5 Affordable Harley Upgrades for Improved Comfort, Control, and Convenience

No Harley is left unmodded. This is one of the brand's main drawcards, letting riders customise their bikes just the way they want. And with the largest aftermarket following to change and upgrade anything from the front fenders to the taillights (and everything in between), Harley owners are spoilt for choice. 

While factory options might get you squinting twice at the catalogue prices, riders don’t have to spend a fortune to change anything they don’t like. $100 leaves you with quite a few third-party options. And these aren't just style add-ons for the sake of being different, but also help improve riding comfort, smooth out big-bike handling and add a touch of convenience. 

Factory Foot Pegs 

Like all stock bike parts, Harley footpegs are meant to suit most riders on most roads. But pegs that slip, are too narrow for longer rides, scrape in bends or mess with riding posture, aren't exactly the last word in riding comfort or pleasure. And if the parts have seen more than their fair share of abuse, draw unwanted attention. Going with aftermarket options helps in more ways: 

• Improved rider comfort: Wider foot pegs let you reposition your feet mid-ride. This relieves pressure points and reduces fatigue on longer rides. Distinct aftermarket Harley footpeg designs and types, ranging from forward highway pegs that let riders stretch out, or variants with integrated rubber inserts to reduce vibrations from the V-twin rumble, outdo factory options for overall riding comfort. Proprietary designs, like switchblades, additionally combine long-haul comfort with simple flip-out designs for multiple foot positions. 

• Adjustability: Tailored to riders of different heights and different riding positions, aftermarket Harley foot pegs offer a tremendous degree of adjustability, including height and angles. Look for adjustable mounts, locking mechanisms (cogged joints, mounting clamps, sliding bolts),  rotational clevises and adapters for easy adjustment without having to get off the bike. 

• More grip: Raised serrated teeth, knurling, and moulded, textured rubber are several design solutions that provide substantially more grip and traction than flat factory pegs. This ensures surefooted handling in all riding and weather conditions, keeping boots and sneakers firmly on the pegs. 

• Durability and aesthetics: $100 gets you machined billet or cast aluminium pegs, forged steel frames, durable mounting hardware and a variety of finishes to suit different tastes. Choose from chromed, anodised or black, power-coated pegs to match design elements in tourers, cruisers, and trikes. Aftermarket brands also offer shifters and grips in the same materials and design language for a seamless look.  

Matching Grips

To retain coherent styling, combine left and right Harley footpeg designs with matching grips in the same style and from the same brand. Grips are the main contact point between rider and bike, and determine riding basics from handling and safety, to throttle input and steering control. Worn, thinned or sticky grips can get uncomfortable on longer stretches, numbing hands and fingers and causing fatigue. Riders will also start to feel more engine and road vibrations. 

Change grips that have sustained damage in falls and accidents, even if there is no visible damage. Like Harley Davidson footpegs, there’s an abundance of aftermarket grip options and different grip types to suit varying Harley models. 

Key shopping considerations are bike and throttle compatibility. Single-throttle grips appeared on bikes prior to 1982. These have a single throttle cable, fewer moving parts, and lower weight, making this a simple upgrade in older bikes. Dual-throttle varieties offer cleaner throttle input for enhanced control, comfort and safety with predictable operation. The good news for vintage bike owners is that dual-throttle assemblies can be retrofitted on bikes with carburettor or throttle body linkages that accommodate the push-pull cabling. Newer bikes go with electronic (fly-by-wire) grips with no cabling to ensure even smoother acceleration, compatibility with driving modes and secondary safety systems, and integration with comfort features like heating. 

Other buying considerations are grip size, material and design specifics and convenient inclusions like vibration damping and heating. Most aftermarket grips fit the stock 1" Harley handlebars to ensure a secure fit. Decide between textured, non-slip rubber or machined metal with rubber inserts for superior traction and control, and grip variants with foam or gel inserts to reduce numbing and fatigue from vibrations. 

If customisation with other Harley accessories (mirror extensions, bar weights) is also important, go with open-end grips, choose the superior dust and water ingress protection of closed-end designs. Foam variants are dirt cheap, while machined grips with vibration-damping inserts and heating tip the top end of your $100 budget. 

Phone Mounts 

Simple, convenient and affordable motorcycle accessories go beyond riding basics and comfort. Choose between cradle phone mounts and attach phones to handlebars, forks, or mirror stems, magnetic mounts for a lower profile or twist-lock types for a secure fit with integrated vibration damping. Ensure a secure connection with clamps and strong magnets to hold larger and heavier phones, and pivoting sockets for easy adjustment. 

These bike extras provide hands-free navigation straight from your phone, the ability to take calls and listen to music or get live traffic and weather updates when planning your next ride. Look for handy features, such as transparent covers for dust and rain protection, durable metals and plastics for lasting functionality, one-handed operation and quick-release mechs when getting off the bike. 

Drink Holders and Handlebar Bags

Keep water, coffee and drinks nearby with appointed drink holders. Most rider-focused holders are of the handlebar or perch mount types, keeping drinks within easy reach, with passenger holders secured to handrails or rear luggage racks. Common designs are basket-type drink holders with metal outer housings and neoprene rubber or Velcro inserts to eliminate vibrations, and self-levelling types with swivel mechanisms to prevent spills in corners. Some also have thermal regulation to keep drinks cool or hot. 

And to ensure easy access to essentials like phones, keys, sunglasses, wallets or tools without digging through luggage or pockets, equip your Harley with a waterproof and UV-resistant handlebar bag. These have multiple Velcro securing straps for a tight fit to the bars and exterior (MOLLE) webbing) and numerous internal compartments for neat gear organisation. Choose from tear-resistant ballistic Nylon, durable and lightweight cotton canvas or synthetic and genuine leather in colours that match other additions.  

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