I have long arms and legs for my height. I prefer the high bars, and I still feel hunched over. My motocross bike and sled both have taller bars, and yet they're still waist height with bent knees. There is no perfect bar for everyone. I'll take the ones that let me walk at the end of the day.
I like the thorough descriptions and can’t agree more… I used to think the taller bars gave you more leverage but is just opposite. I went from 7” bars to 4” riser bars on my Axys last year. On mediocre to steep terrain it was a game changer for effort and control. No more bars in your chest and out of balance. Can’t wait for your vids this season! I am going to be in Revy mid February so your videos get me pumped up along with Matt’s too.
Coming from a motocross background as well it's very easy for me to understand this! For alot of snowmobilers it's a hard concept to grasp since they may not have any previous experience with having to maintain the proper body position. It's worth the body aches and pains for the first few rides 🤘
On my Axys I am running CFR Kersterke bars bolted directly to the stock lower bar clamp with 1-1/8" adapters....no risers. Picked up my Boost today, and swapping over that bar set-up will be the first mod ha ha. I'm 5'-6" and also ride moto. The low bars really let me get comfortably over the front to stay in control with nice relaxed hands, especially when climbing. I also recently learned (through many trials) that a good neutral position requires foot placement a fair bit farther back on the running boards than what I once believed. It's counter intuitive, but by moving the feet back, the head goes forward putting more weight over the front. Kind of like in moto when dropping the heels, driving the knees back, and the head goes forward. I'm in full agreement with you. Your tips are a game changer and I have set my wife's sled up the same way. Oh and I'm an old man pushing 50 lol...
The OEM bars on my '21 Khaos were WAY uncomfortable and forced me into a hunch position. This kept me from smooth and efficient movement back and forth, side to side. After installing a 2" riser, the difference was night and day from massive trail moguls to technical terrain in the hills; not only do I have better control over the sled, but I don't have a sore back at the end of the day either. I am not a jumper as mentioned in the video, so this may explain why lower bars are beneficial. The only time I don't like them is those looooong flat hauls at high speed while sitting on the seat; my hands are almost at shoulder level....BUT, that is like 2% of the time. The remainder of my riding time is spent standing and moving. Coming from the cycle world, height, weight, and riding style has EVERYTHING to do with proper bar position. I am 6'2 @ 245 lbs. The lesson is what works for one rider of a particular size, weight, and riding style IS NOT a rule. Sadly, the only way to KNOW for sure is to spend the money and ride with various setups until you find the one FOR YOU. My $0.02.
I'm 100% with you. He leaves out a persons height. If you're tall like myself, 6'3", being forced to hunch over isn't ideal. Sled manufacturers design their sled for an average height man which is 5' 9" for an american male. 2" riser is perfect for me on my Alpha.....but individuals arm and leg length are significant factors. Customization has everything to do with your own body size. There's also some other things I disagree with....but mostly because I'm a mtn rider, mostly around treeline in pow. The drawback of narrow bars is it requires more effort to get the sled over. This difference is negligible since we counter steer to get a sled up on edge anyway
Great explanation on bar height and body position. From what you have thought me, those little things make a huge difference. Keep up the great content!
Those k1 products are super clean 👌I prefer higher bars for around here on the flat lands, but I feel I would like a more mid to low bare for mountains so I could stay over the bars easier
I’m getting ready to try this I’m 5,7 and I have an older sled with low bars and I can control it far better with the taller bars I feel like I’m constantly pulling the sled back to far when I don’t want to plus it adds and pulls to the placement of my feet I’m excited to see the difference!
All Kyber one 730mm SDG bars 65mm riser Throttle block Brake lever and reservoir protector Grips I made my own mount out of an old cross shaft and mounted it in the steering post.
I have watched my buddy on his brp products get the bars ripped out of his hands after hitting bumps and it just makes me laugh. They all had stock handlebar height but just way to much rise. Whenever I see tall handlebars I just cringe.
Great Video. If I get the SDG bars and add the Handlebar Corks and SDG grips, will the overall diameter of the grip area still be less than the standard bar with standard grip?
It depends a big on what grip you go with. I found the attack ones to feel slightly thicker then the OG Kyber grips. That being said the attack ones wear in quickly and start to feel smaller diameter after a handful of rides. Bottom line yes the cork will add some girth
My son and I ride 2022 Khaos and pro Polaris 155” we are really tall though I’m 6’3 son is an inch taller so when I look at where your bars are at with low bars they are pretty equivalent to our mid bars from pro taper. Even with the mid height we have to lean quite a bit in attack stance .we are the freak exception though I know. I just grew up doing this and wanted to show my son the sport. But ya we are tall 😂 makes it harder for sure
Jason, great video. Looking into getting a Kyber bar setup and was wondering if you need that control relocating kit? And if so, where did you get them? One more thing, what riser do you run on that Cat, I have an Alpha too.
I don’t believe this is true! I’ve listened to Chris burandt talk about this to and I ran low bars on mine… I was constantly complaining that my back hurt at the end of a trail to the mountians and my shoulders hurt all the time!!! I switched over to the high bars and wow!!! All the back pain was gone and controlling the sled was 100x easier!
Agree 100% mid to high FTW. Has to be something with leg/arm/torso ratio that people dig the low bars. Does nothing but hurt my back and wear out my legs.
It’s more about how aggressive you want to ride. I ride very aggressive and rely more on reaction than skill (not recommended) to get through terrain. Because of that I run my flat stock cat bars pretty much directly onto the steering post, i’m 6’. Yeah it hurts my back if i’m just putting down the trail. Rider preference really. What happens is guys take setup tips from pros but don’t try and ride like pros. Which is fine, to each their own.
How tall are you? I’m 6’4-5 ish, in MX I use 998 bend (Windahm) and I’m pretty picky about it once I figured out how they work with my position &form.. on snow machine I’ve got rmk and I can’t imagine going too much shorter than stock, however the bend on rmk feels awkward. I’m fine with the height, something else seems off tho whether it be sweep or width & I haven’t figured out and alternative manufacture or bend
So what would you recommend for me? I’m 6’9” and about 280, and I just feel so hunched over on a lower bar setup! I didn’t like it, so I went to higher bars? Should I shorten them?
Everyone is built differently and I get that. But keeping your bars waist high or lower will improve how you can handle the sled. You have to decide what’s more important to you better handling or comfort. Although I don’t find my low bars all that uncomfortable like some people are commenting.
I'm sorry, but you're talking about grip and still using a thumb throttle. Thumb throttlers don't know about good grip. They only know what crappy grip is like.
Haha throttle thing is a personal preference. Even some of the best pros out there are still using a thumb throttle just fine, myself included. I understand the benefits of a finger throttle, I’ve tried them many times but always feel more comfortable with my thumb throttle. To each there own if you are a ripper with high bars and finger throttle giver lol
@@JasonMcMurray I used to be the same. I grew up on late 80's and 90's sleds. Owned lots of 00's. I mostly trail ride and always used thumb throttle on every sled I had ever. Last year I got a 2022 Renegade 900T. The throttle can flip from thumb to finger on the go at any time. Although, it's recommend to not change it while the sled is on. At first, I tried it and hated it. I did however notice that the right-hand grip was significantly stronger using finger and nearly as good as your left hand. So every time I went out, I made a point to try and do some thumb and finger riding. After around 1000 miles I found myself only using finger throttle. It gives you much more confidence and allows much more aggressive riding styles. After putting on 2000 more miles, there is no way I can go back to using my thumb. The lack of grip forces you to ride an unnatural way that gives favor to the stronger grip on the left hand. Quarks like favoring to turn hard a certain way or going downhill being very cautious are things of the past.
@@shperax You're a trail rider with a 900T commenting on a backcountry riders throttle/grip? Lol... too funny. At least you're riding but you should have somewhat of a clue of what you're talking about first.
Jason, is the Cat a 2012? I can't tell as nothing has really chg. w Cat. BTW ... I like the blue Honda Night Hawk in the background. I had one just like it. Was a fun ride. Thanks for sharing 👍..