HOW TO MEASURE HANDLEBARS

To measure handlebars on or off the bike, you need:

• Something long and straight like a rod or broomstick
• Piece of string with a nut or washer tied to the end
• Tape measure
• A buddy to write down measurements

There are three basic measurements:

• Rise/height
• Pull back
• Width

Width: Sit on your motorcycle, grasp the broomstick in your hands and stretch your arms out to where you feel you want the width of your new handlebars. Have your buddy measure the distance between the outside of your hands from pinky to pinky.

Pullback: Tie the string to the broom stick at the center of your grip width so that it hangs down like a plumb bob. Measure from the center of the handlebar to the string.

Rise/height: Measure from the center of the handlebar center to the center of the broomstick resting directly above the handlebar. It may be easier to use a straight edge or long level to make a right angle from the handlebar to the string to get the most accurate measurement. Your buddy can mark where the string and straight edge meet and then measure the distance from the mark on the string up to the center of the broomstick to determine the height.

These basic measurements can help you determine which handlebar style will work for your ride. If adding taller, shorter, or pullback style risers to your bike, factor in their height/pullback measurements.