Top motorcycle lever replacements and upgrades to improve your bike's comfort and safety

Updated: 13 August 2024

The RFX Pro FT levers, gear shifter and rear brake, tried and tested by Steve Herbert-Mattick

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 motorcycle accessories 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.

RFX Pro FT Levers

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Tested by Steve Herbert-Mattick for three years, 2,600 miles:

"In 2019 I had a ride-ending crash which bent my 2014 Honda CRF250L’s rear brake lever in half. I lost the front on the loose and dusty surface, but the lever dug in far enough to catch the hard pack. I was able to limp home, and replacement OE levers are cheap. But fearing the same thing could happen again – or worse – I decided to upgrade to some tougher, folding levers.

"Made from CNC machined aerospace grade aluminium, the RFX Pro FT levers have cold-forged arm, heat treated to increase strength and with a smooth finish to prevent snagging on obstacles and ruts encountered with off-road riding. The spring-loaded, rotatable tips are CNC machined from aluminium with a knurled tip on the gear lever and teeth on the rear brake lever tips for increased grip in slippery conditions.

"The significantly more expensive and complex design of the rear brake lever also features a cable snake bolts to an existing lug on the bike’s frame, preventing it from being bent backwards in a crash – exactly as my OE lever did.

"If you’ve never done the job before, removing the OE levers and fitting the new ones is a bit fiddly, but uses the same fixtures and fittings as the originals. A split pin on the back of the brake lever was the trickiest part, needing me to get under the bike to see what I was doing. YouTube videos were helpful, but I’m no mechanic and managed the job without calling for help.

"They won’t make you a better rider, and generally speaking you don’t notice any operational difference between the RFX levers and OE – other than the grip from the tips when its muddy and slippery. But having seen how easily the OE lever was damaged, there’s been no sign of any such failure from the incredibly strong RFX units. As a hobby-level greenlaner, I’ve had my fair share of offs but an enthusiastic approach to riding off road means the levers have clouted plenty of rocks and roots. They’ve survived a near-head on collision with a tree, and even a high-side off a grass bank where the bike rolled and landed upside-down.

"They’re possibly overkill on a 250L - which isn’t exactly a pukka dirt bike - but after almost three years and three thousand miles of use – the majority of which is on trails around Thetford Forest and the Peak District, they bear only a few scratches to the spring-loaded tips and they still work perfectly.

"With their slick, black arms and anodised tips (available in a variety of colours), the RFX levers look every-bit like pro equipment. They add a touch of class to my budget commuter-turned reliable mud-plugger.

"Flawless performance from these high-quality replacement levers, with few signs of wear from plenty of use. They’ve survived the sort of incidents that destroyed the OE brake lever, shrugging off crashes with ease and they look great too. If they seem expensive, consider how much hiring a van to get you home from the trails would be if you couldn’t ride due to a broken lever…"

Pros

Light weight and strong compared to stock
Faff-free fitting
Look very cool

Cons

There really aren't any

Quality

5.0
Value

5.0

7075 aerospace aluminium with spring-loaded anodised tips
Forged shaft for increased core strength.
Smooth shaft design to reduce surface wear.
CNC machined billet flexible tip.
Rotating action reduces impact damage.
Mechanical stop on the tip.
Incorporated brake snake.
Colour anodised to prevent corrosion.
Laser etched logo.

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. They're 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: £11.04

www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk

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Proof that a replacement lever doesn't always have to fancy and flashy. If you're just after a like-for-like replacement, we'd always recommend going for the correct, original equipment spare part from your bike's 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 they're also a fairly specialised purchase, so you won't 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. It's 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 'Bad Dog' etched logo, six-way span adjusters, are available in short or long designs and have a built-in 'fracture point' 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: £44.98

www.sportsbikeshop.co.uk

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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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Here's a fancy one that's 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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By Jim Blackstock

Product Tester for MCN and sister publication RiDE Magazine - Jim began riding motorcycles in the late 1980s while working in an automotive repair garage after earning a Mechanical Engineering degree. Initially, he used bikes for practical purposes but later shifted to cars, starting a publishing career in the early 1990s focused on car modifications and product testing. After a stint in PR and Marketing for major motorsport teams and events, Jim returned to publishing and joined RiDE Magazine in 2017 as a Production Editor. His expertise in product testing soon led him to oversee the magazine’s product content. Rediscovering his love for motorcycles, Jim earned his license through the Direct Access process and now enjoys riding his KTM 790 Adventure across various terrains.

The RFX Pro FT levers, gear shifter and rear brake, tried and tested by Steve Herbert-Mattick