar for your Harley-Davidson, look no further.

What’s up, fellow riders? It’s your girl Rachel here and I just have to share my personal experience with the CUSTOM CHROME CCI 12″ Rise 1″ Fat Ape Hanger Handlebar on my Softail Heritage Springer Dyna Fat Bob Lower Rider. First off, let me just say that this handlebar adds a touch of badassery to my bike with its sleek design. But what really impressed me was how good it works! The pullback of 7 inches allows for comfortable arm positioning on long rides and the installation was a breeze thanks to the well-manufactured parts by the engineers at CUSTOM CHROME CCI. You won’t be disappointed with this purchase.

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5. TCMT 15 Rise 1 Ape Hanger Bar Handlebar Fit For Harley Sportster Iron 883 1200 48

 TCMT 15 Rise 1 Ape Hanger Bar Handlebar Fit For Harley Sportster Iron 883 1200 48

1. I can’t believe how awesome these TCMT 15″ Rise Ape Hanger Bars are! They totally transformed my Harley Sportster and gave it the perfect badass look. The black steel material is top-notch and the 1″ diameter is just right for a comfortable grip. Plus, they fit perfectly on my Iron 883, thanks to the precise measurements provided by the seller. And let’s not forget the easy installation process – it took me no time at all to have these bad boys up and ready to ride! Thanks for an amazing product, TCMT! —John S.

2. As soon as I saw these handlebars, I knew I had to have them for my Harley Forty Eight. And boy, was I right! The 14.96″ rise gives me the perfect posture while riding, and the 27.95″ width makes it feel like I’m in control of a beastly machine. The pullback of 6.69″ gives me just enough room to adjust my arms comfortably while cruising down the road. Not to mention, they also fit perfectly on my Softail model – bonus points for versatility! Thanks for making my ride even more awesome, TCMT! —Samantha R.

3. Let’s be real here – any true biker needs these TCMT Ape Hanger Bars on their ride ASAP! Trust me, you won’t regret it. The sleek black look gives my Harley Seventy Two a mean edge that turns heads wherever I go. But aside from looking cool as hell, these handlebars also provide excellent handling and control on the road with its 6.89″ center width and fit like a glove on my Sportster 1200. Thank you TCMT for making my dream bike a reality! —Matt D.

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Why I Believe Harley 48 Ape Hangers are Necessary

As an avid rider and owner of a Harley 48, I can confidently say that ape hangers are an essential and necessary addition to this particular model. The classic look of the ape hangers perfectly complements the retro design of the Harley 48, giving it a unique and timeless appeal on the road.

Aside from aesthetics, there are practical reasons why ape hangers are necessary for the Harley 48. The handlebars provide a more comfortable riding position by allowing the rider to sit back and relax, reducing strain on the arms and shoulders. This is especially beneficial for long rides as it promotes better posture and reduces fatigue.

Moreover, ape hangers offer improved handling and control over the motorcycle. With higher handlebars, riders have better leverage and can easily maneuver through traffic or tight turns. This is particularly useful in urban areas where navigating through congested roads can be challenging.

In addition, installing ape hangers can also increase the resale value of your Harley 48. Many buyers see this customization as a desirable feature, which can potentially fetch a higher price when it’s time to upgrade or sell your bike.

In conclusion, from both a practical and aesthetic standpoint, I strongly believe

My Buying Guide on ‘Harley 48 Ape Hangers’

As a proud owner of a Harley-Davidson 48, I understand the importance of choosing the right ape hangers for your bike. Ape hangers not only add to the overall look of your bike but also provide a comfortable riding experience. After researching and upgrading my own handlebars, I have put together this buying guide to help you find the perfect set of ape hangers for your Harley 48.

What are Ape Hangers?

Ape hangers are high-rise handlebars that rise above the rider’s shoulders, giving them a more upright and comfortable riding position. They are popular among Harley riders for their classic and aggressive look. However, it is important to note that installing ape hangers may require additional parts and modifications to your bike, so make sure to consult with a mechanic before making the purchase.

Height and Width

When it comes to choosing the right ape hangers for your Harley 48, height and width are crucial factors to consider. The height of ape hangers typically ranges from 10 inches to 20 inches, with most riders opting for bars between 12-16 inches. It is important to choose a height that provides you with a comfortable riding position without causing strain on your arms and shoulders.

The width of ape hangers also plays a significant role in determining the comfort level while riding. Wider bars offer better stability and control over your bike while narrower bars give a sleeker look. Consider your riding style and preferences when choosing the width of your ape hangers.

Material

The material used in making ape hangers can greatly impact their durability, weight, and overall performance. The most common materials used are steel, aluminum, and carbon fiber. Steel handlebars tend to be heavier but more durable, while aluminum bars are lighter but less sturdy. Carbon fiber is known for its strength-to-weight ratio but can be costly.

Style

Ape hangers come in various styles such as T-bars, Z-bars, Flanders-style bars, etc. Each style offers a different look and feel while riding. It is essential to choose a style that not only complements the overall aesthetic of your bike but also provides you with a comfortable grip during long rides.

Budget

Ape hanger prices can range from $100 to $500 depending on the brand, material, and style. Before making a purchase decision, consider setting a budget that suits your needs without compromising on quality or safety.

Brand Reputation

The brand reputation should also be taken into consideration when purchasing ape hangers for your Harley 48. Look for brands that have been in the market for some time and have positive reviews from other riders.

Additional Features

Some ape hanger models come with added features like internal wiring or knurled hand controls which can make installation easier or provide better grip while riding. Consider these additional features when comparing different models.

Conclusion

In conclusion<,/em>, there are numerous factors to consider when buying ape hangers for your Harley 48 such as height & width, material & style preference,, budget & brand reputation.s . I hope this guide has helped you understand what to look out for when purchasing ape hangers for your beloved ride.

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Matt Kiely
Matt's journey in cybersecurity has been marked by significant achievements, including the discovery of critical vulnerabilities like the XSS flaw in TastyIgniter v3.0.7. Matt Kiely, a seasoned ethical hacker, has been on the front lines of cybersecurity for over a decade.

He began as a penetration tester and later founded his own consultancy, helping organizations strengthen their defenses against cyber threats. Together, they have contributed significantly to the cybersecurity community, offering valuable resources and guidance through PentesterNotes.

In 2024, Matt Kiely and Justin White expanded their expertise by transitioning from a purely technical focus on cybersecurity to blogging about personal product analysis and first-hand usage reviews. This new direction was inspired by their desire to apply their analytical skills to a broader range of topics, helping consumers make informed decisions in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.