Just got a Bayou 220? Looking to make this Kawasaki into your own bike, ready to give you the best performance for your style’s particular quirks? Whether you’re competitive or not, the right mods make a dual sport ride consistently on the street and on the trail, and they also upgrade your handling and power to suit your skill set.
There are a few common mods almost everyone adopts, and then there are the ones that are style-suited. You might find you do better with the best Kawasaki Bayou 220 OEM parts in some of these categories. It all depends on how you ride and what you like to do most when you’re out.
1. Upgrade Your Lights and Reflectors
DOT approved lights are a starting point, but if you really want to have a safe ride you can use to commute after dark as easily as you enjoy riding during the day, you need to look into customizing your lighting.
You might also want to swap out your street light and trail light for the best visibility on the terrain of the moment. You’ll find great options for lights at the same place you go when you are looking for the best dual sport riding gear online, and there are a lot of options.
2. New Exhaust Add-ons and Upgraded Systems
There are a couple ways to customize your exhaust. If you’re still getting a feel for the bike and you want to see what a certain kind of change does, slip-on upgrades can help you reduce sound and channel your emissions. If you are trying to find a more robust solution that delivers better efficiency, there are also total exhaust replacements and upgrade kits for certain sections of the system. It all depends on your budget and your goals.
3. Upgraded Brake Pads
Performance brake pads are usually one of the most accessible upgrades, regardless of your ride. The Kawasaki Bayou is no exception. Your motorcycle protective riding gear can only do so much for you, the bike has to support your safety as well.
Upgraded brake pads often last longer and run cooler, and that usually comes with shorter stopping distances too. The reason is simple, brakes perform better before they heat up. If you’re a riding used to tight maneuvers, the longer warm-up time means a more precise ride through a more complex series of turns.
For everyone else, it often means an easier braking experience in adverse weather.
Don’t Forget Your Riding Clothes and Accessories
Your Kawasaki isn’t the only thing that needs modified to suit you. Get yourself the right gear to enjoy your ride, and be ready to hit the street or the trail no matter what the weather throws your way. It’s the key to enjoying your Bayou 220 for longer in the spring and fall, and with the right terrain-specific mods it can help you customize your ride for the daily events you’re taking on, and it can also help you be prepared for longer-term seasonal changes. There’s a reason a lot of riders change their mods frequently.