We didn’t customise our motorcycle ourselves. I bought a fully customised motorcycle, initially thinking that all the add-ons were over the top. I didn’t realise they were not only nice to have, but many of them an absolute necessity for the adventure we were about to embark out. Would I have wanted to have the exact same customisations 1 year later with some experience under our belt? Not all of them. Here is an honest review about what we’ve got, what’s nice to have vs essential and what I’d switch if I could start from scratch.
1. Engine Crash Bars and Cylinder Protectors
A no brainer really. They are obviously essential, some adventure bikes will come with them (or they can be added on for a fee) and of course there are many great company out there selling them. Check out SW-Motech or Touratech for example.
2. Skid Plate
Again, absolutely essential and not all are created equal so make your choice wisely. Our skid plate is from Black Dog Cycle Works (BDCW). It’s solid and offers probably some of the best protection you can get. It is however very heavy. If you aren’t going to do hardcore off-road riding on a regular basis than you might prefer to go for something lighter. I wouldn’t change it because I love knowing I have this solid protection but if I was customising a new bike all over again I think I would go with something lighter.
3. Radiator Guard
I wouldn’t travel without one. Stones can easily penetrate exposed radiators causing some pretty serious damage and potentially leading to loss of coolant/oil and it can easily leave you stranded on the side of the road, if not cause a crash. Get one!
4. Headlight Guard
Another essential. It’s like an insurance policy and will save you money in the long run, let alone the trouble of having to change a headlight. You can get them dirt cheap like 10 GBP but a good quality headlight guard will cost you about 150 GBP. They are usually very easy to install yourself.
5. Pivot Pegz
Essential. They rotate slightly allowing for better comfort and control when riding off-road. They also offer better grip and make standing up for long periods of time much more comfortable.
6. Aftermarket Break & Gear Levers
Not super essential but I love upgrading them. It increases safety and riding pleasure as they enable you to control application of the breaks and gears more precisely with two fingers. They make your ride more comfortable, allow better adjustment for optimal rider position and are less likely to snap. And let’s face it – they look damn good!
7. Steering Dampner
My motorcycle came with the Scott Steering Damper installed. It looks good, it feels great off road but I have to say I wouldn’t want it again and I’d rather invest in better suspension. One day we were riding in California along the coast and a car suddenly pulled out in front of us. Having ridden in London for so many years and avoided my fair share of accidents I’m fairly good at swerving around obstacles. But although you can adjust the steering damper (high or low setting) you cannot switch it off completely and that maneuver felt so terribly slow and delayed that I wasn’t sure if we would make it. Ever since then I’m not a fan and I’d happily get rid of it. It’s noteworthy that many of my ADV friend have them and totally love them – it’s personal preference.
8. Auxiliary Lights
Very nice to have, but careful if you install them after market. My bike came with AUX lights installed. We barely used them and never seriously needed them but that’s because we don’t tend to ride after dark. We generally set off nice and early and usually found a place to stay before it gets dark. Then we sailed from Panama to Columbia and some water had gotten under our seat causing the fuse box to blow up. Bummer! I send a photo to the BMW dealership in Bogota who advised me that it wasn’t a genuine BMW part (this was added in order to accommodate our AUX lights). It was such a nightmare to fix and caused us many problems. AUX lights are definitely nice to have, I don’t personally use them much but if you get them, make sure they are probably installed.
9. Wind Shield
Yes please but watch out for size. We got a really nice and high wind shield. It’s so nice to be protected from the wind so much and makes for a comfortable ride. But having such a high wind shield can be quite dangerous off road and therefore I would never go for such a high one. Sure adventure bikes usually have tiny little windscreens and I’d like something higher but just bear in mind the drawbacks off road and selecting your size. The Tiger 900 Rally Pro comes with a wind shield that you can shift up and down (very easily even when riding). I found it to be the absolute perfect height for touring and appreciated being able to lower it when riding off-road.
10. Upgraded Seat
Yes, yes, yes! Just as I believe it’s always worth investing in the best mattress on the market since we spend so many hours a day sleeping, why wouldn’t you splash out for the best comfortable seat if you might be riding for many hours a day on it? Ours is custom made by Mr. Ed’s Custom Moto Seats. We love it. I think money spent on a custom seat is money well spent.
That’s about it … oh hang on … we do have an extra tank and we love that feature. Of course you can also carry fuel bottles or canisters with you but it’s pretty nice having it attached to the bike and provides me an additional 7 liters of fuel. Customising your bike can be super fun, but also expensive. You can also get carried away installing things you might not need. With so many aftermarket products on the market it’s easy to do. Know what’s essential, what’s optional and think about what you nactually need 🙂
What customisations do you have on your bike? What is your favourite aftermarket add-on and what is the most essential to you? Let me know in the comments below – I’d love to hear your thoughts !!
