that's what I can a safe rider

http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/2372/apebarsqd2.jpg

 

Those are ape hangers gone too far rolleyes

 

I never did get the ape hangers.
Very uncomfortable and unsafe for sure.
Here there is a law that maximum from lowest point on seat to highest point on the bars must be 19" or less

 

I have heard a lot of storys about the origins of them from a guy who wrecked his bike bent up a set of them from an old crash bar to they protect your throat from a wire strung across the road to an old fashioned version of pimp my ride.
Personally I prefer a style called ram horns.