One of the most effective issues about proudly owning a Harley-Davidson is the variety of alternatives and potentialities to make your bike uniquely yours. There is a really deep properly of each factory-made and third-party {custom} components for riders to select from that just about no two {custom} Harley-Davidsons are ever alike. Some riders favor to make their bikes extra highly effective. Others favor to reinforce the bike’s stage of consolation.

Some riders simply wish to make their bikes be the center of attention and be as flashy as doable. While everyone seems to be entitled to customise their bikes any approach they select, there are some artistic choices that might simply be outlined as “mistakes.” Just as a result of you’ll be able to add an outsized entrance wheel or some ape hangers which are too excessive, does not imply it’s best to. Sure, some {custom} choices could also be cool to have a look at throughout a motorbike present or meet-up.

But if it is in your one and solely experience, then likelihood is it’ll be spending extra time within the storage on show than out on the highway each weekend. However, there are many different sensible choices that may nonetheless improve the look of a Harley-Davidson. So let’s undergo a number of dos and don’ts in relation to customizing your Harley.

The following entries had been compiled primarily based on testimonies from Harley-Davidson dealership prospects, in addition to authoritative sources like Jalopnik, and RideAside.

10 DO: Engine Guards

For anybody who buys a brand new or pre-owned Harley, if it does not have a set of engine guards on it, these ought to be the primary issues it’s best to set up earlier than anything. While touring fashions just like the Road King, Road Glide, and Street Glide include engine guards proper from the manufacturing facility, the Sportsters and Softails don’t. But why are engine guards so essential to put in earlier than anything? The reply is within the identify.

In the event that your motorcycle goes down, if you do not have engine guards, you run the chance of your bike slamming on the engine, probably ruining the drivetrain for good and creating a series response of complications sooner or later. But for those who added a set of engine guards, they will take the hit as an alternative. If you intend on using for the long run, that is cash properly spent.

9 DON’T: Speaker Systems

Speaker systems are pre-installed on many popular Harley-Davidson models just like the Road Glide and the Street Glide. Being in a position to cruise down the freeway to your favourite tunes is a good way to make these lengthy rides much more nice. However, in case your bike by no means got here with a speaker system within the first place, then depart it alone. Lots of individuals routinely assume {that a} speaker system on a mannequin that does not include one from the manufacturing facility could be a fantastic thought.

But the draw back to that’s the price of putting in them can get fairly excessive. Not to say that they don’t seem to be waterproof. Exposure to the weather like rain and filth can discover their approach into your audio system, and fairly quickly you will solely have the ability to hear by means of one like each pair of headphones you’ve got ever owned. But for those who completely require music in your experience, a a lot better, and less expensive various could be to put money into a full-face helmet with Bluetooth audio system inside. Problem solved.

8 DO: Louder Exhaust

For the most well-liked mods which are made on a Harley-Davidson, upgrading the exhaust is most probably one of many prime 3. While the inventory exhaust is okay for some riders, virtually everybody likes to really feel and listen to that deep, guttural roar that Harleys are identified for. Whether you are rolling down the freeway or ready at a crimson gentle, that signature rumbling sound has change into synonymous with the model itself. For some, a brand new pair of slip-on exhausts is sufficient.

But add in not less than a Stage 1 engine improve, and you have got some extra horsepower and torque to associate with that sound. Not to say that it is safer for you too. The phrase, “loud pipes save lives” is true, to some extent, as a result of when you’re riding down the highway, and also you’re in a driver’s blind spot, you’ll be able to take consolation in figuring out that whereas they could not have the ability to see you, they’ll most undoubtedly hear you.

7 DON’T: Slammed Bikes and Bag Skirts

We’ve all seen these mega-custom Harley-Davidson baggers that seem like they went by means of some type of Pimp My Ride remedy. Yes, they actually look cool and undoubtedly one thing to share on social media. But for those who had been to ask your common Harley-Davidson rider if they’d ever wish to personal a motorbike like that, likelihood is their solutions shall be a convincing “no.”

With little to no floor clearance, these prolonged bag skirts shall be scraping the pavement on each tight flip and bumpy highway. Next factor you understand, the bottoms of what you thought had been your cool bag extensions at the moment are scraped and carved up by the road. Again, if the aim of including bag skirts is for a motorbike meant just for show, then have at it. But for those who’re a daily rider thinking these will improve the value of your bike, think again.

6 DO: More Comfortable Seat

The saddle on each bike comes with a sure stage of consolation. For some riders, the inventory seat is soft sufficient for their very own specific model of using. But for those who plan on using for longer durations of time, in addition to with a passenger, a seat improve could be extremely really useful.

With the quantity of choices obtainable, there are multitudes of seats to select from that vary in firmness, measurement, model, and design. There are additionally some seats that provide heated cushions for these chilly climate days. Whatever type of upgraded seat you determine to decide on, your butt, back, and most especially your passenger will thank you.

5 DON’T: Oversized Wheels

When we had been youngsters, all of us rode across the neighborhood on these plastic “Big Wheel” tricycles with two little wheels within the again and a single ginormous wheel within the entrance. Now that we’re all adults, that very same configuration does not essentially make sense on the big-boy bikes. Much just like the prolonged bag skirts, an enormous entrance wheel is one thing that appears cool, however does not make lots of sense for long-term using.

Not to say that for those who go too large, you will need to fully redo the configuration of your entrance forks and rake, piling up the price of this beauty process. Then, after getting your large entrance wheel, the handling becomes much harder to get used to. For some riders, they love their large entrance wheel, and don’t have any downside coping with the larger dealing with issue. But your common Harley rider will simply stand by and take footage earlier than using off on their bike with regular-sized wheels.

4 DO: LED Headlamps

Today, many new Harley-Davidsons come geared up with LED headlamps as inventory. The good thing about LED lights over halogen bulbs is that they generate a brighter gentle for longer durations of time with out having to get replaced or overheat. Plus, the quantity of aftermarket choices obtainable function much more highly effective LED lamps that emanate larger quantities of sunshine that come notably helpful whereas using at night time with out having to activate the excessive beams.

Adding auxiliary lamps can even enhance the unfold of sunshine over the highway, and the extra you see within the distance, the larger is your response time to something alongside the best way. Harley-Davidson’s Daymaker LED Headlamp is one instance that many riders advocate as a result of a daylight colour is extra pure to the person, in addition to a superior light pattern that is worth the money in the long term.

3 DON’T: Underglow Lights

At first, you are most likely considering, “But neon underglow lights are actually safer at night. As long as drivers see you, you’re safe!” That is partially true. Depending on the state that you’re in, that won’t all the time be the case. In states like Connecticut, Illinois, Maine, and Massachusetts, floor lighting is illegal on public roads.

In different states, like Arkansas, California, Idaho, and Kansas, underglow is authorized, however with solely sure circumstances in place, like being allowed to make use of sure colours like purple or inexperienced to not be confused by legislation enforcement. If you are a fan of the early 2000s Fast and the Furious era of vehicle customization, go proper forward. But for those who don’t love being the focal point in this sort of approach, then carry on scrolling.

2 DO: Shoulder-Height Apes

Ape hanger handlebars are very fashionable amongst Harley-Davidson riders. Whether you are on an old-school Sportster, a Softail cruiser, or a touring bike, a set of apes is all the time a good selection. While some newer Harley-Davidsons include 6-inch mini-ape handlebars as inventory, there are lots of taller riders that want some further top to really feel extra comfy.

That is why it’s extremely really useful that if one had been to get a pair of tall apes on their bike, having them set on the similar top because the shoulders is the most effective plan of action. This approach, your again will keep upright, and your shoulders will nonetheless be relaxed, all whereas not affecting the dealing with of the bike. Not to say that there are such a lot of distinctive choices obtainable each beneath Harley-Davidson and the aftermarket that you’ve got full reign to get your apes precisely the best way you need them.

1 DON’T: Oversized Ape Hangers

Everyone loves ape hanger handlebars. They’re tall, they’re comfy, and there is a stage of machismo that elevates the general look of your bike. Even mini-apes are a requirement for some individuals. But for some riders, shoulder-height ape hangers should not tall sufficient. Some will opt for the cartoonishly high apes that actually make you seem like you are on the monkey bars within the jungle fitness center. Not to say that these outsized apes are solely good for brief rides.

Pretty quickly, your shoulders will get sore, and having your fingers in an elevated place will hinder the blood movement by means of your arms. Again, they are often cool to have a look at. But having them in your solely experience makes you look much less like a badass and extra like a toddler using Shaquille O’Neal’s bike. But on the finish of the day, to every his personal.