'15 Handlebars WTF

CO 2.0 · Sep 19, 2014

So the '15 "Heavy Duty" bars look the exact same as the ones on my '14 that like to bend. I measured the diameter at all areas and they are the same. The actual thickness of metal used look the same if you look into the drilled hole in the middle. Looks like the same metal used too, but hard to know that for sure. From my take, these will bend just like my 2 sets of '14 bars did. And I never wrecked. They just bend from normal use and rollovers in pow. I'm not that heavy either. Cat sure made it look like these bars were new and HD in the accessory catalog...

arctic2009 · Sep 19, 2014

CO 2.0 said:
So the '15 "Heavy Duty" bars look the exact same as the ones on my '14 that like to bend. I measured the diameter at all areas and they are the same. The actual thickness of metal used look the same if you look into the drilled hole in the middle. Looks like the same metal used too, but hard to know that for sure. From my take, these will bend just like my 2 sets of '14 bars did. And I never wrecked. They just bend from normal use and rollovers in pow. I'm not that heavy either. Cat sure made it look like these bars were new and HD in the accessory catalog...

The HD bars I measured were thicker walled than the stock 14 ones. Did you actually put a caliper on it to measure..?

CO 2.0 · Sep 19, 2014

No eye balled it. How much difference did you come up with and where did you measure it from? I can't get a caliper in the little hole in the middle. Doesn't look any different to me

Icedog · Sep 19, 2014

Just wondering when the bars are bending. I am 230 lbs without gear and we always roll our sleds over if the snow is soft enough. After 3 years on my '12 I have never bent a set of bars??

CO 2.0 · Sep 19, 2014

I didn't bend any on my '12 either. My '14 bars were bending right after the outside of the rubber mountain bar handle. I'd be surprised if the wall thickness is any more than 1mm thicker on the 15 bars. I have a pretty good eye on thickness of stuff. Will try to actually measure the wall thickness later today.

Dam Dave · Sep 19, 2014

Tubing thickness only needs to be a few thousands thicker to substantially stronger, and the material will make a huge difference

arctic2009 · Sep 19, 2014

Dam Dave said:
Tubing thickness only needs to be a few thousands thicker to substantially stronger, and the material will make a huge difference

I think I got like 13 thou difference on the pair I measured. Right at the end of the bar with the grips etc off.

CO 2.0 · Sep 19, 2014

Sweet. Thanks for the info. I don't want to take brand new grips off mine to measure.

arctic2009 · Sep 19, 2014

CO 2.0 said:
Sweet. Thanks for the info. I don't want to take brand new grips off mine to measure.

Dont blame you, We were switching grips so I figured Id take a measurement to see what if any difference there was between the two.

Deep Powder Guy · Sep 19, 2014

CO 2.0 said:
So the '15 "Heavy Duty" bars look the exact same as the ones on my '14 that like to bend. I measured the diameter at all areas and they are the same. The actual thickness of metal used look the same if you look into the drilled hole in the middle. Looks like the same metal used too, but hard to know that for sure. From my take, these will bend just like my 2 sets of '14 bars did. And I never wrecked. They just bend from normal use and rollovers in pow. I'm not that heavy either. Cat sure made it look like these bars were new and HD in the accessory catalog...

The power of advertising can often be deceiving...I never seen OEM bars go beyond there minimum requirements when it comes to the rigidity of factory bars.

DPG

arctic2009 · Sep 19, 2014

Deep Powder Guy said:
The power of advertising can often be deceiving...I never seen OEM bars go beyond there minimum requirements when it comes to the rigidity of factory bars.

DPG

Id rather have the bars bend than everything else attached to them bending.

darklightning8 · Sep 19, 2014

Just curious, but what is the part number for the "new and improved" handlebars? I bought a set this spring due to the stockers bending every other ride, but haven't put them on yet. I also bought new handwarmers and grips. I think I'd rather spend the extra money now and buy the new handlebars instead of having to buy handlebars, grips, and handwarmers again halfway through the season.

splat10 · Sep 19, 2014

They are in the accessory catalog in I believe the mountain section

Deep Powder Guy · Sep 19, 2014

arctic2009 said:
Id rather have the bars bend than everything else attached to them bending.

Very True

DPG

madmax · Sep 22, 2014

Maybe replace them with the heated handlebar...

http://crracingcanada.com/main/sled/arctic-cat/z1/heated-handlebars.html

tswan · Sep 23, 2014

And so it begins. Before we even ride them.:face-icon-small-sho

geo · Sep 23, 2014

madmax said:
Maybe replace them with the heated handlebar...

http://crracingcanada.com/main/sled/arctic-cat/z1/heated-handlebars.html

That's the funniest thing I ever did see lol.

High Country · Sep 23, 2014

I asked Kincaids mechanic at Hay Days WTF is up with last years blue bars on McClure's and Kincaid's sleds ....he said they are/were prototypes from Cat that we're being tested ....with zero breaks or bends ....and they made there way to the Arctic Cat Catolog this year ...here's a pic

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'15 Handlebars WTF

CO 2.0

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arctic2009

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CO 2.0

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Icedog

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CO 2.0

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Dam Dave

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arctic2009

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geo

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