10 Cheap Tweaks for Your Motorcycle
Making your bike perform better doesn’t have to cost a ton of money.
In fact, there are ways you can improve you motorcycle that don’t cost a penny. Here are ten good tweaks that aren’t wallet-busters…plus a bonus freebie.
Tweak #1: Adjust your bike’s suspension settings to your weight and riding style
Cost: $100 – $200
Benefit: Improved ride quality and road-holding ability
Although many of us wish we weighed 150 pounds (the generic weight most manufacturers use to set stock suspensions), most of us fall to one side of that magic number, requiring a suspension adjustment to ensure that our bike handles properly. Bikes offer varying amounts of adjustability, but most at least have preload adjustment for setting laden sag (the amount the suspension compresses under rider weight) to keep the suspension in the sweet spot during normal riding.
Consider getting a measurement with the bike’s suspension at full extension and then another measurement with you aboard in full regalia.
The difference in distance is the sag. You’re shooting for 25mm to 35mm; less for sportier handling, more for increased comfort.
Sophisticated bikes also offer adjustments for rebound and/or compression damping.
Tweak #2: Fork upgrades such as Cartridge Emulators, stiffer springs
Cost: $299 – $2000 for parts and installation
Benefit: Optimized suspension performance calibrated specifically to your riding style
The biggest performance handicap on a budget bike? Probably the bargain-basement damper-rod forks, which can be harsh over small bumps yet too soft when confronted with big hits.
Scratch together 150-odd buckaroos for a set of Cartridge Emulators, tunable valves that make a damper-rod fork act like a shim-equipped cartridge fork. Installing emulators calls for complete fork disassembly. Our Service Dept. can help you find the proper spring rates.
Tweak #3: Upgraded brake pads and lines
Cost: $50-$200 (pads, per pair), $100-$399 (lines), Installation $200 – $500
Benefit: Improved brake feel, less fade, shorter stopping distances
Each year more new bikes arrive from the factory with HH-rated pads and braided stainless steel “hard” brake lines for optimum braking performance. If your bike isn’t already equipped with these, make the upgrade.
Schedule a service appointment to upgrade your brakes.
Tweak #4: Wash and wax your bike
Cost: Nada
Benefit: Looks better, lasts longer, helps you identify problems early before they become expensive nightmares
A regular wash and wax goes toward protecting your ride. You can also inspect your bike up close to catch any emergent mechanical maladies before they develop into serious problems.
Tweak #5: Replace your tires
Cost: $200-$550. If you buy the tires from us, get 50% off installation.
Benefit: Better traction, improved handling, safety
Uneven wear means your tires can be junk well before you hit the wear bars.
If you haven’t had new skins since the 1990s you’ll be amazed how much a new set will improve your bike’s performance.
Schedule a service appointment to replace your tires.
Tweak #6: Engine guards & frame sliders
Cost: $50-$250
Benefit: Protect your plastic in the event of a tip-over
Tweak #7: Regear your motorcycle
Cost: $400 – $550 including installation for complete quick-acceleration kits.
Benefit: A cheap way to quicker acceleration
Shortening your bike’s overall gearing can be an easy and inexpensive path to quicker acceleration.
If you’re looking for the cheapest and easiest path to faster acceleration, regearing is hard to beat.
Schedule a regearing appointment with our certified technicians.
Tweak #8: Read a book
Cost: $20-$40
Benefit: Become a better rider, wrench, or both
Tweak #9: Chain service
Cost: $50
Benefit: Longer life out of your chain and sprockets, saves you money in the long-run.
Ignore your chain and sprockets, and at best, it’ll wear out three or four times quicker than it should,
Schedule a chain service appointment with our certified technicians.
Tweak #10: Antifog for pennies a day
Cost: Zip-$24
Benefit: No more vision-robbing vapor
BONUS Tweak: Ride your bike
Cost: Nothin’ but fuel
Benefit: Keeps your bike working well, improves your ‘tude
Just like the human body, your motorcycle responds favorably to regular exercise to keep it healthy.
Learn more about V1 MOTO’s quality service!
*Prices subject to change, and depends on motorcycle model.
