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Author Topic: Curious - anyone cut their handlebars?  (Read 3994 times)

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Offline yo_marc

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Curious - anyone cut their handlebars?
« on: April 08, 2011, 06:47:42 AM »
Like the subject says, I'm curious to know - does anyone cut their handlebars down to be narrower?  More specifically, anyone do that for MX?

I've got my bike setup for woods riding, and am running some regular old CR bends that I cut down rather narrow for a little faster response from the front-end, and for ducking/tucking trees in the tight stuff. I want to say I'm down around 30".  I'm looking to make my bike a little more suited as an all-arounder.  Are there disadvantages to running narrow bars in MX?  Less leverage on the bars?  Little more prone to arm pump or feedback from the front end?

FWIW, I am running a steering damper.
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Offline ford832

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Re: Curious - anyone cut their handlebars?
« Reply #1 on: April 08, 2011, 12:11:56 PM »
Always.About 3/4-1 in off either end.I've tried to go full width but I guess subconsciously always try to move my hands in as when I go full length,the base of my thumbs chafe raw.
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Offline TotalNZ

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Re: Curious - anyone cut their handlebars?
« Reply #2 on: April 08, 2011, 06:53:51 PM »
traditionally the offroad guys cut there bars and the moto guys leave them full length.

Offline juliend

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Re: Curious - anyone cut their handlebars?
« Reply #3 on: May 24, 2011, 03:28:55 PM »
I always cut mine. I like them around 29", a bit less if I can get it without crowding the controls.

Offline opfermanmotors

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Re: Curious - anyone cut their handlebars?
« Reply #4 on: May 24, 2011, 07:07:59 PM »
I cut my handle bars and drill out the holes bigger.  Otherwise, my tassles don't fit.

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Offline VintageBlueSmoke

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Re: Curious - anyone cut their handlebars?
« Reply #5 on: May 25, 2011, 01:40:11 AM »
Narrower bars mean less stable at speed but with a stabilizer, you have no worries about cutting your bars down.
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Offline MyckMcClung

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Re: Curious - anyone cut their handlebars?
« Reply #6 on: May 25, 2011, 06:06:02 AM »
I run a KX80/or  Burleson bend bar. it is 29.78" wide and has the same rise and sweep as the Cr High bend. I ride woods, and run a steering dampner.
I tried running a stock width, but wore my thumb knuckles raw.
If a pair of 2" brass balls isn't working, I doubt that the 3" model will make much difference.

Offline snook620

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Re: Curious - anyone cut their handlebars?
« Reply #7 on: May 25, 2011, 07:34:54 PM »
Nope, I never did care for narrow bars.
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Offline Coop

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Re: Curious - anyone cut their handlebars?
« Reply #8 on: May 26, 2011, 05:52:48 AM »
I don't race MX so I haven't responded. But since I see a bunch of off-road responses I will. I always cut mine down. I would prefer 28.5" but on my KDX and the dual sport controls I added I could only go to 29.5" I think it is. If you look at this pic you will my kill switch is already starting down the bend, so I couldn't cut any more  :).



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