Every motorcycling enthusiast has found themselves fantasizing about dominating a racetrack on a sportbike. Unfortunately, even though there are street-legal superbikes that take less than 3 seconds to 60 mph, most factory road-legal sportbikes are meant for public roads and would get absolutely wasted on a professional racetrack.
Thankfully, sportbike owners can easily modify their bikes to enhance their looks and provide a significant performance boost. From tiny, twenty-minute changes that transform the bike's feel to parts that take weeks to perfect, these are the ten after-market modifications to level up a sportbike's performance and that can make it a worthy contender on a racetrack.
10 Forced Induction
The fastest way to generate a ridiculous amount of horsepower on a sports motorcycle running on pump gas is by fitting it with a turbocharger. A turbocharger forces in more air, which translates into more power.
A well-installed turbocharger can turn a 200hp sportbike into a 500 hp beast. However, the sportbike owner must ensure that they have enough space and a cooling system to handle the increased workload. Also, this is definitely a modification that requires some serious riding skills.
9 Engine Swap
Even with a turbocharger, some sportbike engines are still too small to produce the power needed to compete at the highest levels. In such a case, the sportbike owner can swap their engine out with one that meets their needs.
However, fitting a power plant that's not designed for the frame can quickly turn into a nightmare. For example, if the engine is too big, it may pressure other vital parts of the bike, such as the cooling system. As such, it's essential to ensure that the new engine is a good fit for the sportbike.
8 Tires
Motorcycle manufacturers typically install generic, multipurpose tires on the sportbikes they make. While these tires are well-suited for day-to-day riding on varied terrains, they can contribute to poor performance on the racetrack.
This is where racing tires come in; they are usually wider, made with softer materials that provide better grip, and are designed to get the bike moving as quickly as possible. They can also improve safety on the racetrack as they provide better handling at high speeds.
7 Professionally Set Up Suspension
Just like stock tires, the suspension that comes with many sportbikes is generic and does not account for the rider's unique body type and weight. This can affect ride quality, especially in high-speed situations that require maximum responsiveness.
A professional racing suspension configured to the rider can dramatically improve the sportbike's handling, braking, responsiveness, and overall ride quality. However, a skilled mechanic must be involved—a professional who can set the optimal sag, compression, and rebound settings.
6 Air Filter
Air filters can have a massive impact on a sportbike's engine performance. Decent air filters enable the engine to ramp up and help the exhaust system breathe. Sadly, proper is not enough on a racetrack, mostly if the air filter in question is made of flimsy paper.
A performance air filter made of high-quality materials can do wonders for a sportbike. It ensures that the exhaust system is always well ventilated, which gets more air into the engine for optimal performance. On top of that, it can last for tens of thousands of miles without needing replacement.
5 Fender Elimination Kit
The fenders that come on new sportbikes are usually ugly, bulky, and generally ruin their appearance, which explains why most young sportbike riders install fender elimination kits before any other modifications. But, fender elimination kits vary, and some may end up doing more harm than good.
A quality fender elimination kit factors in the rear lighting and relocates all the required lights, preventing any legal issues. The rider can stay on the safe side by working with a professional mechanic who can ensure that it's installed safely and in compliance with the applicable laws.
4 Steel Braided Brake Lines
Going around a track full of twists and turns can put a lot of pressure on the brakes. Since stock steel lines are not ideal for repetitive hard braking, riders have to pull their brakes in more to get the braking power they need.
With steel braided brake lines, hard braking will not be a problem. This is because steel braided lines always provide the same braking power regardless of how often the rider uses the brakes. This modification makes it easier and safer to ride the sportbike since the rider doesn't have to keep adjusting how much they pull on the brakes.
3 Rearsets
Aftermarket Rearsets replace the existing rear brake lever, gear shifter, and pegs and fix them to the sportbike's frame. Since they are adjustable, the rider can set them up according to their needs.
Comfort is a crucial factor when riding a sportbike on a racetrack. A set of rear sets improves comfort by creating a stable base where the rider can rest their feet while riding at high speeds. It also provides increased ground clearance, which means that the bike can lean further for more comfortable cornering.
2 CRG Levers
With more use, stock clutch and brake levers become less responsive, forcing the rider to apply more pressure to get the same response. CRG levers eliminate this problem since riders can quickly flip a switch without changing their pressure to the clutch or brakes.
CRG levers also allow the rider to adjust the brake or clutch lever's distance from the handlebars, which improves ergonomics and makes it easier to control the bike. The icing on the cake is that CRG levers also look better than the original brake and clutch levers.
1 Upgraded Windshield
One part of a motorcycle that manufacturers often neglect is the windshield. Motorcycle windshields don't matter much on the roads since the rider's head is always above them, which is why manufacturers slap on anything that will help the bike get sold.
However, on the racetrack, it's a whole different story. Windshields direct airflow around a sportbike, affecting drag and, ultimately, speed. As such, riders should swap out stock windshields with those with the right size, shape, and positioning for improved aerodynamics.