Best Dirt Bike Handlebars (Trail, Enduro, MX) – How to Choose the Right Bend
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Is it time to replace the handlebars on your dirtbike? I’ve tried a couple of different bends from a couple of different companies, and have listed out my favorites here. If you’re looking for the best dirt bike handlebars on the market today, here are the top choices.
NOTE: It’s hard to name just one handlebar as “the best” because there are many factors that go into choosing one. With that said, we will look at the most popular handlebar for trail riding, enduro, motocross, and more.
Whether you are a tall rider or a short rider, there are different bends and styles out there.
There are several options, but choosing the best aftermarket handlebars for you depends on your riding style, size, and what you’re after. Here are the top choices for each scenario.
What’s important to know, even though the 1 1/8 inch bars are a larger diameter in the middle, they taper out gradually to 7/8 inches on each end. Because of this, all of the different grips for dirt bike handlebars fit both sizes, so no need to worry.
Trail Riding Handlebars
When it comes to riding in the woods, there are a few types of handlebars that are generally more popular than others. Again, it really comes down to your personal preference to determine which one is best for you.
With that said, below are the options that are considered to be the best dirt bike handlebars for trail riding. There are two different sizes available: 7/8 and 1 1/8 inch sizes.
Whichever size you choose, you should be able to fit your dirt bike handle guards and grips onto the bars without much hassle.
7/8 – Pro Taper High Bend
When it comes to quality handlebars, there are two big players: Renthal and Pro Taper. Basically, it comes down to preference as it’s not cut-and-dry as to which one is better. Both companies make good handlebars for dirt bikes and ATVs, so either way you should be good.
With that, this 7/8 inch Renthal dirt bike handlebar is one of the most popular choices out there.
Specifications
Dimensions: 33″L x 3″W
Weight: 2.75 pounds
Material: Aluminum
Color: Black
Positive Reviews
- Look great
- Easy to install
- Universal fit (works with all top brands like Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Suzuki, Husqvarna, etc.)
- The bars have cut marks on them if you want to be more narrow
Negative Reviews
- Poor packaging
- Only comes in black
- Hard to find in stock at most local shops
Click here to view pricing and read reviews on Amazon.
1 1/8 – Pro Taper Woods Bend
These Pro Taper handlebars are great for trail riding. Not only do these 1 1/8″ handlebars look cool, but they also encourage better body positioning on the dirt bike and they are much more durable than stock.
In addition, these aftermarket dirt bike handlebars offer more flex than most other options, making for a comfortable ride and reducing arm pump.
Specifications
Dimensions: 30.5″ wide x 2.8″ high x 2.37″ pullback
Weight: 2 pounds
Material: Aluminum
Color: Black
Positive Reviews
- Look great
- Simple to install
- Universal fit (works with all top brands like Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Suzuki, Husqvarna, etc.)
- The bars have 1/4″ cut marks on them if you want to narrow them for trail riding
- Creates more room for maneuverability
- Fast shipping
- Hard to bend
Negative Reviews
- Poor packaging
- Only available in black
- Must purchase triple clamp for installation on most dirt bikes (here’s a universal mounting kit by Pro Taper on Amazon)
Depending on your preference, you can cut the ends of the handlebars down to 30 inches. Obviously, this will give you more room to fit between trees, etc., but it also decreases the stability slightly. While I have not personally cut my dirt bike handlebars for trail riding, I do know that a lot of guys do.
Click here to view pricing and read reviews on Amazon
Enduro Handlebars
When it comes to picking the best enduro dirt bike handlebars, there are many options. Below are my two favorites, however, other riders may prefer something else.
Either way, we’re sticking with the two main handlebar leaders for this section as well… Renthal and Pro Taper.
7/8 – Pro Taper Mid Bend
If you prefer the stock 7/8″ handlebar size (also known as Seven Eights and SE) but you’d still like to upgrade your bars, these are a solid choice.
NOTE: This Pro Taper “CR Mid” bend is a popular choice for all brands of dirt bikes, not just Hondas.
Specifications
Dimensions: 30.5″ wide x 2.8″ high x 2.37″ pullback
Weight: 2 pounds
Material: Aluminum
Color: Jet Black
Positive Reviews
- Good quality
- Easy to install
- Universal fit (Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Suzuki, Husqvarna, etc.)
- The 1/4″ cut lines make it easy to mod
- Reduces arm pump
- Fairly cheap dirt bike handlebars
Negative Reviews
- Not great packaging
- The only color option is Jet Black
- Hard to find in stock at local shops (at least where I live)
In the end, if you’re looking for a set of dirtbike handlebars for enduro riding, these are a great option. The 7/8″ size should bolt right onto your bike without needing to purchase additional triple clamps.
Click here to view pricing and read reviews on Amazon.
1 1/8 – Renthal Vilopoto Bend
Renthal Fatbars are some of the best oversized handlebars, and they’re some of my all-time favorites. I’ve run Renthal Fatbars on a couple of my dirt bikes and I really like them.
As with most good handlebars, there are several different bends you can choose from. This “Villopoto/Stewart/KTM” bend is a great choice and very popular.
Specifications
Dimensions: 32″ wide x 3.6″ high x 2″ sweep
Weight: 1.9 pounds
Material: Aluminum
Color: Black
Positive Reviews
- Great quality
- Simple to install
- Universal fit (Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha, KTM, Husqvarna, Suzuki, etc.)
- Flexible and strong
- Hard(ish) to bend
Negative Reviews
- Poor packaging
- Hard to find in stock
- Some dirtbikes need an aftermarket clamp for installation (here’s a universal mounting kit by Pro Taper on Amazon)
Click here to view pricing and read reviews on Amazon
Motocross Handlebars
As with the many different trail and enduro handlebars, there are many different motocross handlebar bends as well. In addition, whether you’re racing or trail riding, picking the “best” dirt bike handlebar for motocross is still going to be subjective. Having said that, there are certain characteristics that are typically better suited for motocross riding or trail riding… not both.
7/8 – Pro Taper Reed Bend
These Pro Taper handlebars offer a comfortable feel and cut back on arm pump, while at the same time being much stronger than most stock handlebars.
Another thing that makes these aftermarket dirtbike handlebars so popular is that they work great with all dirt bike sizes and types. In fact, many people put these on mini motos like the Honda Monkey, Grom, etc.
Specifications
Dimensions: 31.5″ wide x 3.6″ high x 2.25″ sweep
Weight: 1 pound
Material: Aluminum
Color: Red
Positive Reviews
- Installs in minutes
- Universal fit (Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Suzuki, KTM, Husqvarna, etc.)
- Top quality
- Has cut lines in case you want to narrow the bars
- Reduces arm pump
Negative Reviews
- A little too low for some riders
- Hard to find in stock at local shops (at least where I live)
- Not cheap
All-in-all, these are a great choice for anyone looking for this type of dirt bike handlebar. As you might guess from the name of the bend, these are a popular choice for motocross racers more so than trail riders. However, these work on just about any type of dirt bike.
Click here to view pricing and read reviews on Amazon.
1 1/8 – Pro Taper Pastrana Bend
The Pastrana bend is one of the more popular choices for FMX and motocross riders. I have to say that I’ve never tried them, but if this is the style of bend that you are after, these seem like they would be a great option.
Specifications
Dimensions: 33″ wide x 6.3″ high x 1.3″ sweep
Weight: 1 pound
Material: Aluminum
Color: Jet Black
Positive Reviews
- Looks cool
- Comfortable bend
- Universal fit (Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha, KTM, Husqvarna, Suzuki, etc.)
- Flexible and strong
- Fast and easy to install
Negative Reviews
- The packaging isn’t the best
- These are usually hard to find in stock
- Some dirtbikes need an aftermarket clamp for installation (here’s a universal mounting kit by Pro Taper on Amazon)
The Pro Taper Contour Handlebars are known for being comfortable and tough. They offer flex and soak-up vibration, reducing arm pump and overall fatigue. In addition, they’re strong enough to handle jumps and whoops confidently.
Click here to view pricing and read reviews on Amazon.
1 1/8 inch Handlebar Clamp
If you’re wanting to upgrade to a 1 1/8 inch handlebar, you may need to purchase some aftermarket clamps as well.
This is a universal kit by Pro Taper that is designed to fit on the stock dirt bikes that do not have the 1 1/8″ triple clamps from the manufacturer. To be honest, I’ve used some of these adapters in the past, but I’m not 100% that they were actually made by Pro Taper.
Either way, these are certainly a solid option, and no doubt better quality than the ones that had on my 2001 YZ426F.
The Pro Taper Contour Handlebars are known for being comfortable and tough. They offer flex and soak-up vibration, reducing arm pump and overall fatigue. In addition, they’re strong enough to handle jumps and whoops confidently.
Click here to view pricing and read reviews on Amazon.
How to Choose the Best Dirt Bike Handlebars
I’m going to apologize ahead of time. I’m sorry for the repetition, but in the end, choosing a handlebar for a dirt bike isn’t cut and dry.
In general, there are certain types that some riders prefer over others. Either way, most motocross handlebars will be better suited for one type and size of rider, and not for another. Generally, people who are 5’10” and shorter gravitate towards a low bend, whereas the best handlebars for tall riders are usually a high bend.
It’s important to note that once you start creeping up too high on the handlebars you are ultimately sacrificing the handling of your dirt bike.
Size
Since all dirt bike handlebars are so close to each other in size, people usually are referring to the thickness, or diameter, of the handlebar when discussing the size.
There are two different sizes to be aware of:
- 7/8 inch dirt bike handlebars
- 1 1/8 inch dirt bike handlebars
Basically, all of the “older” bikes fit a 7/8″ handlebar. However, there are adapters and kits that you can buy to upgrade to a 1 1/8″ handlebar. Overall, the oversized, 1 1/8 inch handlebars offer more flex and more strength.
Conveniently, they have a tapered design so that you don’t have to buy new handgrips, lever mounts, etc. The ends of the bar are still tapered down to a standard 7/8 inch size.
Bend
The shape of the bar, referred to as the bend, is one of the significant factors in how a handlebar will feel. In fact, this is often the main differentiator of each bar.
The bend of the handlebars takes into account the sweep, width, height, and more.
- Sweep
The measurement from the center to how far back the handlebars reach. - Width
This is just as you’d think, the width from one end of the handlebar to the other. - Height
The height is the measurement from the center of the bottom to the top of the end (think about placing the handlebars on a table and measuring from where the bottom of the handlebar rests on the table to the bottom of the handgrips.
Sweep
Are you curious about how to measure the sweep of a handlebar?
The sweep or “pullback” of dirt bike handlebars can be measured fairly easily. Also, it’s helpful to know the current sweep you ride with so that you have a point of reference. From there, you can decide if you want to stick with the same or increase or decrease the sweep.
Whatever you choose, here’s how to measure the sweep of dirt bike handlebars:
- Place the dirtbike handlebars on a table
This ensures you’re getting an accurate read on the angle. If you’re measuring the handlebars while they’re still attached to the bike, ensure the bike is level. - Measure the Distance
Measure the bottom of the handlebar grip to the top of the table, where your handlebars are sitting. This measurement is considered the pullback, or sweep, of the handlebars. (It’s important to make sure the measuring line is perfectly vertical)
Pretty simple, as long as the bars aren’t on your bike. If the bars are on your bike, you could look up the sweep or pullback of your stock handlebars.
Material
There are really only two different materials that you’re going to come across when shopping for aftermarket handlebars. Here are the two materials:
- Steel
- Aluminum
Yes, that’s about it! When choosing between the two, you’re probably going to come across aluminum handlebars more than steel. Steel is cheaper, however, it bends easier and doesn’t provide as much comfort or performance.
Dirt Bike Handlebar Brands
Renthal
Renthal is one of the most popular brands in the motocross and off-road dirt bike world. And when it comes to their handlebars, Renthal is known for high quality and durability. The company offers a variety of different bends to choose from.
Pro Taper
Another top-tier brand that offers some of the best handlebars for dirt bikes on the market today. As included in the list above, their EVO and Contour series are the most popular.
ODI
Although ODI isn’t as well-known as many of the other companies making handlebars, they are an up-and-company name that’s focused on quality and performance. No, I have zero first-hand experience of what riders think of these.
Tag Metals
The Tag Metals company has a solid history in motocross and offers a range of high-quality handlebars for many different applications.
Tusk
Although I really like Tusk for some of the pit bike mods and other aftermarket accessories, I’m not in love with their handlebars. Yes, they’re probably better than stock, but they aren’t at the same level as Pro Taper or Renthal. Then again, not too many companies are.
Neken
Neken is mostly known in the European motocross scene, and their handlebars have been the choice of many professional riders. Although probably tough to find in a local, US bike shop, you can track some down online.
Fasst Company
This company likes doubling up on their consonants. For example, the “Fasst” company makes dirt bike handlebars called “Flexx” handlebars. All kidding aside, they’re quite decent and they are known for reducing vibration and arm pump.
