BCF's opinions on modding your bike

[notbike]

What's BCF's opinion on modding your bike? inb4 "well I put heated grips on." That don't count as a mod I mean things that either add performance value or aesthetics.

Before some killjoy tells me to use the search function, no I didn't search for a thread/poll about this, cause I'm interested what the current forum-goers opinions are. Not some old thread from 3 years ago.

Anyway, if you do mod your bike, how far do you take it?

And if not, why do you keep your bike completely stock?

When I first got my ninja I liked the feeling of stock, but then I saw all these shiny things people were putting on their ninjas and my inner power-ranger decided to start modding my bike.

I reckon a modded bike is an extension of your personality. Some people go full batman with ridiculous mods, but I reckon in moderation it can add some nice customization and make your bike personal.

Thoughts?

[Matt B]

Put Scorpion cans on the FZ6 because it sounded like an asthmatic sewing machine and I like the look of them. Also put on stubby levers because I think they feel better in the hand.

I like a few subtle mods and will probably end up putting an aftermarket can/exhaust on any bike I own because I like the look and sound.
____________________
stinkwheel: He had an animated .gif of a cat performing fellatio. It's not socially acceptable. It can have real life adverse effects on other people.

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]

Do whatever makes you happy really.

For me, my list of mods would usually be standard length race cans, braided lines, DB screen, crash bungs and that's about it.
____________________
My Flickr

[MarJay]

There seems to be this disturbing trend for modifying motorcycles and cars for the sake of it. The number of "What mods do you recommend for my R6" type threads in the Workshop actually worries me for the state of mankind.

Mod something to make it better. Not because your mates expect you to.
____________________
British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Rogerborg]

[Doovy]

Anodized tat. Lots and lots of anodized tat.
____________________
Yamaha RXS 100 > Honda CD 250 > Honda Hornet 600 > Honda CBR 600RR > Yamaha RXS 100 > Kawasaki ZX6R J2 > Yamaha FZ1

[notbike]

[chickenstrip]

Mods I've done on mine are to improve handling and performance, with a nod to aesthetics, but haven't gone OTT on that, cos it already had a non-standard paint job that stands out. So it doesn't need anything much to change it's looks for me.

The handling and performance mods I'm doing are proven improvements that are well documented for this model, and make the bike more enjoyable to ride. Gradually, I've been working towards the idea of my perfect FZS1000, but actually, I'd have to start again with a different base bike, cos I prefer the later black-engine, black frame models - easier to keep clean, more durable finish, apart from that aesthetics thing.

[N cee thirty]

do whatever you want, i usually prefer standard with maybe a few subtle mods that will always improve the bike over standard

But when it comes to selling with all this tat on, i don't want to know how much it all cost, as it's usually a load of tacky cheap shit , fitted badly
____________________
'00 Aprilia RS50 > '92 Honda CG > '99 Yamaha Fazer > '91 Yamaha RXS > '79 Suzuki X5 > 01' Honda Cg > 07' Honda Cg > 82' Kawasaki Z200 > suzuki gsxr 400 gk73a > honda vfr 400 NC30 Mod 2 Passed 09/06/2011

Jewlio Iglesias wrote: I actually did vote BNP once

[Dcwhite1984]

Like said before, a few tasteful mods here and there to improve the bike for you. (obviously what is tasteful to me might not be to someone else)

For me i know what i want to do to my bike:

New indicators - Stock ones are ugly
New levers - aftermarket ones are more adjustable making my life on the bike more comfortable and personal to me.
Aftermarket can - sounds better and looks better in my opinion.
DB Screen - better airflow again making my riding experience more comfortable.
Crash Bungs - hopefully if i chuck it down the road it will save me some pennies.


Thats about it to be honest unless i decide to get some braided brake lines and i then upgrade sprockets and discs etc when they wear out.


If you want to do something to your bike then do it, its your bike. If people dont like what you have done who really cares??!!
____________________
The trick to life is to not get too attached to it.........

[chickenstrip]

[notbike]

[DrDonnyBrago]

Minimal.

Can and braided lines are the only real mods. St/st downpipes are OEM spec replacements.

[1198]

I'd like a set of Termis for the 1198 but have refrained on two main grounds -
1. Cost of them and the necessary chip / air filter and syno time to optimise the effects.
2. I'm reluctant to give the insurance company any reason not to pay out or demand even higher premiums!
Oh, I currently now have (bike wise) no reason for Plod to stop me. My small number plate is legal and the exhausts (and everything else!!) are standard. It kicks out 160bhp already, give or take a neddy or two. The only reason I would want a free flowing pipe is to improve the slow speed running, which I freely admit wouldn't hurt.

[TheArchitect]

my shopping list for the GSR I just picked up, in order of priority:

Belly Pan
Hugger
Short adjustable levers
Mirrors
Rear seat cowl

Bike already has an arrow can, R&G tail tidy and a decent enough fly screen.

The above list is a mixture of aesthetic and practical upgrades.
____________________
GSXR 600 K6 - Stolen
GSXR 600 K6 - Stolen
MT09 - Almost stolen

[Old Git Racing]

My 999 has a Termi system because it's lighter, ECU and filters to suit and a carbon hugger. All are Ducati supplied.
I would only add something if it made it lighter, handle better or gave it more power.
I look at a lot of bikes with a plethora of anodised tat bolted on and think why? Usually it looks shit, costs a lot and adds weight.
Each to their own I suppose.

OGR
____________________
2022 Tiger Sport 660 2019 Street Twin 2003 K3 gixxer 1000 1998 Srad 600 track hack

[bikertomm]

Generally my preference (next bike) is:

Exhaust.
Quickshifter (The sound )
Map if necessary.
Tail tidy / smaller plate.


Job jobbed.
____________________
07' Honda Hornet now full powaah! My guide on performing an oil change!

[chris-red]

I'm ignoring your heated grips comment because it's bullshit.

I've modded my bike to fit me and how I use it. I've spent ALOT on it over the years and now it is as close to perfect as I can be. I'll be keeping this bike till either it dies or I do. It's used for commuting through London and touring and with all this done it is perfect for it.

I've done 75,000ish miles so far, heres to 75,000 more

Fender extender - Keeps some crap off the engine/pipes
Reworked forks set up for my size and weight - I'm big and bikes aren't set up with me in mind getting your suspension set for you improves the handling no end.
Braided lines - Improving braking and negate the need to replace brake lines.
Fork Gaiters - Protects against damage to the fork legs
Stebal Nautilus air horn - To be heard when divs try to drive into me.
Heated Grips - To keep my hands warm
Handguards - To keep my hands warm
Extra lights on Handguards - To be seen to try to stop divs trying to drive into me.
Garmin Zumo 660 mount - To charge and hold my sat nav
Tall Yamaha screen - To deflect the wind from me
MRA Vario - To deflect more wind from me
R&G Protectors - To prevent damage in a crash
Belly Pan - Keeps some crap off the engine/pipes
Baglux Tank cover - Protects tank from damage and allows me to attach my Bagster bag
Air Box Mod - Improve smoothness low down.
K&N air filter - Cheaper than replaceables
PC3 - Improve smoothness low down.
Comfort Gel Seat - Improves comfort on long journeys, also means i sit about an inch higher
Scottoiler - I'm lazy and don't like oiling my chain
Scottoiler Touring Kit - I'm REALLY lazy
Lust Dog Bones Raises the bike up 2" at the back, sharpens handling and makes me sit highier.
Wilbers Rear Shock built to my spec - I'm big and bikes aren't set up with me in mind getting your suspension set for you improves the handling no end.
Remus Exhaust Cans - Louder and lighter than stock let me be heard to stop divs trying to drive into me.
R&G Exhaust Protectors - Protects from damage in a crash.
Meta V357- alarm immobilizer to deter theft.
Givi Monokey V47 Top box and Rack To carry shit in.
V47 backrest - More comfortable for pillions.
Givi monokey V35 Panniers and Rack - To carry more shit in

At a rough count that is £3-4k 'worth' of mods there, I only spent 2.5k on the bike.
____________________
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.

[b422063]

I avoid bikes with different indicators, tail tidies and anodised tat. Otherwise it's all on merit. Love mods like decent shocks and suspension works (apart from the cost of new springs to suit me ) generally don't like mods for the engine unless they're plug and play.

[P.]

I really don't care if one comes fully loaded or absolutely standard, I'll tend to do exhaust and maybe a screen.

For the most part, I just ride it, but some things do need to be unlocked, such as decent noise

[G]

If we're talking cosmetic mods - then it's akin to make up.
Great if you want to attract some attention from blokes eyeing-up.

I wouldn't be surprised if things like adding heated grips (preferably muffs) were one of the better 'performance' improvements - because it means more riding, which can lead to more progression in riding skill.

As for performance mods on a slow bike - aka 'polishing a turd' - never seen the point unless you really can't get the same by spending less money on a bike of that spec rather than adding expensive (in time and money) parts.
Seems to be of most use down the pub telling anyone that will listen.

So ... mods reflect the rider's personality?
Probably .

[Llama-Farmer]

I seem to have an inability to not mod vehicles I own.

Pretty much everything comes out the factory on a certain budget with stuff for the everyman.

There are ways to improve most every vehicle, whether that is performance, handling or whatever. Most people aren't bothered by that, so manufacturers don't bother with it as standard, its an unwanted and unnecessary cost.

Me, I like mine better though.


So with my cars I'll do this and that, but in a tasteful OEM+ kinda way, not a ripspeed max power way. So things like slightly lowered suspension with adjustable shocks, top-spec leather interior like Recaro, etc

With the bikes it'll be exhaust, improved handling such as properly set up forks and shock, dynojet/remap and various levels of tuning.



Most of my closest friends are the same, as teenagers we were always really interested in the mechanics and workings of vehicles and that just developed into wanting to make ours better by modding.

Still a minority with cars, but much more common with bikes I think.
____________________
Current Bike: 1999 Honda CB600 FX Hornet
Next Bike: I want a CBR-RR. And I want an F800 GS-A. And a VFR 800. Can I have all 3?
Dream Bikes: Honda VFR750R RC30, Honda NSR500, Ducati 996 R

[.Chris.]

The current fad for turning old bikes into 'cafe racers' displeases me. Most of them are laughably awful, and judging from the number of half-built ones you see for sale, many never get finished. Often it seems that the builder only gets as far as hacking the hindmost 6" off the frame. I dread to think how many old bikes have bitten the dust in this way over the past couple of years .
____________________
Chris
1985 Kawasaki Z550F

[Az]

My Bandit came with a lot of stainless steel bits and bobs that either had Bandit or Suzuki written on it (oil cooler guard, frame infills, heel guards and brake reservoir cover) ... Almost all have been removed and replaced now. Just trying to find someone willing to swap there standard heel guards for my chavy Suzuki 'S' ones.

Mods remaining :
Braided lines all round
Aftermarket rear shock (original one needed replacing, picked up this shock fairly cheap used)
Rentec crash bars (came with bike)
Renthal handlebars (came with bike)
MTC stubby exhaust
aftermarket down pipes (came with bike)
Led indicators
Handle bar muffs (only used on freezing days)
Datagged (came with bike)
Front headlight protector

I wouldn't spend money on aesthetics, unless it improves the bikes in some way too. The only exception being vile standard indicators.

[Dalemac]

In my opinion people can modify their bikes however they like, after all what's the fun in everyone riding the same factory spec machine?

The only two areas i'm not keen on are brightly coloured anodised stuff (in particular that horrible blue they do) and rim tape.

If we are talking two wheels in general then those people who buy vespas and add 16,000 mirrors to them really get on my nerves. Especially when they fail to see you coming up behind them and don't move out the way so you can't make progress.
____________________
YBR125 -> GPZ500S -> SL1000