Cheap Mods That Aren't Worth It And Expensive Ones That Are

For motorcycle enthusiasts, personalising our bikes is ingrained in our culture. It is just what we do, making a bike your own is just part of the whole motorcycle ownership experience.

The motorcycle aftermarket has grown substantially, with so many options available to us it is easy to confuse good marketing with something that is actually useful. All motorcycles need to be optimised, or adjusted to the individual rider – unlike cars which can work just fine bone stock. There are a lot of great aftermarket options out there that will help you tailor your bike to your specific needs, unfortunately most of these mods are expensive. There are cheaper alternatives out there, but all too often you just end up having to “buy twice” as they invariably let you down or don’t meet expectations.

Cheap Tank Pad Or Grip

This is by far the simplest, cheapest modification you can make to your bike. So why would anyone cheap-out on something that is already affordable? This is hard to explain, but take it from us, we found out the hard way. Cheap tank pads can do more harm than good, they will peel, then mark or scratch your tank instead of protecting it.

Expensive Tank Pad

A good tank pad will protect your tank from scuffs, scratches, and small bumps as well as give you a chance to add a small personal touch to your bike. You can choose something understated or bright and loud depending on your preference. It is only expensive relative to how cheap the knock-offs are, this is actually still an affordable mod.

Cheap Windshield

Stock windshields are usually pretty basic, and don’t often do much to aid the rider. This is a part of the bike that is left to designers rather than engineers, sacrificing its function for form. Cheap and cheerful Chinese knock-offs will get the wind off our chests and improve drag, but they are made of cheap plastic that sticks out like a sore thumb, and are rarely crash tested.

Expensive Windshield

The aftermarket gives us loads of high-quality options, all have been accredited by the necessary institutions and all add value to your bike. If you need a windshield, it really is better to spend a little more on the expensive option.

Cheap Air Filter

So this might seem like a no-brainer, but those cool looking pod-filters have fooled us all at one time or another. They simply do not work. They will actually sap horsepower most of the time, especially if you try to fit one of them to an EFI bike.

Expensive Air Filter

Washable air filters increase the airflow, improve filtration and will last the lifetime of the motorcycle as long as you take care of them. It is already an affordable part, so spending a little more makes a lot of sense, especially if you plan on keeping the bike for a long time.

Cheap Exhaust

This is usually the first thing people want to get, with the right exhaust you can indeed gain a couple of horsepower. What most people don’t know is getting the wrong exhaust might actually take horsepower away, and even do damage to the engine. Cheap exhausts also tend to look cheaper and cheaper as they age, and don’t always sound that great, they usually just sound a lot louder.

Expensive Exhaust

Liking the way it looks and sounds is one thing, but if you live in a neighbourhood that has strict noise restrictions you better check if the pipe you want will comply. Some expensive aftermarket exhausts are still only for track use. Spending a little more on the right exhaust will save you (and your neighbours) a headache in the long run.

Cheap Suspension & Brake Parts

Suspension and brake components are what we like to call “safety-critical” components. Under no circumstances should you ever cheap out here. A cheap steering damper can lock up in a corner and kill you. A cheap brake lever can fail mid-corner, and kill you. You get the picture.

Expensive Suspension & Brake Parts

Buying from a reputable brand is a must here, but it also isn’t the first thing you need to do. The first thing you need to do with your suspension is set it up correctly for your weight and height. You might find that is all you really need to do, and that is free if you are willing to do it yourself. Getting your controls – especially the brakes – in the right position also won’t cost you anything and the difference is night and day once you get it right.