motorcycle 101 guides

How to Improve Motorcycle Performance for Free

How to Improve Motorcycle Performance for Free

Improving your motorcycle’s performance by making modifications can be expensive. This process requires replacing a lot of parts and installing a few add-ons to increase your engine’s power output. However, there are other ways you can improve your motorcycle’s overall performance without spending money. To do that, you must know how to perform basic maintenance tasks. Several factors besides the engine can help improve your motorcycle’s overall performance. Every motorcycle part, including the chain, cables, wheels, forks, tires, seals, nuts, and bolts, contribute to motorcycle performance. So, you must learn how to maintain every part to improve motorcycle handling, power, maneuverability, stability, control, and acceleration. Read this article to learn how to improve motorcycle performance for free.

1. Regular Maintenance

If you do not want to spend a lot of money on repairing and replacing worn-out motorcycle parts, make sure to follow a maintenance schedule consistently. Regularly inspecting and maintaining your motorcycle will ensure it lasts longer and performs better. This also allows you to spot any issues beforehand and fix them before they become worse.

2. Check Tire Pressure

Riders must have the tools to check tire pressure. An over- or under-inflated tire can degrade a motorcycle’s performance. Either can cause your motorcycle to lose control, reduce traction, increase instability, and reduce acceleration. Riding with an over- or under-inflated tire often can also cause it to wear out faster. Make sure to check your motorcycle tire pressure before going for a ride.

3. Adjust the Chain

The chain transfers engine power to the rear wheel which allows the motorcycle to move. The chain meshes with the sprocket teeth and turns around the gear to keep the rear tire moving. However, it becomes loose over time due to constant friction, which can reduce power transfer.


Adjusting the amount of slack in the chain by tightening it can improve power delivery to the rear wheel and ensure smoother acceleration. Make sure to check the motorcycle owner's manual before adjusting the chain to learn how tight the chain should be. A chain that is too tight can become worn out faster.

4. Lubrication

Motorcycles have several moving parts, including the engine, gears, cables, drive system, clutch, suspensions, and brakes. To ensure a motorcycle work smoothly, these moving parts have to slide against surfaces, which can cause friction, generate heat, and wear and tear. To ensure smooth power delivery and operation, you must lubricate the following parts regularly:

4.1 Lubricate the Chain

You can improve performance and power delivery to the rear wheel by lubricating the chain. Doing this ensures the chain does not catch or grind against the sprocket teeth.

4.2 Lubricate the Throttle and Clutch Cables

If you feel excess resistance when engaging the clutch or opening and closing the throttle, this means the clutch and throttle cables may need lubricant. Your motorcycle cannot accelerate properly if the throttle does not operate smoothly. To improve performance and acceleration, lubricate your throttle and clutch cables depending on the type of motorcycle and how frequently you ride. For example, if you own a dirt bike and ride it regularly, you will have to lubricate the clutch cables daily. However, replacing the cables is also a good option if they have become too worn out.

4.3 Lubricate the Throttle Grip Tube

If you are riding in extremely hot weather, your rubber throttle grip tube can become deformed due to the heat. It can also become deform due to impacts from a collision. A deformed throttle grip tube will gradually have trouble rotating freely over time, resulting in reduced acceleration. To improve your motorcycle’s performance, lubricate the throttle grip tube regularly.

4.4 Lubricate the Fork Seals

Lubricating the fork seals does not increase horsepower or acceleration, but it can improve comfort and performance. This will ensure your motorcycle’s suspension works effectively and a smoother riding experience.

4.5 Lubricate Brake and Clutch Levers

To ensure you can stop safely while riding a motorcycle, it must have reliable braking. The clutch and brake levers require regular lubrication to ensure the clutch and brake levers can be operated smoothly necessary to shift gears, adjust speed, and stop.

5. Adjust the Throttle Cable

Your motorcycle cannot accelerate properly if the throttle is not responsive or there is reduced horsepower when pulled. To ensure quick throttle response, make sure to adjust the throttle cable.

6. Clean the Air Filter

Air is required to burn fuel during internal combustion which helps power the engine. A proper air/fuel mixture is required to ensure a smooth power delivery. If there is any interruption in the airflow due to a clogged filter, the engine will not function properly. If you want your motorcycle engine to operate at full capacity, clean the air filter regularly to maximize airflow. However, depending on the condition of the air filter, you may have to replace it.

7. Use Premium-Quality Fuel

Most motorcycles use gasoline as fuel. If the quality of the fuel is bad, your motorcycle will not run smoothly and experience poor acceleration. To improve engine performance, make sure to use good-quality fuel. Check the quality of the fuel before pouring it into your motorcycle and only refuel at a gas station with high-quality fuel available. Fuel can become contaminated due to rust accumulating inside the fuel tank.

8. Clean Fuel Injectors and Fuel Lines

If the fuel tank is clean but is still suffering from poor acceleration, it may be due to blocked fuel lines and fuel injectors. This can affect the flow of fuel to the engine. If you identify the fuel lines and fuel injectors to be the source of the problem, you will need to clean them.

9. Adjusting the Suspension

Most modern motorcycles are fitted with suspensions that can be adjusted to better accommodate your weight and riding style. The standard suspension setup best suits average-sized riders. However, if you buy a used motorcycle, you can adjust the suspension to the factory setup mentioned in the motorcycle owner’s manual.

10. Get Familiar with the Electronics

If you buy a modern motorcycle equipped with several advanced features and riding aids, make sure to learn how to operate them and what they do. Taking a little time to get familiar with the electronics, settings, and controls will help you know what to use or adjust to ensure a safer and more relaxed riding experience.


Most modern motorcycles are equipped with an ABS, traction control, engine maps, ride-by-wire throttle, and riding modes. You can adjust the sensitivity of the ABS, traction control, power output, and electronic speed limiter if you become familiar with the electronics.

11. Clean the Brake Rotors

The motorcycle’s braking can be improved by cleaning the brake rotors regularly with brake cleaner and a microfiber cloth.

12. Tighten the Nuts and Bolts on the Chassis

Another way to improve your motorcycle’s performance is by tightening the nuts and bolts on the chassis. The nuts and bolts can become loose over time due to constant riding, hitting potholes, and engine vibrations. To ensure they stay in place, slightly loosen the nuts and bolts to ensure they fit correctly in the holes before retightening them.

13. Bottom Line

A motorcycle’s performance depends on its engine, specs, and how well it is maintained. The performance will degrade over time due to regular use and the parts becoming worn down. However, if you want to ensure your motorcycle’s performance remains adequate, it is important to keep it well-maintained. Most riders customize their motorcycles with expensive aftermarket parts or modify the engine and suspensions to increase horsepower. However, you can improve your motorcycle’s performance for free by completing basic maintenance tasks. Doing all of the tasks covered in this article will ensure smooth acceleration, quick throttle response, higher power output, and maximum power delivery to the rear wheel.


Performing maintenance tasks by yourself can help you save a lot on labor costs. You can use the money you saved to install useful aftermarket parts, including fairings, crash bars, sissy bars, sissy bar pads, saddlebags, backpacks, and tank bags at Viking Bags, to improve performance, comfort, safety, and storage capacity.

Related Readings

Reading next

101 Guide on Motorcycle Brake Service and Maintenance
Eight Great Minimotos for Everyone

Leave a comment

All comments are moderated before being published.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.