Everyone loves a brand new bike – but we also know there are some things you need to get it looking and sounding right before you really start throwing some miles on.
We put together THE LIST of all the essentials for you…so let the modding begin!
1. Fender Eliminator Kits
Most young motorcycle riders purchase a fender eliminator kit before any other modification. This is because the fenders that come on new motorcycles are bulky, ugly, and generally ruin the appearance of a motorcycle. But be careful when installing a new fender on the rear of a motorcycle.
Some cheaper models don’t properly relocate the tail light or rear turn signals, and this can get bikers in trouble with the police. Quality fender eliminator kits factor in the rear lighting and relocate all the required lights. Also, consider having it professionally installed by a licensed mechanic. This is the best way to ensure that the fender eliminator kit is on properly and safely, and won’t cause problems down the road.
We recommend: Tail Tidy
2. Frame Sliders
Frame sliders are like roll bars for a motorcycle. They help keep your frame away from the ground in the event of a crash or that the bike accidentally tips over. And this simple and inexpensive modification can save big bucks in the event of a crash or tipping.
Get a decent set of frame sliders that stick out only far enough to protect the motorcycle’s fairings from touching the ground at all. Some frame sliders that are sold are made of cheap plastic and do little to actually protect the motorcycle. Spend a little bit of money to get a decent set of frame sliders that will actually do their job and protect the motorcycle. It’s the cheapest insurance money you’ll spend on your bike.
We recommend: Crash Bobbins
3. Air Filter
Standard air filters on motorcycles are, well, standard. An upgraded air filter can do wonders in terms of helping a motorcycle engine’s performance. Decent air filters help the exhaust system on a motorcycle breathe and enable the engine to ramp up and perform better.
A well-ventilated exhaust system is required to get extra air into the motorcycle’s engine and help it perform at an optimal level. Really good aftermarket filters aren’t cheap, but they will pay for themselves over time as most last tens of thousands of miles despite the outlay of cash, you can’t go wrong with a performance air filter for your motorcycle. It sure beats the standard filters in bikes – some of which are made of flimsy paper. Sad but true.
We recommend: Coober Filter
4. Tank Grip
For spirited sport riding, you need to lean the bike over quite a bit, and that means relying on your outside knee to hook onto the tank for support (if you’re supporting your weight with your arms through the handlebars in the corners then you’re doing it very wrong).
Tank pads increase a rider’s ability to support themselves by improving grip around the tank. Chances are you’ll never see a race bike or a heavily-modified sport bike without these textured skins which are not only incredibly affordable, but also a cinch to install, and remarkably effective at doing their job.
We recommend: Tank Grip
5. Brake pads
Many riders focus on trying to go faster, but very few ponder the importance of being able to stop. Brakes are, without a doubt, one of the most important components to having a fun and safe riding experience. The last thing you need is a failure that can cause terrible injuries, so it is best to modify and improve the capabilities of your brake systems, even with something as simple as performance pads.
To the untrained eye, this particular modification won’t be noticed, mostly due to their smaller size and being somewhat hidden behind a series of rotors and forks. So, the brakes themselves may not turn many heads, but the newfound ability to stop on a dime surely will.
We recommend: Brake Pads
6. Levers
Upgrading your bike’s levers and lines is a fantastic way to improve performance while at the same time making the bike noticeably more responsive. High-end lines (typically of the steel-braided variety) deliver the superior feel and as a result, afford the rider superior feedback — effects that can be amplified by the addition of an aftermarket lever set or master cylinder.
We recommend: Lever Guard
7. Sticker Kit
This one is pure style – stickers are an easy and quite cheap solution if you want to make your bike stand out. Custom paint jobs are expensive and don’t always turn out the way you want but stickers can be applied or removed easily. You can mix and match or choose a set that matches your taste.
Make sure you get high-quality print with vibrant colours and resistant to UV-fading (you don’t want a faded sticker because of sun exposer).
We recommend: Sticker Kit
8. Wheels
Few things will alter the riding characteristics of a bike more than reducing unsprung mass, and it’s hard to think of a better place to start than wheels. You can add an incredible amount of lightness by utilizing aftermarket wheels which will, in turn, improve agility. No matter what style of bike you’ve got in the garage, upgraded wheels will yield astounding results. And, there are tons of fantastic aftermarket wheel options out there for every genre of scoot.
Explore and shop: Rotobox Wheels
9. Tires
More than any other modification, nothing will improve a bike’s performance as much as higher-quality motorcycle tires. Furthermore, you’d be hard-pressed to find another modification at this price point that will afford such a marked change in performance. Thanks to their ability to bolster traction and grip, higher-quality tires will not only vastly improve a bike’s cornering abilities but also instill markedly more confidence in the rider, thereby enabling them to better evolve their riding abilities.
Explore and shop: Avon Tyres
10. Luggage
Bikes are incredibly enjoyable and are a stellar means of cramming some fun and adventure into your daily routine, though unfortunately, they don’t afford too much in the way of storage.
The good news is plenty of aftermarket manufacturers are well aware of this and offer a wide array of motorcycle backpacks, hard-cases, and tank and tail bags. If you plan on using a motorcycle for more than just the occasional Sunday morning ride, you’re going to want, nay, need some luggage.
Explore and shop: KTM