I"m not seeing your issue. Regular aluminum drop handlebars run out that 8" inches as a round tube. I just took a quick look at my ordinary probably Nitto or SR bars. They are narrow and the bend starts just outside that 8" but the same bar in a 44 width would be straight there. (When you say "flat grip area" I am assuming you mean the straight portion that many call "the tops", before the bars starts curving forward toward the brake hoods, then down to the drops.)