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How narrow is too narrow for handlebars?

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Old Oct 20, 2015 | 01:17 AM
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Default How narrow is too narrow for handlebars?

Right now I've got 6'' straight risers and Sportster bars that are 31" wide...a little too much for the tight lanesplitting I gotta do sometimes around the city...I've been thinking of getting a Biltwell tall riser+drag bar combo or a Clown Car bar from Zombie Performance that would bring the width down to 24"...the question is: how well will those narrow bars perform on the curves? I use my bike every day, and the narrow bars will help with city traffic, but every now and then I do some mountain carvin' too and I don't wanna cut into my peg grinding fun...










 
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Old Oct 20, 2015 | 02:23 AM
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Mine are 27''. Took some time to get used to them after the SB mini apes. I Like them a lot. With these only very minor steering moves are needed in twisties. However I don't think I would like them to be any narrower than this. The more narrower the bars, the faster will be the steering, but at a certain point the steering may become too fast/nervous. Matter of personal preference of course.

JD

 

Last edited by Julia's Dad; Oct 20, 2015 at 02:44 AM.
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Old Oct 20, 2015 | 09:32 AM
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Thanks man, I've gotten feedback that 28" is the magical number for handlebar width. Sweet Tbars!
 
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Old Oct 20, 2015 | 12:16 PM
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On my chop, 20 inches. On my Dyna, I like to be maybe 25-28... I'd recommend Death Squad bars for sure. Or, if you are looking for something more classic, check out Kilby Deuce, Pangea Speed, and of course, Zombie Performance.
 
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Old Oct 20, 2015 | 01:18 PM
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I bought I set of sportster bars I plan to mount on 10" risers. I believe they came off a sportster custom or iron883 according to this chart. Mine are 27" wide.


http://www.sideroadcycles.com/Americ...tock_Bars.html
 
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Old Oct 20, 2015 | 01:35 PM
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Here's a vid of a guy running the Clown Car bars from Zombie Performance...not really taking any curves but it gives me an idea. They're 10" tall and 24" wide...


 
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Old Oct 20, 2015 | 07:04 PM
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The traffic here in Manila sucks, considered one of the worst in the world. We lane split all the time. One reason most bikes run apes, to clear the mirrors. The height in between the cars and SUVs is just about 16".
 
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Old Oct 20, 2015 | 07:13 PM
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I used to run apes too...19" to be precise. I would open up like a flying squirrel at high speeds so I stopped using them. I had z bars + risers and I was happy with them but they got bent from the big wreck I had on 2013 and I've been looking for the perfect replacement ever since. I'm thinking these narrow Clow Car bars might be the ticket.



 
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Old Oct 22, 2015 | 06:26 AM
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Yep...31" on this Sporster bars...wanna go shorter for extreme lane splitting on bumper to bumper traffic
 
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Old Oct 22, 2015 | 07:25 AM
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27". I think Death Squad are 27" and west coast are 28 or 29. My wcmxt are 31.
 
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