Whether you've got yourself a new motorcycle or suddenly fell out of love with the one you have now, you can always consider doing some mods to it. This won't only freshen up the entire look but you're actually putting a little bit of your personality into your ride. You can find numerous accessories that will amp up the style of your bike or even level up its performance.
The problem, however, is that not all of these market upgrades are suited for everyone's budget. Some parts are reasonably-priced but your "dream parts" will most likely cost more than you're willing to spend. The good news is that there are actually affordable mods out there that deliver the benefit you want but don't require you to spend a lot of money. Here are just some of the cheap motorcycle mods that you can have on your bike and still be happy with the results.
10 Air Cleaner
The air filter has a simple but very important job. It keeps the air free from dust and other particles that could enter and damage the engine. But even if your motorcycle is new or expensive, that doesn't necessarily mean that it comes with the best air filter around.
You can choose to switch your stock air filter with those that can cost from just over $10 to less than $50. The prices of car air filters are also not that far ahead which makes us wonder why air filter replacement is a common mistake for car owners. Whether it's on a motorcycle or a car, replacing the air filter is one of the easiest DIY repairs.
9 Battery Tender
Motorcycle rides are fun and all but there will be days when you would have to settle for a car ride instead. And sometimes, these days can last through weeks on end - leaving your motorcycle battery in a process called sulfation.
This is why every motorcycle rider should have a battery tender. It keeps the battery charged through trickle charging as if the motorcycle is still under frequent use. This makes sure that the battery is topped up so its charging capacity doesn't decrease. A battery tender can cost less than $50 depending on the type.
8 Brake Pads
There's no arguing how important brake pads are on motorcycles, which is why you don't have to feel bad if you want to upgrade the ones on your bike even if they aren't totally worn out yet. After all, even the brake pads on newer bikes can still fail your expectations.
You can get a decent pair of brake pads for less than $50. However, this can still depend on the type of brake pad and what model it's suited for. When you go shopping, you should know what type of brake pad it is you're looking for exactly or bring your old pad when you go to the store to avoid buying the wrong one.
7 Frame Sliders
Frame sliders are the type of modification that most of the public won't easily notice. But to fellow motorcycle enthusiasts, this cheap mod is sure to turn heads.
Most people would often get frame sliders for their motorcycles for aesthetic purposes but it also has a function. In the case of an accident where the bike tips over or slides, it won't directly hit the ground because of the protruding frame sliders. These are fairly cheap but you will want to stay away from the fragile plastic varieties.
6 Custom Handlebars
Stock handlebars are fine but they're not exactly fit for everybody because they're, well, stock. They're meant to be usable for the general public. But there are cases when they're really not that comfortable or good-looking due to the differences in people's physiques and preferences.
Whether it's because of your height, riding position, or you just don't like how the handlebars look, you can always replace it with a better one. In under $100, you're bound to get a good offer on handlebars that's more suited to your riding style. Just make sure you don't overdo it or you may end up failing miserably with this mod.
5 Tank Pad
Motorcycles to some are a mode of transportation. While for others, these two-wheeled machines are treasures that need to be cared for. If you're one of the latter, we're sure you won't be too happy if you realize that the zipper from your jacket just scratched your bike's blinding red gas tank.
To prevent incidents like these, you can buy a motorcycle tank pad. They're mostly similar to stickers that you just slap onto the front part of your motorcycle to prevent your clothes or anything else from rubbing against it. These are fairly cheap and you can buy a set for as low as $15. And if you have a Ducati, this is a sick first step mod you can try.
4 Heated Seats
One of the disadvantages of riding a motorcycle is that it doesn't protect you from cold weather unlike a car would. But if you really want to take your favorite two-wheeler out, you can make use of a seat heater.
These come in a variety of types and price ranges but you can easily find a dependable one for less than $100. They are pretty easy to install but you can always hire a professional for help. The heating option can be activated by flipping a switch and can be made available for both the driver and passenger seats.
3 Push-Button Fuel-Tank Latch
A push-button fuel tank latch may not seem so "useful" now. But once you get to that scenario where your hands are full or you're in a hurry, this convenient feature might just be your lifesaver.
By installing a push-button fuel-tank latch, you eliminate the need to get your keys just to have access to the fuel tank every time your bike needs a refill. You can get a decent kit for less than $50. You can also do the installation yourself as self-help videos are readily available online.
2 Tires
Motorcycle manufacturers don't usually put a lot of effort into the tires that come with your bike since they will eventually wear out. Also, most of the mass-produced bikes come with multipurpose tires so you may not be getting the best performance out of it.
If you have a definite purpose for your motorcycle, like for highway driving or off-road adventures, picking out the most suitable tires is a badass mod to boost its performance. The price for motorcycle tires can vary depending on the type and brand.
1 Custom Suspension
Because motorcycles are mass-produced, a lot of bikes out there come with suspensions that are meant to carry all sorts of drivers. While this is pretty much fine and your bike can still get you where you need to go, you may not be getting the best performance out of it.
One of the best ways to make your bike more responsive is to have the suspension configured. This will most likely require the expertise of a professional. But with a little spending from your side, a better suspension can give you optimal braking, responsiveness, and better handling.