Variable section handlebar
What it means and how to recognize it
Variable section handlebar is also referred to as 28mm, 22-28mm handlebar or tapered handlebar.
In this short guide we see:
- as I will recognize just by looking at it
- why to mount a variable section handlebar
- mounting compatibility The 28 mm variable section handlebar is usually mounted on large displacement and high level motorcycles. It can almost certainly be found on an MV-agusta, on a Ducati Streetfighter or on an Aprilia Tuono, less common on Japanese motorcycles, but which in recent years are also starting to mount over-size handlebars.
How to recognize the variable section handlebar
Recognizing the variable section handlebar is relatively simple, a simple glance will suffice most of the time.
The 28 mm handlebar in fact has a substantial difference from the 22 mm, as, as the name implies, it has a variable section, this means that even without having a gauge at hand, if your handlebar is more "fat" in the center, where it fastens on the risers, and thinner at the ends, this means it's almost certainly a 28mm handlebar that shrinks to 22mm.
90% of the time it is this kind of handlebar, but sometimes (very few cases) it could always be a handlebar with variable section, but of another size other than 28 mm.
This is a rare case, but if in doubt take the gauge and measure the riser section.
The classic variable section handlebar normally has a measure that varies between 28 and 28.5 / 28.6.
As you can see from this photo, on the left looking at the screen, a 22 mm handlebar (constant section) is mounted, while on the right a 28 mm handlebar with variable section is mounted.
Why mount a variable section handlebar?
As I told you before, some manufacturers choose to mount a handlebar with a variable section that is already standard, in this case you are forced to mount a 28 mm handlebar again.
Going down in diameter would not make any sense and use.
The houses choose a 28 mm handlebar because it essentially has 3 advantages:
- it is more robust and resistant, improving the driving sensations
- it reduces vibrations even more than 22 mm
- it clearly improves the aesthetics of the bike, making it more "massive" and racing
For the same reasons you should think about changing your 22 mm handlebar to one with a variable section.
In particular for the aesthetics that earns a lot.
Compatibility with my bike
You may be wondering how you can fit the 28mm handlebar if you have a 22mm?
Simple, as we have seen before, the 28 mm handlebar has a variable section, ending with 22 mm ends, this allows you to conveniently mount the handlebar controls, the knobs, the pump and everything else exactly like on the 22 mm, in how much the diameter is equal.
The diameter that changes is that of fixing on the risers, which is 28 mm instead of 22 mm.
In this case, you will also need handlebar risers to do this step.
For the rest, compatibility is ensured.
Well, as promised, the guide was very short, but if you want to learn more about it, I suggest you take a look HERE