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Motorcycle handlebar
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<h2 id="construction">Construction</h2> <p>Handlebars are made from round-section metal tubing, typically <a href="/facts/Aluminium_alloy/1EzR3Y4t">aluminium alloys</a> or <a href="/facts/Chrome_plating/gM9SIhsr">chrome plated</a> steel but also of <a href="/facts/Carbon_fibre/6PlL4mB2">carbon fibre</a> and <a href="/facts/Titanium/53ArnDoy">titanium</a>, shaped to the desired contour. Holes may be drilled for the internal routing of control cables such as <a href="/facts/Brake/p8751fV6">brake</a>, <a href="/facts/Throttle/kgdj3cuj">throttle</a>, and <a href="/facts/Clutch/yQLCtuGA">clutch</a>. Risers hold the handlebars above their mounting position on the <a href="/facts/Motorcycle_fork/loocXhrk">upper triple clamp</a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3"><sup>3</sup></a> or the top of the <a href="/facts/Motorcycle_fork/loocXhrk">fork</a>, and may be integrated into the bar itself or separate items. Each handlebar end may contain bar-end weights to damp <a href="/facts/Bicycle_and_motorcycle_dynamics/scFBkSvH">vibration</a> by isolating the bar's resonant frequency from that of the engine.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4"><sup>4</sup></a> Electrically <a href="/facts/Heating_element/q0GLQufX">heated grips</a> may be fitted to provide warmth for the rider in cold weather.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5"><sup>5</sup></a> </p> <h3>Sizes</h3> <p>There are several size parameters that describe most motorcycle handlebars: </p> <ul><li>Width from grip to grip may vary from a single tiller to 37 inches (940 mm).</li> <li>May rise above triple clamp up to 24 in (610 mm) or more, called ape hangers when very high, or may drop a few inches below, called <a href="/facts/Caf%C3%A9_racer/Q2VQvFjh">clubman</a> bars.</li> <li>Pullback, the distance grips are behind their mounting location, may vary from 4.25 to 17 in (108 to 432 mm).</li> <li>Diameters vary; commonly 7⁄8, 1, and 1+1⁄4 in (22, 25, and 32 mm), though oversized bars of 1+1⁄4, 1+1⁄2, and 1+3⁄4 in (32, 38, and 44 mm) may reduce to 1 in (25 mm) at the grips so standard controls may be mounted.</li></ul> <h2 id="types-of-handlebars">Types of handlebars</h2> <p>Handlebars come in a variety of types designed for particular types of riding: </p> <ul><li>"Ape-hangers" — found mainly on <a href="/facts/Chopper_(motorcycle)/kbsQoLvE">choppers</a>, these are handlebars of such exaggerated height that the rider has to reach up to them, hence the name. Rumored[<i>by whom?</i>] to have originally been implemented to aid riders on motorcycles with no rear suspension to lift themselves from their seat to avoid potholes, they can also aid in a more comfortable ride since the riders hands are closer to shoulder height.[<i>original research?</i>] However, if the position of the hands is higher than the shoulders, they may cause numbness in the hands, but the use of throttle locks or cruise controls[<i>original research?</i>] may help alleviate such symptoms. Some jurisdictions restrict the maximum height of ape-hangers for safety reasons.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:6" href="#fn:6"><sup>6</sup></a></li> <li>Beach bars — similar to cruiser bars, slope back toward the rider to allow a relaxed riding position. Tend to be very wide, and offer the rider a relaxed position.</li> <li>Buckhorn handlebars — similar to ape-hangers, but shorter and curved (thereby resembling a buck's horn). They are sometimes called "mini-apes" (miniature ape-hangers), but are not. Buckhorns have a different hand positioning than mini apes. The bar ends on Buckhorns are angled in and down towards the rider, mini apes hand positioning is out and more horizontal. A good example of buckhorn handlebars are the ones on Ghost Rider's Hellbike, from the 2007 movie Ghost Rider. </li> <li>Clip-ons — popular on <a href="/facts/Sport_bike/TyDjRXDa">sport bikes</a>, in which two separate short handles are clamped directly to the <a href="/facts/Motorcycle_fork/loocXhrk">fork tubes</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7"><sup>7</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:8" href="#fn:8"><sup>8</sup></a> Adjustable or non-adjustable, these may be fitted above or below the triple tree. These two piece clip-on bars may also be attached to the top triple tree clamp and be non-adjustable.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:9" href="#fn:9"><sup>9</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:10" href="#fn:10"><sup>10</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:11" href="#fn:11"><sup>11</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:12" href="#fn:12"><sup>12</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:13" href="#fn:13"><sup>13</sup></a></li> <li>Clubman bars — a one-piece handlebar mounted on the triple tree, reaching forward with ends slightly angled backwards to give the rider a lower, more crouching riding position. Common on <a href="/facts/Caf%C3%A9_racer/Q2VQvFjh">café racers</a> in the UK, Clubman bars are sometime known as "Thruxton bars" or "Thruxton drops" (after the <a href="/facts/Thruxton_Circuit/BhrvQVLe">Thruxton race circuit)</a>;<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:14" href="#fn:14"><sup>14</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:15" href="#fn:15"><sup>15</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:16" href="#fn:16"><sup>16</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:17" href="#fn:17"><sup>17</sup></a> or "Ace bars" (after the Ace Cafe on the North Circular Road in London).</li> <li>Cruiser handlebars — long and slope towards the rear of the motorcycle so that the rider can sit upright.</li> <li>Drag bars — nearly straight across to create a forward-leaning and aerodynamic riding position.</li> <li>Jota bars - a five-piece multi-adjustable bar with a straight centre piece, and right-angle knuckle joints between the centre bar and handlebar grips, as seen on most <a href="/facts/Laverda_Jota/tpe6tG3Q">Laverda Jotas</a> and other 70s/80s motorbikes. The right angle is designed to point downwards for aerodynamic advantage, but older riders rotate them upwards for comfort.</li> <li>Motocross bars — <a href="/facts/Motocross/Wp6kGgAF">motocross</a>, <a href="/facts/Types_of_motorcycles/Bsc08Uh3">off-road</a>, and <a href="/facts/Dual-sport/aToHDQwM">dual-sport</a> motorcycles normally have tubular bars with a cross-brace to resist torsional twist.</li> <li>Rabbit Ears - feature straight riser sections which bend sharply back and down toward the rider, giving the appearance of the ears of a rabbit. Popular on <a href="/facts/Chopper_(motorcycle)/kbsQoLvE">choppers</a>.</li> <li>T-bar - similar to drag bars, but have built in risers which create the look of a 'T'. This modifies the riding position from the forward leaning drag bar to a more relaxed riding position.</li> <li>Z-bar — containing no bends, all miter cut and welded tubing to create a sharply angled handlebar. The vertical riser sections can vary in height, creating a short or tall Z bar.</li></ul> <h2 id="see-also">See also</h2> <ul><li><a href="/facts/Bicycle_handlebar/q58LSC1T">Bicycle handlebar</a></li> <li><a href="/facts/Motorcycle_fork/loocXhrk">Motorcycle fork</a></li></ul> <h2 id="references">References</h2> <ol> <li id="fn:1"><p>"handlebar". Oxford English Dictionary (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press. 1989. <a href="/wiki/Oxford_English_Dictionary" target="_blank">/wiki/Oxford_English_Dictionary</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:2"><p>"Handlebar". Dictionary.com Unabridged (Online). n.d. Retrieved 2015-01-03. <a href="https://www.dictionary.com/browse/Handlebar" target="_blank">https://www.dictionary.com/browse/Handlebar</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:3"><p>The fork-tubes are held in place by an upper and lower "triple clamp" (or "yoke" in the UK). The whole assembly is called a "triple tree". <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:4"><p>"Importance of Motorcycle Handlebar End Weights » BikesMedia.in". www.bikesmedia.in. <a href="https://www.bikesmedia.in/reviews/importance-of-motorcycle-handlebar-end-weights.html" target="_blank">https://www.bikesmedia.in/reviews/importance-of-motorcycle-handlebar-end-weights.html</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:5"><p>"Top 5 heated motorcycle grips". www.motorcyclenews.com. <a href="https://www.motorcyclenews.com/product-reviews/product-picks/top-five-heated-motorcycle-grips/" target="_blank">https://www.motorcyclenews.com/product-reviews/product-picks/top-five-heated-motorcycle-grips/</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:6"><p>"SDLRC - Codified Law 32-20-3". sdlegislature.gov. <a href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/Codified_Laws/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&Statute=32-20-3" target="_blank">https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/Codified_Laws/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&Statute=32-20-3</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:7"><p>The Motor Cycle, 17 July 1952, p.23 (supplement ix) Classified advertising: RACING MOTOR CYCLES. "1950 Norton 350, double knocker, clip-on fork bars, 19in wheels, Grand Prix carb, engine 100%, machine in immaculate condition, ready to race; £300.—John Surtees, Junr., 2, Palace Green, Addington, Surrey. Springpark 3363". Accessed February 26, 2018 <a href="/wiki/The_Motor_Cycle_(magazine)" target="_blank">/wiki/The_Motor_Cycle_(magazine)</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:8"><p>"MK 5 Café Racer". <a href="http://www.metisse-motorcycles.com/motorcycle/mk-5/mk-5-cafe-racer/" target="_blank">http://www.metisse-motorcycles.com/motorcycle/mk-5/mk-5-cafe-racer/</a> <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:9"><p>Brissette, Pete (April 23, 2008). "2008 Hayabusa vs. ZX-14R Shootout". Motorcycle.com. Retrieved December 30, 2016. <a href="http://www.motorcycle.com/shoot-outs/2008-hyperbike-shootout-hayabusa-vs-zx14-78157.html//" target="_blank">http://www.motorcycle.com/shoot-outs/2008-hyperbike-shootout-hayabusa-vs-zx14-78157.html//</a> <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:10"><p>"2008 Buell Firebolt Review". Motorcyclist. March 19, 2013. Retrieved December 30, 2016. <a href="http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/2008-buell-firebolt-review///" target="_blank">http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/2008-buell-firebolt-review///</a> <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:11"><p>Canet, Don (August 28, 2007). "First Ride: 2008 Buell 1125R". Cycle World. Retrieved December 30, 2016. <a href="http://www.cycleworld.com/2007/08/28/first-ride-2008-buell-1125r//" target="_blank">http://www.cycleworld.com/2007/08/28/first-ride-2008-buell-1125r//</a> <a href="#fnref:11" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:12"><p>Adams, Adams (March 17, 2014). "Five Sport-Touring Upgrades for the Suzuki Hayabusa". Sport Rider. Retrieved December 30, 2016. <a href="http://www.sportrider.com/gear/five-sport-touring-upgrades-suzuki-hayabusa//" target="_blank">http://www.sportrider.com/gear/five-sport-touring-upgrades-suzuki-hayabusa//</a> <a href="#fnref:12" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:13"><p>Duke, Kevin (November 17, 2004). "2004 Buell XB12R Firebolt". Motorcycle USA. Retrieved December 30, 2016. <a href="http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/2004/11/article/2004-buell-xb12r-firebolt-2//" target="_blank">http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/2004/11/article/2004-buell-xb12r-firebolt-2//</a> <a href="#fnref:13" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:14"><p>The Motor Cycle, 4 October 1962, p.31 Pride and Clarke advert "This week's special offer Thruxton style 7⁄8 – 29/6, P&P 2/6". Accessed September 27, 2020 <a href="/wiki/The_Motor_Cycle_(magazine)" target="_blank">/wiki/The_Motor_Cycle_(magazine)</a> <a href="#fnref:14" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:15"><p>The Motor Cycle, 22 March 1962, p.4 Halfords advert "Handlebar bends. Club Ace dropped pattern Junior size 15/6, Club Ace Senior pattern 17/6. Prices correct at time of going to press 16 March 1962". Accessed January 21, 2018 <a href="/wiki/The_Motor_Cycle_(magazine)" target="_blank">/wiki/The_Motor_Cycle_(magazine)</a> <a href="#fnref:15" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:16"><p>Motorcycle Mechanics, July 1964, pp.30-31 "For getting down to it, a range of bars is available. The 'Thruxton' costs 21s., the adjustable type is 48s. 6d. and the straight clip-ons 37s. 6d.". Accessed January 21, 2018 <a href="/wiki/Motorcycle_Mechanics_(magazine)" target="_blank">/wiki/Motorcycle_Mechanics_(magazine)</a> <a href="#fnref:16" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:17"><p>Motorcycle Mechanics, October 1969, p.13 Pride and Clarke single-page advert, Thruxton drops 7⁄8 in 29/6, postage 5/6. Accessed January 29, 2018 <a href="/wiki/Motorcycle_Mechanics_(magazine)" target="_blank">/wiki/Motorcycle_Mechanics_(magazine)</a> <a href="#fnref:17" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> </ol>