Motorcycle handlebars seldom receive the credit they merit. Handlebars are generally overlooked, while other parts, gear, and components receive all the attention. With this motorbike handlebar guide, we hope to rectify that error.
Handlebars on motorcycles serve more purposes than only holding gauges, mirrors, brake and throttle buttons. They are essential in assisting you in keeping control of the bike. Your motorcycle’s handlebars may be the cause of any fatigue or soreness you experience in your arms and body during or after riding.
The incorrect kind of handlebar, or one that isn’t tailored to you and your riding style, puts too much strain on your shoulders, neck, and arm muscles. Your handlebars could be at fault for the lower back ache you’re blaming on the seat of your bike.
If you ride a motorcycle and feel like something is off, or if you are having trouble staying in control while riding, it could be the handlebars. Perhaps you just need to make a small tweak, or perhaps the handlebars on your motorcycle aren’t the right kind.
You’ll discover everything there is to know about motorcycle handlebars as you read on, from how to change the height of the handlebar to the various kinds. You won’t take motorbike handlebars for granted again after reading this post. That much is certain.
Motorcycle Handlebars: What Are They?
The purpose of motorcycle handlebars extends beyond simply mounting brake pedals, throttles, speedometers, light switches, and additional controls and accessories. The handlebar’s principal purpose is to keep a motorcycle under control both when it’s moving and when it’s not.
Every type of motorcycle, including dirt bikes or popular cruiser bikes, as well as bikes used just on racetracks, has handlebars that are fastened to the front fork. The handlebar type and adjustment influence the riding position of the person operating a motorcycle. The way the handlebars are adjusted determines whether you sit straight or low and forward.
Motorcycle handlebars are often made of stainless steel, aluminium, or steel that has been chrome-plated. Riders can choose from a variety of hand grip materials, including rubber and plastic. The grips’ main goals are to keep riders comfortable and from slipping their hands off the handlebar.
Design and Types Of Motorcycle Handlebars
Depending on the style, metal tubing is bent into various curves to create the conventional motorcycle handlebar. The handlebar can be mounted to the motorcycle’s front fork by the use of a riser that is either manufactured inside the handlebar or affixed to it.
The handlebar, when installed in the fork, gives the rider control over the motorbike. Handlebars have an impact on your riding position, which has an impact on the motorcycle’s ergonomics. The way a motorcycle handles and performs can be altered by adjusting or changing the handlebar type. So, to select a handlebar from the several kinds that are currently available, you need to know how you feel most at ease and in control when riding.
You must consider design elements that influence how controls are attached to the handlebars in addition to looks. Three design elements impact the wiring that goes with controls and their installation. Handlebar styles can vary based on the motorcycle and the manufacturer in terms of design features:
3 Common Designs for Motorcycle Handlebars
- Dimpled Handlebars: The controls that are installed on the bars can also be used to crimp the wiring for the controls that run along their outside. In order to prevent the wires from being crimped, the handlebars can be dipped to make room for the wiring where the controls are attached. The dimpled section allows the wiring to fit, preventing pinching by the controls located above it.
- Drilled Handlebars: This approach goes one step further than the dimpled mounting technique by drilling holes in the handlebars in the direction of the riser and again where the controls are located so that wiring may be run within the handlebar tubing.
- Smooth Handlebars: There are no dimplings or holes drilled where the controls are positioned; the wiring flows outside of the handlebars.
When buying a motorcycle or upgrading from the specific handlebar style that came with your bike, you have a variety of motorcycle handlebar kinds to select from.
Common Types of Motorcycle Handlebars
Typical motorcycle handlebar varieties that are sold on the market include:
- Motorcycle Handlebars With Ape Hangers: The fact that your arms dangle from them as if you were dangling from a tree limb gives them their name. Depending on the model of ape hanger handlebars you select for your motorcycle, your hands can reach up to 20 inches in the air. To find out the maximum height for motorbike handlebars, check your state’s laws.
- Beach Handlebars: Longer and with a backward sweep that spreads the position of the hand grips while keeping your hands low, beach handlebars can be an alternative to tall motorcycle handlebars if you’re going for a unique and somewhat casual style.
- Clip-On Handlebars: These handlebars are typically seen on sport bikes, although they can also be used on cruisers and other types of motorcycles. With clip-on handlebars, which are two pieces that attach straight to the front fork, the rider can lean more forward when riding the bike.
- Clubman Handlebars: With their vintage cafe-bike appearance, Clubman bars can be a good choice if clip-on bars aren’t your thing.
- Drag Handlebars: Although styles may vary slightly, drag bars typically do not raise the hands and sweep rearward to provide a small but comfortable forward lean for the rider.
- T-Bars: T-bars might be a good option if you like a motorcycle with tall handlebars without going to ape hangers. Consider it a riser-mounted drag bar.
- Z-Bars: With these handlebars, you can select an angle and rise height that best fits your desired style. Although z-bars are commonly available in two bends with a 90-degree angle at each, they can also have different angles.
How To Adjust and Install the Handlebar On a Motorcycle?
It is crucial to understand how to adjust motorcycle handlebars so that you can reach the clutch, brake and throttle with comfort and still have total control over the bike, regardless of whether you choose to swap out the standard bars that came with your ride. If you choose to swap out your motorcycle handlebars, be sure you can safely operate the bike and are comfortable with the new handlebar type by testing them out.
Before you look for handlebars, it’s crucial to understand the words rise, width, and pullback. Take out your tape measure, take a seat on your motorcycle, and do the following:
- RISE: The handlebar’s rise is measured from its lowest to its highest point. It indicates the height at which your hands and arms will be while you ride. Place your hands comfortably above the bike and extend your arms while someone else takes note of how high your hands are above the bike. A height that doesn’t cause back pain or sore arms is what you want.
- WIDTH: The width of the handlebars is measured from one end to the other. To maintain your arms in a natural position, the breadth of the handlebars should be roughly equal to the width of your shoulders.
- PULLBACK: The pullback is the distance, measured in a straight line, between the handlebar’s center and the ends where the hand grips will be. You can ride in a more relaxed stance with longer pullbacks, which could be more comfortable than shorter ones.
Replacement or Installation of a new handlebar
It’s time to get started after you know it is necessary to modify the handlebars on your motorcycle or perform any necessary repairs.
- Remove the fasteners holding the handlebar to the frame of the motorcycle. This should enable you to change the handlebar height to suit your body type and riding style by allowing you to move the bar up and down. After marking the riser to show where it functions best, tighten the bolts holding the handlebars to the fork.
- If you choose to swap out your motorcycle handlebars, make sure the installation is correct by twisting each handlebar all the way to the stops to make sure there are no cables snagging on the gas tank or restricting movement. No matter where the handlebar is positioned, make sure the clutch, throttle, and brake levers all function smoothly.
- Make careful to inspect cables and cabling before making any adjustments or installing new handlebars to make sure they are not crimped or tangled. Make sure that all of the controls located on the handlebar are operational before finishing any handlebar adjustments or installation.
To ensure proper handling of your motorcycle, always follow the installation instructions that come with new handlebars and consult the owner’s manual for advice on changing or tightening handlebars that may be specific to your model.
CONCLUSION
The handlebars of a motorcycle have an impact on your riding stance and your capacity to maneuver the machine safely. It may be time to modify or replace the handlebars if you have a sore back after a long ride or find it difficult to turn. Make use of this guide and its suggestions to assist you in selecting, mounting, and adjusting the handlebars on your adventure motorcycle.
