When it comes to handlebars I am a pain in the ass. The height, width, rise, and position is very important to me between each bike that I test. I find that you can’t run the same handlebar bend on every bike, even though I like a bend on one bike, sometimes it doesn’t feel as good on another. Every bike has a different rider triangle so you must adapt to different bar bends if you change motorcycle brands. As the years progress, dirt bikes evolve as well as their dimensions so don’t be that rider who sticks with a Honda High bend that you ran back in 1997. As you may have heard in my “Handlebar 101” podcast way back when (show #70), if the bar feels too low (height), you should try to get the bar height from your bar mounts and not the handlebar itself. Getting the height from your bar mounts allows you to keep proper technique (position) through corners (where most of the time is made up on a track). I noticed this article was a big hit the last few years just by the shear number of emails I get about handlebars, so I wanted to update some bends for 2022. Here are some of my favorite bar bends right here for 2022 as well as a recommendation on bar/bar mount heights for different sized riders.
As you will notice most of these handlebars on this list are Pro Taper and Renthal. This doesn’t mean that I am trying to sell you on these handlebar brands. This is just what I personally like myself and should be taken as such. If you like another bar brand, that is fine, simply look at the dimension of the preferred handlebar and try to mimic that dimension to your favorite handlebar company. There are tons of handlebar companies out there, but for me, Renthal and Pro Taper are the bars that I prefer. There are some other great options out there, but I prefer the two above. Again….This doesn’t mean other handlebars are crap. For transparency reasons, I am letting you know that these are the companies I prefer. There are a couple other brands below (that I have tried) for reference.
•We are using 2022 models for reference, but if you have an older model (within the last 5 years or so) and are concerned on which handlebar to run please feel free to email me at kris@keeferinctesting.com.
•All Dimensions are in (MM).
2022 HONDA CRF450R/250R:
Notes: The stock bar bend on the 2022 Honda CRF 450R/250R were updated in 2020 to a bend that is lower and flatter than previous years. This bend is actually quite good and we don’t mind leaving the stock Renthal handlebar on the Honda. However the FatBar is stiff in nature compare to the Pro Taper bar so if you think you would like more flex you can try the optional bar bend below. WE cut the Pro Taper Race Team bend to 805mm in width from 810mm.
Preferred: Stock Renthal 839 FatBar (W)802 (H)91 (R)52 (S)51
Optional For More Flex: Pro Taper EVO Race Team (W)810 (H)91 (R)49 (S)52 *Recommended width is 805*
Optional Tall Riders: Pro Taper Henry/Reed
(W)800 (H)92 (R)66 (S)57
Bar Mount Height: Stock
2022 YAMAHA YZ450F/250F:
Notes: Yamaha also did a good job on creating a bar that is fairly neutral for different sized riders, it’s just too bad their seat and footpeg height is all screwed up for taller riders. It’s lower height seems to fit a wide variety of riders (5’8-6’0), but taller riders may want to put the bar mounts in forward hole/back position.
Preferred: Pro Taper EVO SX Race (W)800 (H)87 (R)54.5 (S)54
Optional: 6’0-6’2: Renthal Fatbar 602 bend (W)801 (H)89 (R)59 (S)56
Bar Mount Height: Stock
2022 KAWASAKI KX450/250:
Notes: Same handlebar as the Honda CRF250/450R, Kawasaki uses the Renthal Fatbar 839 bend. Riding the both KX250/450 feels at home for my 6’0 frame and I like to stick with a similar bend but with more flex. You will find the same recommended bends as the Honda.
Preferred: Pro Taper EVO Race Team (W)810 (H)91 (R)49 (S)52 *Recommended width is 805*
Optional: Pro Taper EVO SX Race (W)800 (H)87 (R)54.5 (S)54
Optional Tall Rider: Pro Taper Fuzion Henry/Reed (W)800 (H)92 (R)66 (R)40 (S)55
Bar Mount Height: Stock
2022 SUZUKI RM-Z450/250:
Notes: The stock Suzuki bend has some sweep to it, which makes the bike feel small at times. I prefer to open the cockpit up a little.
Preferred: Pro Taper EVO SX Race bend (W)800 (H)87 (R)54.5 (S)54
Optional: ODI Podium Flight CountryBoy bend (W)803 (H)92 (R)56 (S)52
Optional For Tall Riders: Pro Taper EVO Factory Suzuki (W) 800 (H)92 (R)62 (S)47
Bar Mount Height: Stock
2022 HUSQVARNA FC450/250:
Notes: Husqvarna comes with a very low bend and that fits the ergos of this bike, but the width of the bar is too long. I actually like the stock handlebar bend on the Husqvarna, however I cut the handlebar down to 805mm, which really helps the character of the Husqvarna when leaning into corners.
Preferred: Stock Pro Taper EVO handlebar cut to 805mm (W)811 (H)80 (R)39.5 (S)51
Optional: Pro Taper EVO Carmichael bend (W)800 (H)77 (R)40 (S)55
Optional For Taller Riders: Pro Taper EVO Factory Suzuki (W) 800 (H)92 (R)62 (S)47
Optional Bar Mount Height For Taller Riders: Plus 5mm
2022 KTM 450SX-F/250SX-F:
Notes: The stock bar bend dimensions on the orange brigade is also decent, but it’s too stiff and long (insert your own joke here). If you don’t think it’s too stiff, you can simply cut the bar to 805mm and run it!
Preferred: Pro Taper EVO Race Team cut to 805mm (W)810 (H)91 (R)49 (S)52
Optional For Taller Riders: Pro Taper EVO Factory Suzuki (W) 800 (H)92 (R)62 (S)47
Optional Bar Mount Height: Plus 5mm
