Pulling power: Best motorcycle lever replacements and upgrades

Published: 10 October 2023 Updated: 10 October 2023

One of the most tactile, touchy-feely parts of your bike are its control levers, for the front brake and clutch. But it’s also true that they’re one of the most vulnerable components in even a low-speed crash meaning that at some point, you may need to get replacement ones.

At the same time, it’s also true that standard levers can be fairly plain; they often come without span adjusters, preventing you from tuning them to fit just-so while there are also lots of fancy aftermarket alternatives available, too.

You can get cool-looking anodised coloured ones; ones with span adjusters; ‘shorty’ ones designed to be used just with your first two fingers as is particularly applicable to MX and dirt bikes; one that ‘fold’ so are less likely to break in a topple and much, much more.

But which should you go for? Here’s our current pick of a cross-section of what’s available, what you get and how much they cost – but be warned: it’s also vital that you get as high quality and reputable ones as possible and ones that are specifically designed for your bike.

Go for something unsuitable and you risk not only affecting the operation of your brakes and clutch but also, if the fit is not perfect, overlooked effects, such as non-operation of the brake light switch or interfering with the quick-shifter (if fitted) can happen.

ASV Short Lever Set

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ASV is one of the bigger brands supplying aftermarket levers and these shorty levers are a typical example of their wares. Theyu2019re anodised aluminium (in a variety of colours); these ones are shorty style, so aimed at dirt and pit bikes.

They’re foldable to prevent breakage in the event of a crash and these ones are designed to fit 22mm handlebars. There’s a huge choice available so be sure to get the right ones for your bike.

Pros

Stylish
Reasonably affordable
Great for pit and smaller bikes

Cons

Not the most sophisticated

Bike It OEM Replacement

Price: 8.59

www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk

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Proof that a replacement lever doesnu2019t always have to fancy and flashy. If youu2019re just after a like-for-like replacement, weu2019d always recommend going for the correct, original equipment spare part from your bikeu2019s manufacturer but, as this example from BikeIt shows, there are also good value pattern versions available.

This one’s a clutch lever for the Suzuki V-Strom. If you want a matching brake lever that’s extra. And, as before, it’s vital that you get the correct levers for your bike.

Pros

Like-for-like replacement
Great value
Decent ratings

Cons

Not really an upgrade

Rizoma Ducati Brake Lever

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Italian brand Rizoma is considered pure royalty when it comes to replacement motorcycle levers as this example proves. But theyu2019re also a fairly specialised purchase, so you wonu2019t find many on the broader shopping sites.

Usually specific to a particular bike, they’re super high-quality, available in either black or polished alloy, are foldable to prevent breakage, have a neat Ducati logo and come in a wide variety of styles and specifications. This one isn’t the most sophisticated but is a decent example of their quality.

Pros

One of the very best
Proven reputation
As used by many race teams

Cons

The hefty price

Hi-Q Replacement Clutch Lever

Price: 8.59

www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk

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Another example of a decent quality, well-rated straight pattern replacement for your original lever, this time a black-anodised clutch version. Itu2019s by Hi-Q, is in cast aluminium with a black finish and is at a great price.

For complete peace of mind we’d always recommend genuine spares but this example has plenty of good ratings and is at an unmissable price – just make sure you get the right one for your bike.

Pros

Brilliant price
Looks identical to original
Highly rated

Cons

Not genuine OE

MZS Lever Set

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Another fairly popular, affordable and stylish aftermarket lever brand, this time made in China but they are German TUV tested and approved and come with a wide variety of features and fitments.

They’re CNC machined from 6061-T6 aluminium, are very light and stylish and come with six-way span adjustment and have an eye-grabbing, contrasting black/red anodised finish. These ones are compatible with Honda’s CBR and CB650 and its NC700/750 series so make sure you get the right ones for your bike.

Pros

Stylish design
Plenty of options/fitments
Reasonable value

Cons

Lesser-known brand

Bad Dog Clutch Lever

Price: 29.99

www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk

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Another well-rated lever upgrade, this time from the Bad Dog brand. The range is CNC machined from aluminium, has a hard anodised finish, a neat u2018Bad Dogu2019 etched logo, six-way span adjusters, are available in short or long designs and have a built-in u2018fracture pointu2019 to prevent excessive damage.

This one is specific to a variety of Suzuki models so check you’re getting the right ones plus the price is just for one lever, not a set.

Pros

Quality finish
Adjustability
Variety of styles and fitments

Cons

Not the cheapest

Oxford Premium Lever Guard

Price: $81.89

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Not, strictly speaking replacement levers, but instead an accessory worth considering when thinking about levers. Lever guards became compulsory in grand prix racing a few years ago for safety reasons to prevent the accidental activation of your front brake when in close proximity with another machine.

They are now commonplace throughout track racing and we’d also recommend them on sportsbikes, especially if likely to do trackdays (they are compulsory at most UK events).

These guards from UK brand Oxford are a quality option. There’s a universal fit design, are in lightweight, CNC-milled aluminium and are stylish and well made.

Pros

Sensible safety addition
Reputable brand
Quality construction

Cons

Arguably OTT for the road

Renthal Intelilever Clutch Lever

Price: 95.35

www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk

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Hereu2019s a fancy one thatu2019s definitely an upgrade. From highly-respected UK brand Renthal, these Intelilevers allow the lever blade to dislocate in a full 270 degrees of motion, not just up and down and forward like other levers, in the event of a tumble then easily pop back into place, which makes them a great trackday option, too.

They also have a slick span adjuster and are very high quality, CNC machined from 6082-T6 alloy.

Pros

Quality brand
Novel dislocate feature
Fabulous quality

Cons

Quite pricey

Ride It Shorty Levers

Price: $35.00

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Another typical aftermarket offering, this time by Ride It, which also gets pretty good ratings and feedback

These ones are specific to Honda’s brilliant MSX125 Grom bike and, with their colour-matched red anodising, pit-bike style shorty design and span adjustability, are perfect for the job, giving the bike both a styling and function upgrade – just be sure to get the ones for the right model of bike so that they operate correctly

Pros

Funky style
Adjustability
Variety of fits and colours

Cons

Only middling value

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- Just so you know, whilst we may receive a commission or other compensation from the links on this page, we never allow this to influence product selections - read why you should trust us.

By Jim Blackstock

Keen wet weather rider and dedicated product tester for MCN and sister publication RiDE Magazine.