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When it comes to handlebars, it is very particular between each rider. However, I have and still am a big pain in the butt with a rider triangle. The height, width, rise, and position is very important to me between each bike that I test/ride. 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 sometimes 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 one bend for the rest of your life. 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 mount and not the handlebar itself. Getting the height from your bar mount 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 2023. Here are some of my favorite bar bends right here for 2023 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, Pro Taper and Renthal 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. Much like an app, sometimes these bar bend applications change over time. Keep checking back here for continual updates if we feel that we find something better.
•We are using 2023 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).
2023 Honda CRF250/450R:
Notes: The stock bar bend on the 2023 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 a little stiff in nature (on slap down/bump absorption) compared to the Pro Taper EVO 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.
* Tall Rider = 6’0-6’4
* Short Rider = 5’4-5’8
Preferred: Pro Taper Evo Race Team (W)810 (H)91 (R)49 (S)52 *Recommended width is 803* or leave the stock 839 Renthal Fatbar on.
Optional Tall Riders: Pro Taper Henry/Reed (W)800 (H)92 (R)66 (S)57
Optional Short Riders: Pro Taper EVO Husqvarna Stock
Cut To 805mm (W)811 (H)80 (R)39.5 (S)51
Bar Mount Height: Stock
2023 Yamaha YZ250/450F:
Notes: Yamaha also did a good job on creating a bar that is fairly neutral for different sized riders and with the new rider triangle of the 23 YZ450F getting the bar to feel good on the bike is much easier than in 2022. 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 Or Renthal 839 bend (W)802 (H)91 (R)51 (S)51
Optional Tall Riders: 6’0-6’2: Renthal Fatbar 602 bend (W)801 (H)89 (R)59 (S)56
Optional Short Riders: Pro Taper EVO MX Race (W)812 (H)79 (R)40 (S)53 *Recommended width is 803*
Bar Mount Height: Stock
Bar Mount Height Tall Riders: 2020 Stock Bar Mount (+5mm)
2023 Kawasaki KX250/450:
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
Preferred: Pro Taper EVO Race Team (W)810 (H)91 (R)49 (S)52 *Recommended width is 803*
Optional Preferred #1: Renthal 839 bend (W)802 (H)91 (R)51 (S)51
Optional Preferred #2: 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
Optional Short Riders: Pro Taper EVO MX Race (W)812 (H)79 (R)40 (S)53 *Recommended width is 803
Bar Mount Height: Stock
2023 Suzuki RM-Z250/450:
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 Tall Riders: Renthal Fatbar 827 (W)811 (H)92 (R)52 (S)52 *Recommended to cut to 803mm*
Optional Short Riders: Pro Taper EVO MX Race (W)812 (H)79 (R)40 (S)53 *Recommended cut width is 803
Bar Mount Height: Stock
2023 Husqvarna FC250/450:
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 Pro Taper 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 Husqvarna stock EVO handlebar cut to 803mm (W)811 (H)80 (R)39.5 (S)51
Optional Preferred #1: Renthal Fatbar (W)806 (H)85 (R)51 (S)56 Cut to 803mm
Optional Preferred (Crossbar) #2: Pro Taper Fuzion Race Team (W)810 (H)91 (R)49 (S)52 *Recommended width is 803*
Optional Short Riders: 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 (Ride Engineering Sells Bar Mounts With Spacers)
2022 KTM 250/450 SX-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 For Shorter Riders: Pro Taper EVO Carmichael bend (W)800 (H)77 (R)40 (S)55
Optional Bar Mount Height: Plus 5mm
Another Option/Extra Credit:
If you’re looking for the most flex out of your handlebar look no further than FASST Co. FLEXX handlebars. These bars have given more than a few riding buddies of mine longevity out of their riding because they have bad wrists. The FLEXX bar is a unique design and takes a lot of vibration as well as sting out of slap down landings. You can see the review here: https://www.keeferinctesting.com/fasst-co-flexx-handlebars/
