Never had or wanted apes, but I've always had some sort of highway pegs. You can guess what I would recommend.

 

 

I have a 1995 500 and I dont have to reach at all.
I didnt think the 1996 to 2009 had a reduced reach handlebar BUT you could just get a 1990 to 1995 one and it should work no problem.

 

With longer arms such as yours you should be pretty close to sitting straight up..not alot of bar options for the 500 as there are studs on the bars themselves instead of a traditional riser.
I think at one time you could get a threaded tube that you installed in between the bars and triple tree.
None the less someone has out risers on em by now then traditional bars.. you won't be able to add much before running into cable length etc issues.

 

My solution to handlebar adjustments was to replace the handlebars AND risers.

The handlebars for the Vulcan 500LTD are 1" diameter so if you replace them use a 1" diameter bar with appropriate risers. The handlebars on Hidalgo are from a Victory Vegas and are very 'flat' and wide compared to the stock bars. I forget where the risers came from but they put the bars about 1" closer to me. I am using the stock length cables but, depending on how high you go, Motion Pro can probably make up something custom if you need it.

 

I have a vulcan ltd en500 I was told to reduce my bending forward to put a set of apes on my bike I am 6foot 5inch tall and I don't have hwy peds as of yet witch would you'd all recommend I do first hwy pegs or apes

I'm 6'5" also and I ride a VN900. Adding 8" or even 10" apes will make a big difference in comfort and control without looking ridiculous. Any more than that and you may have to get longer cables.

 

At 6'5"....probably not a popular opinion but I would suggest you get a different bike 😊. Apes look ridiculous on small bikes. And as others have stated previously you are going to have issues with the cable length(s). The bike's handling will suffer too. At your height I would feel so cramped on a 500, I don't know how you do it.

 

I personally don't like apps.try pegs 1st my 2 cents