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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 2024. Here are some of my favorite bar bends right here for 2024 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 Renthal. This doesn’t mean that I am trying to sell you on this handlebar brand. This is just what I personally am using currently as well as 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 some other great options out there, but I prefer these below. Again….This doesn’t mean other handlebars are crap. For transparency reasons, I am letting you know that this is the company I am associated with for my personal bikes as well as test bikes. We still are currently testing other bar brands and will be doing a flex comparison as we collect more bars and data as well as visit the Renthal facility in the UK. Much like a phone app, sometimes these bar bend applications change over time. Keep checking back to our website or email us if you need any assistance.
- We are using 2024 models for reference, but if you have an older model (2019 or older) and are concerned on which handlebar to run, please feel free to email me at kris@keeferinctesting.com.
- All Dimensions are in (MM).
- Tall Rider = 6’1-6’4
- Short Rider = 5’4-5’8
- If bars are over 803mm wide, best to cut to 800-803mm for best cornering feel. Unless you’re over 6’4, there is no need to have a bar that is 811mm long. Having too long of a bar makes it more difficult to lean bike (not turn bike). With a 811mm bar the lean angle seems to give the rider a “knot feeling” when performing their continual lean angle through corners.
- I have put all “FATBARS” in this article because I am old and want more flex and crossbars don’t flex as much as non crossbars. If you like a crossbar then look at the dimensions and use a Twinwall, but just note that they will be stiffer than the Fatbar. There is also a reason why you see more non crossbar handlebars on the Pro MX/SX scene because even some of the fastest riders need flex.
2024 Honda CRF250/450R:
Notes: The stock bar bend on the 2024 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.
Preferred: Fatbar 839 bend (W)802 (H)91 (R)51 (S)51
Optional Tall Riders: Fatbar 827 bend (W) (H) 92 (R) 52 (S) 52
Optional Short Riders: Fatbar 821 bend (W) 813 (H) 78 (R) 42 (S) 54
Bar Mount Height: Stock
2024 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 23/24 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 (5’8-6’1), but taller riders may want to put the bar mounts in forward hole/back position.
Preferred: Renthal Fatbar 839 bend (W)802 (H)91 (R)51 (S)51 or Renthal Fatbar 602 bend (W)801 (H)89 (R)59 (S)56
Optional Preferred #1: Fatbar 602 bend (W)801 (H)88 (R)59 (S)56
Optional Tall Riders: 6’0-6’2: Fatbar 827 bend (W) (H) 92 (R) 52 (S) 52
Optional Short Riders: Fatbar 821 bend (W) 813 (H) 78 (R) 42 (S) 54
Bar Mount Height: Stock
Bar Mount Height Tall Riders: 2020 Stock Bar Mount (+5mm) with Fatbar 602 bend
2024 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: Fatbar 839 bend (W)802 (H)91 (R)51 (S)51
Optional Preferred #1: Fatbar 672 bend (W)806 (H)85 (R)51 (S)56
Optional Tall Rider: Fatbar 827 bend (W) (H) 92 (R) 52 (S) 52
Optional Short Riders: Fatbar 821 bend (W) 813 (H) 78 (R) 42 (S) 54
Bar Mount Height: Stock
2024 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: Fatbar 839 bend (W)802 (H)91 (R)51 (S)51
Optional Tall Riders: Fatbar 827 bend (W) (H) 92 (R) 52 (S) 52
Optional Short Riders: Fatbar 821 bend (W) 813 (H) 78 (R) 42 (S) 54
Bar Mount Height: Stock
2024 Husqvarna FC250/350/450:
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: Fatbar 821 bend (W) 813 (H) 78 (R) 42 (S) 54
Optional Preferred #1: Fatbar 672 bend (W)806 (H)85 (R)51 (S)56
Optional Short Riders: Fatbar 822 bend (W)808 (H)83 (R)53 (S)41
Optional For Taller Riders: Fatbar 839 bend (W)802 (H)91 (R)51 (S)51
Optional Bar Mount Height For Taller Riders: Plus 5mm (Ride Engineering Sells Bar Mounts With Spacers) If using plus 5mm, run the 672 bend
2024 KTM 250/350/450 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: Fatbar 821 bend (W) 813 (H) 78 (R) 42 (S) 54
Optional For Taller Riders: Fatbar 839 bend (W)802 (H)91 (R)51 (S)51
Optional For Short Riders: Fatbar 822 bend (W)808 (H)83 (R)53 (S)41
Optional Bar Mount Height: Plus 5mm (Ride Engineering Sells Bar Mounts With Spacers) If using plus 5mm, run the 672 bend
Gas Gas MC250/350/450:
Preferred: Fatbar 821 bend (W) 813 (H) 78 (R) 42 (S) 54
Optional For Taller Riders: Fatbar 839 bend (W)802 (H)91 (R)51 (S)51
Optional For Short Riders: Fatbar 822 bend (W)808 (H)83 (R)53 (S)41
Optional Bar Mount Height: Plus 5mm (Ride Engineering Sells Bar Mounts With Spacers) If using plus 5mm, run the 672 bend