The roadworthy dirt The bike scene has one of the biggest mod cultures in motorcycling, and if you don’t believe me, you haven’t been on the forums for a minute. You saved every penny to afford the bike, but now every other owner insists you need a complete exhaust, fuel programmer, and new valves for your shocks. That’s going to cost you a lot, and all too often owners invest in a full suite of expensive parts and put the bike up for sale before the second oil change.

We’re clearly not against mods at Bike EXIF, but there are plenty of ways to get the most out of your bike without racking up triple-digit credit card bills. Whether you’re looking to prep an old bike for the trails or freshen up your newest find on the market, these are some of our favorite budget-friendly dirt bike mods.

Fresh graphics Dirt bikes are built for crashes, and if you’ve never had to kick the dirt out of a foot peg and brush off the plastic parts, you’re riding wrong. Those marks will show after a while, and stress lines and scratched design are hallmarks of a used bike. Replacing with original parts gets expensive quickly, but there is an affordable way to refresh a used bike and give it some shine too.

Instead of starting from scratch, consider adding a custom decal kit for a fraction of the cost. A reputable dirt bike graphics company like OMXGraphics will have hundreds of designs in stock for your bike, and OMX offers free customization on all of their designs.

Add your name, number or sponsors and you can even customize the templates yourself with different colors and even eye-catching holographic vinyl. Each design is printed on high-tech, USA-made Substance media and is sure to outperform OE graphics.

With a list price of $179 for a complete set, OMXGraphics’ kits are super affordable – and that includes all the customization you want. Installation can be done in under an hour, and aside from a couple of cans of Maxima SC1, you’ll be hard-pressed to find anything that can transform your bike faster.

New tunnels Dual sport tires have to endure a lot: they have to be reasonably safe on asphalt, but off-road they are constantly compared to purpose-built motocross tires. Given the nature of their use, you can expect to find the wear marks sooner than you hoped, and worn-out knobby tires are as unsightly as they are unsafe.

Unless you invest in a second set of wheels (and time to swap them out), your legal options are limited to DOT-certified tires if your bike runs on pavement. Dual-sport tires are always a compromise and are usually described by their off-road versus street performance. For example, a 90/10 tire is rated for 90% off-road and 10% pavement. Since I much prefer crashing in the dirt, I opt for a tire with more pavement capability than I may need.

For pure off-road use, any mid-spec tire will set you up pretty well for most conditions, and you can go a step further by paying attention to rubber compounds and lug spacing. Simply put, a softer tire will grip better on rocks and slick surfaces, while a harder tire will dig into the dirt better. Additionally, you’ll want a tire with more space between the lugs when driving on loose surfaces and sand.

Although it requires some strength and foul language, there is no reason you can’t do the tire change at home. Depending on the rubber you choose, a tire change will cost you between $200 and $300, and there are few better investments than where rubber meets road –or lack thereof.

Get a gripper We don’t usually worry about the seat covers on our dirt bikes unless they’re torn, faded, or otherwise unsightly, but walk through the pits at an AMA motocross event and you won’t see any OEM seat covers. The pros know there’s something to be gained in the saddle, and it might make you faster, too.

The OEMs don’t put much thought into the manufacturing of their seat covers and these are often made of thin material that doesn’t provide any grip under hard acceleration. Every time you slide back on the seat, you have to use your arms to get back into position, causing arm pump and slowing you down over time. A good seat cover will allow you to grip the bike better with your legs and has grip-enhancing properties on top to help keep your butt on the ground when you hit the gas exiting a corner.

When you look at OMXGraphics custom dirt bike seat covers, you can see the different ways to add more support to your seat. Gripper material on the top and sides of the saddle will give you more grip, and you can go with a full rib or three rib design on the top for more grip. Just find the area you want more grip and go for it.

They’re made from durable, water-resistant grip material, and like the graphics, all of the seat’s panels and ribs can be customized to your liking – and it’s included for free. If you’re replacing your dingy old cover with a standard gripper, you’ll have to pay $55, and the five-rib, full-grip seats cost $75.

If you love it, protect it If parts break, your day is over early, so it’s worth investing in a little protection for the most vulnerable parts of your bike – usually the engine, radiator and pipe. If you’re not on the MX track, skid plates and fenders are a must for us.

Rocks, fallen trees and other rough terrain put your frame and engine casing at risk, and that’s a bill you don’t want to pay. Although your motorcycle probably comes with a simple plastic cover on the bottom of the engine, don’t confuse it with a proper skid plate.

Ditching the original part and opting for a full-length skid plate is one of the best investments you can make in the longevity of your trail bike. Avoid the aluminum ones as they are heavy, can swing at high speed and can bend the mounting points on your frame. We find the polyethylene options to be lighter and better in every way.

When protecting the heart of your bike, you should also consider other expensive components like the radiator, which can be damaged by sticks and rocks or bend if you drop the bike. Aluminum guards can cost half as much as a new radiator in some cases and will ensure your day doesn’t end with coolant on the ground.

Another must-have for most off-road riders is a set of hand guards or bark busters, and a decent set can be had for as little as $50. The bare aluminum bars protect your hands from trees and your levers if the bike falls over. Additional plastic shields offer even more protection and add a little visual interest, too.

Stay in control Comfort is key to confidence on your motorcycle. With manufacturers building bikes for the masses, fine-tuning your handlebars, levers and foot controls to your liking can make all the difference. This can be as simple as adjusting your lever mounts and shifter for easier reach. However, if you can spend some money, handlebars are the best value.

When you first start riding your bike off-road, you’ll quickly realize that OEM and cheap replacement handlebars are the weak point of your dirt bike. Often made from steel with a poorly welded cross brace, they’ll bend like a noodle with even a small drop. There’s also a big chance that the stock handlebar geometry won’t fit your measurements and riding style, compromising your ergonomics and tiring you out faster.

Trying out a friend’s setup can help identify problem areas, as you may prefer less sweep or need more rise to accommodate your height. Dirt bike bars vary greatly in rise, sweep, clamp area and width, but with these measurements you’re sure to find a bend you like.

You can spend a fortune on oversized or vibration-dampening bars (and they are certainly cool things), but brand-name aluminum bars can be had for as little as $50-$75.

Freebee: Adjust your suspension now This is probably the biggest improvement you can make to your bike’s handling, and it costs nothing. If your bike has adjustable suspension, you can use the clickers to adjust your damping for sag, rebound, and compression. Adjustable suspension is meant to be adjusted, and since every rider (and bike) is different, you can achieve a lot by controlling the bike through the air and through the streets. All it takes is a little trial and error.

The loose nut behind the bars Your bike is more capable than you’d expect straight from the factory, but there’s no denying that certain components are installed on your street-legal dirt bike for cost and compliance reasons. Eliminating these weak points and making your bike stand out from the crowd is a rewarding experience, but it doesn’t have to break the bank.

These budget-friendly dirt bike mods will let you spend just $750, and that’s without skimping on quality or risking a ticket for repairs down the road. You can’t say the same about that fancy titanium Megabomb header and carbon-tipped slip-on you’ve had your eye on, can you?

Our point is that it’s worth investing your money wisely and investing more time into saddle building because if you haven’t optimized and mastered your current setup, more power is probably not the answer.