The Best Sur-Ron Upgrades and Mods Worth Your Money
The Sur-Ron Light Bee X is already a proper weapon out of the box. But if you've had one more than five minutes, you know the itch. You're stood there thinking: bar risers first, or tyres? And once you start with the sur-ron upgrades, it's very hard to stop.
The good news is you don't need to throw a fortune at it. A handful of well-chosen sur-ron mods can transform how the bike feels and performs. This guide covers what's worth doing, roughly in the order you should do it, from cheap easy wins through to the serious stuff.
Which Sur-Ron Upgrades Make the Biggest Difference?
Not all mods are equal. Some cost pennies and change everything. Others cost a lot and change very little if you haven't done the basics first. Here's the priority order most experienced riders land on:
- Bar risers and direct mount stem
- Aftermarket footpegs
- Bash plate / skid plate
- Grips and handguards
- Tyre swap
- Brake upgrade (pads first, then rotors or full kit)
- Chain and sprocket upgrade
- Seat and ergonomic tweaks
- Controller and battery mods (advanced, with caveats)
Start at the top and work down. Do the ergonomic stuff before you start chasing performance, because there's no point going faster on a bike that doesn't fit you properly.
Ergonomic Sur-Ron Mods: Bar Risers, Grips, Seats and Pegs
Bar Risers and Direct Mount Stem
This is the single most talked-about mod in the community and for good reason. The stock Light Bee X has a pretty flat, low bar position that suits shorter riders but leaves taller ones feeling cramped, especially when standing on the pegs. A direct mount stem riser lifts the bars by around 50mm and brings them back toward you, which changes the whole feel of the bike.
You go from "this feels like a fast mountain bike" to "this feels like a proper electric dirt bike." Immediate difference. Warp9, Prickly Motorsports and GritShift all make solid billet aluminium direct mount risers. Budget around £40 to £80. If you're buying sur-ron parts UK, MXBITS and Go Off Road Barnsley usually have them in stock.
Footpegs
The stock pegs are honestly a bit naff. They're narrow, the grip isn't great, and the brackets they sit on are thin enough that a heavy rider standing up will put them under real stress. Aftermarket pegs from Warp9 or equivalent are wider, grippier and bolt straight on. EVF also do peg extenders if you need more width. Budget around £40 to £70 for decent aftermarket pegs.
Worth pairing with a peg support brace. It reinforces the OEM peg mounts and stops them bending under load or if the bike gets dropped. Cheap insurance.
Grips
One of the easiest and cheapest sur-ron mods you can do. The stock grips are fine but nothing special, and the non-throttle side has a known tendency to rotate when things get muddy. Any decent MX grip from ODI, Renthal or ProTaper will be a big step up, and you can colour-match to your bike while you're at it. Under a tenner for most options.
Seat Upgrade
The standard seat is usable but firm. For taller riders the height isn't ideal once you've fitted bar risers. Luna Cycle make a float seat that's well-regarded. EV Freaks offer seat lift kits raising the height by around 2.5 inches, which lines your body position up better once the bars are raised. If you're 5'10" or above, it's worth considering.
Protection Sur-Ron Mods: Handguards, Bash Plate and Frame Sliders
Bash Plate / Skid Plate
The stock skid plate does the minimum. If you're riding rough terrain, kerbs, roots or rock gardens, you want a proper aftermarket bash plate underneath. EV Freaks make an extra long and wide bashplate for the Sur-Ron that covers the motor and underside frame properly. The GritShift Heavy Hitter is another well-regarded option. Budget around £80 to £120.
Handguards
Handguards do two jobs: protecting your levers from branch strikes and tip-overs, and giving your hands a wind break on longer rides. Warp9 make a set designed specifically for the Sur-Ron with an aluminium bar mount rather than the plastic ones on cheaper options. The shield clears the switchgear cleanly with no interference. Available from UK stockists including Go Off Road Barnsley. Budget around £50 to £70.
Performance Sur-Ron Upgrades: Tyres, Brakes and Chain
Tyre Swap
This is one of the most impactful best sur-ron mods in terms of how the bike actually handles on different surfaces. The stock tyres are fine for mixed use but they're a compromise. Swapping to a proper motocross tyre opens up the off-road capability significantly.
The FORTRA MX18 80/100-19 is a popular choice and available from MXBITS for around £60 a tyre. Kenda also offer the Millville II and Washgoul II EMX in 80/100-19, both available through Chained and Charged in the £54 to £60 range. For road or supermoto use, semi-slick or road-biased tyres transform the bike for street riding.
Check the sizing before you buy. The Light Bee X runs 19-inch wheels, and standard MX sizing works well. The r/Surron community on Reddit is helpful for any specific sizing queries.
Brake Upgrade
The stock brakes on the Light Bee X are one of the most commonly cited weak points, particularly once you start riding harder or adding power mods. The factory setup works, but it doesn't inspire confidence at higher speeds.
Start with sintered brake pads, which is the cheapest upgrade and makes a noticeable difference. JXR sintered pads for the Light Bee are available from MXBITS from around £10. From there, upgrading to a larger rotor improves stopping power and heat management. Warp9 do a 220mm front rotor adapter specifically for the Sur-Ron.
For a more serious overhaul, Magura brakes are the go-to for most of the community. The Magura MT5 front and rear kit from Chained and Charged is one of the most popular full upgrades, with the MT7 Magura kit available for around £379 to £445. EV Freaks also offer a double rear brake caliper conversion that adds serious stopping confidence. If you've done any power upgrades, proper brakes become less optional and more essential.
Chain and Sprocket Upgrade
The Sur-Ron Light Bee X comes with a belt drive from the motor to the transmission, but the secondary chain drive is where most riders focus attention. Upgrading to a DID 420 heavy-duty chain is a popular and affordable mod. MXBITS stock the DID 420 gold and black chain from around £24.
Changing the rear sprocket is where you actually alter the performance. Going from the stock 48-tooth to a 42-tooth rear sprocket gives better top speed and easier highway cruising. Going larger (50T or 52T) trades top speed for more torque and acceleration off the line. The sweet spot for most mixed riders is 42T to 45T, and it pairs perfectly with a fresh DID 420 chain.
Advanced Mods: Controllers and Batteries
Right, this is where things get interesting and where you need to be sensible about it.
Controller Upgrades
The stock controller limits power output to keep the bike within its factory tune. Aftermarket options like the ASI BAC8000 from EV Freaks unlock significantly more. The Moxin 60kW wheelie-assist controller is at the wild end of things. Transformative for experienced riders who know what they're doing.
But here's the bit that matters: fitting an aftermarket controller will void your warranty. Full stop. Sur-Ron's warranty does not cover damage resulting from unapproved modifications, and a failed controller or motor caused by an over-spec setup won't be covered. If your bike is new and under warranty, strongly consider waiting until the warranty period is up before going down this road. And even then, get advice from someone experienced before you pull the trigger on a controller that could push your motor beyond its safe limits.
Battery Upgrades
The stock 60V battery on the Light Bee X is solid for most riders. Upgrading to a 72V battery gives you more speed and torque, but it requires matching controller and motor upgrades to be safe and effective. You can't just drop in a 72V battery and expect everything to play nicely. It's a system upgrade, not a single part swap.
EV Freaks stock high-capacity 72V batteries, and Luna Cycle in the US have options too. Budget well into four figures for a proper 72V setup including the supporting components. And yes, it voids your factory warranty. Go in with eyes open.
Where to Buy Sur-Ron Parts in the UK
Finding sur-ron parts UK has got a lot easier over the last couple of years. Here are the main options:
- MXBITS (mxbits.com): Good for consumables like brake pads, chains, tyres and smaller accessories. UK-based, fast shipping.
- Chained and Charged (chainedandcharged.com): Strong on brake upgrades, wheels and tyres. Magura brake kits and Kenda tyres.
- EV Freaks (evfreaks.uk): Specialist in higher-end performance parts including their own EVF range: bash plates, peg extenders, seat lift kits, brake calipers, controllers and batteries.
- Go Off Road Barnsley: UK stockist for Warp9 parts including handguards and direct mount stems.
- Luna Cycle (lunacycle.com): US-based but ships internationally. Good for seat upgrades, controllers and battery options.
- Traction Bikes: As an authorised UK Sur-Ron dealer with a UK warehouse, we're the best starting point for the bikes themselves and we're always adding accessories. Worth checking regularly.
For most bolt-on parts, buying UK saves hassle and import duties. The US options are worth it for more specialist kit that isn't stocked domestically.
Frequently Asked Questions: Sur-Ron Mods and Upgrades
Will sur-ron upgrades void my warranty?
Cosmetic and ergonomic mods like bar risers, grips, footpegs and handguards generally won't affect your warranty. Performance modifications to the controller, battery or motor typically will. Check with your dealer before fitting anything you're unsure about. As an authorised Sur-Ron dealer, Traction Bikes is always happy to advise.
What's the first sur-ron mod I should do?
Bar risers and a direct mount stem is the near-universal first recommendation. It's cheap, reversible, and makes the bike noticeably better to ride for most adults. Grips are a close second for being cheap and easy.
Are sur-ron parts UK readily available?
Yes, much more so than a few years ago. MXBITS, Chained and Charged and EV Freaks all carry solid ranges and ship quickly within the UK. For specialist parts you may still need to order from Europe or the US, but the core popular mods are widely available domestically.
What tyres fit the Sur-Ron Light Bee X?
The Light Bee X runs 19-inch wheels front and rear. Standard MX sizing like 70/100-19 and 80/100-19 works well. For a supermoto setup you'll want road-biased tyres in compatible sizes. Always double-check clearance before ordering.
How much does a full brake upgrade cost for the Sur-Ron Light Bee X?
It depends on how far you go. Sintered brake pads start from around £10 to £20 per axle. A full Magura MT5 or MT7 front and rear brake kit from Chained and Charged is in the £280 to £445 range. Most riders do pads first and upgrade the full system once they've outgrown the stock setup.
Is a controller upgrade worth it on the Sur-Ron Light Bee X?
For experienced riders who've already done the ergonomic and protection mods and are ready to chase more performance, yes. But it's not a first mod and it voids your warranty. Make sure you understand the full system implications before upgrading the controller, including what it means for your motor's longevity. Get advice from experienced builders in the community first.
Ready to Start? Get Your Sur-Ron First
If you haven't got a Sur-Ron yet, that's obviously the first step. The 2025 Sur-Ron Light Bee X is the most popular choice for enthusiasts and the bike most of these mods are aimed at. We also stock the Sur-Ron Hyper Bee for younger or smaller riders and the Sur-Ron Ultra Bee for anyone who wants more power from the factory.
All bikes are in our UK warehouse with 3 to 5 day delivery, and you can spread the cost with Payitmonthly. Browse the full range at Traction Bikes and get riding sooner rather than later. The mods can come once it's in the garage.
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