One of my favorite things to do when I buy a motorcycle is to customize it using accessories.
It is amazing how quickly you can make your bike original looking even when you start with a stock bike.
Some stock motorcycles are great right out of the crate but most can be greatly improved with just a few aftermarket accessories.
Certain bikes demand you make changes to them to get better performance out of them.
I make performance and comfort improvements first.
Some people say you should make safety adjustments such as freeway crash bars and such.
Of course, these kinds of motorcycle accessories are only needed if the bike you buy is super heavy or you have bags on the back you want to protect.
Then again, maybe these people are talking about spending money on a good helmet and leathers.
That makes sense and you should do that but I'm talking about hardware accessories in this article and not apparel.
Exhaust pipes are one of the first things I look at replacing on a new motorcycle.
Often the stock pipes constrict airflow and cause some inefficiency within the engine.
The reasons factories load their bikes with these pipes is often because of environmental controls that can vary from state to state.
While I do not excuse getting excessively loud pipes or ones that are environmentally bad, I do still look to see what aftermarket pipes are available.
There is also the argument that loud bikes save lives because people hear you before they can see you.
I'm not sure about that but maybe.
I still look to see what I can do for my motorcycle.
Another two accessories I often upgrade on a motorcycle are the grips and the pegs.
I like pegs that have some grip to them so I look for some with a roughed up surface.
Finding the right grips takes a little more time.
The motorcycle grips I favor the most need to fit my hands comfortably and not transfer too much vibration to my body.
Sometimes this is hard to know until you have tried them out on the bike for a while.
However, now I can usually tell much sooner which ones fit better by just feeling where the grip rests on my palm.
If the grip digs into my palm, I do not get that grip.
I want a grip the has an even feel across the palm and where my fingers are comfortable surrounding it.
One of the best aftermarket accessories I buy is a seat.
Factory stock seats are usually not good.
They tend to be made with foam that just does not cut the mustard.
I found this especially true with my 2001 Harley Davidson Sportster.
I had to get a new seat and I tried a couple.
The Mustang seat I bought first was awesome.
It had room for a passenger.
Later I got a Corbin solo seat for that bike that I liked a lot as well.
The different between a stock seat and a Corbin or Mustang is very noticeable in firmness and comfort on longer rides.
The last two accessories I usually look into first are getting the carburetor rejetted and getting a better air cleaner.
In most Japanese motorcycles, you will not need to rejet the carburetor.
This is just something I did for the Sportster and the difference was notable in power and quickness.
The air cleaner is also a worthwhile change because when a motorcycle can breathe better they perform better.
I upgraded the Sportster to a Screaming Eagle air cleaner but I have noticed that even on most Japanese bikes a new air cleaner can make a positive difference.
Since my first Suzuki, I've been changing out the air cleaners with great result.
It rather takes some time to decide which modifications and added accessories will do well with your bike.
You can make many cosmetic changes.
On some bikes, I have changed tires and fenders after a while.
On others, I could stay with the same stock tires.
Overall, I have found that buying better products works out better.
Every time I have gotten something inexpensive, it broke in a short amount of time.
Cheap parts do not hold up in the end and you will spend twice as much to replace them.
If you can afford it, buy good known brand name accessories and parts.
You will spend more but it will be worth it.
Online is a great place to buy motorcycle accessories and parts.
The prices are often cheaper and the selection is much larger.
You can contact online parts dealers and ask questions as well.
It is wise to do this because parts can sometimes fit a little off between different makes and model years.
However, I have great luck doing it and I think you will too.