Afternoon all,

I'm in the process of prepping my XTR for the big trip next year and have moved on to the OE handlebars which I discovered (after low-siding on a roundabout this weekend) are made of cheese!

Decided to get some Renthal bars and having had a quick look at their website am now completely confused. Am i right in assuming that the 7/8 bars will be more than strong enough for job (ie taking the dropping/abuse expected on such a trip) or should I look at the pricier FatBars?

The next question is which of the dozens of models within each of these ranges should I go with. I've had look at their comparison chart which measures width, height, rise etc but am a bit lost.

What I want are bars that will take being dropped, sit a little higher for occasional standing whilst on poorer surfaces and will be comfy for touring.

Anyone had any experience on this?

thanks in advance.....

The quality of Renthals speak for them selves, I have the 613s on all my bikes they have been dropped constantly and always live to tell the tale I have never felt the need for more expensive fatbars although I rekon they must be great. Everything will bend if you hit it hard enough. But stock are put on at a price so genuine poop

Hi,

A second vote here for the:

1 x 613-01-SI Silver 7/8 - Renthal Handlebars (Off Road) - Universal - Dakar High / 6.5 inch MX

as sold by B&C Express (I see they've changed their website).

General advice for readers: A key thing here is to get some hand guards with some metal in them -- they should be named lever guards as my hands were flailing around and never near the handlebars whenever the bike hit the floor. I've got the Yamaha ones which are stamped Acerbis on the inside (Rally Pro II, I believe). There's no point in having a tough old handlebar if your levers snap. You'll likely be walking home.

Cheers,

Ian

Hi there Bobduro

I am not too sure which one i fitted, all i know is that they are called "enduro high". I also fitted the Renthal grips...recommended. I've had a decent spill in the meantime, and quite honestly, the handlebars giving way was never on my mind. I also have 30mm raisers(i think) underneath the bar. This caused me to re-route some of the cables, as they were to short. Standing up is now very comfortable, and being 6'4", i do not have to lean forward.

Hope this helps!

__________________
I couldn't help it. I can resist everything except temptation.

Thanks Guys!

All very helpful! I followed your advice and opted for the Renthal 7/8th bars (CR High) and some Barkbusters, but discovered on removing the handlebars that one of my bar mounts had bent too so am having to replace the mounts. Been having some difficulty finding out the correct model to get. Local Yam dealer was no use so have sent the bent mount up to B&C who said they'll send me the correct set.

Either way, should be back on the road this weekend!

Hi there Bobduro!

Have you sorted you handlebars yet? Do you have some pictures?

__________________
I couldn't help it. I can resist everything except temptation.

Renthal 613-01 are called "Enduro High" in the Renthal Catalogue, not "Dakar High"

__________________
2008 XTR Mods : DNA Stage 3 Airbox, PC111, Carbon Cans Ovals, Steve Ruth built XTR734cc Big Bore with - High Desert Dyno (HDD)/ Cuervo Racing Gas Flowed / Ported Head fitted with +1mm Valves & uprated Springs, HDD 5050 Camshaft, HDD +3mm Throttle Body, CP 105.5mm 11:1 Piston, Custom Mapping, Piasini ECU, Renthal 613-01, Barkbusters VPS, Pivot Pegz, Touratech Bashplate, Foam Grips, Kev's O2 Sensor Mod, Kev's Extra Coolant Cooler, Wilbers Progressive Fork Springs and Rear Shock

hi, i have the renthal 971, very good quality, the next step is bar raisers. hope this helps

Radu..you have an XTR (good choice!), how much more height on the 971 do you think you can get with bar risers? 10mm, 20mm? Have you re-positioned your cables yet?

__________________
2008 XTR Mods : DNA Stage 3 Airbox, PC111, Carbon Cans Ovals, Steve Ruth built XTR734cc Big Bore with - High Desert Dyno (HDD)/ Cuervo Racing Gas Flowed / Ported Head fitted with +1mm Valves & uprated Springs, HDD 5050 Camshaft, HDD +3mm Throttle Body, CP 105.5mm 11:1 Piston, Custom Mapping, Piasini ECU, Renthal 613-01, Barkbusters VPS, Pivot Pegz, Touratech Bashplate, Foam Grips, Kev's O2 Sensor Mod, Kev's Extra Coolant Cooler, Wilbers Progressive Fork Springs and Rear Shock