3 Essential Motorcycle Upgrades (& 3 You Should Think Twice About)

Summary:

• Upgrading your motorcycle is a rite of passage for most riders—but the upgrades you choose should improve your ability to ride without compromising the safety or legality of your bike.
• Modifications that will improve the look and feel of your rides without adding unnecessary risks include seat upgrades, tank grips, and bars that match your height and riding style.
• Some popular upgrades aren’t always practical, safe, or legal. Think twice before installing aftermarket exhaust systems, replacing safety lights, or getting a tail tidy.

For many riders, modding a motorcycle is almost as much fun as riding one. But some too much tinkering in the wrong places can produce problems—both legal and mechanical—so you’ll need to choose your upgrades carefully.

Below, our team shows you three essential upgrades for motorbikes of all kinds that deliver noticeable improvements. We’ll also discuss three popular upgrades that might not be as worthwhile as you think, and explain why there are better ways to spend your hard-earned cash.

3 Motorcycle Upgrades All Riders Should Consider

No matter what kind of bike you ride, these are three areas practically any rider can benefit from upgrading. These upgrades can make you more comfortable and improve your bike’s performance, but they won’t alter your motorcycle in ways that violate transportation laws or put your safety at risk.

Seat Upgrades

Upgrading your seat won’t add horsepower, but it will make you a lot more comfortable—which increases the length of time you can spend in the saddle on a given ride. There’s no need to buy a brand-new motorcycle seat to replace your current one, either. You can get most of the same benefits from simply getting a new seat cover for your existing seat foam.

Luimoto makes premium aftermarket seat covers using marine-grade materials that help protect your foam from the elements. They cost significantly less than buying a replacement seat, protect your foam more effectively than the materials used in most stock seat covers, and can even be customized with details like embroidery and synthetic Japanese suede panels.

Read More: 8 Surprising Benefits of Custom Seat Covers for Motorcycles

Tank Grips

Speed doesn’t matter much if you can’t handle your bike properly—so any upgrades that make it easier to lean your bike around corners are worthwhile add-ons, and tank grips are some of the most cost-effective.

Tank grips are small panels that attach via adhesive to the sides of your tank so your knees can hug it more easily. This gives you superior contact with the bike when leaning, allowing you to take curves with more confidence.

Luimoto’s tank grips come with 3M adhesive backing that makes them easy to apply, and are made from the same weather-resistant materials as our rider and passenger seat covers for enhanced durability. We also make them in styles to match all kinds of different makes and models, allowing you to buy tank grips that enhance the aesthetics of your ride instead of looking out of place.

Read More: Why Pretty Much All Race Bikes Have Tank Grips

New Bars

If you’ve ever ridden a bike with bars that were the wrong height for your body, you already know the importance of switching them out for a pair that fits perfectly. Adjusting the height and angle of your handlebars can help relieve strain on your wrists and back, especially during long rides.

The right set of bars will not only improve your comfort but also give you more control over the bike's handling. Whether you're looking for a more aggressive riding position or something laid-back for touring, upgrading your handlebars makes a noticeable difference.

3 Upgrades to Think Twice About

These upgrades are popular—but they can expose you to unnecessary risk if you aren’t careful, and they tend to be expensive.

Exhaust Mods

Upgrading your exhaust system might sound like a great idea—who doesn’t love the thought of a little extra power and a throatier growl? But the reality is more complicated.

Many aftermarket exhaust systems can violate local noise ordinances—leading to fines, mandatory inspections at your own expense, or even vehicle impoundment. And while some riders claim they get better performance from racing exhausts, the actual benefits often don’t justify the price tag (especially after you account for the possible legal and insurance penalties).

Lights & Turn Signals

Custom lighting setups, especially LED conversions, are all the rage, especially on social media where you can see reel after reel of brightly-decked-out bikes whizzing through traffic. While these upgrades can give your bike a unique look, they also come with drawbacks.

Modifying your lights can interfere with visibility, particularly if the new setup isn't compatible with your bike's electrical system. In some cases, improper installation can even lead to short circuits or electrical failures, making this one upgrade that could end up costing you more than it's worth.

The Tail Tidy

Tail tidy kits are designed to give your bike a sleeker, more streamlined look by removing your bulky stock fender and repositioning the license plate. But while this might improve the look of your bike, it can also end up being a real pain in the rear.

Many tail tidy kits relocate your plate and signals to areas where they’re less visible, which can expose you to fines if you’re not in compliance with local laws. It's an upgrade that looks cool on the showroom floor, but it might not be the best option for everyday riding.

Choose Upgrades You Can Feel

Motorcycle upgrades shouldn’t just look cool—they should also enhance your riding experience. And the best ones should do it without exposing you to unnecessary safety risks or fines.

Our advice is to focus on upgrades that improve the way you ride without messing with the mechanical or electrical systems in your motorcycle—where one wrong move could turn a safe and legal vehicle into a problem waiting to happen.

Seat upgrades, tank grips, and handlebars that work for your body are all great places to start. Begin by exploring Luimoto’s range of rider seat covers.