In order to end up with the handlebars best suited to your needs, you have to clearly understand what you are looking for and what options are available to you. This is done by researching in two areas.
Firstly, you research the market to find out what kinds of handlebars are available, familiarizing yourself with the different features, styles and price ranges etc. Secondly, you examine your own unique requirements in handlebars.
Research the market: Handlebar essentials
Handlebars are a lot more than a place to hold on to your motorcycle and steer as you ride along, they also provide a level of comfort to your ride. Of course, handlebars are also an important part of the overall impression that you and your bike will give off, so you will want to select a set that jives well with the impression you want to put across on your machine.
The first part of the research step is to investigate just what's available in the handlebars market. The range of options can seem overwhelming, but you can make a good start by understanding the following major features:
Handlebar Conversion: This is the term given to any sort of total handlebar replacement job. In many cases, you'll find that your riser (the part of the bike that the handlebars connect to) will need to be replaced or altered to suit your needs for comfort. In the case of heated grips, you might need to drill additional holes or use customized components. Any such work falls under “handlebar conversion.”
Low Handlebars: Some riders prefer a more aggressive riding posture, leaning forward a bit more and offering a lower profile to the wind. Low handlebars allow riders to achieve this, assuming they are riding a motorcycle that can allow it and are able to alter the riser if necessary.
High Handlebars: Then again, some riders prefer just the opposite. It's generally agreed that an upright posture has the best comfort and least amount of strain on the wrists and arms - and it's the perfect posture for touring. If you plan on very long cruises, this may be the route to go.
Custom Handlebars: Of course, there are many more shapes and designs for the handlebar market. Some shapes are extremely angled, while others are very straight. Still others are gently curved, much like the common bicycle handlebars. The thing to keep in mind with any of these designs is comfort and control - if you can't operate the motorcycle confidently, you can expect problems down the road.
Heated Grips: If you live in cooler climates, you'll probable experience moments when gloves just aren't enough. Heated grips can be a wonderful asset - and some handlebars are designed to include them.
Research your needs: Questions to ask yourself
Now it's time to determine what your requirements are in handlebars. For example, will you use the handlebars only for road riding or do you ride on trails?
You can start this process by considering the following questions - as well as any others you think of yourself - and recording your answers.
| Have I used certain types of handlebars before? |
| | If you have used particular handlebars, work out what you did or didn't like about them. You may be looking for a set exactly like it, hoping to upgrade, or even trying to avoid any particular features that you found inconvenient. |
| What fits my hands? |
| | The thickness of the grips and the width of the handlebars will either work for you or not. Make sure you know what you need, otherwise you could find yourself in pain during your ride. |
| What fits my motorcycle? |
| | It's possible to replace the handlebars without needing to change a bunch of other things on your bike. If you want to avoid additional work (and additional cost), you might want to go this route. |
| Do I need to adjust or replace the riser? |
| | If you find handlebars that you like, you might need some work on them to get them to fit. Or, you could need adjustment to the riser to allow greater comfort and control. |
| Is the handlebar comfortable? |
| | If you aren't comfortable, you aren't completely focused on your riding. This can lead to accidents or at the very least give you a bad riding experience. |
| Do I have good control and a solid grip? |
| | Without control, you won't have much fun or get very far. Safety is very important on motorcycles, so maximizing your safety should start with confident control. |
Understanding your needs is the key to a successful purchase and you can revisit your list of needs at any time during the buying process.
Once you complete this Research step, having informed yourself about the essentials of handlebars and identified your needs, you are ready to move on to the next step: Evaluation.
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