How much $$$$ into aftermarket and mods?

[bugjuice]

is this how much have I spent all together, or how much I intend to spend? Cos I'm not done yet.

And as for some of Big Dogs comments, I can see where you're coming from, but I think that because the market for bikes is so huge, they aren't personal enough. The BEST mod I've done, and would do to every bike I ever own, is the suspension. I haven't gone hard out for the bike names, but I've invested some hard-earned into that area, as well as the brakes. It's all to make the bike more personal, yes, but also to make it perform better, period. And it's worked.

I've got a different exhaust and power commander on it, for a little more performance (more grunt really), as well as looks, but more for sound too. Sounded a little tame before

I have other things in mind tho. I like to think my bike is pretty unique, so I ain't selling it. But I also want to do some more things with it, to get a little more power, but also just to experience what different things would have an effect on an engine and bike. I'm not going to wreck it, I just want to see if a mass-produced crafted machine, has the best out of what it has..
Yep, more plans yet..

[Gremlin]

oh, the only problem was trying to list all the bits when phoning around for insurance quotes. I ended up getting passed to the supervisor, who was very suspicious, stating that "its not a slow bike to begin with, and with all the modifications that have been done to it, its usually obvious they are being done because they are needed, and will be used"

wasn't sure how to get out of that

[RantyDave]

In my experience mods lack any practical purpose unless you do track days.

Crash knobs?

Dave

[James Deuce]

The Z is the first bike I've gone to town on.

But after looking at the Kendog Hornet litter, I've got a long way to go.

[Big Dog]

Crash knobs?

Dave

Yes I agree but I'm not any keener on cutting holes in plastic than crashing as it can impact on resale and is one way street once you start hacking up your baby.

[imdying]

If you have to mod a bike you probably bought the wrong one.

Comfort, safety, crash protection, enjoyment...

In my experience mods lack any practical purpose unless you do track days.

Comfort, safety, crash protection, enjoyment...

I do see a lot of fair weather riders with lots of trick parts and really low km's.

Even enjoyment alone isn't a crime...

Some people will disagree, but $500 for a 5% gain seems rediculous. I would much rather have a second jacket, newer set of gloves and 5 tanks of gas.

Some people wouldn't want a $500 jacket... I guess they're mad too?

The exception to me any way is when you have had the same bike a while and outgrown it but cant afford / Justify the step up from what is essentially a satisfactory and reliable bike.

The call that maintenance, I don't think that was the gist of the thread...

The only bike mod I have ever considered seriously is a chain oiler, and I have my name down for a Stebel.

Well there you go, you can add reliability to the list of reasons.[/QUOTE]

So what you think you are being original by buying mass produced after market parts?

That's an assumption. I know plenty of Kiwis that make there own bits... make bits from other models fit their purposes, etc etc.

Exhaust ? For my bike the only pipes that would make a genuine difference would also weaken the structural integrity. Trade off the pillion in a million would have to stay home so I could have some flashy tat on the bike.

You're in the minority of you don't think a set of cans sounds good on a busa.

Would I buy a more comfy seat? Probably, if I was fit enough to be able to ride long enough at one stretch to get a numb bum.

Shock horror! A practical aftermarket modification? Surely not?

Suspension? what I got is more than enough for my abilities.

It's surprising how many people thought their stock shock was fine till they tried an Ohlins equipped bike and were shocked at how crap the factory one is.

Heated grips? Harden up, its not that cold if you were not too cheap on buying winter gloves in the first place.

What about the people living in Dunedin?

Now if the Pillion in the million was to sanction buying a daily rider I "might" tart her up.

Wouldn't that be the one bike you wouldn't tart up?

Yes I agree but I'm not any keener on cutting holes in plastic than crashing as it can impact on resale and is one way street once you start hacking up your baby.

Any increase in profit can pretty easily be offset by cracking a few panels. Plus, it is nice to ride home from a bin instead of having to get a tow truck.

[pervert]

Yes I agree but I'm not any keener on cutting holes in plastic than crashing as it can impact on resale and is one way street once you start hacking up your baby.

It's a good thing you've got Nana written under your name, because you sure live up to that title.

Also, the values in the poll need increased somewhat...I've spent a good $1500 on modifications on my wee 125cc Pit Bike...I'd hate to think what it's going to tally up to on real bikes!!!

[Blackbird]

Don't agree with Big Dog that you've got the wrong bike if you need to modify it, personalising it is one thing but tweaking it slightly depending on end use is perfectly acceptable. My mods are largely in the direction of comfort because of the endurance events I do.

What I have on my Blackbird and why:
Front fender extender. A carbon-look extension to the front guard. Stops road dirt clogging the radiator, lowers the risk of radiator punctures and reduces grit abrasion of the front of the fairing behind the rear wheel.

Clear adhesive film on paintwork. I had it professionally applied by an automotive pinstriping and window tinting company. Have it on the top of the front guard, front of fairing, side panels of fairing around the lower air intakes and rear/sides of fuel tank. Eliminates wear and stone abrasion.

Crash mushrooms on fairing. Protects side panels in the event of an “off”, or the bike falling over.

Rear hugger. Reduces splash on wet roads and protects the shock absorber. The Pyramid glass fibre model is the best as it protects the lower linkage of the shock absorber.

Scottoiler. Makes chain tensioning a thing of the past. Never tensioned between tyre changes. Chain and sprockets are ~30000 km old and in perfect condition.

Heated handlebar grips. I have the Daytona brand. The ‘bird bars are out in the airstream and hands can get chilled in cold weather. I do a lot of long distance riding and they are wonderful – particularly nice in wet weather on a long haul.

Upgraded headlight bulbs. The shape of the ‘bird headlight means that the beam cutoff to the side of the bike is quite sharp – a bit unsettling when cornering on really twisty roads. The most common upgrade is to put in 100W H7 halogens which improve things a lot. I have 100 W H7 Xenons which are fractionally less effective than halogens at night but you are more visible in daylight (blue light) – a very important safety consideration. No relay required – just fit the bulbs.

Custom seat. I found that the stock seat gets pretty uncomfortable after a tankful of gas (~300 km). Because I do the 1000 mile in 24 hour endurance events and similar rides, I had the seat re-shaped with higher quality foams and re-covered. Can now travel an unlimited distance without discomfort. I had it lowered slightly as I’m only 5’ 8” and the rear raised by 20 mm to give my wife a little less leg bend.

Screen. I had a Pyramid dark tint double bubble fitted to give me more protection on the Southern Cross ride last year. Beautifully made and works perfectly but slightly increases the load on the wrists on a long haul. Not a big issue. My wife says it reduces passenger buffeting which wasn’t particularly big anyway with the stock screen.

Radar detector. I have the Escort Passport X50 which has excellent range for Ka band detection (camera vans and Highway Patrol). I’ve never come up against a laser yet. It’s mounted on a custom bar mount and I have a weatherproof clear cover on it supplied by Radar Direct in NZ. I’ve have a “screamer” fitted to my top yoke to amplify the alarm.

Illumiglo instrument dials. I was given these by a visitor from the UK. Probably wouldn’t have bought them myself but they are very effective. You can vary the degree of illumination and colour (“radiation” blue or bright green).

Ride height spacer. A low cost improvement which transforms the handling and makes turn-in very fast indeed. It’s a 6mm thick spacer which slips under the top of the rear shock and only takes around half an hour to do the full job. It raises the rear ride height and effectively steepens the fork angle, really speeding up cornering without compromising stability. Better than slipping forks through the yokes as ground clearance isn’t compromised. The best value for money modification you can do to a Blackbird.

Frame plugs. They just blank off the frame holes for the engine mounts/swingarm.

Total cost of mods ~$2000

[onearmedbandit]

I've modd'ed the fuck out of my bike, suspension, rearsets, steering damper, paint, crash bungs, exhaust, tre, etc. And I'll probably go further yet. Why? Because I enjoy working on my bike and the feeling I get when I've finished. I also enjoy the increase in function over the std parts.

Oh yeah, way plus $1500.

[placidfemme]

Okay guys. How much in terms of $$$$ are you willing to invest into your Bikes ??????

I know this is often limited to your "income" but on average how much do you realistically think you will invest into mods and aftermarket parts?

Suspension
Shit and glitter
OGY nobs
ETC

I voted $1500+

I already have a full aftermarket header and pipe system ($800+), Braided Brake lines ($200+), Rev Limiter ($400) and some other shit... and still more to come!

[Mr. Peanut]

Ive spent about $1500 on non standard bits.

Would like the following: 300cc kit, reed stuffers... HRC ignition system.... HONDA RS250 front end, Ohlins rear shock, TYGA pipes, VHM Cylinder Head Set.

That should see about 85-90hp

[bugjuice]

no one has spotted an 'up-coming' mod that's been in my profile for a little while now..

[imdying]

Ive spent about $1500 on non standard bits.

Would like the following: 300cc kit, reed stuffers... HRC ignition system.... HONDA RS250 front end, Ohlins rear shock, TYGA pipes, VHM Cylinder Head Set.

That should see about 85-90hp

Oh but you brought the wrong bike then... you should have brought the NSR500 instead! Oh wait...

[kiwifruit]

no one has spotted an 'up-coming' mod that's been in my profile for a little while now..

aye,
what are you up2 buggie? big bore kit?

[bugjuice]

can't say yet, still waiting for a) confirmation, and b) money.
Just something a little different for a different bike