Customizing your motorcycle: What’s allowed… and what’s not

Personalizing a motorcycle is a popular way to express your style and enhance your riding experience. But can these modifications affect your insurance policy?

According to James Reid, Senior Director of Product Development at Aviva Canada’s Lifestyle division, most brands offer a wide range of approved modifications and accessories, whether they’re original or aftermarket.

Acceptable modifications

Here are the types of customizations generally considered acceptable by insurers:

• Custom paint jobs or minor graphic effects
• Original manufacturer parts and accessories installed by the dealer at the time of purchase
• Light modifications such as:
  • Larger windshields or screens
  • Saddlebags
  • Footpegs, grips, footrests
  • Aftermarket mufflers or exhaust systems
  • Aftermarket air, oil, and fuel filters
  • Custom or extended seats
  • Frame sliders
  • Raised handlebars (if compliant with provincial regulations)
  • Non-original tires (if designed for motorcycle use)

Unacceptable modifications

Some modifications may compromise the safety or insurability of the vehicle. These are generally not accepted:

• Custom paint jobs or major graphic effects exceeding $5,000 or 20% of the motorcycle’s value (whichever is lower)
• Custom fuel tanks, wheel fenders, or frames, or any component specifically designed to replace original manufacturer parts (except those listed above)
• Modifications that significantly affect performance or handling, including:
  • Extended forks
  • Modified frames (e.g., choppers)
  • Billet aluminum wheels or custom wheels
  • Use of automobile tires
  • Turbochargers, superchargers, or nitrous oxide systems
  • Motorcycles built with car engines or parts
  • Motorcycles converted to run on fuel other than originally intended
  • Customizations or modifications that do not comply with provincial or federal vehicle safety regulations
  • Customizations that exceed more than 50% of the manufacturer’s suggested retail price

Important reminder

Any modification that increases the value of your motorcycle must be reported to your insurer. This ensures your investment is properly protected in case of a claim.

Source: Aviva