Roland Sands Design Glider Handlebar - Hot Bike Baggers Magazine

Roland Sands Design Handlebar Install Installed

RSD Glider Handlebar Install

Harley-Davidson did a great job when designing the ergonomics of the late model bagger. They seem to fit most riders with just one design regardless of height and weight. Some riders who may not fit the bike off of the showroom floor can usually get by with just a seat swap and a bit of adjusting of the handlebars, but for some that is not enough. Take our buddy Steve for instance. He is a bit more than 6-feet 4-inches tall and had a strong dislike for the OE handlebars on his `08 Road Glide. He felt that when the bars were rolled up enough to get them out of his lap, his wrists were bent too far inward. No matter what he tried there was no position that felt comfortable enough to ride more than only a few miles. After looking at the various bars now made specifically for the Road Glide, we settled on a set from Roland Sands Design. We then got on the horn to Roland Sands himself, and he sent us a set of his Glider FL bars. On first inspection, we really liked that the bars were designed to be a direct replacement, so no brake lines or wires had to be extended. The bar also comes with right side cutouts for the throttle-by-wire as well as being both dimpled and slotted for internal wiring. Once installed, they felt uber comfy being a tad taller and slightly less wide than the stock versions. Roland really hit the mark with these bars, so if you are looking at handlebar choices for your shark nosed ride, you may want to put these at the top of your list.

(1.)The dimensions of these bars are 35 inches wide with a 10 inch rise and feature 4 inches of pullback.
(1.)The dimensions of these bars are 35 inches wide with a 10 inch rise and feature 4 inch
(2.)The RSD bars are tremendously different in design over the OE units.
(3.)We started by removing the hand controls as well as the throttle-by-wire unit. It mounts into the slots at the end of the handlebar and is internally wired.
(3.)We started by removing the hand controls as well as the throttle-by-wire unit. It moun

(4.)Once the controls, external faring and gauges were removed, we could take off the OE handlebar.
(4.)Once the controls, external faring and gauges were removed, we could take off the OE h
(5.)With the OE bars removed and placed aside, Steve fits the RSD Glider bars to the bike.
(6.)The controls were re-mounted and all the wiring was routed either internally or down the sides of the bars.
(6.)The controls were re-mounted and all the wiring was routed either internally or down t

(7.)When all of the wires, hoses, and hand controls were in place, the bar end plugs were installed with RTV sealer.
(7.)When all of the wires, hoses, and hand controls were in place, the bar end plugs were
(8.)The gauges and covers were re-installed into the inner fairing and secured to factory specs.
(8.)The gauges and covers were re-installed into the inner fairing and secured to factory
(9.)All of the electronics were reinstalled and properly plugged back into the front of the inner fairing.
(9.)All of the electronics were reinstalled and properly plugged back into the front of th

(10.)The outer fairing was slid back into place and buttoned-up to factory specifications.
(11.)The RSD bars are taller than the OE handlebars, but they don't rise above the fairing's windshield.
(11.)The RSD bars are taller than the OE handlebars, but they don't rise above the fairing
(12.)With a simple bar swap, taller than average Road Glide owners like Steve can finally ride in comfort.
(12.)With a simple bar swap, taller than average Road Glide owners like Steve can finally