Keep it standard or make it custom/unique/yours

[Stephen]

What do people count as the deciding factors in whether to keep a bike standard and as original as possible or start playing with it and make it more unique and more 'yours'?

Is your bike standard or you changed it (from indicators to bodywork included)?
What made you make that decision?

Asking as can't decide whether to keep new bike as standard as possible or change the little things that I'm not keen on and make it look as unique as possible

Thanks
Stephen
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Stephen
The Proudest CG Owner

[johnsmith222]

I keep my bike standard.

I've never really been into the whole customisation "making it mine" thing. It's mine anyway whether it has random pointless modifications or not.

When it comes down to it, it is just a bike.

Modifications can be nice if it was something nice to begin with, or if there is a reason for it, but mostly putting some coloured stuff like bar ends etc on I think is just a bit pointless.

Some people get into the whole personification "she" thing but I'm not really a fan.

At the same time though, if someone else wants to do that it's a case of whatever floats their boat and I'm not going to judge them for it.

[everyreasonto]

The previous owner of my bike did a few modifications on the bike but i'm changing them all back to original. I'm not a fan of micro indicators or carbon of any sort.

I do like small tasteful mods like powder coating the frame etc.

In the end though it's all down to personal taste. A few mates who own cars just mod them to impress others.

[ms51ves3]

Exhaust is the only mod I'd generally do. I like my bikes standard.

[Bendy]

I like practical mods that make it better to ride, like changing the screen, fitting useful stuff like heated grips, gps etc.

Not big on cosmetic mods, don't really see the point. Especially when such 'mods' usually seem to involve bolting mass-produced tat on under the pretence of 'performance'.

[hmmmnz]

depends on the bike, ill either go the whole way, or do very little,
my vf1000 is stock standard apart from the exhausts (which i still have the standard ones) and i have tidied the tail, every thing can go back to stock,
my zxr750 got a single sider, modified frame, usd's ect ect, in the end the only thing that was stock was the tank and the engine (well the tank was modified as well ) and the engine did have re profiled cams...
generally as stock bikes there a always a few things that could do with improving. mainly the suspension,l ive never ridden a bike that couldnt do with the suspension being upgraded, and the exhaust being louder
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the humans are dead
I kick arse for the lord
Wiring Diagrams BIDNIP it bitches

[Kris]

On newish bikes useful mods such as Fenda Extendas, Scottoiler, alarm, hugger are all useful and add purpose.
Older bikes benefit from braided hoses, replacement shocks etc, etc.

Anodised purple footpegs, garish bar-ends and stickers, screen edge tape, mini-indicators and all that crap is pointless shite.

Spend the money you save on better tyres.
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NSR125RR - ZXR750H1 - ZX9R E1 - GSF600S - GSF600SK3 - VFR400-NC30 - SV1000N - ST1100-R - CBR900RR-R - GSF1200SK5 - GSF600SK1 - VFR1200FA - GSXR1000K2 - ZZR1400 D8F
www.prisonplanet.com

[DEN MONKEY]

same same for me. Mods that serve are functional as well as lift the appearance of the bike.

Screen, hugger, indis, exhaust, crash nobs, pick ups and the one off just for looks rim tape.
Although the rim tape is the reflective type so it does have some small safety benefit.
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meh

[chris-red]

If you do it well it looks ace

https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/chris-red/P1000841.jpg
https://img.photobucket.com/albums/v295/chris-red/P1000842.jpg
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Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[G]

[Kris]

@ Chris-red: BNP publicity vehicle?


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NSR125RR - ZXR750H1 - ZX9R E1 - GSF600S - GSF600SK3 - VFR400-NC30 - SV1000N - ST1100-R - CBR900RR-R - GSF1200SK5 - GSF600SK1 - VFR1200FA - GSXR1000K2 - ZZR1400 D8F
www.prisonplanet.com

[Damon]

[chris-red]

It was suppose to me a Valmoto inspired but in the end I don't think that is apparant.
https://image.superstreetbike.com/f/8909292/030_0312_15z+valmoto_triumph_daytona_600+front_right.jpg
Since when was having a Union Flag on a British bike akin to the local facists
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Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[truslack]

I have a habit of modifying any bike I own to make it nicer to ride, or more useful - lever protectors, hand guards, engine guards, screens, better headlights, top boxes, bigger batteries, whatever else I can think of or find lying around
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Current: Suzuki RG 125 Gamma, Honda H100, Triumph Tiger 800XC, Suzuki SV650 (minitwin)

[Tim..]

[locked]

[Clanger]

It depends on if you are a 'keeper' or not, and what you intend to do with it. Upgrade to better cables, better fork springs, add bikini fairing to an unfaired, adding heated grips etc.

I have painted most of my bikes, because I am a 'keeper', and like to customise mine to MY specification. Some people go overboard, because they like to go to shows and win trophies and the like, others do it because they have the skill, time, money and energy.

Be warned though, if you modify it to your taste, you might have trouble selling her on when you decide too.
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

[Peirre oBollox]

IMO unless your aiming at a niche market, non standard bikes are harder to sell.


Any FARKLES I`ve put on mine are those that I can take back off if I re-sell it, and use on my next bike. Or re-sell the indevidual items such as Gel seat, huggers etc that are not useable.
Scottoilers, GPS, RAM mounts, Throttlemiester etc are only purchased if they are viable to be switched from bike to bike
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I accept no responsibility for swearing, drinking, motorcycle riding or your pregnant teenage daughter.

[ToGGoT]

[temeluchus]

I'll modify for increased reliabilty and performance, not bothered so much for cosmetics.

Usually amounts to small electrical improvements, aftermarket suspension and replacements for stock exhausts.
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Some shite cruiser. Now with guns and FREEDOM!

[mr rip]

the ony parts of my current bike that are original are the frame, forks, wheels, front mudguard, the frontbreak/clutch leavers & the foot pegs

everything else has been changed, even most of the parts that have been changed have since been modified in some way

none of it has been for looks, but to build a bike that is reliable & comfortable

I doubt I would ever be able to sell it but I don't care, it's mine & I like it
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never criticise a man until you've walked a mile in his shoes, then when the muck hits the fan you'll be a mile away & you'll have his shoes

[Robby]

I've spent 4 months getting a "modded" bike back to standard.

I only change things if it makes the bike easier to ride or saves me money.

That said, the bike will at some point be getting introduced to a pair of megaphone exhausts from a late 90s CB two-fifty, seeing as the originals aren't available and those ones use the same exhaust port gasket.

[metalangel]

Only practical stuff. Put a flyscreen and topbox mount on my CB500.

Put lowers and Scottoiler on the SV.

Scottoiler on the Fazer, and want to add crash bungs, but that's it.

I do admire some bikes with extra stuff (guy in work has a nice ZX6R with a nice can and other extras) but can't be bothered myself.
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Previous: 2002 Honda CB500 (sold), 2007 Suzuki SV650SK6 (crashed), 2005 Yamaha FZ6 Fazer (sold). Currently bikeless
"A faired bike will get you 10x more clunge than a unfaired one." -Marlboro Matt

[Kickstart]

Hi

Generally standard. Can be tempted with mods which make a real difference, but not cosmetic tat. Coloured screens, mini indicators, anodised fairing bolts, etc, to me just look like cheap rubbish lobbed on because decent quality stuff was too expensive or difficult to find.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[temeluchus]

Nothing screams " The owner of this bike is a pillock" than anything purple anodised.
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Some shite cruiser. Now with guns and FREEDOM!