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Performance Times

    10 Best Motorcycle Accessories for Safety, Comfort, and Style

    by Matt VandenHeuvel / June 19, 2024

    black Harley Davidson with helmet at accessories on bike

    Do you feel like your bike is missing a little something? You’re not alone. The good news is that there are countless ways to accessorize and customize your motorcycle to improve your safety, comfort, and overall enjoyment as you ride. In this guide, we’ll share ten of the best motorcycle accessories for both you and your bike that’ll have you turning heads wherever you cruise. 

    10 Must-have Accessories for You and Your Motorcycle

    There are tons of ways to customize your motorcycle without doing an entire performance upgrade–though that certainly never hurt anything. In this list, we’ve featured accessories that add to your safety, improve comfort and convenience, enhance your riding experience through technology, and add to your personal style.

    Safety First

    Safety on the road is incredibly important, so we recommend bikers be as prepared as possible in the event of a crash or collision. Here are a few of our favorite accessories that keep you safe and visible while you ride.

    1. Ai-1 Airbag Vest - $399.99

    One way to stay safe on the road is with the Ai-1 Airbag Vest from KLIM. The Ai-1 Airbag Vest and In&Box DPP (Detect-Protect-Perfect) platform represent a pioneering advancement in motorcycle protection, powered by artificial intelligence. The In&Box detection module sets a new standard with its unparalleled crash sensitivity, continuously enhanced by algorithm updates. For the most advanced airbag vest on the market, the Ai-1 Airbag Vest is the obvious choice.

    2. Brake Free LED Brake Light - $169.99

    The Brake Free Helmet Light is huge for motorcycle safety. Providing instant visibility enhancement without the need for apps or wires, this helmet-mounted brake light is incredibly easy to install and use. The light itself is super bright and long-lasting, so you can trust it to last well into your evening rides. With the Brake Free LED Brake Light, you can ride confidently with increased visibility.

    Comfort & Convenience

    Comfort and convenience go a long way when you’re riding your motorcycle. These accessories help keep you comfortable and prepared for anything you might encounter on the road.

    3. Avon Custom Contour Heated Grips For Harley - $224.95

    The only downer about early spring or late fall rides are the chilly temperatures. Even if you live in a place with mild winters, a cool breeze can feel downright frigid while you’re cruising down the highway. That’s why heated hand grips make an absolutely undefeated addition to your bike. 

    We recommend the Avon Custom Contour Heated Grips. These grips have a super soft serrated texture that helps you comfortably hang onto your bike in chilly weather. High quality and durable, the Avon Custom Contour Heated Grips keep your hands toasty and add aesthetic appeal to your Harley.

    4. 1997-2007 FLHR, FLHX HEATED ROADSOFA™ CF SEAT - $739.00

    Heated hand grips are great, but nothing beats a heated motorcycle seat for chilly rides! Check out the FLHR, FLHX HEATED ROADSOFA™ CF SEAT by Saddlemen. Not only does this seat keep you toasty warm, but it also gives a slightly deeper and more comfortable ride compared to your bike’s stock seat. With this upgrade, you’ll be ready to ride for hours.

    5. Oxford Magnimate Side Stand Support - $11.95

    Stock motorcycle kickstands work fine on hard surfaces like asphalt and concrete, but they don’t provide a lot of stability on softer surfaces. If you like taking your bike out to rural areas or festivals where parking lots are in short supply, a kickstand extension is a great, affordable accessory to invest in. 

    Revzilla J&P Cycles makes tons of great, vehicle-specific kickstand extensions to give your bike more stability when parked. We really like the Oxford Magnimate Side Stand Support because it works with a ton of makes and models and is really affordable. Prevent falls and keep your bike upright with one of these must-have motorcycle accessories.

    Tech Upgrades

    Most motorcycle tech upgrades can be a bit pricy or an extensive undertaking, but not these. Adding these gadgets to your bike adds convenience, customization, and interest.

    6. Insta360 X3 Dash Cam - $399.99

    One of our favorite accessories on this list is the Insta360 X3, a high-definition 360 degree dash cam. This dash cam is capable of recording super sharp video of all your rides thanks to its Active HDR mode–no matter how rough the road, your footage will be smooth and clear.

    Why a dash cam? Crisp, clear dash cam footage from a scenic motorcycle ride is almost as good as the ride itself. You can watch the footage back later or share to your social media page to show your non-motorcycle-riding friends what they’re missing. 

    Of course, dash cams have a practical purpose as well. If an accident occurs on the road, whether due to bad weather conditions or careless drivers, a dash cam provides clear video evidence of what happened, making it easy to determine fault and facilitate insurance claims. Some insurance companies will even offer discounts to motorcyclists who install dash cams on their bikes.

    7. SoundBomb™ V-Twin Dual-Tone Air Horn with Cover - $159.99

    It’s no secret that motorcycles are at a disadvantage on the road when compared to cars, trucks, and SUVs. Making your presence known on the road can be challenging, especially with the meek stock horns that come standard with most bikes. That’s why we recommend upgrading your motorcycle with a SoundBomb™ horn from Denali. 

    This horn is incredibly loud and capable of producing over 120 decibels of sound. No matter how soundproof or oblivious other motorists are on the highway, they’ll be unable to miss you as you cruise by. The sleek design is also subtle and modern, blending into most setups with ease.

    Style & Personalization

    Don’t forget to accessorize yourself! These items are designed for your comfort and convenience on the road. 

    8. OGIO No Drag Mach 5 Backpack - $229.99

    Wind resistance is a drag. Whether you’re riding your bike to work or traveling for fun, carrying your personal items in a backpack can really impact your aerodynamics–unless you invest in an aerodynamic backpack like the OGIO No Drag Mach 5 Backpack.

    This backpack from OGIO has enough room and compartments for all your essentials, including a laptop sleeve, fleece-lined pocket for your phone, a dedicated compartment for your shoes, and more. The hard exterior shell is both durable and aerodynamic, helping to reduce drag and protect your personal items while you ride.

    9. High Fidelity Earplugs - $43.95

    Motorcycles are loud–that’s part of the fun. But the noise from your engine paired with high wind can eventually do a number on your hearing. Wearing earplugs while you ride is a no brainer to prevent hearing loss and overstimulation. While standard foam earplugs work just fine, the High Fidelity Earplugs from Eargasm are favorites among motorcyclists because they’re incredibly comfortable and reduce noise up to 21dB. 

    10. Equalizer Flannel - $49.99

    Dixxon has been making apparel for bikers and punk rockers since 2013. With vibrant, unique colorways, incredible collaborations, and exclusive drops, Dixxon merch is a blast to collect as well as to wear. You truly can’t go wrong with anything Dixxon has to offer, though the Equalizer Flannel is the most iconic piece to start with. Extremely durable and soft, this flannel is perfect to rock on the street or on your bike.

    Speaking of iconic, S&S had the pleasure of collaborating with Dixxon to create the 65th Anniversary flannel that’s still available right now. Talk about one-of-a-kind!

    Accessorize and Customize

    Customizing your bike is one of the best parts of owning a motorcycle (aside from riding it). We hope this list has given you some great ideas for making your ride your own. Or maybe it’s inspired you to consider bigger upgrades, like replacing your exhaust system or investing in a performance kit. If that’s the case, S&S Cycle is here to help! Find an S&S Cycle dealer near you or shop our wide selection of motorcycle parts to start building the bike of your dreams today.

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    Tags: How-To / Tech

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