Wide Handlebars vs. Clip-On Handlebars | Which One Is Better? 2023

Handlebars work as the main part of the motorcycle. In fact, it works as the face so any change in the style of the motorcycle handle will automatically impact its use. Since most of the motorcycles come fitted with handlebars already, the normal rider will never have to worry about them.

However, as an expert or professional rider who like to enjoy long motorcycle rides in all seasons, it becomes quite a challenge to find a handlebar that suits your motorcycle and your body type as well. Experts believe that everyone has a different riding style and a different body so both these things collectively contribute to the choice of the handlebar.

Within this article, we will mainly look at the two main handlebar styles - Wide Handlebars vs. Clip-On Handlebars. We will evaluate the wide handlebars as well as the clip-on handlebars to know which one is better. Also, we will see if it is worth it to choose your motorcycle handlebar or why it is good to change your motorcycle handlebar.

What Are Clip-On Handlebars and Why Choose Them?

The word clip means that you have to join two separate parts with a direct clip. This means that you will get two separate handles and you will get to join them together to make a fork-like structure. This style of the handlebar is used for the arcing mainly because it might not offer too much control but it beats the air friction supporting your overall speed. Most of the racers and people who ride on the track and smooth roads perfect this style of handlebar because of its aerodynamics.

The issue with this style of the handlebar is that since it is mainly ideal for the easy swift and racing style, it is not ideal for daily use. So you will have to choose what you need to do with the daily use also, for the low-speed moves and riding style, this might offer you less control. However, you can use it for the advance riding styles like riding on plain race tracks on street style rang as well.

In case, you are thinking of installing the handlebar on your own, you need to know that there has to be a good space between the gas tanks and the forks.

Also, most people report that they face issues with the tank and handlebar space and this impacts the movement as well. So the effort should be on good space while you install. In case there is no space, you will have to see a dent in the gas stank. Also, control length is very important for switches and toggles. The idea is to have a better measure with good installation and clip-on for the motorcycle.

However, it is much better to seek professional advice on the installation and if you can hire someone to do that for you, that would be much better because if you compare this style of handlebars with any other style, you will notice that it is much difficult to install and might require a lot of time to understand.

What Are Wide Handlebars and Why Choose Them?

Wide-style handlebars are a very popular style o handlebars and it usually extends to the side as compared to the majority of stock-style handlebars, the best thing is that it offers exceptional control and leverage because it fits the hand and the width of the shoulder very well.

Also, you will notice that with more leverage you will be able to control the steering and it will require less input even at low-speed movement. This also comes in one piece which means t can be easily fixed on your own and you might not even need the assistance of a professional.

However, with so many different styles you have to choose very wisely so no matter what style you chose, it is perfect for you.

The Wide handlebars offer the pullback so you will see that the width impacts the pullback in general and if you calculate the overall width more width means more pullback and vice versa.to control this style of Wide handlebars you also need to lean a little fit forward and for this, the only downside is that you will have to compromise on the leverage. The wide handlebars style has so many different styles like a club man bar, ape-hanger, or drag bar, and depending on these subtypes you will see the impact on your riding.

If you choose ape-style handlebars, are a little higher while the clubman-style handlebar is a little lower so the lean forward will depend on their drop or rise. The lean forwards and the width of the handle collectively offer much better control so you will not have to face issues with the controlling ability in general. This style is perfect for the daily use and utility.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Happens If Your Handlebars Are Too Wide?

If the handlebar paired with that stem is as well wide, the steering will certainly feel even slower, you will be curved over excessively at the hips, and a solid riding position will certainly be compromised. Narrower bars are used in this instance to keep your upper body open even when leaning ahead in a climbing placement.

How Wide Should Your Handlebar Be?

For optimum comfort, the position of your arms requires to be as comfortable as possible. This suggests that your arms need to be direct. For this setting, the handlebars ought to have the same size as your shoulders.

Are Handlebars Important?

Handlebar width can have an influence on your wind-resistant drag, as well. In general terms, narrower equals much faster. If you're presently riding 44cm bars and also want to get fast, take into consideration transferring to 42cm or 40cm bars, for example.

Bottom Line

To sum it all up, it all comes down to the reason you are trying to change your motorcycle handlebars. One of the main contributors to this is the control factor and the other one of the comfort factor.

In a place where you need more control, you have to use the wide-style handlebars. With the same width as your shoulder, you will get to handle your motorcycle and control it naturally. However, with more control, you will notice that it is less aerodynamic. Eventually, this impact the passage area you choose.

If the place is narrow you need a bit of speed then this can really test your skill. This also means that it is perfect for the off-road experience where you need less speed, more friction, and some heavy control over the motorcycle.

On the contrary, if you choose the clip-on handlebars you will notice that it is fun and the speed is good as well. However, you will have to compromise on other things especially the style of racing and the control a little bit. This, however, doesn’t mean that you will have n control at all so it is still safe.

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Rodney L Herron

Rodney L is a technical writer and product consultant with over a decade of experience in the motor industry. Rodney is a fan of performance machines that run fast and loud and an expert in all things custom. His numerous articles and write-ups are available at our knowledge base. Whether it’s something wrong with your motorcycle or you are building a custom bike, you can trust Rodney’s experience.