A stock dirt bike gets you riding but eventually the need for speed and improved rideability takes over and your riding work of art begins.
Creating a dirt bike in your own image or at least one that conforms to your riding style takes time, effort and...
Money.
You can fork out the cost of a new dirt bike on upgrades or decide on the best modifications that make sense without spending a fistful of dollars. Sure, you can figure out the top 5 “least expensive” mods (got grips?) and the “most expensive” (Rekluse clutch kit) ones—but what about the top 5 overall modifications, regardless of price?
First, don’t be enamored by building a fully customized dirt bike or what your riding buddy installed. The best dirt bike modifications result in enhanced power, better handling and overall comfort. What works best for you probably doesn’t fit quite right with another. Fine tuning to be one with your dirt bike on the track or trails begins with a couple twists and turns plus some tweaks and adjustments... then upgrades.
1. Dirt Bike Suspension Setup
Dialing in your suspension starts the second you throw a leg over your dirt bike. The easiest to do but perhaps the hardest to nail down. An off-the-showroom floor dirt bike probably has “average” settings from the factory, whatever that means, but basically tuned to an average rider weight – not riding style or terrain.
How to Setup Dirt Bike Suspension:
- Set sag and rebound properly
- Revalving
- Rear Shock
Check the service manual to get factory settings for fork oil level, sag settings, clickers, and spring rates to provide a base point so you can adjust to your liking and riding conditions. Read Dirt Bike Suspension Setup - Save Money - Do It Yourself for a detailed look at setting the suspension. Suspension set-up costs anywhere from just time to hundreds of dollars depending how deep into the weeds you get. Regardless, you can only hang on during an uncomfortable ride for so long so spend the necessary time and testing it takes to adjust the suspension to enjoy a longer and safer ride that helps keep you on two wheels and prevents arm pump.
Shop Dirt Bike Suspension Parts
2. Dirt Bike Tires with the Right Compound and Tread Pattern
You need to install the right tires based on riding conditions. Compacted trails work best with one type of tire that doesn’t work quite right on soft loam. This means, for some, owning multiple sets of tires, but for the weekend warrior, likely an all-around intermediate tire.
Read Dirt Bike Tire Wars: Soft Tires vs Hard Tires for details on tread patterns and the best tire compound for wet, dry or loamy conditions and whether you need a tire for great hook up in corners or a tire that comfortably grips while propelling you down long straightaways.
Tires need replacing after so many hours and though you might want to extend the life of your current set, a fresh pair just might feel like a brand new ride. Read When To Replace Dirt Bike Tires
to know when to say when on your current tires.
3. Dirt Bike Gearing Changes (Sprockets)
Easy and relatively inexpensive, you can get more top end speed or better torque with just a couple of teeth! Drop a tooth on the front sprocket for quicker acceleration or add two teeth to the rear for greater top speed. Read How to Choose the Right Chain and Sprocket Combo for Your Dirt Bike for a detailed look at setting up the chain and sprockets on your dirt bike.
Avid riders especially those who race Motocross and enjoy competing on various tracks probably need several sets since one track might have long stretches that allow you to pin the throttle while another integrates tight cornering and various technical aspects where torque and quick acceleration come into play.
Shop Dirt Bike Chain and Sprocket Kits.
4. Dirt Bike Exhaust System Upgrade (Slip-On or Full System)
Generally, an expensive upgrade and one that often ranks high on the list of improvements enthusiastically sought after by most riders. An aftermarket exhaust whether a slip on or full system drops overall weight by a pound or two (in competition every ounce matters), opens up horsepower and improves exhaust flow translating to better power to the ground.
Additional benefits include sound – some riders just love the throaty tone – and lower decibels – not only a nice to have but some sanctioned races and public trails enforce decibel levels. More reading! Check out Dirt Bike Exhaust - Does an Upgrade Help?.
If you upgrade the exhaust on your dirt bike then definitely consider the final modification on this list...
5. Dirt Bike Jetting or ECU Tuning
Calibrate the jetting on your 2-stroke (or any carbureted bike) or mapping using an ECU tuner on your 4-stroke (or any fuel injected bike) to realize better throttle response and optimum power.
Altitude and temperature play key roles in the fuel / air mixture which can inhibit performance therefore jetting or mapping address these environmental changes. Upgrading or simply installing a fresh air filter can also affect the fuel / air mixture as well as an exhaust upgrade.
So, if you got a sweet new exhaust but fail to reconfigure the fuel / air mixture you won’t unlock all that your new exhaust offers and might experience less power than before.
Those who ride fuel injected bikes have it easy when using a tuner but a carbureted bike requires a bit more work when it comes to rejetting. Fine tuning the fuel / air ratio also prevents your engine from overheating.
Shop Dirt Bike Fuel System Parts.
6. Try All 5 Tips Together
Hey, you said Top 5 mods! Listen! If you check off all five, these five modifications work together to release power, improve handling and elevate comfort to an even greater level than implementing one or two. You can take your ride to the next level without spending a significant amount of money and much of this you can do it yourself through trial and error as this list attests.
