Dimples on Harley handlebars are small indentations near the hand control area. They're designed to give space for the wiring harness so it doesn’t get pinched between the handlebar and the switch housing. Most Harleys with stock-style controls require dimpled bars to keep the wiring running clean and safe without modification.

Cable handlebars and throttle-by-wire (TBW) handlebars for Harley bikes each transmit throttle input to the motorcycle’s engine, but cable handlebars are usually found on older Harley Davidson models. A cable runs from the throttle grip to the carburetor to physically control the fuel-air mixture entering the engine. TBW handlebars are found on modern Harley models and use an electronic system instead of a physical cable for throttle control. On TBW handlebars for Harleys, the bar end on the throttle side is notched to accept the throttle sensor that sends an electronic signal to the bike’s electronic control module (ECM). Many new Harley handlebars are only offered in TBW variations but can still be used on a cable throttle bike by plugging the notched side of the handlebar. 

All Harley Davidson handlebars have a standard 1” diameter. Some models feature a bar with a thicker diameter, but will still be 1” at the riser clamp and 1” at the stock Harley controls. Some aftermarket Harley handlebars such as Forbidden Trackers go from 1-⅛” at the riser clamp to 1” at the controls to produce a moto-inspired look.