If I get a new set of Pro-taper bars with the clamp kit will this put the bars pretty close to stock height? I need a set of handlebars that I can put barkbusters on without having to buy another steering stem. I am also going to be getting an Ims tank,will these bars interfere? It is going on a 400ex, I had a set of Renthal 400ex bend and I could not get a set of barkbusters to fit.

 

what are bark busters??? hand protectors?... I use fmf pro tapers and they are sweet

 

WoodRider,

I believe that the pro tapers will sit a bit lower than stock.

As far as the bark busters are concerned, you will have a problem getting them to fit with the IMS tank on the 400EX. For some stupid reason there are two little "wings" on the 400EX IMS tank that extend forward from the tank just below where the stock handlebars turn. The end result is that there is virtually no way to get the full, metal bark busters to install without the lower mount hitting the tank.

The only solution is to either get a taller stem or to put spacers on your bar mounts.

Regards,

Dennis

 

What are the spacers, where can I get them? Also, What kind of bend would be good? I have heard of guys running cr80 bend to keep them from being so wide. What do you think? I don't want to by a steering stem right now, I would like to run the bigger tank though.

 

I have Pro-Tapers on my 400 with the IMS tank and the bars hit the tank when you make a turn. I am in the process of trying to raise the bars so that they don't hit the tank. I don't know what bend thay are. I think that after some time it will wear though the plastic of the tank. A riding buddy has a +2 stem and his don't hit. Look at some other bars if you plan on having the IMS tank and Pro-Tapers if you don't want to change to much to get it to work.

 

When I said "spacers" I meant it generically - like washers, or I actually saw a guy at our last race who had used an extra half set of bar clamps to get an extra inch or so of clearance - didn't really look close enough to see exactly how he'd done it though.

As far as the bend is concerned, I don't have a great deal of insight on the pro tapers, but you definitely don't want them too wide for woods riding. I'm running the renthal 'ATV Race' bend with about 0.5" cut off of each end and I really like 'em. They are set a bit more forward than the TRX bend which helps me stay in more of an attack position when I'm riding. Good luck.

Regards,

Dennis