5 Inexpensive Modifications For Your Harley

By Cameron Vanderhorst - March 19, 2025

These small mods make a big impact on your bike – and a small impact on your pocketbook.

Let’s face it: Harley-Davidsons can be pretty expensive, especially compared to other bikes. In addition to the higher purchase price, accessorizing your bike and personalizing it are a major part of the Harley-Davidson ownership experience. That can get pretty expensive, too.

While upgrades like seats, exhausts, and custom paint can be pricey, there are other, more affordable ways to make your Harley “yours.” In this YouTube video from Philly-based vlogger
The Moto Jawn, he outlines five upgrades you can do to your bike that cost less than $150 each.

Now, the bike in question is an FXDB Street Bob, but most of these upgrades will apply to other Harleys as well. For the most part, these upgrades won’t make a huge visual difference for your bike, but they will improve rideability tremendously.

Small Money, Big Changes

For right around $100, you can upgrade to shorty levers for your clutch and brake. These levers will reduce your pull, while replacing the big, chunky chrome levers on your bike with more subdued ones that match the look you’re going for better. Similarly, you can change out your grips for ones that feel better – and look better, too. Replacing big, chunky items from your handlebars (like levers, grips, mirrors, and turn signals) for a more svelte look makes for a subtle, but noticeable visual upgrade. Just make sure the new ones are comfortable – after all, you have to use these things the entire time you ride.

Next up is a flush-mounted gas cap. You can actually buy this straight from your Harley-Davidson dealership. It costs about $100 and comes in black or chrome. Best of all, it eliminates the notorious rattle of the standard cap and looks smoother. Sticking with the tank upgrade theme is a stick-on phone mount. The Freak mount The Moto Jawn shows has a small profile, but it helps out a ton when you use your phone for navigation while riding.

Lastly, the Viking Patriot mini-saddlebags are great for general storage during short rides. At about $150, they’re the most expensive items on this list, but for a good reason. Paired with a backpack, these offer more space than a swingarm bag while maintaining a low profile.

What are some of your favorite low-buck upgrades? Let us know in our forum!