View source for Engineering:Motorcycle handlebar

[[File:BSA riders at 2007 Ace Cafe reunion.jpg|300px|thumb|upright=1.35|BSA with  Clubman bars by the Ace Café]]
A '''motorcycle handlebar''' is a tubular component of a motorcycle's steering mechanism. Handlebars provide a mounting place for controls such as [[Engineering:Brake|brake]], [[Engineering:Throttle|throttle]], [[Engineering:Clutch|clutch]], horn, light switches and rear view mirrors; and they help to support part of the rider's weight.  Even when a handlebar is a single piece it is usually referred to in the plural as handlebars.<ref>{{cite OED2|handlebar}}</ref><ref>{{Dictionary.com|Handlebar|accessdate=2015-01-03}}</ref>

==Construction==
[[Image:Motorcycle handlebar.JPG|thumb|upright=0.7|One-piece handlebar mounted on the triple clamp.]]
Handlebars are made from round-section metal tubing, typically [[Chemistry:Aluminium alloy|aluminium alloy]]s or [[Engineering:Chrome plating|chrome plated]] steel but also of carbon fibre and [[Chemistry:Titanium|titanium]], shaped to the desired contour. Holes may be drilled for the internal routing of control cables such as [[Engineering:Brake|brake]], [[Engineering:Throttle|throttle]], and [[Engineering:Clutch|clutch]]. Risers hold the handlebars above their mounting position on the [[Engineering:Motorcycle fork#Triple tree|upper triple clamp]]<ref>The fork-tubes are held in place by an upper and lower "triple clamp" (or "yoke" in the UK). The whole assembly is called a "triple tree".</ref>  or the top of the [[Engineering:Motorcycle fork|fork]], and may be integrated into the bar itself or separate items. Each handlebar end may contain bar-end weights to damp [[Physics:Bicycle and motorcycle dynamics#In motorcycles|vibration]] by isolating the bar's resonant frequency from that of the engine.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bikesmedia.in/reviews/importance-of-motorcycle-handlebar-end-weights.html|title=Importance of Motorcycle Handlebar End Weights » BikesMedia.in|website=www.bikesmedia.in}}</ref> Electrically [[Physics:Heating element|heated grips]] may be fitted to provide warmth for the rider in cold weather.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.motorcyclenews.com/product-reviews/product-picks/top-five-heated-motorcycle-grips/|title=Top 5 heated motorcycle grips|website=www.motorcyclenews.com}}</ref>

===Sizes===
There are several size parameters that describe most motorcycle handlebars:
* Width from grip to grip may vary from a single tiller to {{Convert|37|in}}.
* May rise above triple clamp up to {{Convert|24|in|abbr=on}} or more, called ape hangers when very high, or may drop a few inches below, called [[Engineering:Café racer|clubman]] bars.
* Pullback, the distance grips are behind their mounting location, may vary from {{convert|4.25|to|17|in|abbr=on}}.
* Diameters vary; commonly {{convert|7/8|,|1|, and|1+1/4|in|mm|abbr=on}}, though oversized bars of {{convert|1+1/4|,|1+1/2|, and|1+3/4|in|mm|abbr=on}} may reduce to {{convert|1|in|abbr=on}} at the grips so standard controls may be mounted.

==Types of handlebars==
[[File:TRX clip-ons.jpg|thumb|Yamaha TRX clip-on 'bars mounted above the yoke with non-adjustable angle, but fork tubes may be raised or lowered]]
[[Image:Clip on.JPG|thumb|upright=0.7|A non-adjustable handlebar riser that is integral to the upper triple clamp]]
[[File:24 inch rise ape hanger motorcycle handlebars.jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|"Ape-hanger" handlebars]]
[[File:Jota bars.jpg|thumb|Jota bars on a Laverda motorcycle]]
Handlebars come in a variety of types designed for particular types of riding:
* "Ape-hangers"  — found mainly on choppers, these are handlebars of such exaggerated height that the rider has to reach up to them, hence the name. Rumored{{By whom|date=April 2019}} to have originally been implemented to aid riders on motorcycles with no rear suspension to lift themselves from their seat to avoid potholes, they can also aid in a more comfortable ride since the riders hands are closer to shoulder height.{{Original research inline|date=April 2019}} However, if the position of the hands is higher than the shoulders, they may cause numbness in the hands, but the use of throttle locks or cruise controls{{Original research inline|date=April 2019}} may help alleviate such symptoms.{{citation needed|date=April 2019}} Some jurisdictions restrict the maximum height of ape-hangers for safety reasons.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/Codified_Laws/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&Statute=32-20-3|title=SDLRC - Codified Law 32-20-3|website=sdlegislature.gov}}</ref>
* Beach bars — similar to cruiser bars, slope back toward the rider to allow a relaxed riding position. Tend to be very wide, and offer the rider a relaxed position.
* Buckhorn handlebars — similar to ape-hangers, but shorter and curved (thereby resembling a buck's horn).  They are sometimes called "mini-apes" (miniature ape-hangers), but are not. Buckhorns have a different hand positioning than mini apes. The bar ends on Buckhorns are angled in and down towards the rider, mini apes hand positioning is out and more horizontal. A good example of buckhorn handlebars are the ones on Ghost Rider's Hellbike, from the 2007 movie Ghost Rider. {{citation needed|date=January 2015}}
* Clip-ons — popular on [[Engineering:Sport bike|sport bike]]s, in which two separate short handles are clamped directly to the [[Engineering:Motorcycle fork#Fork tube|fork tubes]].<!-- NOTE the date format in the magazine edition is faithful to the original UK date style as printed --><ref>''The Motor Cycle'', 17 July 1952, p.23 (supplement ix) Classified advertising: RACING MOTOR CYCLES. "''1950 Norton 350, double knocker, clip-on fork bars, 19in wheels, Grand Prix carb, engine 100%, machine in immaculate condition, ready to race; £300.—John Surtees, Junr., 2, Palace Green, Addington, Surrey. Springpark 3363''". Accessed February 26, 2018</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.metisse-motorcycles.com/motorcycle/mk-5/mk-5-cafe-racer/|title=MK 5 Café Racer}}</ref> Adjustable or non-adjustable, these may be fitted above or below the triple tree.  These two piece clip-on bars may also be attached to the top triple tree clamp and be non-adjustable.<ref name=busa/><ref name=buell/><ref name=morebuells/><ref name=hayabusa/><ref name=firebolt/>
* Clubman bars — a one-piece handlebar mounted on the triple tree, reaching forward with ends slightly angled backwards to give the rider a lower, more crouching riding position. Common on [[Engineering:Café racer|café racer]]s in the UK, Clubman bars are sometime known as "Thruxton bars" or "Thruxton drops" (after the Thruxton race circuit);<ref>''The Motor Cycle'', 4 October 1962, p.31 Pride and Clarke advert "''This week's special offer Thruxton style {{fraction|7|8}} – 29/6, P&P 2/6''". Accessed September 27, 2020</ref><ref>''The Motor Cycle'', 22 March 1962, p.4 Halfords advert "''Handlebar bends. Club Ace dropped pattern Junior size 15/6, Club Ace Senior pattern 17/6. Prices correct at time of going to press <!-- NOTE the date format in the magazine edition and quotation is faithful to the original UK date style as printed -->16 March 1962''". Accessed January 21, 2018</ref><ref>''Motorcycle Mechanics'', July 1964, pp.30-31 "''For getting down to it, a range of bars is available. The 'Thruxton' costs 21s., the adjustable type is 48s. 6d. and the straight clip-ons 37s. 6d.''". Accessed January 21, 2018</ref><ref>''Motorcycle Mechanics'', October 1969, p.13 ''Pride and Clarke'' single-page advert, ''Thruxton drops {{fraction|7|8}} in 29/6, postage 5/6''. Accessed January 29, 2018</ref> or "Ace bars" (after the Ace Cafe on the North Circular Road in London).
* Cruiser handlebars — long and slope towards the rear of the motorcycle so that the rider can sit upright.
* Drag bars — nearly straight across to create a forward-leaning and aerodynamic riding position.
* Jota bars - a five-piece multi-adjustable bar with a straight centre piece, and right-angle knuckle joints between the centre bar and handlebar grips, as seen on most [[Engineering:Laverda Jota|Laverda Jota]]s and other 70s/80s motorbikes. The right angle is designed to point downwards for aerodynamic advantage, but older riders rotate them upwards for comfort.
* Motocross bars —  motocross, [[Engineering:Types of motorcycles#Off-road|off-road]], and dual-sport motorcycles normally have tubular bars with a cross-brace to resist torsional twist.
* Rabbit Ears - feature straight riser sections which bend sharply back and down toward the rider, giving the appearance of the ears of a rabbit. Popular on choppers.
* T-bar - similar to drag bars, but have built in risers which create the look of a 'T'.  This modifies the riding position from the forward leaning drag bar to a more relaxed riding position.
* Z-bar — containing no bends, all miter cut and welded tubing to create a sharply angled handlebar. The vertical riser sections can vary in height, creating a short or tall Z bar.

==See also==
*[[Engineering:Bicycle handlebar|Bicycle handlebar]]
*[[Engineering:Motorcycle fork|Motorcycle fork]]

==References==
{{Reflist|refs=

<ref name=busa>{{cite web |url=http://www.motorcycle.com/shoot-outs/2008-hyperbike-shootout-hayabusa-vs-zx14-78157.html//|last=Brissette |first=Pete |title=2008 Hayabusa vs. ZX-14R Shootout| publisher=Motorcycle.com|accessdate=December 30, 2016|date=April 23, 2008  }}</ref>

<ref name=buell>{{cite web |url=http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/2008-buell-firebolt-review///|title=2008 Buell Firebolt Review| publisher=Motorcyclist|accessdate=December 30, 2016|date=March 19, 2013 }}</ref>

<ref name=morebuells>{{cite web |url=http://www.cycleworld.com/2007/08/28/first-ride-2008-buell-1125r//|last=Canet |first=Don |title=First Ride: 2008 Buell 1125R| publisher=Cycle World|accessdate=December 30, 2016|date=August 28, 2007 }}</ref>

<ref name=hayabusa>{{cite web |url=http://www.sportrider.com/gear/five-sport-touring-upgrades-suzuki-hayabusa//|last=Adams  |first=Adams  |title=Five Sport-Touring Upgrades for the Suzuki Hayabusa| publisher=Sport Rider|accessdate=December 30, 2016|date=March 17, 2014 }}</ref>

<ref name=firebolt>{{cite web |url=http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/2004/11/article/2004-buell-xb12r-firebolt-2//|last=Duke |first=Kevin  |title=2004 Buell XB12R Firebolt| publisher=Motorcycle USA|accessdate=December 30, 2016|date=November 17, 2004  }}</ref> 
}}

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[[Category:Motorcycle technology|Handlebar]]

{{Sourceattribution|Motorcycle handlebar}}