Are you looking for some great ways to customize and upgrade your dirt bike? A bike is an investment, and upgrading and customizing that investment is a great way to increase value, make something your own, and show a bit of character when you’re on the trails or at a race. Here are some of the best ways to modify, elevate, and customize a dirt bike to make it perform better and look better, too.
- Add Some Graphics
This is one of the best and most cost-effective methods for upgrading a dirt bike. There are options for the fenders, seat, the rear brush guards, virtually anywhere you want to personalize and upgrade the bike. One popular choice for professional motocross racers is to get graphics in their racing colors that perfectly accent the bike and their gear. This is a great way to boost confidence and provides a much more professional look on the track.
For some great options on graphics and custom stickers for your dirt bike, head to Senge Graphics. They have a huge selection on their website with virtually endless customization options that will give the bike a little bit more personality and make it look that much better, whether you’re tearing it up on the track or the trails.
- Adjust the Suspension
This is one aspect of upgrading a bike that many riders don’t think of. The standard stock weight suspension setting is for somebody who is 150 pounds. If you don’t weigh 150, adjusting the suspension can help ensure that the bike handles much better and is more responsive.
The best way to do this is to take some measurements: one with the suspension fully extended and topped out and another sitting on the bike in full gear and helmet. Measure along the fork leg in the front and between the axle and some bodywork in the rear. The difference in measurements between the two is the “sag.” An ideal number for sag is 25mm to 35mm for a sportier response and better comfort. Try making one change and test it out until you find the sweet spot. Don’t forget to change the suspension fluids regularly, either it wears out quickly, particularly the rear shock.
- Add Some LED Lights
While adjusting the suspension is a great way to improve performance, adding some LED lights is a great way to go if you’re trying to improve aesthetics. Whether they’re mounted on the wheels, along the body, or even on the handlebars, it’s a terrific way to customize the bike and made it stand out from the crowd. Look for those with an easy install and waterproofing so you can ride in any type of conditions, even rain. It’s also ideal for those who love to ride at dusk or during the night.
- Upgrade the Exhaust System
Upgrading the exhaust system is a great way to get better performance and a lot of bang for your buck. Whether you want to change out the entire system or just add a slip-on, switching to a better exhaust pipe provides a lot more bottom end for starting and even can maximize and increase top speed. It also makes the bike sound much crisper, louder, more aggressive, and more intimidating for professional riders. Another great way to accent a new exhaust is to add on a big bore kit, which can also help increase the bike’s overall performance and power.
- Oversized Handlebars
Have you been finding your ride a bit tame lately? Or maybe you’re suffering from arm pump? If so, upgrading to oversized handlebars is the perfect solution. Not only does it allow for an immediate improvement to performance, but it reduces vibration, makes riding easier, and spaces the arms out for a more comfortable ride.
- Pivoting Levers
This is another great mod that goes along with upgrading the handlebars. Every dirt bike rider has had at least one crash, as they can be pretty common. In the event of a crash, sometimes the lever can bend out of shape or even snap completely. This can also damage your hands if they’re on the bars when you hit the dirt. A pivot lever is designed to fold and pivot in the opposite direction during a crash, preventing the damage resulting in a bent or snapped lever. One cool feature of pivot levers is that they’re spring-loaded, so as soon as the bike is upright, they’ll snap back into place right away.
- Add a Skid Plate
Depending on the type of dirt bike you ride, it could already have a good undercover or skid plate underneath. This is not just a great way to upgrade a dirt bike; it’s an absolute necessity if you’re planning on riding trails that may have challenging terrain. Logs, rocks, even branches or roots can tear up the underside of a dirt bike and even the engine with sickening ease if there’s no skid plate. This can necessitate some expensive repairs that could easily be avoided with a high-quality skid plate. Look for one that offers some coverage on the side and underneath.
- Get New Triple Clamps
While this upgrade tends to be a little more on the expensive side of things, some riders swear up and down that it makes a world of difference in handling and cornering. If you’re having difficulty with the responsiveness of the bike or the way it handles, then try switching from stock triple clamps to an aftermarket option. Triple clamps come available in all different varieties: some are lighter, some are rigid, others offer more flexibility, and they’re also available in different offsets too.
Upgrade Your Dirt Bike with These 8 Tips
For dirt bike enthusiasts, there’s nothing quite like hitting the trail for a fast, hard ride. However, after a while, it can get boring having the same old bike. Upgrade certain parts of the bike for some new customization and better performance: things like adjusting the suspension, adding a skid plate, switching to aftermarket triple clamps, and getting pivot levers. You can also add some graphics and stickers to personalize the bike and make it your own. No matter which of these upgrades you try, take good care of your dirt bike, ride it as much as you can, and don’t forget proper maintenance and tune-ups, either.
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