Top 5 Motorcycle Performance Mods that Actually Work

When riding a motorcycle, you do not simply want to be able to get to point A and point B. You desire power, sound, and control that bring every ride to life. The best is that you do not have to spend a lot of money to make your bike use the untapped power. Certain mods on a motorbike really provide some real results that can be experienced on the road.

Below are the top 5 motorcycle performance mods that have been tested for their efficiency. These motorcycle modifications will enhance the power of your bike, as well as handling, and make riding more enjoyable. All of the below bike performance mods are proven to provide real gains. Continue to read this article to learn about these top 5 motorbike mods in detail.

An aftermarket exhaust system is first on the list of most essential mods on a motorbike. Almost 25% of riders decide to upgrade the stock exhaust first. This tells how popular exhaust pipes are in the motorcycle mods world. They ensure a performance and sound in a package.

The stock exhaust system is cumbersome and restrains the breathing abilities of your engine to a certain extent. They are built to comply with the rigid noise regulations, and not to assist your bike to do its best. By replacing your stock exhaust system with a good aftermarket exhaust system, you release the power that was locked up in your engine.

Improved exhaust flow allows your engine to more quickly eliminate exhaust gases. This leaves space to allow more fresh air and fuel into the engine. The outcome is an increase in power and an enhanced throttle response. When you turn the throttle grip, you will get to know it.

There is an added weight-saving advantage of an exhaust system upgrade. Many aftermarket exhausts are made of lightweight metals, such as titanium or carbon fiber. Reducing 10-20 lbs on your bike enhances the handling, acceleration, and braking performance.

The simplest exhaust upgrade is the slip-on muffler. It attaches to your existing stock headers and is cheaper than a complex system. You will get:

• A more intense sound that makes heads turn.

• Improved throttle response at the low- and mid-range.’Loss of weight for enhanced handling.

• Simple installation using simple tools.

A full exhaust system produces more power, and it is preferred by riders who wish to have maximum gain. When installed properly and used with good tuning, a complex aftermarket exhaust system can have a good impact on the horsepower.

Akrapovic is the most notable one in terms of sound quality and performance. These exhausts have a tremendous history in the motorbike racing world and have won many races. Akrapovic makes exhaust for almost all types of bikes to satisfy all riders. Other exhaust systems that work on a wide variety of motorbikes are made by Vance & Hines, Yoshimura, and Termignoni.

To generate power, your motorcycle engine requires three components: air, fuel, and spark. Stock air filters usually trap more air than it is supposed to. They are meant to be long-lasting and to be effective in filtering, but not in performance. A high-flow air filter remedies this issue.

A high-flow filter, such as K&M Filters or BMC Air Filters, allows additional air into the engine. This may sound simple, but it actually counts. The more air you have in the system, the more fuel will be burned by your bike’s engine, and this produces more power. The power gain will be small, around 1-3 hp. However, such an upgrade prepares the bike for larger gains.

Some go a step further and delete the intake restrictions. With bikes such as the Yamaha R3, deleting the intake snorkel can increase the horsepower by 2 hp and also enhance the torque. However, this works well when tuned.

This is where the magic will take place. Remapping or flashing, also known as ECU tuning, instructs your engine to use more air. The ECU factory settings are quite conservative. They are engineered to fit stock components, to comply with emission regulations, and to run on any quality of fuel.

A proper ECU tuning can deliver:

• 10-15% horsepower gain.

• 15-2% more torque.

• Better throttle response.

• Smoother power delivery.

• At times, even improved fuel economy.

Your ECU controls the air-fuel ratio and ignition timing. These settings are no longer optimal when you add a high-flow air filter or exhaust. The ECU will either operate the engine too lean or too rich. The tuning connects this by modifying the delivery of the fuel and the spark timing to accommodate your new components.

Modern bikes usually have built-in power limitations as far as emissions or safety is concerned. These limits can be eliminated by tuning, especially in lower gears, where bike manufacturers tend to limit the power output.

There are two possible tunings. A piggyback, such as the PowerCommander is added to your existing ECU. The full reflash replaces the factory tuning completely. Both are good, but it ultimately depends on the rider, their bike, and riding goals.

The engine power is what most riders are concerned about. However, one of the most crucial motorcycle upgrades that you can go for is the suspension upgrade. A motorcycle ride is highly influenced by the good suspension. Whether it is comfort, handling, braking, or safety, your motorcycle suspension must be good and suitable.

Most bikes are fitted with basic suspension that is optimized for average riders and average riding conditions in mind.

Motorcycle manufacturers design and build suspension to suit a broad range of different riders and applications. A 150 lb rider and a 250 lb rider must be satisfied with the same suspension setup. This universal solution implies that the suspension will hardly suit everybody.

Cheap suspension parts are particularly a problem with budget bikes. Manufacturers reduce expenditure here in the suspension department to achieve low-price targets. The effect is either too soft, too harsh, or simply too poorly controlled suspension.

The improved suspension changes the behavior of your bike. You get:

• Improved cornering and stability at different speeds.

• Increased traction as the bike tires maintain contact with the road.

• Greater braking and acceleration control.

• Less rider fatigue on longer rides.

• Various adjustment settings.

The rear shock is often the best place to spend your money. It also influences the ride quality and comfort more than the front forks. However, the best results are attained by upgrading both ends.

You may rebuild your current suspension using improved internals or just change it altogether. Rebuilds are cheaper, but have limited improvements. Complete replacements of suspension offer you a better choice and improved performance.

Suspension that can be adjusted to various conditions is usually offered by quality brands, such as Öhlins, Showa, and KYB. Compression, rebound, and preload adjustments can help you adjust as per your weight, riding style, and the road conditions.

Suspension upgrades are costly. A good-quality rear shock will cost more than $1,000. The entire suspension system, including both the front and rear, can cost you around $3,000-$ 5,000. However, riders who upgrade their bike’s suspension claim it was the best investment they have ever made in their motorcycle.

It is no use having power when you cannot stop safely. Upgrades to the brake could not necessarily make you faster, but they will provide confidence and safety to your fast riding. The majority of stock brake parts perform well in everyday riding, and they continue to do so until they are put under extreme stress.

The stock brake pads are intended to be quiet, soft on the rotors, and inexpensive to make. Whereas, performance brake pads compromise some such qualities to provide greater stopping power.

The most popular upgrade is sintered brake pads. They consist of metal particles that are pressed together at high heat. This creates a brake bad that:

• Bites harder when hot.

• Does not fade in hard use.

• Works both in dry and wet conditions.

• Lasts longer than stock pads.

The disadvantage is increased rotor wear and occasionally noise. The trade-off is worth it to riders who ride and brake harder.

EBC, Brembo, or Galfer premium sintered brake pads are priced almost similarly to stock replacements. This allows them to be easily upgraded when you run out of stock pads.

Braided stainless steel lines can be seen to make a difference when using your bike with rubber brake lines. When the rubber lines are under pressure, they become spongy, and the brake lever feels spongy, too. Steel braided lines do not stretch. Thus, you use more of your hand pressure to stop the bike.

You will feel it immediately. The brake lever is more responsive and has a better feel. It is even possible to feel the degree of grip of the brakes, which gives confidence in hard braking situations.

Brake upgrade is most suitable for riders who:

• Ride in hilly areas or winding roads.

• Go for track days on their bikes.

• Ride aggressively or at higher speeds.

• Desire maximum safety.

Stock brakes are typically sufficient for casual street riding. However, when you ever experience a loss in braking power or wish you had more stopping power, these mods are useful.

This is a fact that most riders forget: tires are the best performance upgrades. They are the only contact element between your bike and the road. Whether your bike’s powerful engine or the quality suspension, it all depends on the grip your bike tires provide.

With good tires, one can make even a normal bike a special one. Even the finest bikes can get shaky and feel sluggish with poor tires. The tires influence the acceleration, braking, cornering, and comfort. They are the pillars on which all other things are based.

Unless it is a high-performance tire, the stock tires are selected based on cost and durability. Bike makers require tires that are useful in any situation and are durable. This implies that they are seldom the most suitable ones in terms of performance and handling.

To the majority of street riders, sport touring tires have the best balance. They offer both aggressive riding and reliable road grip. They are long-lasting, as well as good for daily use. The Michelin Road 6 tops the list of best tires that offer great performance, as well as a life of over 15,000 miles.

The tires incorporate superior compounds, which have ideal grip at street temperatures. Race tires require heat to perform. Whereas, sport touring tires do not need it to perform.

In case you prefer more performance than extended life, sports tires provide great grip. The Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV and Dunlop Q5 SportMax are designed to suit riders who wish to have maximum cornering ability.

These tires heat up in no time. However, the grip they provide is unbelievable. They are also lighter, especially when riding in hot weather or for drag racing. You should expect somewhere between 5,000 and 8,000 miles rather than 15,000.

The type of tires you choose for your bike must be related to your riding style:

• Commuting: Select sport touring tires, such as Michelin Road 6.

• Rough Riding in Streets:Choose sport tires, such as Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV.

• Track Days:for track riding, use tires that are track-oriented, such as Dunlop Q5 SportMax.

• Cruiser Riders: If you are a cruiser rider, you can use Metzeler Cruisetec for the best grip and longevity.

New motorbike tires require a break-in period to ensure maximum grip. The first 100 miles should be done by gentle riding. Hard angle turns and braking should be avoided until the break-in period is completed.

These top 5 motorcycle performance mods are most effective as a system. When they are done correctly, each of them complements the others. This is how you should go about modifying your bike.

Begin with the tire and brake mods. They have a direct impact on your safety and should be given the first priority. Good tires make everything about riding better.

Then, you should move on to the exhaust and high airflow mod combo. These two mods provide power gain and also improve sound without the complexity. Ensure you get your bike fine-tuned properly when changing the airflow to your engine.

The last upgrade is the suspension upgrade, as it is costly and complicated, too. However, getting a better and high-performance suspension upgrade allows you to have superior control. 

Keep in mind that the majority of performance changes require ECU tuning to be the best. It must be done, especially when you have a combination of several upgrades. A proper tune will make your mods cooperate, not compete with each other.

You do not have to do everything at a time. Begin with one or two mods and add others as time goes by. This is distributed and allows you to enjoy every upgrade as you install it.

This article talks about the five motorcycle performance mods that have been tested among thousands of riders. They are not merely theoretical advancements; they bring results you can experience each time you ride.

Every upgrade mentioned makes your bike more enjoyable and capable, from the deep rumble of the new exhaust to the assurance of improved brakes. You can use these mods to improve every bit of your ride, whether you are commuting to work or riding the canyon roads on the weekend.

The most important tip is to select the mod that suits your riding style and pocket. Begin with the upgrades that are the most important to you and that are practical.