Dual sport bikes are in a league of their own in terms of the riding opportunities that they can seemingly provide. Decent performers on the pavement, they shine even more so off it. When the pavement ends and the trail begins, that’s when one truly starts to appreciate dual sport bikes for the immense sense of freedom and adventure that they can make one experience. And while there are a number of great dual sport bikes in the market, sometimes the stock experience just doesn’t seem to cut it.
When that uncomfortable seat robs you of your joy repeatedly, or that small foot peg has you slip time and again, that’s when you should consider some viable aftermarket upgrades available in the market. Here, we bring you the most important aftermarket mods that will make you dual sport bike more capable.
Seat
For some reason that goes beyond the common populace’s understanding, dual sport bike manufacturers are notorious for fitting their bikes with the most uncomfortable seats ever. Those stock seats feel like wooden planks, and after a couple of hours of hard riding, they become almost unbearable. This is why most dual sport riders choose to invest in a better seat straightaway – either by modifying the stock seat somehow or by replacing the seat altogether.
As far as modifications go, you can choose to add a good aftermarket seat cover to the stock seat. Cheaper options can include seat covers made of mesh, available easily online. Air-filled or gel-filled seat cushions, and even sheepskin seat covers, make for some more expensive options. These variants all have different comfort levels, so choosing one really comes down to personal discretion. The other option is to replace the stock seat entirely with a better, more comfortable aftermarket seat. On this front, most folks swear by the aftermarket seats made by Seat Concepts.
Suspension
When we talk about suspension mods for dual sport bikes, what we are essentially referring to is the rear shock absorbers and the front forks and springs of the bike. The problem with the stock suspension is that it is not suited for everyone. For instance, a bike’s stock suspension might feel too soft and wobbly to a big-boned, heavy-set individual, while a diminutive individual might find the exact same suspension too stiff and unresponsive.
Depending on your needs, you can either find a specialist to tune the stock suspension to your liking, or you can go for an aftermarket suspension. Popular names like Öhlins, YSS, and TFX Suspension are just some of the options for you to consider as a viable suspension mod.
Skid Plate
A skid plate is probably one of the most important aftermarket components to consider when buying a dual sport bike. ‘Offroading’ takes a heavy toll on the entire bike, and none more so than on the underside of it. While riding the trails, the bike’s underside is exposed to all kinds of elements that can cause severe damage to the bike – think rocks, wood, flora, fauna, and just about any of the countless obstacles one can face on the trail.
Unfortunately, and very surprisingly, a few dual sport bikes still do not come with a factory-fitted skid plate at all, while some others feature a flimsy one made of plastic, more for show than for strength. For optimal crash protection and continued peace of mind, investing in a strong and sturdy skid plate is almost mandatory. Outback Motorek, Black Dog Cycle Works, and Moose Racing skid plates are some of the most trusted ones in the current market.
Hand Guards
Hand guards are extremely important for dual-sport bikes as they not only protect the bike’s levers from breakage but also safeguard your hands against possible injury. Chances are ripe that you will take a tumble somewhere on the trail sooner or later, and reliable handguards can be the difference between simply dusting yourself off and continuing on the ride after a fall or ending up having to change your plans entirely because you’ve hurt your fingers.
There are a wide range of hand guards available in the market made of different materials, and retailing at different price points. Considering that they are extremely easy to install, it seems like a no-brainer to upgrade your stock hand guards for added protection. Barkbusters Handguards is easily one of the most renowned manufacturers of reliable and affordable hand guards for dual sport bikes.
Foot Pegs
Every seasoned bike rider has had to stand up on their foot pegs to navigate a rather troublesome stretch of pavement or dirt at some point of their lives. However, when it comes to dual sport riding, standing on your foot pegs becomes second nature to you. As such, you need to have strong and comfortable foot pegs that instill the confidence of being able to stand on your bike whenever you want to or have to.
DMO Specialties and Warp 9 Racing are two front runners when it comes to the manufacture and retail of aftermarket foot pegs for dual sport bikes. You can find normal, adjustable, oversized, and a lot of other kinds of foot pegs at these retailers, starting at $69 for the cheapest ones and going up well into the hundreds for fancier, more expensive options.