Why do pro's run their bars so low?

171motocross
Edited Date/Time 2/19/2013 11:16am
I've always wondered why the pro's run their bars almost to where they lay in their lap? RC ran his like that and i've seen a few videos on other riders such as Bogle that run them like that. Do they get more control from it? or is it just comfortable for them?
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Beefcake727 2/13/2013 10:51am
2/13/2013 10:51am
I would guess they imitated someone when they were young and it became comfortable and they just haven't changed it. Emig talked about this on one of the broadcasts and said he tried to run his bars like RC's once and hated it.

I haven't looked but I think RC rolled his back forward a bit later in his career, could be wrong on that though.
Motoxdoc
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Motoxdoc 2/13/2013 11:03am
2/13/2013 11:03am
171motocross wrote:
I've always wondered why the pro's run their bars almost to where they lay in their lap? RC ran his like that and i've seen a...
I've always wondered why the pro's run their bars almost to where they lay in their lap? RC ran his like that and i've seen a few videos on other riders such as Bogle that run them like that. Do they get more control from it? or is it just comfortable for them?
That's a stupid-easy one to answer.....personal preference. The same reason some racers, like Bradshaw in the day, would run their rear brake pedal ABOVE their right foot rather then below it.

Or were you looking for this?: Are you kidding? It's soooo much easier to rail turns and do triples when your handlebars are in your lap; try it!
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Zaugg
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Zaugg 2/13/2013 11:13am
2/13/2013 11:13am
Because it's cool BRO!!! Everyone know's that....and it helps you rail turns and do triples. lol

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mag23
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mag23 2/13/2013 11:25am
2/13/2013 11:25am
Maybe it's easier to get more weight over the front of the bike?
TX24
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TX24 2/13/2013 11:39am
2/13/2013 11:39am
I can never tell if I like someones bike I test ride cause I run my bars swept back. I think it's my short arms.
ARK TOKEN
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ARK TOKEN 2/13/2013 11:42am
2/13/2013 11:42am
I want to know why when the pros go to pick up their bike they switch hands and pick it up cross handed .?
NP301
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NP301 2/13/2013 11:52am
2/13/2013 11:52am
171motocross wrote:
I've always wondered why the pro's run their bars almost to where they lay in their lap? RC ran his like that and i've seen a...
I've always wondered why the pro's run their bars almost to where they lay in their lap? RC ran his like that and i've seen a few videos on other riders such as Bogle that run them like that. Do they get more control from it? or is it just comfortable for them?
So your in a more of a attack position while riding and not riding like it is a couch with your elbows down.
wydopen
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wydopen 2/13/2013 11:57am
2/13/2013 11:57am Edited Date/Time 2/13/2013 11:57am
ARK TOKEN wrote:
I want to know why when the pros go to pick up their bike they switch hands and pick it up cross handed .?
lol to grab the clutch so it doesn't stall..
Trauma
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Trauma 2/13/2013 12:01pm
2/13/2013 12:01pm Edited Date/Time 2/13/2013 12:05pm
I never did, if I was to copy a pro rider it would be Windham. I'm 6 feet tall, Windham is 6'1" I think. RC is like 5'5".
Suns_PSD
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Suns_PSD 2/13/2013 12:04pm
2/13/2013 12:04pm
Maybe because many of the Pros are like 5'8"?
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GuyB 2/13/2013 12:18pm
2/13/2013 12:18pm
Yep, a lot of time it's their height...or lack of it. Some of the guys could be jockeys instead of riders. Do what works for you.
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seth505 2/13/2013 12:46pm
2/13/2013 12:46pm
I'm 5'8, non pro and run my bars low (but levers high). I don't really think tall pros run their bars low.
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Ryno23 2/13/2013 1:07pm
2/13/2013 1:07pm
Didn't James Stewart say he's considered a midget in 34 states? I believe it's cuz most of them are shorter than the average Joe.
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ARK TOKEN 2/13/2013 1:19pm
2/13/2013 1:19pm
ARK TOKEN wrote:
I want to know why when the pros go to pick up their bike they switch hands and pick it up cross handed .?
wydopen wrote:
lol to grab the clutch so it doesn't stall..
that was my original thought ...but the idles are turned up so high..just seems wierd to me to switch hands and grab clutch when you could grab it with left hand
OW38B
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OW38B 2/13/2013 1:41pm
2/13/2013 1:41pm
Shoot, that's why I never made it to the Pro class...............ran my bars too high! Angry
BDOG
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BDOG 2/13/2013 1:44pm
2/13/2013 1:44pm
Gary Bailey preaches low bars for front end weighting and control.
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mx_563 2/13/2013 1:54pm
2/13/2013 1:54pm
Gary Bailey might have a point.

I once read an interview with Stewart where he was describing his bike setup. He said it was not a "comfortable" setup, but rather an effective setup. At the time I didn't really understand what he meant.

I'm 6'2", 200lbs. I've been running RC high bends on my MXers for years. Recently I bought a 450X for off-road. Rode it a few times with the stock bars and was surprised by how much better I feel with them. I'm riding over the front end more and the bike feels more balanced. I'm actually considering going to the stock bar bend/height on the MX bike now. It's less comfortable but the bike works better and I feel faster.

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Overdrive 2/13/2013 2:09pm
2/13/2013 2:09pm
Im 6 ft and always ran low bars for several reasons, easier to move weight forward and gave me more control. When I had more control my grip was not as tight and I didn't pump up as much. Also when I would case I wouldn't hit my chest on crossbar as hard (I ran renthals). I was a Bailey student, Attack position at all times.
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DrSweden 2/13/2013 2:14pm
2/13/2013 2:14pm
There's no concencus here, the general view has always been u should angle it with the forks, but to suggest its the absolute truth is stupid, but maybe go from there was the point? Rider length, bar bent type of bike and what track like a loamy bumby sand track for 40 min or a vs SX doing 20, some of us have noticed turning with low bars rules compared to them being pushes forward, like overstear vs understear, while the straight afterwards is a killer riding with your chin at the bar pad. The RC deal went crazy with the CR250, I think he tried to compensate for not being in tune with the whoops, at least that was what he said in an interview only to figure out that was not the issue. No person on the planet will deliver a truth here other than, if it feels good, go for it. I personally go for the angle with the fork, and some mm back, but I'm old and slow so what I do has no value in this perspective what so ever, other than I always serve the truth for myself..
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brimx153 2/13/2013 4:09pm
2/13/2013 4:09pm
i went to a couple of riding schools with pros and both said , run your bars back , as it helps a lot in the corners , but might nt feel as good standing up , but they both said , races are won in the corners , i always felt the bike was less twichey , when the bars were back , you tend to lean the bike , rather than turn the handle bars IMO , look at a picture of desalle s bars they are way way back , and he is fairly tall ,
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bangmyhead 2/13/2013 5:57pm
2/13/2013 5:57pm
Ohhh Da Lay essay!

I run em alil further back, feels good.....
YetiMan
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YetiMan 2/13/2013 7:30pm
2/13/2013 7:30pm
I run them low because its easier to keep my elbows high through turns, and easier to get weight onto the front wheel in turns. Im 5'9. I find if your elbows up higher your whole upper body is more solid so when the exits to ruts start get gnarly and rough, your stronger and faster on the exits. But each to their own. Villopoto's bars look pretty high in my opinion, and Reed runs a fairly high set for his height
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Hank_Thrill 2/13/2013 8:11pm
2/13/2013 8:11pm Edited Date/Time 2/13/2013 8:12pm
Trends and adapting probably have a lot to do with it. In bmx bars went from Chicago style (forward) back in the day, to parallel to the forks, and now more are going back towards Chicago style. Through every phase people give numerous explanations to support their preference. I like mine on my dirt bike nearly straight up and down. The cockpit feels too cramped when they are laid back too much for me.
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rmpilot 2/13/2013 8:23pm
2/13/2013 8:23pm
this is just what would make sense to me, wouldnt low bars be better for a taller person with longer arms and higher for shorter arms?
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dboivin 2/13/2013 8:36pm
2/13/2013 8:36pm
anybody have a picture of larry wards handlebar setup from late 80s/early 90s. his was by far the most extreme i've ever seen. they were so far forward they almost looked backwards.
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mynewcr250 2/13/2013 8:44pm
2/13/2013 8:44pm Edited Date/Time 2/13/2013 8:45pm
rmpilot wrote:
this is just what would make sense to me, wouldnt low bars be better for a taller person with longer arms and higher for shorter arms?
not necessarily IMO because not all tall people have long arms. your height of course will never come from your arms, but rather your legs and torso. for some people such as myself, it causes one to have to hunch over even when trying to stay in the attack position.
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FlickitFlat 2/13/2013 9:02pm
2/13/2013 9:02pm
dboivin wrote:
anybody have a picture of larry wards handlebar setup from late 80s/early 90s. his was by far the most extreme i've ever seen. they were so...
anybody have a picture of larry wards handlebar setup from late 80s/early 90s. his was by far the most extreme i've ever seen. they were so far forward they almost looked backwards.
Shae Bentley ran his farther forward than anybody I can remember.
jake_ktm100 2/13/2013 9:13pm
2/13/2013 9:13pm
I think its just personal preference. I run mine back, and have done since i moved up from 85s pretty much a few years back, when i hop on a bike with bars the forward i cant stand it. And i dont consider myself short whatsoever, at about 5'11-6ft

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