This paper deals with two kinds of novel shape switched reluctance motors (SRM) with magnetic barriers in order to improve operating performances of prototype. The magnetic barriers make rotor poles more saturated, and consequently inductance profiles are distorted. The changed inductance affects input current shape and eventually torque characteristics. In order to analyze the complicated flux pattern of the SRM with magnetic barriers and its terminal characteristics simultaneously, coupled field circuit modeling method is used. The finite element method is used to model the nonlinear magnetic field, and coupled to the circuit model of the SRM overall system. After experimental results are presented to prove the accuracy of the method, the several analysis results are compared, and the improved rotor shape is presented.