Can anyone tell what are the advantages of Fat Bars? The only advantage I can see is not having a cross bar to bite down on when it all goes wrong!

I believe they are stronger and as they don't have the cross bar,lighter.

They also have a little bit more flex than bars with a cross bar and can be easier on your hands/ wrists. When slamming the skid plate down on a big rock or log, less impact is fed through the bars.

Edited December 3, 200916 yr by mcman56

If the bike has clamps for fat bars than fat bars are great.

But if the bike has 7/8" clamps, I personally don't think the benefits of fat bars are great enough to justify the out lay of $$$$$ for new clamps. Some bikes have removable clamps that are easy to change, but my 2000 sherco would require an entire new top triple clamp. Just seems a bit too expensive for the benefits (??? whatever they are)

They also have a little bit more flex than bars with a cross bar and can be easier on your hands/ wrists. When slamming the skid plate down on a big rock or log, less impact is fed through the bars.

I think most of the fat bars are actually stiffer than the older cross bar type, there are a few decent riders around here who have gone back to the cross bar handlebars because they feel they give a little more flex.

Can anyone tell what are the advantages of Fat Bars? The only advantage I can see is not having a cross bar to bite down on when it all goes wrong!

they look sexy

i think when riding over big obstacles it allows you to get closer the front wheel closer to your chest allowing for more lift ????

Basically Fat Bars flex less than the traditional Bars. As such riders who trick ride prefer them as they have better "feel" for that type of riding. That is on the back wheel. You pull up and they are precise about doing it. The traditional bars work best when you ride "with" the front wheel which is to say it follows the ground more.