Handlebars, Grips & Controls
About Handlebars, Grips & Controls
The handlebar assembly is everything you touch to steer, brake, shift gears and open the throttle, so it shapes how a bike feels. Riders shop here to change the riding position with different bars or risers, to replace levers, grips or switches that broke in a fall, to fix a throttle that sticks, or to give a bike a new look.
The sub-categories divide the job by part. Handlebars set the shape and reach, and Risers, Clamps & Brackets set the height and position. Grips, Covers & Pads and Throttle Controls are the parts your hands hold and turn. For levers, there are Hand Brake Levers, Clutch Levers and Clutch & Hand Brake Lever Kits. For switches, see Buttons & Switches, and for the bar ends, Bar End Weights & Caps.
See also Other Handlebars, Grips & Controls. Check the bar diameter, since common sizes include 7/8 inch, 1 inch and 1-1/8 inch. When you raise or change the bars, brake lines, cables and wiring may need to be longer, as in the 15 inch ape hanger cable and brake line kit listed here. Pick your bike in the Ride Finder at the top of the page.
Brands in this group include Arlen Ness, CRG, Biltwell, Fat Baggers and Burly Brand. For a guide to avoiding the wrong part, see this fitment guide. This group is part of Motorcycle.
FAQs on motorcycle handlebars and controls
What handlebar diameter does my motorcycle use?
Common sizes are 7/8 inch, 1 inch and 1-1/8 inch, and some bars taper or change size along their length. Measure at the clamp or check your manual, and match grips, levers and risers to it.
What do rise and pullback mean on a handlebar listing?
Rise is how high the bar's grips sit above the clamp, and pullback is how far the grips sweep back toward the rider. Together they set your reach and how upright you sit. Check both against your height and bike.
What else do I need when changing handlebars?
Besides the bars, you may need grips, throttle parts, risers or clamps, and longer cables, brake lines or wiring if the bars are taller or wider. Check that the controls and switches fit your new bar diameter.
Can I mix aftermarket levers, grips and switches with stock parts?
Usually, if the details match. Grips must fit the bar diameter, and levers must match your system, cable or hydraulic, and the perch or master cylinder they mount to. Check the listing's fitment notes before you buy.
How do I check my controls after changing them?
Turn the bars lock to lock and watch that the idle does not change. Make sure the throttle snaps closed, the brake lever feels firm and the clutch works smoothly. If anything is unclear, have a shop check it before riding.
