Position of your handlebars

JohnnyD13
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JohnnyD13
Edited Date/Time 2/23/2019 4:19pm
I was wondering where you guys run your handlebars. I’m 6’ 2 and I always ran them really far forward. I’m 37 so the 90s was my big influence. Around 2013 a riding coach told me to sweep them back. I did and it was super uncomfortable but all the sudden I could turn. I got used to it and now realize that having them swept back is amazing. Body position and turning is much better. I know some people say align them with the forks but I like them even further back. What do you guys think? And also, if you haven’t tried it, sweep your bars back. It’s amazing
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Wade221
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Wade221 2/22/2019 6:39pm
2/22/2019 6:39pm
Interesting. I’m 6’2 also, and have always ran 998s inline with forks.. but for shits and gigs, I’ll try rolling them back and test it out.
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Squirrelings 2/22/2019 6:42pm
2/22/2019 6:42pm Edited Date/Time 2/22/2019 6:42pm
I’m 6’2” also and I run them swept back slightly. Running them too far forward makes me put too much weight over the front end and have too much leverage. It’s just sketchy.
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mattyhamz2 2/22/2019 6:43pm
2/22/2019 6:43pm
I’m 6’1 and I never go further than the 0 on the bars. I roll them back for more hard packed tracks

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MPJC
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MPJC 2/22/2019 6:54pm
2/22/2019 6:54pm
A buddy of mine likes his bars really far forward and I tried riding his bike and it was so awkward I could barely ride it. I like mine pretty much in line with the forks.
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Thelen20
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Thelen20 2/22/2019 7:10pm
2/22/2019 7:10pm
Squirrelings wrote:
I’m 6’2” also and I run them swept back slightly. Running them too far forward makes me put too much weight over the front end and...
I’m 6’2” also and I run them swept back slightly. Running them too far forward makes me put too much weight over the front end and have too much leverage. It’s just sketchy.
That's what I experienced. Headshake with bars rolled forward. There were other contributing factors but that was definitely one of the problems.

I'm 6'0" and love my bars rolled back behind parallel with the fork tubes.
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Yeti365
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Chula Vista, CA US
Yeti365 2/22/2019 7:15pm
2/22/2019 7:15pm
I'm 6'6", and use a Windham bend with 15mm risers, bars neutral.

I like a little bit of sweep without them being in my lap or so low they hit my legs.

I use to run an RC High without risers, and it really opened up the cockpit for me but just didn't feel right. I went to my current setup and it's fantastic. Bike feels more natural but it's not killing my neck, back and shoulders.
mirramaxx
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mirramaxx 2/22/2019 7:19pm
2/22/2019 7:19pm Edited Date/Time 2/22/2019 7:21pm
In line with the forks. I'm super picky about bar position and where my levers are. My bmx days made me this way I think. Anything else feels odd. I also run my levers a bit forward so my elbows stay up more, definitely noticed a difference when cornering.
CarlinoJoeVideo
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CarlinoJoeVideo 2/22/2019 7:25pm
2/22/2019 7:25pm
I just my bars typically 1 position closer to the rider from where it would be even with the forks. I roll the bars back 1 line towards the rider from 0. I’ve found this set helped my turns a lot!

Starting at even with the forks and rolled back to an angle even with the fork angle is average Oem spot, if you need a starting place.
jonesaustin
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jonesaustin 2/22/2019 7:28pm
2/22/2019 7:28pm Edited Date/Time 2/22/2019 7:29pm
this was another era but I remember Bradshaw ran his high; perhaps it was a motocross magazine test of his factory bike, but I recall them saying they were awkward. nonetheless they worked for someone of his caliber. would be interesting to compare various riders’ bar config to see it’s a personal preference or a more universally accepted setting.
disbanded
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disbanded 2/22/2019 7:50pm
2/22/2019 7:50pm
I go RC low
slipdog
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slipdog 2/22/2019 8:20pm
2/22/2019 8:20pm
RM low Pro-Tapers +.5
NeedMoto
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NeedMoto 2/22/2019 8:29pm
2/22/2019 8:29pm
Renthal Twinwall 999, rolled slightly back from the zero mark.
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navalseabee
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navalseabee 2/23/2019 4:29am
2/23/2019 4:29am
I also had a coach roll mine pretty far back once i got used to it cornering became a whole different evolution. On my bars there at the -2 mark.
Tarz483
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Tarz483 2/23/2019 4:34am
2/23/2019 4:34am
I always run Flush with the forks or slightly towards rider
eric513anderson 2/23/2019 4:57am
2/23/2019 4:57am
Glad I read this. It seems I’ve always struggled with turns and my bars are in the stock position. I’ll for sure roll them back a mark and try it
Patrick461
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Patrick461 2/23/2019 5:11am
2/23/2019 5:11am
6 foot. In line with forks. I’m just tall enough to need a taller seat but can’t stand the taller seat ruins my turning too much weight too high. I’m 215. Build like a line backer. Lost 26lbs recently. Had to buy smaller pants. Low boy fast way pegs are a must have for 6 foot and taller riders. Realy helps keep weight lower. And you have that much more bike between your knees
WCRider
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WCRider 2/23/2019 5:14am
2/23/2019 5:14am
It depends on several factors. Personally, I'm a fan of Herlings set up.
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JohnnyD13
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JohnnyD13 2/23/2019 5:19am
2/23/2019 5:19am
A lot more people seem to roll their bars back then I thought. Crazy how much that helps being such a small thing to change. It does feel bad at first. But really helps with corners and bar position. I also hear that you hold the grips like a tennis racket which was also new to me. I haven’t got that down yet but it puts less pull on your arms.
Ducon39
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Ducon39 2/23/2019 5:55am
2/23/2019 5:55am
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MudPup545
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MudPup545 2/23/2019 7:56am
2/23/2019 7:56am
Pro Taper Windham/Suzuki bend.
Clamps in the far forward position and flipped.
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Track and Trail 2/23/2019 8:08am
2/23/2019 8:08am
Logically, taller bars allow less space, not more. I never understood the riser thing and I'm 6'1". Same with a tall seat. I've ridden bikes with the bars rolled forward as well. Terrible control. I question the sanity of people who's bars are ahead of neutral. Lowered pegs make sense in a way, but at the same time you risk your ankles more. Tall people have bigger feet, so the recipe is there. I like stock Honda everything ergonomically speaking, with the bars slightly back.

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