13 Motorcycle Upgrades That Are Worth Every Penny
Upgrading an automobile can be very beneficial. It can boost performance, improve reliability, and make life a lot easier. One category of vehicles that is often neglected, however, is motorcycles, and yet they can benefit from quite a few upgrades.
This list contains some motorcycle upgrades that are absolutely worth the money. Some can improve your bike’s performance, while others make your life a little bit easier overall.
Windshield Upgrades
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While upgraded windshields can improve the look of your bike, they actually have several other important factors. The main one is that they can enhance the protection you have, mainly if the new screen is more extensive and robust.
They can even benefit performance. Depending on their shape and weight, they can also contribute to the bike’s drag levels. Reducing that drag can not only make the bike faster in a straight line but also improve its efficiency.
Tire Upgrades
Upgrading your bike’s tires might not sound that exciting. However, tires are a crucial part of any vehicle and can severely impact the bike’s handling, stability, and safety. Upgrading to higher-performance tires can do several things.
It can improve your grip in corners, which can improve your speed. That extra grip can also mean your bike feels more planted and is less likely to slide, which could become very useful in wet and slippery conditions and could have a safety benefit.
Heated Grips
Heated grips on a motorcycle might sound boring. That was not the case, though, as in winter, they could really come into their own. Cold hands and fingers could make holding onto those grips quite tricky and uncomfortable.
Heating those grips will not only make them feel nicer but also improve your grip on them (pun not intended) and lower your riding risk. If you don’t feel like you have complete control of the bike, you could come off and have a severe accident, so it is always best to play things safe.
Improved Turn Signals
One issue with standard turn signals is that they can be pretty clunky. They stick out like a sore thumb, and it doesn’t take much to knock them off the bike. Fortunately, there are options to improve their practicality and appearance.
Sleek and custom turn signals are available that can flush fit the motorcycle. They also have the added benefit of including brighter LEDs, meaning other motorists are more aware of you, especially at night or in murky conditions. They also should not cost a small fortune.
USB Charger
It might sound a bit obvious, but adding a USB charger to your motorcycle is actually an excellent idea. Many modern bikes come with them as standard, but some slightly older models do not. You can easily install one on a motorcycle, ensuring you can keep your phone topped up.
This would allow you to use navigation apps and ensure you have enough phone battery should you break down and need to call for help. Many chargers are also waterproof, so don’t worry about using them if it is raining.
Improved Air Filters
Air filters are among the most critical components of a car and a motorcycle. They help prevent dust and debris from being drawn into the engine and ensure it runs as cleanly as possible.
Some standard air filters are pretty average in how they manage this, while it’s possible some motorcycles don’t have one at all. Adding one to your bike could significantly impact its performance, and it’s definitely a good thing to do if you want to prolong the life of your engine.
Dash/Helmet Camera
Drivers of four-wheeled vehicles tend to suddenly start cutting off motorcycle riders or bullying them on the road. A dash or helmet cam is an excellent idea for two-wheeled modes of transport to protect yourself in the event of an accident.
The footage you capture could help you should you be involved in a crash and have to claim on insurance. It could also help someone be prosecuted for dangerous driving, and it’s not difficult to find cameras like a GoPro that can attach to the helmet you wear or even the front of your bike.
Upgrades To Your Seat
Perhaps one of the most critical yet forgotten upgrades to a motorcycle is to your standard seat. Standard seats can sometimes, not always, be quite uncomfortable. This isn’t ideal, especially if we end up on our bikes for long journeys and need to feel as comfortable as possible.
Various seat upgrades are available. Improved padding and higher-quality materials can significantly improve how you feel on the bike. Comfort is sometimes something we take for granted, yet it can really affect how we feel on the road.
Frame Sliders
One of the most expensive things that might need repairing on a bike one day is your frame sliders. Frames, if damaged, can cost a lot to fix. However, new frame sliders could go a long way toward protecting the main frame of the bike.
The sliders effectively act as a protective cage around your motorcycle. Should the unthinkable happen and you be involved in an accident, they should take the brunt of the impact and stop the frames from suffering too much or any damage. This may well keep repair costs as low as possible.
Engine Guards
Engine guards act in a very similar way to that of frame sliders. This time, the extra protection is formed around the engine of the motorcycle, which, as standard, can often be entirely exposed. While the engines of a motorcycle are built tough, damage can happen if you are hit by another bike or vehicle.
The worst-case scenario is that the accident is so severe that your bike’s engine might need a significant repair or even a total replacement. While some engine guards aren’t cheap, they may save you even more expense down the road.
Better Clutch And Brake Levers
The feel of a motorcycle and how it handles and rides is a significant factor in how much we enjoy riding it. So, if you want to improve the feel of your bike, consider upgrading the clutch and brake levers.
New and improved levers have several benefits. Not only can they improve their overall feeling, but they can also be much more comfortable. Comfort is essential when riding a bike. If they are of higher quality than your standard ones, they might last longer and not need replacing for a long time.
Tank Pads
Compared to some of the other mods on this list, tank pads are more of a cosmetic upgrade than anything else. However, they do have their benefits. They are designed to reduce the contact between the rider’s clothing and the motorcycle’s painted fuel tank.
Not only can this prevent paint from rubbing on the tank, but it can also provide a more comfortable riding feel for the rider. Should you scratch and ruin the tank pad, it’s no problem. You can throw it away and get a new one.
Upgraded Brake Pads
For many of us, the thought of going faster and faster on a bike is an exhilarating one. However, it is easy to overlook the fact that going faster means longer stopping distances. Therefore, more braking power is needed, and this is where upgraded brake pads can prove vital.
No one will notice that you upgraded your bike’s brakes. But they will certainly feel it, meaning you can go into corners or pull up at red lights knowing the bike won’t let you down, and you won’t overshoot into a tree. Sometimes, the best upgrades are not the most obvious.
