Renthal Bars for CRF 250 Rally?

[ouroboros2015]

Higher bars for CRF 250 Rally: 613 or 809 or other? What fits? Ta.

[Grant Johnson]

First do you really need higher bars? Too often people put risers or higher bars on and they don't need them, just because "everyone is doing it so I must need it".

If you're exceptionally tall, sure, but if you're average height I doubt it. There's a tendency to think you need to be standing ALL the time when off-road, and to stand up dead straight - which means you'll want more height, but the bikes come with lower bars for a reason - they're the best compromise for most people in most situations. So, you need to be sure WHY you want higher bars.

As an example my R1200GSA came to me used with risers - I hated them and took them off, because when seated I felt I was riding with ape-hangers! Turns out the previous owner was 6' 4" and I'm only 6". Even riding off-road I was happy with the lower position of the bars, it allowed me to be more "connected" to the bike and ride more aggressively.
I recently bought a 2002 DRZ400e, and it came with Rox risers, even though the PO was much shorter than me. After the first ride to get it home I'm 90% sure the risers are coming off!

My RTW R80G/S has 1" / 25mm risers on it, and that's perfect for it - for me.

Note that risers are usually cheaper and simpler than a bar change, unless you hate the shape of the bars, or they're known to be made of cheese. Always remember that when you raise the bars you will run into issues with the cable length, and it may require changing to longer cables or very careful rerouting of them.

As for brand - whatever works and you like the shape of them! There's LOTS of good bars out there. Renthal and Pro Taper are both top brands.

Of course YMMV!

[ouroboros2015]

Thanks Grant. Yes, I am "too" tall. Standing on the pegs is very uncomfortable with the standard bars. I have Renthal 613 high bend bars on my XT660, which are perfect whether standing or seated (for me); so I'm after something similar for the CRF.

[Grant Johnson]

Why not just buy the same bars then? (or equivalent if different diameter issues) Identical makes it easier to swap bikes!

[ouroboros2015]

Thanks again Grant. That is looking like the best option, the 613s are slightly wider than the OEM, but only by 21 mm. Shouldn't be an issue.

[Grant Johnson]

Originally Posted by ouroboros2015

Thanks again Grant. That is looking like the best option, the 613s are slightly wider than the OEM, but only by 21 mm. Shouldn't be an issue.

hacksaw...

[Ian]

Originally Posted by ouroboros2015

Thanks again Grant. That is looking like the best option, the 613s are slightly wider than the OEM, but only by 21 mm. Shouldn't be an issue.

I would advise caution. A set of higher bars were fitted to my partner's CRF250L and the cables were too short.

Can you try out the ones from your other bike before buying?

[ouroboros2015]

OK. The Renthal 613 enduro high are on.. They "just" fitted without the need for longer cables. On paper they are 16mm higher than stock and about 10mm wider on each side. I decided to keep this width rather than cut them down. They feel MUCH better than stock, seems more than 16mm??. Better for standing and sitting for someone my height (6 foot 2). I also like the extra width; seems to give better feedback/control.