I was having lunch recently at a roadside diner when a motorcyclist rode by with handlebars that placed his hands at least a foot over his head. That got me thinking about the safety and legality of mimicking a primate on two wheels.
I am primarily a sport-bike guy, so I am hard-wired to ride with my hands at a height that many would consider oddly low. The opposite end of the spectrum is foreign to me, so I was compelled to do some research on the phenomenon known as ape hangers.
The motorcycle that sparked my interest was on an Arizona street, so I decided to check the legality question first. Arizona Law states:
“A person shall not operate a motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle or motor driven cycle equipped with handlebars that are positioned so that the hands of the operator are above the operator's shoulder height when the operator is sitting astride the seat and the operator's hands are on the handlebar grips.”
Other states have a variety of bar height regulations. Several limit the height by specifying a maximum distance above the height of the seat, such as 15”. Others mandate that a motorcyclist’s hand height must be below seated eye-level. Why are ape hangers illegal in many states? Lawmakers and law enforcement officials claim that they are a safety issue both in terms of control of the motorcycle and visibility while riding.
My further research revealed that there are riders who are amazingly committed to riding with ape hangers. There are a couple of Facebook pages dedicated to the style. There is also an active website, apehangers.org, that is dedicated to promoting the style, and that pushes for changes to what they feel are oppressive state laws.
Interestingly, the website’s manager states that he started the site after he was ticketed for excessive handlebar height on the way to Daytona Bike Week. He states, “That pissed me off soooo much I pulled up my tent stakes, rode straight home, and started up this website, apehangers.org deticated [sic] to apehangers...”
I guess in the end, it will be up to the planet of the apes who love the style to harness their jungle fever and wage “gorilla” warfare on what they feel are unfair restrictions on hanging from chrome plated vines as they ride!
Here is a look at some of the more extreme examples of the “apes” and their hangers:
Comments
Personally, they should be illegal. When riding like that your hands will get tired and unresponsive.
Unlike Harry2, I've had enough of Big Brother; Americans should be free to do what ever doesn't hurt someone else.
Can people ride standing on the seat? On one wheel? With two feet on one side of the bike?
Of course they can! Does it create an unnecessary safety hazards to other people on the road? Well, that is the question that has to be answered in order to define the legality of it. Referring to "Freedom" and State intervention on one´s affairs is only one side of the equation.
The other side of the equation is better visualized with an example. Do you feel comfortable riding close to fellow ¨Apes¨ riders in anything but smooth, straight and WIDE highway? Sorry bothers, very few people can properly control such a bike in the event of a sudden maneuver. For me Ape hangers border stunt riding.
Let´s use our energy and political capital on those items that benefit the majority, such as line splitting, as opposed to just a few.
The jury is out…
Any control on a motorcycle that impairs your ability to maintain absolute control of it should be considered "Unsafe and Improperly Equipped"
I'm not saying "Ape Hangers" and other "After-market Accessories" have no place on a bike, they do -"Show Bikes" Yes, they look cool but, they will most likely get you killed or crippled for life in a situation that requires every skill you have to maintain control.
Do I love "Big Brother"?" No! But sometimes, intervention is required, to save a "Monkeys Ass" LOL
Just my 2 cents worth "-)
just my 2 cents.....
Yeah, lets make more shit illegal. That's what we need. If Harry doesn't like it, make it illegal. Hey harry, I don't like whatever you ride and want to make it illegal. Does that seem right?
A good set of apes, like mine, 16" are safe, comfortable and my hands last much longer before going numb then they did on the stock bars. I am more visible and my mirrors are actually usable. They look over my shoulder instead of into them. APS ARE GOOD. Although these pics are extremes.
I just put some 14" ape hangers on my bike but I haven't rode it yet with them on. I do like the way the feel though.
Lets face it, high handlbars make the handling of a bike POOR, but high suspension does the same to a truck, and there are thousands of lifted trucks and suv's out there. I'm a jeep guy, so i know first hand the impairment of having lifted suspension on road, but theres an acceptable height limit in most states and provinces that allow some lifted vehicles on road. The same could apply to motorcycles and apehangers. Apes dont have to be sky high for people to enjoy them, and most people know that, but having a limit to how high they can be (on road worthy bikes) wont be the end of the world.
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