dirt bike bars

All this talk of the inevitable, unpreventable, golf-ball sized tank dents has made me sorta uncomfortable. Sliders don't help. Aluminum bars bend easier. Clip-ons do it too. It's gonna happen and I can't do a thing about it except hold off on the custom paint until the ding is there and do the fix and paint all at the same time.

The problem seems to be that the bar hits the ground and flexes or bends and the switch gear proceeds to ding the tank.

The dealer suggested I reduce the steering lock farther and tip the bars a little forward, giving more clearance before the inevitable contact.

But I've had a couple of thoughts. Shorter bars should bend harder. And maybe dirt bike bars with the reinforcement strut would make a difference.

Any thoughts?

-Don