How Handlebar Specs Affect the Feeling & Character of Your Bike
Height – Comfort and Character
Handlebar height changes both the look and feel of your motorcycle. Taller bars reduce slouching and can ease pressure on your lower back, creating a more upright, relaxed riding position. They also increase leverage over the bike’s centre of mass, making it easier to tip the bike into corners. Visually, tall bars give a bold, attention-grabbing stance, while lower bars create a sleeker, understated look. Height affects comfort moderately, but it has a strong influence on your bike’s visual personality and riding attitude.
Width and Pullback – The Big Influencers
Width has one of the most noticeable impacts on how your bike feels. Narrow bars feel fast, tucked-in, and nimble — ideal for threading through traffic or carving tight lines. Wider bars open your chest and provide a commanding, muscular stance that feels powerful and stable.
Pullback, on the other hand, is one of the biggest comfort factors. More pullback brings the grips closer to you, allowing a natural, upright posture that reduces fatigue — perfect for touring or long rides. Less pullback pushes you forward, shifting weight over the front wheel for a sportier, more aggressive feel. This setup increases control and responsiveness but can put extra strain on your wrists and back during extended rides.
Grip Geometry and Installed Angle – Fine-Tuning Your Feel
Grip “sweep” (the angle of the grips when viewed from above) is mostly about personal comfort. Some riders prefer a straighter bar for a natural wrist position, while others enjoy a greater sweep for a more relaxed grip. Riders with wrist or shoulder injuries tend to notice this more than others.
Grip “slope” (the downward angle when viewed from behind) shapes your posture and riding style. More slope gives a vintage, laid-back feel and lets you drop your elbows comfortably. Less slope — similar to motocross setups — raises your elbows, improving leverage and agility but reducing relaxation.
Finally, your installed angle ties it all together. Adjusting your bars forward or back changes pullback and slope, allowing you to fine-tune comfort and control to suit your riding style.
In short, every measurement — from height to sweep — shapes how your bike looks, feels, and handles. At Barcraft Handlebars, every bar is designed with these dynamics in mind, giving you the perfect balance of comfort, control, and character.
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