Are handlebar braces useful, needed, or simply look cool?

[OlderNow]

I noticed that some Honda Trail 125 owners have opted to install handlebar braces. I'm wondering if these are a "must-have" item, or fall into some other category?

Here is a photo of what I'm talking about:



What do you think? Did you add one to your CT125? Are you planning to? Wish you had?

 

[dmonkey]

They aren't necessary. They give you more positions to mount things on the handlebars, change the aesthetics a bit, and they "stiffen" the feel of the handlebars which can change where and how much they bend in a crash, as well as changing how the vibration of a single-cylinder "thumper" engine is transmitted through the handlebars. If you do run one, it's worth considering running a foam handlebar pad on it. The handlebar position and lack of forward fuel tank on this bike make it unlikely that you'd hit your face on it, but that bar could and up being a nasty contact point for your sternum if you're going over the bars.

 

[AZ7000']

They do look (fill your opinion here). I have a ct that’s 47 years old without a brace. I have learned one thing over all my years of bike/moto/truck modifications, if you make one part stronger it will be happy to show you the next weakest link.
Does look like a good option if you want to add more to your “dashboard”. I do not have one but added plenty of other un needed options!

 

[dmonkey]

if you make one part stronger it will be happy to show you the next weakest link.

Yep. And if you do bend your bars any significant amount, bending them back is a "get you home" kind of thing. Not worth the risk of continued riding without knowing how compromised they are as a critical control for the bike - best to replace them.

 

[jBIRDt]

Added handle bar cross brace for mounting accessories

 

[m in sc]

they will keep them from bending of you come down hard on them. my 67 kaw has a welded in one. aluminum bars that are NOT pro tapers with any significant rise need them . on a stock trail, unless you are riding the guts out of it over jumps and such, def no mechsnical benefit except to hang farkles off of, or cosmetic.

 

[Bullwinkle]

Is the vibration of the bar better, worse or no change at all with a brace attached?

 

[dmonkey]

With rubber under the clamps they reduce vibration, though probably not as much as handlebar mounts or risers with nice rubber bushings would. If the brace is metal on metal, it might not help as much but still change the vibration frequency, possibly to one that's more tolerable.

 

[milkdudd]

On a somewhat related note, is anyone using Pro Taper bars on a CT 125? I have them on my Grom in the KX140 bend. Trying to figure out what would be the best bend for the CT

edit: The Bars on the Grom might be a KLX 110 bend

 

[Kritou]

Mine is a length of wooden broomstick with shrink wrap tubing sweated onto it. A small messenger bag loops over it and I don’t notice any change in the bike’s handling ‘cept when peoples call me a cheapskate …

 

[RideMyMonkey]

What diameter is the Brace Crossbar, (so I can use a billet clamp to add accessories).

Thanks

 

[m in sc]

it depends how you ride it. you slam the front down a lot, you will bend a bar. i've done it on an old DT400. that being said, on this bike def not a necessity for that. new bikes tend to use pro taper bars and they are much stronger, so braces are def dated tech.

as far as az7000s philosophy, it's sort of true. however if part 'a' bends at 50 lbs, and part 'b' bends at 100 lbs of force, and you brace part 'a' to take 100 lbs, then the whole assembly is now good for 100 lbs of force vs the original 50. Just sayin.

and this is 57 years old, factory bars w brace. not for hanging GPs's on or cup holders. but on a modern fart around bike like a CT125, def the best use for a brace.

 

[dmonkey]

What diameter is the Brace Crossbar, (so I can use a billet clamp to add accessories).

Thanks

That could vary depending on what brace you buy, but they're most likely going to be 7/8" (22mm) same diameter as the handlebars, so accessories can carry over.

The CT125 concept bike that Honda showed at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2019 had a thin crossbrace that could have fit a bar pad but wouldn't have been great for mounting handlebar accessories which has turned out to be very popular on the production CT125.

 

[m in sc]

also, a brace can reduce bar vibration.

I like that welded in one on the concept bike.