As for handling they do affect it somewhat but hell, I ride a 700 lb cruiser and comfort is more important, and Damn they look good. too. I have had them since the early nineties. The first time I sat on my 93 FXDWG i said that this feels right and natural. Replaced the stock 12"ers with 16. When I bought Rex (04 Road King), the first thing I did was put a set of 16" chubbies on him.
I fractured C2 and C3 a decade ago or more. 6 months in a halo braced fixed me pretty good and I didn't need surgery. Getting back on the bike was a no-brainer but my physical comfort wasn't so good. I tried all kinds of bars and ended up with apes. My God what a difference they made, especially when riding without a windshield. Even without back and neck issues the apes will always be my preference.