Your Opinions on Modifications Please

[The Stranger]

As many of you know I now have an X11.
I wanted a bike to experiment on.

It already has Rhemus cans, which get rid of the cats. I have installed a K&N filter. I have an Ohlins rear shock assembly and new front springs on order.
There are a few more mods which I intend to do such as a power commander and at the same time will remove the restrictors in the air box and possibly add a set of Blackbird headers.

Now the question is this. What do you think when you see a bike advertised with a bunch of mods?

Do you think cool it has $5,000.00 of mods so it is worth more so the value goes up?
Or
Do you think Screw that the guy has caned it I'm not interested so the value goes down?
Or
What?


I am not crazy enough to think that I will get my money back on the mods. But still crazy enough to make them anyway though.

[Blackbird]

I'd wonder why he didn't have a Blackbird in the first place :ride:

Seriously, customising should only ever be about what the owner wants for himself and forget about disposal price. If it was maybe a Senna with top aftermarket gear, it might have improved resale potential but unlikely with an X11. Just enjoy playing with it:yeah:

Sorry to hear about your BB. Don't log on much these days.

Geoff

[R1madness]

Just do it because you like the mods. Chances are if the mods improve the bike (and you keep all the std gear) it will sell better than a std one for the same price. It may not sell for more but should not ever sell for less.
At least if you keep all the std bits you can put it back to original and sell the extras for some cash. Or negotiate on the price (eg "i will sell it for $500 less without the OHLINS shocks")
Its all good, make the mods. Have fun with it.

[clint640]

I don't think the amount of mods on a bike is a very good indicator of thrashedness, lots of people put all the $$$ bling on their bikes & still ride like nannas.

Cheers
Clint

[Hitcher]

You must own New Zealand's only X11. Seriously though, for your other mods to work, you need a Power Commander.

I wouldn't be deterred from buying a "modified" bike, providing that the mods were appropriate and well done. I remember once seeing a Mean Streak for sale at ANZA where the previous owner had carved off the stock pipes and added some sort of two-into-one muffler that looked like it had come off a Massey Ferguson tractor. They had also reupholstered the seat into a stunning beige vinyl as well as some other touches to complete the "package". Needless to say it sat around for several months before it disappeared. Presumably the lucky buyer got it cheap enough so they could afford to undo the previous mods.

[Motig]

Well I'd probably get the idea if the're all speedracer mods that the owner wanted to thrash it = wouldn't pay a lot if any over stock price. Sensible mods to make day to day riding easier OK. But that said modifying is the individuals choice to make something just that bit different to all the other leemings. So just have fun and do what you like.

[The Stranger]

I'd wonder why he didn't have a Blackbird in the first place :ride:


Too much plastic to scratch and clean and repair/replace when dropped or thrown down the road. You really don't need it. Serves no useful purpose on a road bike, except maybe for old folks to hide behind.



Just enjoy playing with it:yeah:


Oh yeah, I enjoy playing with it!!!

[Blackbird]

Serves no useful purpose on a road bike, except maybe for old folks to hide behind.


Ouch:rofl:

[R6_kid]

when i bought the R6 i got it because it was at a good price and had 'mods' done - wouldnt say it improves the value, but it does make it hold better.

I went to Mt Eden and they had a stock standard R6 with 22K on the clock for $11,500 - i bought mine with 23.5k on clock, and with a good $2k worth aftermarket bits on it.

As said, you mod it cause you want it how you want it, not because you want the next guy to enjoy it more.

I reckon you need to put a streetfighter head light on it to make it a bit more evil looking... and the more you mod it the less 'old man-ish' it looks :shake:

[Zed]

Now the question is this. What do you think when you see a bike advertised with a bunch of mods?When looking at for sale ads, in my mind any modifications done are an added *bonus* which don't necessarily increase the sale price but most definately increase my interest. If I was looking at two identical bikes but one completely stock and the other modded, I would prolly buy the modded but I wouldn't expect the price to be too much higher! :shifty:

[James Deuce]

You won't make any money out of spending money on your bike.

You will however enjoy using it. :)

[Mental Trousers]

when i bought the R6 i got it because it was at a good price and had 'mods' done - wouldnt say it improves the value, but it does make it hold better.

It's been my experience that mods help a bike hold it's value better, rather than increasing value.

[Wolf]

When looking at for sale ads, in my mind any modifications done are an added *bonus* which don't necessarily increase the sale price but most definately increase my interest. If I was looking at two identical bikes but one completely stock and the other modded, I would prolly buy the modded but I wouldn't expect the price to be too much higher! :shifty:
Depending on what the mods were and how well done they were I'd count them as bonuses. The 2nd-hand BMW F650GS Dakar I looked at had the low seat and BMW panniers and that certainly increased my interest as I would want at least the former. If that mod were already done, it would save me having to pay for it.

If the mods were just stupid or badly done I'd shy away.

The list of mods I'd want done to a BMW F650GS Dakar runs to quite a few items - lowered seat, centre stand (just so I can at least change the tyre out in the middle of nowhere), a few extra bits of protection for the bike - engine guard bars, extended bash plate, rear master cylinder cover, folding gear lever - and a few enhanced performance and handling mods. Any of those already present when I bought the bike would certainly be a help to me.

A few extra decals, a red "racing" stripe and a set of cans designed solely to make an in-line twin sound like a V8 would not be suitably attractive to me, however. Nor would "Innit cool, I stuck the forks and rear shocks off an XR400 onto my GN125..."

[SPman]

As many of you know I now have an X11.
And a damn fine looking bike it is, too!

[Bonez]

CaN you may find this site handy. That's if you haven't already stumbled on it

http://www.hondax11.com/

[The Stranger]

Thank you Bonez and SPman, and yeah I'm a member there already. Been sorting out which mods are worth making from the members there.

[The_Dover]

One thing regarding mods is insurance. If you chuck it down the road, as some of us are prone to doing, will you get an sort of cover for the mods?

Spending a couple of grand extra on goodies and then losing them when you run out of talent is a pisser.

[pritch]

There is another option when it's time to sell, although maybe less so for an X11.

Re-install the original hardware and sell the "fruit salad" separately on Trade Me.

It was somebody else doing that which enabled me to buy my Ohlins.

[Phenoix]

One thing regarding mods is insurance. If you chuck it down the road, as some of us are prone to doing, will you get an sort of cover for the mods?

Spending a couple of grand extra on goodies and then losing them when you run out of talent is a pisser.

Im sure Chistine will be able to sort out a good deal :yes:

But it will be interesting to see what you do to your bike, maybe a tweaty horn or something ? :rofl:

[R6_kid]

But it will be interesting to see what you do to your bike, maybe a tweaty horn or something ? :rofl:

Maybe he could put a cool white fibreglass fairing on it :spudbn:

[Gremlin]

I don't think mods add value to a bike as a potential buyer...

but, when looking at the few zx7r's on the market, my opinion was swayed a bit by the mods for a simple reason. The potential cost of having to make those mods myself. Jumping 500cc and tourer to sportsbike, I figured better rear suspension (and brakes) might be a good idea.

So it doesn't increase the value, but does make it more attractive over other offerings. That said, I believe you have the only 1 in NZ?? Or 1 of 2?? So not exactly many around.

Anyway, you do the mods because you enjoy them, not because of how much you can sell them for.

[scumdog]

How many seconds/ tenths of seconds did it take off your 1/4 mile time?
I spent $1,700 taking a whole second of my F100s (Old 1955 Ford pick-up truck) time.
So I would expect you to have achieved about a 3 second improvement in you time??
Or am I a bit naive (sp)?

[Phenoix]

Maybe he could put a cool white fibreglass fairing on it :spudbn:

Hell yea, bring on the white, its the only way I found it in the pack of a
1000's bikes :P
But I am trying to decide on a new colour, and pink WONT go with the leathers

[The Stranger]

How many seconds/ tenths of seconds did it take off your 1/4 mile time?
I spent $1,700 taking a whole second of my F100s (Old 1955 Ford pick-up truck) time.
So I would expect you to have achieved about a 3 second improvement in you time??
Or am I a bit naive (sp)?

You really don't like corners do you?

The cost to reduce the quarter mile time is relative to the start point.
In general terms it is easier to reduce 1 second if you start at 20 seconds than to reduce 1 second if you start at 10 seconds

[The Stranger]

Maybe he could put a cool white fibreglass fairing on it :spudbn:

Don't be afraid to go naked Gareth, you might enjoy it.

[scumdog]

You really don't like corners do you?

The cost to reduce the quarter mile time is relative to the start point.
In general terms it is easier to reduce 1 second if you start at 20 seconds than to reduce 1 second if you start at 10 seconds

Hmm, well not in my 'lorry' but how DO you measure the effect of all the mods??

[The Stranger]

Hmm, well not in my 'lorry' but how DO you measure the effect of all the mods??

That is going to mean different things to different people.

For some it is the look and they will spend big money on looks, how do you measure that - Shows I guess? how many additional chicks you pull per $1,000 spent?

You can measure an effect on a Dyno for a strictly technical assessment.

For me though I will measure the effect by looking at the improvement (or otherwise) in acceleration, drivability, cornering, safety and enjoyment. Probably with more emphasis on the last one.

[The Stranger]

Well I installed the front springs a few weeks back, and I must say they are well worth it. At only about $250.00 for new springs and oil ther is a huge benefit in this case anyway.

One comment in the information sent me by Robert Taylor was along the lines "correct spring rate is everything" having now experienced the effects I must say that is absolutely correct.

Big bumps are smoother, I am able to carry more speed through the corner with confidence. An excellent upgrade, and I venture to think probably the best value for money upgrade I could make to my bike.

Today I fitted the new Ohlins shock/spring unit.
Again, what a huge difference. The bike is riding a bit higher, which feels a little strange.
The bike sits near flat now, whether braking or accelerating, which feels real nice and is confidence inspiring.
You really notice a difference on sunken manholes and rough road. The bike just sits there. Instead of aiming to avoid them I have been aiming for them and you really don't notice them at all.

I haven't given it a good wind up yet, but Clive road in Mt Eden form bottom to top has a nice right hander then into a nice left hander, with a twist, the hill crests on the exit of the left hander. You come up there banked over and carrying too much speed and the bike jumps sideways. The new rear handled it real well today.

It has made such a huge difference, any bike I purchase in future will have the suspension done straight away.

Next up will be a Power Commander to take full advantage of the cans and air filter, then that will do it for a while.

[bugjuice]

it's actually nice to hear of someone looking at the suspension, steering and stopping of a machine, rather than just trying to make it go faster with engine mods..

Personally, if I see a modified bike, I think one of two things;

First I look at the bike overall. If the tyres are fairly well rounded, and the bike doesn't look too shabby (you expect a bike to be ridden now..), then it's a rider who appreciates their machine and looks after it well.

If the tyres are getting square, the bike is filthy and hasn't seen soap for a while, shabby in places and just neglected, then it's a potential squid, who wouldn't give a crap about the bike. Things like oil, filters and brake pads are most likely screaming to be changed..

The first I'd buy with no hesitation.
The second I'd bargain like hell, and still wonder..

You'll never get back the money for the mods, so forget that idea. But you will retain the value of the bike, because I know you look after it. Compared to bikes of equal value and spec, with the extra mods, I think you'd be able to confidently add some onto the base value imo

[TLDV8]

I don't think the amount of mods on a bike is a very good indicator of thrashedness, lots of people put all the $$$ bling on their bikes & still ride like nannas.

Cheers
Clint

It works for me,i spend most of my time looking in shop windows :rofl:
*
Suspension mods are money well spent as far as ride improvement..but you will not get that money back at resale,so its better to remove as much as you can as said already.
With Mods the keyword is You.
As long as money spent doesn't become a liability in actually using the bike,no worries.

[N4CR]

Yeah what bugjuice said, if it's modded to make it go better when you need it etc, all good. Don't just make it go in a straight line (unless you are aiming for drag stuff etc). Ultimately have more fun in corners anyway, without loosing your liscence eh :)

Good one CaN, I'd love some ohlins for my ZXR.. anyone know if it exists? Ohlins rear is what i'd need, front is perfectly fine as is.

And BJ, would you buy a bike with a WINJA'd rear tyre ;) ?

[Lou Girardin]

I wouldn't discount a modded bike. But I'd be ultra cautious, especially after my experience with Bandit 1. The previous owner had modded the airbox and rejetted it using info off the net, no dyno time. It was so lean that it's a wonder it didn't burn holes in pistons, a tribute to bulletproof Suzook engines.
I think Can's gone the right way about things, make it handle and stop. Then make it quicker if you need to.

[bugjuice]

And BJ, would you buy a bike with a WINJA'd rear tyre ;) ?
I actually semi-did. I've bought a bike that has some mods, and the frame was split, cos he was doing wheelies and stressing the bike out. I've bought a new frame and stuck it back together. But I've forked out for his dickin around. The rear wheel was taken off so I could fit a new tyre, and it could stand up by itself, it was that square.

Forks have been rebuilt, and a lot of bearings replaced. There was no meat on the brake pads, and just generally neglected. If it had been a complete bike, I wouldn't have bought it

[Wolf]

I think Can's gone the right way about things, make it handle and stop. Then make it quicker if you need to.
Yep. Handling and braking mods, to me, are way more important than "performance"/speed mods. Most the mods I would want for a decent Road-Trail would be for better handling and improving it for adventure riding (including a centre-stand for roadside repairs in the middle of nowhere, extra crash protection, extended bash plates, appropriate storage for tools, tentage and supplies (for longer tours) and comfortable seating). I am not interested in racing and most decent Enduros are more than adequate to propel bike, rider and any necessary kit over pretty much any terrain at a decent pace. The legal open road limit is 100km/h which is way too fast for some of the rougher locations (terrain, the bike's handling and the rider's ability would be the limiting factors, not the engine) and pretty much any 250 is capable of at least that so I'd go with the improved shocks and whatever other tweaks make the bike better suited to the job than the factory standard.

If the bike were for use on the track, or it were a pure MX racer, then I would go for performance mods after ensuring its handling and stopping were the best they could be, but neither case is likely for me.

Good on you, CaN, for putting your focus on handling and safety. I've known some people who've performance modded their cages to get more "go" out of them without considering that the car needs to be able to handle at the higher speeds and acceleration and would need better braking from those higher speeds. Best performance modded vehicles have had the full works done - engine, brakes and "running gear".

IMO, unless you're planning on racing on a track, you'll get more enjoyment out of money spent on handling.