Performance and customizing your bike can seem like a money pit sometimes. But not all custom and performance upgrades are expensive. Many bikers don’t consider the variety of options out there to customize and modify their hogs. If you don’t have an unlimited budget, the number one thing to remember when upgrading you bike on a budget is that you will need patience. Patience is FREE!! The second most important thing to remember is that it doesn’t happen without a serious effort on your part. Setting a goal, putting the money aside and establishing a priority list of the things your want done are good ways to get it in gear.
Now you might say yea, ok, I know what I want but I just can walk in as say “This is what I want, go for it” cause I’ve got a family to feed, but what most don’t realize is small incremental changes can make a serious difference in how your bike looks and rides.
The following is a list of a few enhancements to you bike that will increase their performance and even save you a buck or two.
- READ A DAMN BOOK!!- Cost $20-$40 (less if you’re nice to the librarian)
Doing this allows you to become a better rider, mechanic, or both. It gives you a quick reference guide to follow for doing simpler mechanical upgrades that some forget they can do themselves with a little elbow grease. This also can save you some serious cash!!
- Adjust your bikes suspension settings to your weight & riding style- Cost $0
Although many of use wish we weighed 150 lbs (the generic weight most manufacturers use to set stock suspensions), most of us fall on the wrong side of that number. If you followed the above performance suggestion then you should know this process just make sure to employ a friend to help you out cause this is a two man job (a beer coxes most friends). If you need additional information about this procedure there are many how too descriptions available on the internet. This procedure not only increases performance but also increases the comfort of your ride (your passenger will thank you for it too).
- Replacing your tires- Cost $200-$300
Something that may seem like a routine maintenance chore can also bring benefit your bike with better traction, improved handling and safety. Nothing brings back that new-bike feeling like a set of new tires.
If you’re looking for more aesthetic custom upgrades, your bike can go from modest to mean with a few small changes. A new set of handle bars you can usually pick up for under $350. Sissy bars can make a big change to a bike giving it a different shape without any large modification or cost not to mention the lady on the back can RELAX with out fear of fallin’ off! One of the most drastic custom changes is modifying the frame of you bike. You can always work up to a frame change, which can be done for as little as $1,200, and custom change your bike from their.
All of these and many other modifications are within your reach, so get your plan together and for goodness sakes be patient and you will have the bike of your dreams before you know it.
