If you've been thinking about swapping your stock bars for a set of 14 inch harley handlebars, you're probably looking for that elusive mix of comfort and attitude that stock setups just can't provide. It's one of the most common modifications Harley owners make, and for good reason. The stock bars on many models—especially the older ones—tend to pull your shoulders forward or keep your hands too low, which is fine for a quick trip to the grocery store but a total nightmare on a four-hour ride.
Most people find themselves stuck in a debate between 12-inch and 16-inch bars. The 12s often feel just a bit too short, like you're still reaching down, while the 16s can feel like you're hanging from a pull-up bar, which looks cool until your hands go numb. That's where the 14s come in. They're often called the "Goldilocks" height because they sit right in that sweet spot where most riders' hands are level with or just slightly below their shoulders.
Finding Your Comfort Zone
Let's be real: riding a motorcycle should feel good. If you're constantly shifting in your seat or shaking out your wrists at every red light, something is wrong. Swapping to 14 inch harley handlebars is usually the first step toward fixing that. When your hands are at shoulder height, it naturally straightens your back and takes the pressure off your tailbone.
It's funny how a few inches can change the entire physics of how you sit on a bike. With your arms stretched out at a natural level, you're not hunching over the tank. This posture keeps your spine neutral, which means you can ride a lot longer before you start feeling that familiar ache between your shoulder blades. Plus, for taller guys, 14s are almost a necessity just to keep their knees from hitting the grips during tight turns.
The Style Factor
Beyond the comfort, we have to talk about the look. A Harley is a statement piece, and nothing changes the profile of a bike quite like a new set of bars. Whether you're going for that classic ape hanger look or something a bit more modern like a "meat hook" style with sharp points, 14 inch harley handlebars give the bike a much more aggressive stance.
They fill out the front end of the bike perfectly. On a Road Glide or a Street Glide, they peek just above the fairing, giving it that custom bagger vibe without looking like you're riding a cartoon bike. On a Softail or a Dyna, they lean into that classic chopper aesthetic. It's a subtle enough change that it doesn't look "overdone," but it's prominent enough that people will definitely notice the difference when you pull into a bike night.
Dealing with the Installation Headache
Now, I won't lie to you—installing 14 inch harley handlebars isn't always a "plug and play" afternoon project. Depending on what year and model you're riding, you're likely going to need to look at your cables and wiring. On older bikes, you're almost certainly going to need longer clutch lines and brake lines.
Harley has made things a bit easier on the newer Milwaukee-Eight models with their "Can-bus" wiring, but you still have to worry about the physical length of the wires. Many companies sell "all-in-one" kits that include the bars and all the necessary extensions. If you're doing this yourself, spend the extra money on one of those kits. Trying to piece together individual cables and soldering wire extensions is a recipe for a massive headache and a lot of swearing in your garage.
Internal vs. External Wiring
If you're going through the trouble of upgrading, please do yourself a favor and run the wires internally. Most modern 14 inch harley handlebars are pre-drilled for internal wiring. It takes a lot more patience to fish those wires through the tubes—especially if the bars have sharp bends like the "meat hook" styles—but the finished look is so much cleaner. There's nothing that ruins the look of a nice set of chrome or gloss black bars like a bunch of zip-tied wires running down the outside.
Don't Forget the Bushings
While you've got everything apart, swap out your stock rubber riser bushings for some polyurethane ones. Stock rubber bushings are soft, which is okay for short bars, but when you put 14-inch levers on your triple tree, that soft rubber allows for a lot of "slop" or wiggle. Polyurethane bushings are stiffer and will keep your 14 inch harley handlebars feeling solid and responsive. It's a $20 part that makes a world of difference in how the bike handles.
How the Ride Changes
One question people always ask is, "Does it make the bike harder to handle?" The short answer is no, but it does feel different. Since you have more leverage with wider, taller bars, you'll find that low-speed maneuvers actually feel a bit easier. You don't have to manhandle the bike as much.
However, on the highway, you might notice a bit more wind resistance. Since your arms are higher up, your body acts a bit like a sail. If you have a fairing, this isn't a big deal. If you're riding a "naked" bike like a Heritage or a Slim, you'll feel the wind a bit more in your chest. Most riders find that the trade-off in ergonomics is well worth the extra wind, but it's something to keep in mind if you do a lot of 80-mph touring.
Choosing Your Finish: Chrome or Black?
This is the age-old Harley debate. Generally, if you have a lot of chrome on your engine and exhaust, sticking with chrome 14 inch harley handlebars is the way to go. It keeps the look cohesive. But lately, the "blacked-out" look is everywhere. Gloss black bars can look incredibly mean, especially on a bike with a dark paint job.
Just make sure you're buying quality. Cheap bars tend to have thin powder coating that chips the first time you move your controls or mount a phone holder. Look for bars that are made from heavy-duty DOM tubing. You want something that's going to hold up to the vibrations of a V-twin engine without cracking or rusting after one season.
Final Thoughts on the Switch
At the end of the day, putting 14 inch harley handlebars on your ride is about making the bike yours. Most of us didn't buy a Harley to keep it stock. We bought it to tweak it, tune it, and make it fit our bodies and our styles.
If you're tired of the "slump" that comes with stock bars, or if you just want your bike to stand a little taller in the parking lot, 14 inches is the way to go. It's high enough to make a statement but low enough to keep you riding comfortably all day long. Just take your time with the install, get the right cable lengths, and don't be afraid to ask for help if the internal wiring starts making you go crazy. Once you get out on the open road and feel that new riding position, you'll wonder why you didn't do it years ago.