Motorcycle handlebar

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Motorcycle handlebar or often motorcycle handlebars refer to the steering mechanism for motorcycles; the equivalent of a steering wheel. Besides steering, handlebars also often support part of the rider's weight, depending on his riding position, and provide a convenient mounting place for rear view mirrors and controls such as brake, throttle, clutch, horn, light switch, kill switch, etc.

Contents 1 Types of handlebar 1.1 Ape hangers 1.2 Beach bars 1.3 Clip-on 1.4 Cruiser 1.5 Drag bars 2 Construction 2.1 Materials 2.2 Risers 2.3 Electric heating 3 Sizes 3.1 Width 3.2 Rise 3.3 Pullback 3.4 Diameter 4 See also 5 References

[edit] Types of handlebar

Handlebars come in a variety of types designed for particular types of riding.

[edit] Ape hangers

Ape hanger handlebars rise far above the mounting location so that the rider must reach up to use them, hence the name. They are popular on chopper motorcycles. They are available in heights up to 20 inches. Some jurisdictions have regulations on how high the handgrips may be above the seat.

[edit] Beach bars

Similar to cruiser bars, beach bars slope back toward the rider to allow a relaxed riding position.

[edit] Clip-on

The clip-on is a handlebar style, popular on sport bikes, in which two separate short handles are attached directly to the fork tubes, as opposed to a standard one-piece handlebar attached to the top of the triple tree. The term is often shortened to just clip-ons.

[edit] Cruiser

Cruiser handlebars, as used on cruisers. These tend to be long and slope towards the rear of the motorcycle so that the rider can sit upright.

[edit] Drag bars

Drag bars are nearly straight across to create a forward-leaning and aerodynamic riding position.

[edit] Construction

Handlebars are made from hollow metal tubing that is bent to the desired shape. Holes may be drilled for the internal routing of control cables such as brake, throttle, and clutch.

[edit] Materials

Handlebars are most commonly made of aluminium alloys, or chrome plated steel, but are also made from carbon fibre or titanium.

[edit] Risers

Risers, to hold the handlebars above their mounting position on the upper triple tree or the top of the fork, may be integrated into the bar itself (welded on) or separate items.

[edit] Electric heating

Electrical heating elements may be added under the handlebar grips to provide comfort to the user in cold weather.

[edit] Sizes

There are several size parameters that describe motorcycle handlebars.^[1]

[edit] Width

The width of the handlebar from grip to grip can vary from 30.5 inches to 37 inches.

[edit] Rise

The height that the grips are above the mounting location can vary from 0 inches to 20 inches.

[edit] Pullback

The distance that the grips are behind the mounting location can vary from 4.25 inches to 17 inches.

[edit] Diameter

Motorcycle handlebars come in a variety of diameters. These include 7/8 inch, 1 inch, and 1 1/4 inches. Oversized bars, such as those of 1 1/4, 1 1/2 and now 1 3/4 inches, may reduce to 1 inch at the grips so that standard grips and controls may be mounted.^[2]

[edit] See also

• Bicycle handlebar
• Motorcycle fork

[edit] References