Best Touring Upgrades For Your Motorcycle

Let's get your bike ready for the next adventure

Touring on your motorcycle is more than just a journey or an adventure. For many, it is an escape from the mundane city life; for others, it is a way of finding themselves. And for most of us, it is a way of experiencing the world in a pure manner. The scenic routes, long stretches on the highways, light meals at the fuel station, and an occasional gardening session after drinking too much water — motorcycle touring is what many of us live for.

But it’s not easy; you spend hours sitting on the saddle, which can fatigue you quickly. You may be ready for it, but is your bike ready? Did you know you can make your bike feel like home with a few upgrades here and there? That’s what we’ll discuss in his article: the best touring upgrades for your motorcycle that will make your journey safer, more comfortable, and more pleasant.

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One of the best upgrades for your motorcycle, especially if you like to munch miles during the night, are auxiliary lights. These come in a lot of variety, ranging from hyperspot beams that throw light far to flood beams that light up the road before your bike. These lights allow you to see a few extra seconds ahead and let other drivers spot you easily. Just make sure you mount them at the right place and angle. Also, avoid cheap Chinese knock-offs since their quality is poor; choose well-known brands instead.

On a long tour, wind protection is seriously underrated. Your naked bike may be comfortable at highway speeds, but you will tire out in a few hours due to the windblast. So, it’s a good idea to invest in a decent windshield that keeps the air off your torso, if not your helmet. One thing to remember — choose a high-quality windshield that won’t shatter in case of a crash, and be mindful of its height as you don’t want the wind buffeting to bounce your helmet around.

Are you using your mobile phone to navigate, and do you mount it on the handlebar? It’s not the best option; phone mounts can damage your phone’s camera, and navigation will drain your phone’s battery much faster. So, it’s better to bite the bullet and get yourself a dedicated GPS navigation unit. These satnavs work better than your phone; you don’t have to worry about distractions, damaged camera sensors, or battery life. It would be hard getting lost with this one on your bike.

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Suspension is not something that comes to mind when we think of the best touring upgrades for bikes, but it should. The correct suspension can change how your bike handles and feels on long rides, which is why upgrading them is a good idea. If you know exactly what you want to improve on your bike’s suspension, you can swap out stock components with aftermarket ones, like a better spring or valves. But if you aren’t sure or want something versatile, you can never go wrong with a full suspension setup from brands like Öhlins or Showa. It’s an expensive upgrade but will improve your bike’s handling and comfort.

One of the secrets of touring on motorcycles is smart packing, but you’ll still carry a lot of luggage. Your backpack won’t cut it, and neither is it recommended. Instead, get your bike some storage, like a tank bag, a pair of saddlebags, and even a tail bag, if required. If you have the option, you can also add panniers to your bike. The idea is to maximize your bike’s storage capacity without compromising your safety and comfort. But remember, your saddlebags may not hold everything you want, but they will hold everything you need for the ride, so pack smartly nonetheless.

Your handlebar is one of the three contact points between you and your bike, so consider adding some creature comforts to the handlebar. The first thing you should do is install heated grips; these cheap add-ons can be a game-changer on long rides through cold weather, and your fingers will thank you for them. They’re a must for any long-distance rider.

You should consider adding a throttle lock if your bike doesn’t have cruise control. It’s a little rudimentary and may look like a sore thumb next to your thumb, but it’s a worthy upgrade if long highway stents are a part of the itinerary. If you can spare some more cash, get adjustable levers to fine-tune their reach. It’s a subtle difference, but you’ll notice it quickly.

Your butt probably takes all your weight during the ride, so wouldn’t you want it to be comfortable? So, why don’t you get an aftermarket seat? But getting a high-quality aftermarket seat isn’t as easy as you’d think; the process is more nuanced, but don’t worry, we got your back butt. For long tours, the best seat is a hard seat; softer seats squeeze after a couple of hours, and your butt will feel the chassis bars under the seat. If you don’t want to get a full seat, strap on a gel seat on your bike’s saddle. And if you want to be old-school (and cheap), get a sheepskin seat cover — it looks wacky, but it’s pretty comfortable. No wonder oldies on Gold Wings swear by these.

Related: 10 Reasons Why Motorcycle Seats Matter

Of course, you’re not going off-roading, but the longer you ride, the higher the probability of your bike kissing the dirt. So, investing in some protection mods for your bike is a good idea. Start with engine guards that can protect the heart of your bike along with the plastic bits, followed by a bash plate if you plan on taking on some bad terrains. While you’re at it, slap on a radiator guard, too — even the smallest pebble can change the course of your tour. And lastly, get some Barkbusters to protect your shiny levers and squishy fingers.

Most riders like to pick the sportiest tires for their weekend shenanigans, but these tires aren’t the best option for long tours. Sporty tires don’t last very long, are sometimes prone to punctures, and cost a lot. Instead, get some all-weather tires that can handle thousands of miles without experiencing male pattern baldness.

If you’re on a long ride, you will likely use many electronics along the way, like your phone, intercom, action camera, and whatnot. So, the final modification we recommend is installing a couple of USB charging outlets on your bike. The best spot for this is your handlebar, but you can also install one under your seat to charge anything in your storage compartment or on your person during the ride. These chargers are cheap but don’t skimp too much, as the cheapest one will likely not survive a light shower.

Meet Aayush, a motorcycle-loving writer from Goa. With almost a decade of riding experience and a (not so) trusty Dominar 400, you can find him exploring the Western Ghats on Sundays or tinkering with motorcycles during his free hours. From touring tips to DIY maintenance, he's got you covered. So, grab your helmet and join the ride!