Self-gratifying/investment?

[Subike]

I bought just a plain old black jappa
For 5 years I rode, that old black jappa
it went fast enough for me, that old black jappa
It got me to ralleys, where everyone remembers having one of those, old black jappas
it sat in the shed during winter gathering dust, that old black jappa.
It had no soul, it was just, an old black jappa.
I could have rebuilt it to origi digi spot on standard!, but it would still be, an old black jappa.
I looked at my bank account and then at , that old black jappa
I could spend some money and buy a , New black jappa
Did I want a , New black jappa`?
Na I would still have a , Black jappa
Na , I love my, old black jappa.
So I pulled apart , my old black jappa
Polished and cleand and sanded and polished and painted and sweated over,
My Old Black Jappa.
Then one day I looked in the shed.........mmmmmmm.......yeah baby, MY BIKE!
So now I have a
Big Black Shinney Custom Jappa!
Why?
Because I could.
Money invested? $3000
Time invested? Many Many hours
Satisfaction of a job well done? Ohh Yeah!

Would I do it to a new bike if I bought one ? Yeap, it would then be my bike, an extention of my personality, maybe that is the secret to those of us who buy, alter and bling up our rides, its part of us inside, that thing that makes us different from the hum drum of normality

[Maha]

I bought just a plain old black jappa
For 5 years I rode, that old black jappa
it went fast enough for me, that old black jappa
It got me to ralleys, where everyone remembers having one of those, old black jappas
it sat in the shed during winter gathering dust, that old black jappa.
It had no soul, it was just, an old black jappa.
I could have rebuilt it to origi digi spot on standard!, but it would still be, an old black jappa.
I looked at my bank account and then at , that old black jappa
I could spend some money and buy a , New black jappa
Did I want a , New black jappa`?
Na I would still have a , Black jappa
Na , I love my, old black jappa.
So I pulled apart , my old black jappa
Polished and cleand and sanded and polished and painted and sweated over,
My Old Black Jappa.
Then one day I looked in the shed.........mmmmmmm.......yeah baby, MY BIKE!
So now I have a
Big Black Shinney Custom Jappa!
Why?
Because I could.
Money invested? $3000
Time invested? Many Many hours
Satisfaction of a job well done? Ohh Yeah!

Would I do it to a new bike if I bought one ? Yeap, it would then be my bike, an extention of my personality, maybe that is the secret to those of us who buy, alter and bling up our rides, its part of us inside, that thing that makes us different from the hum drum of normality

Dedication/commitment and the love an old black jappa.....fantastic!, bling sent.
There have been some awesome 'last' views on the subject and your last comment is brilliant.

[Maha]

If a mod makes it go faster either in a straight line or around a corner why the fuck not, it's akin to buying a 1300 when a 600 would suffice, and who would do that?

Oh that was just self gratifycation to the extreme.....

[Gremlin]

Every bike I have owned, with the exception of the zzr250 (first bike) has been modified, extras added... because I want to. You certainly don't make money from it, sometimes you take off the odd bits to sell individually, sometimes I just can't be arsed, and I'm impatient to move to the next bike.

Current bike rolled out of the dealer costing $23k, fitted with some extras like grips, hand guards and sliders and a couple of fitment kits.

At the first service, it almost cost $1k, as I also had the front forks rebuilt as I didn't like them from factory... and more accessories fitted. On top of the service, was pipes at $1600, GPS at $1200 and a few other odds and ends...

Fully kitted out with all accessories she is probably worth $27-28k, bit expensive, but then, I just completed a Grand Challenge on it, and I still luffs her, so its all been worth it.

Then there are the accessories I still want, that are either still in R&D or don't exist I searched for a few months before buying the bike... there is nothing on the market that meets all my needs. Once modified, less than a handful of bikes meet my requirements.

Oh... and at least this one already came with top notch brembo and WP gear (there's one less bloody expense).

[Bass]

Oh that was just self gratifycation to the extreme.....

This touches on the other reason for bling that you didn't mention.

Like where you don't actually have a choice if the bike is to do its intended job.

I think the safari tank on the DR looks bloody awful and when it's full, the bike is a bit top heavy. But hey, it gives her a 700 km range and I needed all of that.

[sunhuntin]

I think its the kiwi way to personalise it a bit. Then theres the purely practical side of it - the lights need improving, and the brakes and suspension - how to do that without breaking the bank.

Other than that, I like a new bike to look factory standard. Hrm, maybe a few blue LEDs..

Steve

i spent .50c at savemart when i bought my 06 ginny. i bought a couple of second hand mcdonalds tigger toys to hang off the fork reflectors. at times, it was the only way to tell mine apart from everyone elses, lmfao. now ive got the virago, i dont need to personalise it like that. only additions were for luggage.

i wouldnt spend too much on a brand new bike except for luggage.

[imdying]

Worrying about money is for poor cunts.

[MotoGirl]

TOTAL RUNNING COSTS
Fuel Cost $4,295.76
Services $1,028
Maintenance $2,637
Hot up parts $3,236
Dress up parts $1,309
Tires $2,890
Suspension $892

TOTAL RUNNING COSTS $16,287.81


Cost of Buying bike $16,349

TOTAL OUTLAY $32,636.81
--------------------------

Yes, and I'm at the other end of the spectrum where I paid a lot of money for a bike that came with a bunch of goodies, stock. It's interesting to see that we've spent about equal amounts on our bikes yet I've only got $3,000 in extras. And my Ohlins shock and wanky Pazzo levers were completely necessary! Suddenly it's convenient being short with small hands

I'd be interested to see the price difference between buying a high-end bike and giving a stock bike the same type of components as what the other bike comes with.

[Gremlin]

I'd be interested to see the price difference between buying a high-end bike and giving a stock bike the same type of components as what the other bike comes with.

Probably couldn't quite compare apples with apples, but I went through that thought process myself.

Depending how much you mod the stock bike, it will probably be cheaper to get the more expensive one with the kit, with factors such as labour to swap componentry, however, modifying a stock one, you get exactly the kit you want (perhaps top of the line gear, full features, that perhaps the expensive one doesn't quite go as far on)

Some more expensive bikes have crap "nice" bits, if you know what I mean, ie, not top of the line branded gear, eg, the "ohlins" damper on the 06-07 zx10 wasn't really that great a unit. You also have the full factory support if the bike comes equipped with the gear.

Personally, I chose the more expensive bike up front, and have been very happy with the performance of the brembo and wp kit.

[imdying]

I'd be interested to see the price difference between buying a high-end bike and giving a stock bike the same type of components as what the other bike comes with.

PB recently did a few articles on a bolt on equipped 04 GSXR600 vs an 08 GSXR600... not quite the same thing, but sounds like it might interest you none the less.