Ready for the short and generic answer? Run whatever feels more comfortable to you. That’s probably not the type of insight you’re seeking but it’s the truth. Why? Because like any component in an ATV’s cockpit (bars, seat and pegs), there is no right or wrong answer, there is only the setup that suits the rider and their body-type/ riding style best.
That said, generally speaking wider handlebars offer more leverage. On machines that are not power-steering equipped, more leverage usually equals easier turning/ better control. You’ll notice that racers not only try to run as wide a bar as possible for this reason, they also tend to install a steering stabilizer for even less steering resistance. So what are the disadvantages to wider bars? First too wide can snag overgrowth and brush on tighter trails and secondly, if you happen to be of smaller stature, the distance between the grips can feel like it’s sprawling your arms too far apart to be comfortable for all-day rides.
If this is the case with you- perhaps it would be wise to switch to a narrower bar with a rise and sweep that better suits your body. Experiment with rotating the bars fore and aft in their clamps to what feels best before tightening them up. Also, to compensate for the decrease in leverage by switching to a narrower setup, it may not be a bad idea to consider running a steering stabilizer. We did an article about it here.
To quote from ourselves: Put simply, even on seemingly smooth ground, the terrain is constantly tugging the front wheels (and hence the direction) of our ATVs; a force we counteract by turning our handlebars in the opposite direction of the pull. It’s all a game of leverage; whether we are aware it’s happening or not. Factor in the skipping, bouncing and slamming we encounter when rocks, roots, whoops, or choppy ground enter the equation and maintaining that handlebar leverage becomes even more difficult.
A steering damper (or “steering stabilizer”) is basically a simplified adjustable shock absorber that takes some of the harshness out of the tug-of-war taking place while we ride.
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