Motorcycle Handlebars: Evaluate your options

Your priority at this point in your evaluation is to find the available motorcycle handlebars in the market that best meet your needs. You can save a lot of time during this activity by quickly eliminating any motorcycle handlebars that are unsuitable because they don't meet your key requirements. For example, if you have a limited budget for this purchase then you can ignore any motorcycle handlebars that clearly exceed your price limit.

The handlebars themselves will largely determine how comfortable you are on your ride. The pullback of the handlebars is the measurement of how far the set will pull out of the risers, which fit the set to the triple tree. The less pullback, the more control a rider has over the steering (the steering will occur faster with a slighter pullback). Lower pullbacks, around 2 to 4 inches, are used for motocross and racing bikes, and there are handlebar sets for sport bikes (where absolute control over steering is a must!) that have even less pullback. Riders with cruiser motorcycles going for the easy rider appearance will want a pullback in the higher ranges, around 10 to 12 inches.

Tip: Pullback can be offset by the shape of the handlebar set as far as appearance is concerned. Deep ape hangers can give the same impression as a long pullback, without the worry of too much arm extension. The more pullback, the longer the arms are extended, so don't go for the big lengths if you are going for long rides and you don't like that aching arm feeling.

The type of bike you ride will not only determine the pullback you want in the handlebars but the shape of the handlebars as well. One of the great things about cruiser bikes is that almost any type of part can be added to them, and handlebars are no exception. The deep U of ape hangers, sharp V drags, or longhorn bars can all jive nicely with the cruiser images. Again, though, motocross and sport bike riders are limited somewhat in their selections, as only T, Z, or V drags will offer the handling needed at the speeds and terrains used by these riders. T bars will offer the most control, but Z bars are a lot more stylish.

Tip: T bars used on a cruiser motorcycle will leave a big gap between the bar and the triple tree, and you might want to cover this up to keep up the smooth impression of your machine. Cover ups tend to be made from stainless steel and coated in chrome, a solid piece of metal that adds continuity to your bike.

The width, rise, and radius of your handlebars will all contribute to the comfort of a ride. Typical riders of most types of bikes will use handlebars that are 1 inch in radius, but there are smaller radiuses commonly available, such as 7/8 of an inch. These are most likely to be found on women's cruisers, or, again, on motorcycle models where a secure grip is important such as in motocross or racing.

Tip: A smaller radius means it's easier to fit your hands around the handlebar. 1 inch may not sound like a lot, but these are the big boys (“Chubbies”) for motorcycles, and are really only of any use to guys with big hands.

Grips are another area that play a key role in the level of comfort you experience when riding on your motorcycle. Bare bones stock handlebars will only include knurled bars; the grips are carved into the metal of the handlebar itself. There is no dampening of the vibration and really there is not a lot to hold onto either; they're great for tough cruiser riders but for those of us who don't like carpal tunnel syndrome, it's a lot better to buy some additional grips for the handlebar.

One way to maintain the tough image without adding a bunch of rubber to the ends of the handlebar is to use a damper. The effectiveness of the damper in minimizing the vibrations transferred to your hands while riding will depend on the material used. Composite material such as polyurethane is the most effective when it comes to absorbing a lot of the vibration in the handlebars, while aluminium will not absorb much at all unless used in tandem with rubber.

Tip: Don't forget to use dampers that have an inner lining that will prevent damage to your handlebars. Nothing is more annoying than finding rust on your ride around a washer and then taking it off only to find more rust sitting in scratches caused by excessive rubbing!

Handlebars provide the main control hub of the entire machine. There are wires running from your handlebars to the rest of your bike that determine speed, safety, comfort, and other forms of control. If you don't want a bunch of cables compromising the appearance of your machine, you can get handlebars with pre-drilled holes and hollow tubing that hides the cables inside. If you like the busy look and easy access to your cables, then there are clamps available to lock the various cables into place.

Tip: Just like with dampers, you need to make sure that cables on the outside of the bike are covered with a material that will prevent rubbing damage to your fairings and chassis. Rubber guards can be placed at pressure points, but it's better to just get a set of cables that have a plastic cover.

When you were considering your requirements in motorcycle handlebars it's likely that you singled out certain factors such as shape, width, grips, mounts and cost as being of major significance. As with so many other products, the more features offered, the higher the price. Buyz123 has created a checklist containing examples of major features; you can work from this checklist when evaluating how well various motorcycle handlebars meet your personal needs:

Features Checklist

Bars

Radius - 7/8 to 1 inch
Width - 30 to 39 inches
Centre width - 10 to 13 inches
Rise - 0 to 16 inches
Centre - 14 inches
Pullback - 1 to 12 inches
Materials - chrome plating, steel tubing, nickel plated, billet aluminium
Wiring - dimpled (external wiring), drilled (internal wiring)
Shapes - T bars, ape hangers, Z bars, V drag bars, flybars, longhorn bars

Fitting

Risers - inch length, 10 to 15

Grips

Stock - knurled
Dampers - urethane, polyurethane, rubber, aluminium, chrome or stainless steel washers (lining!)
Grips - rubber, aluminium, neoprene, chrome, leather

Mounts

Cable guides - 1 to 1 inch
Cable coverings - plastic, rubber guards
Cable clamps - swivel heads, 1 to1 inch, single cable, dual cable, chrome, steel, nylon, billet aluminium
Control kits - master cylinder, clutch, lever blades, stoplight switch
Throttle - thumbwheel, finger tip, easy touch, death grip
Levers

Accessories

Cable silhouettes
End covers and caps - steel, leather, tassels, symbols
Holders - phone, electronics
Cover up - triple tree gap closer
Spacer
Radar detector
Throttle assist
Grip covers
Stereo
Heated grips

There are a lot of features listed here, and some of them may not be relevant to your particular requirements. So, work your way through the list and assess how each of these features impact on your motorcycle handlebars needs. You can then create a personalized checklist of the features you really require in motorcycle handlebars.

Once you have finished evaluating the motorcycle handlebars available for sale in the light of your personal needs and arrived at a short-list of 'possibles' you are ready to progress to the next stage. This involves comparing the motorcycle handlebars one-on-one in order to find those that really stand out.

Evaluate how well Motorcycle Handlebars compare with competing Motorcycle Handlebars

Comparing the items on your interim short-list, one to another, is an important part of the purchasing process - we all want to buy the best product we possibly can. So once you have established a short-list of motorcycle handlebars that meet your needs it is time to evaluate how well they compare in fine detail. This way you can assemble a select list of motorcycle handlebars that stand out from the crowd.

Questions to ask yourself:

Which motorcycle handlebars on my short-list offer the best value for money?
Which of these motorcycle handlebars best meet my needs?
Which of my short-listed motorcycle handlebars have the best warranty?
Which motorcycle handlebars are the most comfortable?
Which of the motorcycle handlebars seem of the highest quality?
Which motorcycle handlebars do I like best?

By answering these simple questions, you are actually eliminating motorcycle handlebars that aren't absolutely right for you. This is an excellent time - if you haven't done so already - to evaluate how well your short-listed products measure up in the following areas: Physical Quality, Warranty Conditions and Accessories & Extras.

Physical Quality

Regardless of the method you use when purchasing the motorcycle handlebars, you need to find an opportunity to examine the product to evaluate how well it is made, and to check that it is truly suitable for you and your purpose. This is the time to examine the quality of the materials, and how well the motorcycle handlebars are put together. Check the assembly - are the motorcycle handlebars solidly constructed? It's also important to examine the motorcycle handlebars from the perspective of ease of use. How comfortable are the motorcycle handlebars? Will the controls that may be mounted on them be within easy reach? Make sure the motorcycle handlebars fit your bike properly - some motorcycle handlebars look great in the store, but unexpected problems will show up when you finally get your hands on them.

Physical Inspection Checklist:

Materials - quality, appearance
Assembly - all parts held together securely, good quality fittings
Solidly constructed - stable, no loose components
Size - fits user correctly
Appearance - well finished, appropriate color, neat fittings etc
Comfortable to use

Warranty Conditions

Similar products may be available with significantly different terms and conditions, and you want to get the best deal you can. Parts and labor are often covered under separate warranties, for different time periods; sometimes there can be a significant difference in the warranty offered with one model compared to that offered with the next model up. It is particularly important to investigate any conditions that might void a warranty, such as accidental damage.

Warranty Checklist:

Duration - check the specifics
Parts, Labour, Mechanical
Exactly what is covered
Exactly what is excluded
Conditions or actions that may void the warranty

Accessories and Extras

When evaluating similar products, it is a good idea to include accessories in your assessment. You need to be clear about exactly what accessories are necessary to run the product to its full capacity, and whether these are included with the purchase. What other accessories are required - do you need a stereo, for instance?

Accessories Checklist:

Accessories - included or extra cost?
Compatibility issues - will it work with your existing products?
What else will you need to fully utilize this product?

Once you've worked through the Evaluation step you will have a final short-list of motorcycle handlebars that meet your needs and stand out from competing products on the market. It's time then to move on to the third and final step: Purchase.

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Motorcycle handlebar comparison chart

Motorcycle Handlebar Accessories

Motorcycle handlebar risers