Below, we break down the five key areas that affect motorcycle speed and share practical upgrades and tips that work across all brands and models.
1. Improve Power-to-Weight Ratio
One of the most fundamental principles of speed is the power-to-weight ratio. You can either increase power or reduce weight — or ideally, both.
Lightweight Components
- DIY Rating: ★★☆☆☆ (Moderate to Difficult)
- Expert Needed? Often yes.
- Why: Replacing batteries or exhausts can be DIY with some mechanical skill and tools. But upgrading to aftermarket wheels (especially billet) requires precise installation, proper torqueing, and possibly adjustments to spacers, rotors, and braking alignment. Mistakes can impact safety.
Swapping out heavy stock parts for lighter alternatives — like aluminum or carbon fiber wheels, lighter exhaust systems, and smaller batteries — can shed significant pounds. Reducing weight not only improves acceleration but also enhances handling and braking response.
One of the best examples of this is upgrading to billet aluminum motorcycle wheels. Compared to cast wheels, billet wheels are lighter, stronger, and more durable. They’re precision-machined from a single block of aluminum, which results in a denser and more structurally sound product. This strength makes them especially well-suited for high-performance riding conditions.
Despite their lighter weight, billet wheels do not sacrifice durability — in fact, the opposite is true. Their strength-to-weight ratio means they can better withstand stress from aggressive cornering, high speeds, and heavy braking. Plus, the reduced rotational mass enhances your motorcycle’s responsiveness and agility, while minimizing air drag for improved speed.
You have to check out our Performance Series wheels designed with speed and strength in mind while being among the lightest motorcycle wheels we manufacture.
Performance Exhaust Systems
- DIY Rating: ★★★☆☆ (Moderate)
- Expert Needed? Recommended if tuning is needed.
- Why: Bolt-on slip-ons can be installed by most riders, but full exhaust systems may require ECU tuning and careful fitting.
Aftermarket exhausts are usually lighter than OEM and can increase horsepower by improving exhaust flow. Just make sure the system is tuned properly with a fuel controller or ECU flash.
2. Optimize Air Intake and Fuel Delivery
A motorcycle engine is essentially an air pump. The more air and fuel you can move efficiently, the more power it can produce.
High-Flow Air Filters
- DIY Rating: ★★★★☆ (Easy to Moderate)
- Expert Needed? No, usually.
- Why: Most motorcycle air filters can be replaced with basic tools. Just follow your service manual or an online guide.
A high-performance air filter allows more air into the engine. Brands like K&N, BMC, and DNA are popular across all types of motorcycles.
We use an S&S air cleaner made of high-quality billet aluminum and bolt-in parts with a reusable K&N filter that is exposed for better airflow to add horsepower to your motorcycle.
Fuel Mapping / ECU Tuning
- DIY Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (Advanced)
- Expert Needed? Highly recommended.
- Why: ECU remapping and fuel tuning involve software, dyno testing, or installing fuel controllers. Improper tuning can cause engine damage. Unless you have experience with tuning software, this is best left to a pro.
If you’re increasing air intake or upgrading your exhaust, you’ll need to adjust the fuel delivery accordingly. ECU remapping or adding a Power Commander helps optimize fuel-air ratios for maximum performance.
Motorcycle.com notes that even a basic ECU tune can add 5-10% more horsepower, depending on the bike and existing setup.
3. Upgrade Gearing for Better Acceleration
Changing Sprockets
- DIY Rating: ★★★☆☆ (Moderate)
- Expert Needed? Maybe.
- Why: With a service manual and patience, mechanically inclined riders can change sprockets at home. But you’ll need a torque wrench, possibly a chain breaker/riveter, and have to set the correct chain slack and alignment. If you’re unsure, have a shop do it.
Changing the front or rear sprockets can alter your final drive ratio. This doesn’t increase engine power but can significantly impact how that power is delivered.
- Smaller front sprocket / larger rear sprocket = more acceleration
- Larger front / smaller rear = higher top speed
Be aware: gearing changes affect speedometer accuracy and can increase engine wear if not balanced properly.
Install a Quickshifter
- DIY Rating: ★★★☆☆ (Moderate)
- Expert Needed? Optional — but recommended for some bikes
- Why: Many modern quickshifter kits are designed as plug-and-play systems, especially if your bike is already quickshifter-ready or has a compatible ECU. In those cases, installation can be done at home with basic tools. However, some systems require wiring into ignition coils, precise sensor alignment on the shift rod, or ECU integration — which may require professional setup and tuning to avoid false shifts or cut timing issues.
A quickshifter allows for clutchless gear changes, enabling faster and smoother shifting. This device momentarily cuts off ignition or fuel supply during gear shifts, reducing the time the transmission is under load.
The result is improved acceleration and a more seamless riding experience. Quickshifters are particularly beneficial for track riders but can also enhance performance on the street.
4. Improve Suspension and Handling
Speed isn’t just about straight-line performance. A well-handling motorcycle can carry more speed through corners, making it faster overall.
Suspension Tuning
- DIY Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (Difficult)
- Expert Needed? Yes.
- Why: Suspension is very technical. Adjusting preload or rebound settings is doable, but installing new forks or rear shocks, or revalving internals, should be left to a professional with suspension tuning experience.
Factory suspension settings are often a compromise. Upgrading to adjustable forks or shocks — or even just having a suspension shop tune your setup for your weight and riding style — can dramatically improve speed and safety.
Better Tires
- DIY Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (Difficult without tools)
- Expert Needed? Yes.
- Why: Installing motorcycle tires requires a tire machine or spoons, balancing tools, and precision. Mistakes can be dangerous — have a tire shop do this unless you’re equipped and experienced.
Grippy, performance-oriented tires can increase cornering speeds and reduce lap times. Always match the tire type to your riding environment (track, street, mixed).
5. Performance Tires and Brakes
Brake Upgrades to Consider:
- DIY Rating: ★★★☆☆ (Moderate)
- Expert Needed? Optional for brake pads and lines. Recommended for rotors.
- Why: If you have a basic understanding of your braking system, you can swap pads or lines. Just be sure to bleed the brakes properly and use torque specs. If unsure, use a pro. Bolting on new rotors requires correct torque and alignment with the caliper. DIY is possible if you’re confident — otherwise, a shop ensures correct installation.
Stopping power is just as important as going fast. High-performance brake components not only give you more control at high speeds but also allow you to brake later when cornering — a key to riding faster overall.
Performance Brake Pads: Improve initial bite and fade resistance during aggressive riding.
Stainless Steel Brake Lines: Offer a firmer feel and more consistent braking by reducing line expansion.
Performance Rotors: Upgrading to high-quality PR-1 rotors improves heat dissipation, reduces brake fade, and provides better overall braking response. For example, SMT’s Performance Rotors are precision-machined and designed to handle the demands of high-speed riding and performance braking.
Better Tires = Faster Riding
- DIY Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (Difficult without tools)
- Expert Needed? Yes.
- Why: Installing motorcycle tires requires a tire machine or spoons, balancing tools, and precision. Mistakes can be dangerous — have a tire shop do this unless you’re equipped and experienced.
Grippy, performance-oriented tires enhance traction, reduce stopping distance, and help you maintain control during aggressive maneuvers. Choose a tire compound and tread pattern that match your riding style — whether that’s daily commuting, canyon carving, or track days.
Tire compound refers to the type of rubber used, which directly affects grip and longevity. Soft compounds offer superior traction and heat up quickly, making them ideal for aggressive cornering and high-speed track riding, but they wear out faster. Harder compounds last longer and are better suited for everyday commuting or touring, where mileage and durability are more important than ultimate grip.
The tread pattern also plays a big role. Slick or minimal-tread tires provide maximum contact with the road for dry, high-speed riding — perfect for track or sport riding in warm climates. More aggressive tread patterns with deeper grooves are better for wet weather performance, offering improved water evacuation and traction on slippery roads.
By choosing a tire that matches your riding conditions and habits, you not only improve performance and safety but also extend the life of your tires and optimize your bike’s handling characteristics.
Hold Your Horses
Making your motorcycle faster isn’t just about slapping on horsepower — it’s about creating a balanced machine that can handle that speed safely and efficiently. Weight, power delivery, suspension, aerodynamics, and rider skill all play a role.
And remember: speed doesn’t come cheap. Always research parts that are compatible with your specific bike and consider consulting with a reputable motorcycle performance shop before making big changes.
If you are looking for a deeper dive into how to make a motorcycle faster then here are some videos that explain some of these more complex upgrades and why they work.