Motorbike modifications: are they worth it?
Short answer: yes. Modifying is a true form of expressionism. By fitting motorbike modifications, or “mods”, you can personalise your bike to suit your style and reflect your personality. The best bit; you can be as wild and outlandish or subtle and stylish as you like.
So, whether you’ve just bought your first motorbike or you’re a seasoned rider looking to personalise your machine, a few well-chosen mods can transform your bike in both looks and performance. Here’s our top ten motorbike modifications that deliver genuine value.
BeMoto customers have it good. Unlike other brokers, we not only cover you to ride with modifications within our motorbike insurance product, we also replace insured mods like-for-like. That means, in the event of an accident, our approved repairers will replace damaged modified parts instead of replacing them with stock parts. You don’t pay anything on top to benefit from this cover, it’s all included in your premium price.
1. Exhaust
Slip-ons, headers, and full systems for extra flair
An aftermarket exhaust is one of the most popular upgrades for any motorbike. A quality system provides a deeper, more aggressive sound, potential weight savings, and improved exhaust flow when tuned correctly. If you’re in the market for a new voice box for your bike, check out the great range available at Sportsbikeshop.
Depending on budget, you can go for a full exhaust system which changes everything from the headers, to the down pipes, right to the end cans. There’s a huge range of manufacturers and styles in the market, including some that offer hand built designs; so you can totally customise the look, sound and performance.
With that in mind, be careful of local noise and emissions regulations. Many full exhaust systems require an ECU remap (more on that below) to ensure proper fuelling and to avoid running lean; always confirm compatibility before installation. Also, if you live in a built up area with fussy neighbours, you might want to think twice about straight piping…
2. Tail tidy
Who doesn't like a tidy back-end?
Replacing the bulky stock fender and plate mount instantly cleans up the rear end of your bike, creating a sharper and more streamlined appearance. It is one of the easiest and most noticeable visual upgrades you can make, usually not too harsh on the wallet either.
Here at BeMoto, we trust our good friends at R&G to supply us and our customers with top-quality tail tidies. They manufacture options to suit almost every motorbike, and you can enjoy 10% off with our exclusive discount code. Make sure to check R&G out!
When fitting your tail tidy, ensure that your setup remains road legal. Your number plate, rear light, and reflectors must remain clearly visible and compliant with local regulations as to avoid unwanted stoppages by local plod.
3. Crash protection
Crash bobbins, bars, sliders; protect your shiny bits
Accidents can happen at any time, even at low speeds or while the bike is stationary. Fitting protection, such as crash bars and frame sliders, can provide protection to your fairings, engine, gearbox, and other critical (and expensive) components in the event of a fall.
Not all protection parts are created equal. The quality of materials, fitment, and mounting design are crucial, as poorly fitted sliders can transfer impact forces to the wrong areas of the bike. As above, our trusted partner, R&G, offer market-leading crash protection solutions for all sorts of motorbikes and come highly recommended.
4. Levers
Adjustable, folding, break-away; there's a lever out there for everyone
Upgrading to adjustable or folding levers improves comfort and ergonomics, especially during long rides or when multiple riders use the same motorcycle. Folding and breakaway designs also help prevent lever damage in case of a tip-over on track or for the more fearless road riders.
We’ve all seen what a cheap set of aftermarket levers looks like. Usually a bit too much play, an uninspiring plastic finish, and a confidence-diminishing feel in the hand. Whilst the prices on that eBay set shipping from China are tempting, we thoroughly recommend spending that bit extra to get yourself some quality levers that look great and function even better.
5. Intake & fuelling
A performance air filter and ECU remap make a great combo
Combining a high-performance air filter with a proper ECU remap or fuel controller can unlock noticeable gains in throttle response and power. This is an especially common tweak for those who adjust other components in their fuelling, intake or exhaust system to make sure their bike runs sweet as a nut.
This can get a bit pricey depending on how far you want to go. Tuning is essentially tweaking the brain chemistry of the bike and teaches it to operate differently to that of a stock example. As such, it’s best to consult with professionals who have the correct software and know-how, rather than risking it on your mate with a kit he bought on Temu.
6. Heated grips
Less Cool Hand Luke, more Warm Hand... Jim?
A must-have for year-round riders, or any riders looking for a bit of added comfort, heated grips keep your hands warm and flexible in cold weather. By warming your hands whilst at the controls, heated grips reduce fatigue and prevent your fingers and hands cramping up from ice cold winds. They’re especially useful for early morning commutes or long winter riders.
Proper wiring is key, poor installation can drain your battery or interfere with other electronics. If you’re not too clued up on wiring and electrics, it might be a good idea to seek some professional assistance. If you’re fitting them yourself, always connect through a switched power source or use an inline fuse to stop them running when the bike isn’t.
7. Guards
Protect your bike's vital organs
Radiator and oil cooler guards protect vital cooling components from stones, debris, and road grime. Although small, this upgrade can prevent costly damage from a single stray pebble. You can be a bit creative with them as well; there’s radiator guards that are brand specific or have signature motifs like union jacks if you’re patriotic.
Hand guards are another great option. Products from brands such as BarkBusters bring a combination of comfort and protection, blocking wind chill to your fingers and hard impacts to your handlebars. Common in the enduro and dual sport sectors, hand guards are a great way to bring a rugged look but are still extremely functional.
8. Lighting
From swanky sequential indicators to supernova-esque LED bulbs
Being seen is pretty important in the biking world, but it’s not all about safety; it’s about personality. LED headlights and indicators are the number one choice for those on two wheels. They provide better visibility and lower power consumption, but can be packed into small, sleek setups that don’t upset your aesthetic.
But, if subtlety isn’t your thing, auxiliary lighting such as spot lights and fog lights will make you stand out like a Christmas tree. You’ll be 10x more visible to others and your own visibility will be vastly improved at night and in poor conditions. Perfect for those who are on the bike much more frequently or who like an adventure.
9. Battery
Lithium or AGM batteries shave weight and offer convenience
Switching to a lithium or AGM battery reduces overall bike weight and provides faster, more reliable starts; especially on those frequent chilly mornings we get in the UK. Lithium options also have lower self-discharge rates, meaning that they don’t need to be ran regularly to hold their charge – ideal for the fair-weather rider.
That being said, not all charging systems are compatible with lithium batteries, so it really does depend on the bike you plan to modify and what’s already there. Make sure to check that your regulator/rectifier supports lithium chemistry to avoid overcharging the system (and potentially blowing it to bits).
10. Suspension
Upgrade with aftermarket components or adjust your current setup
Upgrading or properly setting up your suspension system can transform your bike’s handling. Tailoring preload, damping, and rebound to your weight and riding style greatly improves, confidence, stability, and responsiveness. Your spine might also thank you when you hit a speed bump a bit more briskly then you should have.
Your bike’s suspension system is integral to its ergonomics; incorrect adjustments could make the handling worse. Think of it as a fine art, measuring and adjusting should be done accurately to prolong the life of brakes, tyres, chain and your body. Consult a suspension specialist to ensure optimal results for your specific bike and build.
Building your perfect ride
Modifying your motorbike is about more than just aesthetics. The right modifications enhance performance, comfort, and safety, making every ride more enjoyable. Whether you are chasing extra horsepower, a cleaner design, or added comfort for long rides, always invest in high-quality parts and ensure they are fitted correctly.
Shop around and find the best fit for you and for your bike, regardless of what you’re going for; aesthetic, performance, wow-factor, and so on. Your bike should be a reflection of you, modifying it to suit your style is great fun and seriously rewarding.
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