We know, we know: New exhaust systems look (and sound) sweet, Power Commanders give huge plug-and-play horsepower gains, and new air cleaner boosts top end AND adds mid-range torque. We’re not here to tell you that power-packed upgrades like these don’t have their time and place, but we are here to tell you they shouldn’t be at the top of your new bike to-do list, especially if you’re on a budget. For example, on an easily upgradable bike such as a Honda Shadow 750, small performance upgrades can go a long way. Nevertheless, here are three better places to spend your money if you want to improve your motorcycle’s performance. 

Motorcycle Performance Upgrades That Are Better Than Horsepower

Suspension

Dollar for dollar, the most impactful way you’ll ever spend money upgrading your motorcycle is by improving its suspension. Don’t get us wrong, some bikes out there come with pretty sweet suspenders from the factory. Electronic and/or automatically adjusting suspension is an impressive thing to experience, but the majority of us either can’t afford it or prefer not to mess with its complexity. 

Most of us ride some kind of OEM spring/valve/oil suspension system, and therein lies the problem: Manufacturers have to pick one spring rate to use across the model line, which means that even if your suspension is fully adjustable, chances are it isn’t the best setup for your body weight and riding style. If you really want your motorcycle to feel like it was made just for you, prioritize putting some money into your suspension before doing anything else. 

Sending your forks and/or shock off to suspension specialists like the folks at Racetech is the ultimate “buy once, cry once” solution to handling woes for the life of your bike. If you don’t have the money for a full overhaul though, don’t sweat it. A simple DIY spring and/or fork internal swap is still an absolute game-changer over budget-friendly stock suspension.

Tires

Generally speaking, OEM tires fall victim to the same woes as OEM suspension: They’re typically either an “all-rounder” tread pattern and rubber compound, or they’re just an outright budget tire that’s meant to keep production costs down at scale. 

Tires are a personal choice, but there’s almost always a better tire out there for your riding style than what came on your bike. If you’re spending time exploring off-road, consider a more purpose-built knobby or dual-sport tire for better traction and more confidence. If you’re looking to push your bike a little harder in the twisties, there are TONS of great options out there for sticky sport or sport-touring rubber waiting to be discovered. Spend a little time on the forums, find out what works for other owners, and prepare to be blown away by one of the simplest and most impactful upgrades money can buy. 

Brakes

This one may sound controversial, but hear us out: You can add all the power you want to your bike, but if you’re not able to keep your speed in check, it’s not gonna do you much good. Read any of the countless motorcycle reviews out there and you’ll notice braking power and feel are one of the most common complaints for any motorcycle. Whether you’re looking to shave seconds off your lap times or just want to outrun your friends in the twisties, we’re going to wager outright horsepower isn’t what’s slowing you down. 

Brake upgrades can be costly, but they don’t have to be. Rather than swapping out your entire braking system, we recommend starting from the bottom and working your way up: For many riders, simply swapping out the OEM brake pads on a motorcycle makes a world of difference. Typically this means swapping out organic pads for a set of sintered pads from a reputable aftermarket brand, but again, just do your research on what works best for other owners. 

If you’ve swapped out your pads and still aren’t getting the braking feel and performance you need, step it up to brake lines next. Exchanging those OEM rubber tubes for a set of braided steel lines provides a massively improved feel at the brake lever, and will also improve performance under hard/constant braking. 

 Conclusion

A motorcycle performance upgrade can make a big difference in how your bike rides and how much power it has. If you're looking to improve your motorcycle's performance, consider upgrading the suspension, tires, and brakes. With a few simple upgrades, you can make your bike feel like a whole new machine.