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 (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). This article was a big hit last year and by the shear number of emails I get about handlebars, I wanted to update some bends for 2020. Here are some of my favorite bar bends right here for 2020 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. Again as always for testing purposes, I tried a wide range of handlebars in my shootout so go give that podcast a listen when you can (Show #70). There are some great options out there. Again….This doesn’t mean other handlebars are crap. For transparency reasons, I am letting you know that these are the companies I prefer. I receive ZERO dollars from Renthal or Pro Taper.
•We are using 2020 models for reference, but if you have an older model and are concerned on which handlebar to run please feel free to email me at kris@keeferinctesting.com.
•All Dimensions are in (MM).
2020 HONDA CRF 450R/250R:
Notes: The stock bar bend on the 2019/2020 Honda CRF 450R/250R has finally been updated to a bend that is lower and flatter than previous years. This bend is actually quite good and we usually leave the stock Renthal handlebar on the Honda. If you think you would like more flex you can try the optional bar bend below.
Preferred: Stock Renthal 839 FatBar (W)802 (H)91 (R)52 (S)51
Optional For More Flex: Pro Taper EVO SX Race (W)800 (H)87 (R)54.5 (S)54
Optional For 6’0-6’2: Factory Suzuki (W) 800 (H)92 (R)62 (S)47
Bar Mount Height: Stock
2020 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 footage 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
2020 KAWASAKI KX450/250:
Notes: 7/8 lives on! Kawasaki managed to keep the good ol’ 971 Renthal 7/8 bars, which are pretty damn good! I like a 7/8 bar and I actually stick with the 7/8 theme if I can. The 7/8 bar does bend a little easier, but you get a lot of flex when the track gets rough. If you’re an aggressive rider who likes a little more positive steering than go to a 1-1/8 handlebar for increased stiffness.
Preferred: Renthal 7/8 983 bend (Villopoto/Stewart) (W)808 (H)95 (R)58 (S)55
Oversize Crossbar Option: Pro Taper Fuzion Henry/Reed (W)800 (H)92 (R)66 (R)40 (S)55
Optional For 6’0-6’2: Pro Taper EVO Factory Suzuki (W) 800 (H)92 (R)62 (S)47
Bar Mount Height: Stock
2020 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)57
Optional For 6’0-6’2: Pro Taper EVO Factory Suzuki (W) 800 (H)92 (R)62 (S)47
Bar Mount Height: Stock
2020 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 803mm, which really helps the character of the Husqvarna when leaning into corners.
Preferred: Stock Pro Taper EVO handlebar cut to 803mm (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 6’0-6’2: Pro Taper EVO Factory Suzuki (W) 800 (H)92 (R)62 (S)47
Bar Mount Height: Plus 5mm
2020 KTM 450SX-F/250SX-F:
Notes: The stock bar bend shape on the orange brigade is also decent, but it’s too stiff and long. If you don’t think it is too stiff, you can simply cut the bar to 803mm and run it!
Preferred: Renthal 821 bend cut to 803mm (W)813 (H)78 (R)42 (S)54
Optional: Pro Taper EVO Husqvarna Stock cut to 803mm (W) 811 (H)77 (R)40 (S)55
Optional For 6’0-6’2: Pro Taper EVO Factory Suzuki (W) 800 (H)92 (R)62 (S)47
Bar Mount Height: Plus 5mm
