A guide to replacing or upgrading your motorcycle levers, including tested products and a how-to

One of the most tactile 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; even in a low-speed crash or stationary drop they can end up being damaged or snapped, leaving you needing to find replacements.

They are a relatively easy modification to make using a a basic motorcycle tool kit so there’s no need to worry too much about paying a garage labour. See a full walkthrough at the bottom of this article.

Jump to:

• What to consider when buying motorcycle levers
• The best tried and tested levers
• How to replace you levers
• Frequently asked questions
• How we test kit

At the same time, it’s also true that standard levers can be fairly plain and they often come without span adjusters, preventing you from achieving the perfect set up to be comfortable when riding.

You can get bright anodised coloured ones so that you can match the levers to any designs on your bike, there’s ‘shorty’ style levers designed to be used with just with your first two – index and fore – fingers. Some will fold meaning that if you end up laying your bike down unexpectedly, they will fold and are far less likely to break, meaning you don’t need to spend more money to replace them again.

What to consider when buying replacement levers

So which should you go for? Consider whether you prefer full-length long levers or ‘shorty’ levers and how comfortably you can reach the levers, I find that I require adjustment to allow the levers to be closer to the grips for my small fingers, so you might want to go for an option with adjusters. Better quality levers should have adjusters that are easy to operate while wearing motorbike gloves so that you can make changes to the reach while riding.

It’s also really important to look for good quality levers, ideally that have been specifically designed for your particular motorcycle model. If you try to save money and buy a poor quality universal pair, you may find that they interfere with the proper function of your bike with potential dead zones in braking or even improper brake light operation.

The best motorcycle levers that we have tested

Other levers to consider

How to change your levers

This how to guide by Bruce Dunn is a helpful explainer on how to remove and replace your clutch and brake levers.

Step 1: remove the old lever

Wind in the cable adjuster and line up the gap to allow the cable to have enough slack to let the nipple be eased out of the lever. Next, undo the pivot bolt and nut – you’ll most likely need a 10mm spanner – free the lever and discard. Some older bikes may be fitted with non-standard bolts, as is the case here. These should be replaced with new originals.

Step 2: clean and grease

The pivot bolt that goes through the bush on the lever should have a light coating of grease. Give it a clean, apply a dab of grease and re-install. Take care here as there is often a micro switch that has an actuator located in the bracket. Make a note of how the lever interacts with the switch and ensure it operates properly.

Step 3: install the new pivot bolt

Install the new pivot bolt but don’t over-tighten. It usually screws into threads on the bracket and only needs to be seated with minimal force. It does this purely to seat itself squarely and act as a spacer for the lever bush. The nut that retains the bolt is often a self- locking type and requires very little force to torque it up.

Step 4: adjust the freeplay

Check the bike’s manual to find the specified freeplay for the lever, then adjust the knurled adjuster as needed – 10-20mm is a typical figure. This should be measured from the handlebar to the end of the clutch lever but the method varies from bike to bike so always consult the owner’s manual.

Step 5: remove the brake lever

Undo the brake lever pivot bolt nut using a screwdriver and spanner then pull it out. Remove the old lever and give the area where the master cylinder actuates a good clean with brake cleaner. Check that the brake light switch is intact and that the electrical connectors are firmly fixed.

Step 6: fit the new brake lever

Fit the new lever and install the pivot bolt with a smear of grease. Don’t overtighten the bolt – the lock nut will need to be done up to a low torque setting and it’s critical not to tighten it excessively. Check the lever action is free and doesn’t bind then ask a helper to stand behind the bike to make sure the brake light is working.

Frequently asked questions

Are clutch and brake levers universal fit?

Not really no, some will claim to be universal but it is important to ensure they fit correctly or else they could be dangerous, so it is advised to buy levers that are specifically made to fit your model of motorcycle.

Why are some levers so much more expensive?

You get what you pay for essentially, cheaper levers are made to a much lesser quality from poorer materials. They often don’t fit correctly or will damage and fade rapidly.

How MCN tests levers

Here at MCN, we make it our mission to help you find the right kit for you, at the right price for your budget. We test our levers the same way you’ll use yours; by fitting them to the bike and riding with them. Our word is backed by hundreds of thousands of miles in the saddle collectively, but our recommendations come from each tester individually.

While testing, we predominantly focus on build quality, and value. When we write up our full reviews, we’ll give each pair of levers a rating out of five stars in each of these categories. This page is only for the best motorcycle levers, so every pair you’ll see has been awarded at least four stars overall – that’s the passing grade – but here’s what each score really means:

1 star – Poor performance in this category or overall. A product with a single star rating has fallen below the expected standard and should be avoided.
2 stars – Basic performance in this area or overall. A product with a two-star rating has managed to perform to a barely acceptable level, and there is much room for improvement.
3 stars – An average performance in this area or overall. A product with a three-star rating has achieved a basic level of performance and is deemed adequate.
4 stars – A product has performed over and above the accepted averaged in this category or overall. A product with a four-star rating has surpassed expectation and delivered in a particularly impressive way.
5 stars – A product has performed at the highest possible level in a particular category or overall. A product with a five-star rating has delivered to the highest possible level, impressing the tester with its performance. We would happily spend our own money on it.

To find out more, head to our dedicated page explaining how we test motorcycle products.

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