Everyone likes to put their own touches on dirt bikes. I know I do. Don’t let the cosmetics of a bike deter you from buying an old, used bike. Assuming the engine is sound, plastics, graphics, seat covers, hand guards, hand grips, etc can all be easily replaced. Sometimes you have an older bike, but you like the look of the newest model. There are many products that can be interchangable between the years of bikes. One thing I like to do with old Honda XR bikes, is give them a sporty look with new plastics. Some like lots of graphics and stickers, others like a clean look to their bike. Like I said, there are many ways to give your bike a new look and customize it how you want. I will go through and show some easy “facelift” changes I’ve made.
Easy Facelift Ideas
- Change plastics – color and style
- Change graphics
- Add or remove hand guards
- Change seat cover
- Change pipe – more performance based but can still change the way a bike looks
- Add extra stickers/ or remove them
- Just washing the bike – removing dirt and grease
This list is only a few ideas of how to easily transform the look of a dirt bike. I will go through each idea and show how simple it is to change the look and feel of a dirt bike.
*Everyone has a different idea of what they want their bike to look like, these tips are according to what I prefer and how I think the specific bike will look better.
Washing the bike
You wouldn’t believe how many people won’t simply wash their bike. A bike should be ridden and enjoyed but it should also be cleaned regularly. If nothing else to look cool in the back of the truck, right? Taking the time to clean your bike can be tedious, but well worth the time.
Here are some examples of bike “facelifts”:
Change Plastics
A new set of plastics can transform a bike and make it look new. This is usually the most simple and quickest way to achieve a new look.
Change Graphics
When bikes are old, graphics wear off. For this little bike, I created new graphics and stayed with the orignial look. The recovered seat also made a big difference!
Remove Stickers
This bike didn’t need a whole lot. I went with the original graphics and setup on this one. Sometimes less is more!
Replace Fork Boots
If your bike is equipped with these old style forks, new fork boots are fairly cheap. These also help protect the fork tubes and seals.
Replacing Seat Covers
Old torn seats are another fairly simple upgrade. Even if the seat isn’t torn and is just worn out, replace it. A good seat cover not only protects the foam from deteriorating, it changes the look and feel. A good seatcover helps in controlling the dirtbike and staying planted in the seat when needed.
Replace/exchange the Pipe
Pipes look awesome and make a big difference in the performance of the motorbike. A little pricey (especially when looped out) but worth it.
*This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.
PRODUCTS RECOMMENDED:
*Always verify parts are for the correct make and model. Some of these links or parts may have changed or vary slightly from the time I purchased them, or may not be bike specific.
- Plastics
- Graphics
- Sticker kit
- Fork Boots
- Seat Cover
- FMF Pipe
- Power washer – comes in handy when washing a motorbike
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