Finding the best dirt bike handlebars can be the difference between winning, finishing and a DNF.
However, unlike the power parts of your bike, what constitutes the "best" handlebar is entirely based on personal preference. An inexpensive, no frills handlebar may suit one person better than an expensive feature-laden bar.
This guide is designed to explain what all those bends are and highlight the features of the more popular selling bars we carry. Now, you can make an informed decision the next time your current handle bar breaks or you simply want to try something new and see if that's the edge needed to make the holeshot.
In this guide we cover the following:
Dirt Bike Handlebar Dimensions
Height
A handlebar's height is the measurement from the clamp area to the top of the control length (or end of the handle part of the bar). The height of the handlebar can be adjusted by loosening the bar at the clamp area and adjusting forward or backward to your preference.
Rise
The rise is similar to the height in that it measures the length from the clamp area to the handlebar's first steep bend. To lengthen the rise you can use riser clamps to maximize the handlebar's overall height. The taller you are the more likely you'll want to raise the height of your handlebars.
Width
The dirt bike handlebar width is measured from one end to the other or the end of the left control length to the end of the right control length. Generally, most handlebars are constructed within a few millimeters of one another if not the same width altogether - about 800mm. Some manufactures make "mini" handlebars which reduces the width of the handlebars by as much as 60mm.
Sweep
The sweep is best viewed by looking at the side of your bike. Also known as the "pullback" it is measured from the center of the clamp area to the end of the bars (control length) in a letter "L" shape.
Control Length
The control length is the area for your grips.
Clamp Area
The clamp area is the bottom of the handlebars where it clamps onto the bike. The clamp area is where you can add risers and other equipment to change the measurements and feel of your handlebars. The thickness of the clamp area is 7/8th or 1-1/8th -inch.
The 1 1/8th-inch Dirt Bike Handlebar
In 1991, Pro Taper introduced the 1-1/8th Taperwall handlebar and revolutionized the motocross industry. The sizing difference between 7/8th and 1-1/8th is found in the clamp area. Traditionally, the size of this section was 7/8th until the over-sized 1-1/8th was introduced. Since then, many handlebar manufacturers adopted the 1-1/8th and it is now routinely used in Motocross and Supercross.
The 7/8th and 1-1/8th inch difference
The difference between the two bars is quite simply strength. If you ride hard or heavily compete on the track you're probably better off with a stronger handlebar. Cracking your bar in half after landing a bad triple is not only defeating but dangerous. The 1 1/8th-inch bar can generally reduce fatigue and arm pump.
The Flexx Handlebar manufactured by the Fasst Company is a higher-end bar using advanced technology to absorb shock and vibration. The Flexx uses a rubber interference absorbing much of the vibration to your arms. This reduces fatigue and arm pump providing a longer ride more comfortable ride.
If you're a weekend warrior on a budget spending the extra cash on a larger bar doesn't necessarily make sense. The 7/8th handlebar retains its popularity and is lighter than its larger counterpart.
However, as we said earlier - handlebar preference is entirely up to you. Check out our entire stock of dirt bike handlebars but we'd like to suggest the following if you're looking for a replacement or upgrade to your current ride.
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Price: $64.99 |
Price $99.99 |
Price: $359.99 |
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