ItIsWhatItIs
Banned
Back in the day all original meant something. Keeping your bike stock with oem parts has to be worth more than a bike with questionable performance upgrades. Is it me or anyone else also thinks keeping it real is better?
So called upgrades, Why Bother?
- Thread starter ItIsWhatItIs
- Start date
I'm with you on this one.
If I'm adding something that I think is truly better than stock (rare on most bikes I ride these days), I'm sure to keep original parts in garage somewhere...
And when it comes to cars, I find after-market stuff even more off-putting. When shopping for a used car, I walk away as soon as I see aftermarket, esp intake and similar nonsense "performance" parts on a daily driver.
If I'm adding something that I think is truly better than stock (rare on most bikes I ride these days), I'm sure to keep original parts in garage somewhere...
And when it comes to cars, I find after-market stuff even more off-putting. When shopping for a used car, I walk away as soon as I see aftermarket, esp intake and similar nonsense "performance" parts on a daily driver.
scmiata1990
New member
I get what you are saying. Many time mods can actually make a bike less refined. I also get that people do want to individualize their rides sometimes.
My VFR800 has a few mods that have worked well. They were not done for looks but for more practical reasons. Heated grips have allowed me to ride at lower temperatures. I also put on a Ohlin shock and replaced all of the fork internals with Race Tech components. In both cases the spring rates were increased to provide a slightly stiffer setting as I run 40 pounds of factory side bags on it for more than half of the time. In addition to not bottoming out any more the bikes increased rebound and compression control allows the wheels to stay in contacts with the road when it is bumpy. A dramatic improvement in control.
My VFR800 has a few mods that have worked well. They were not done for looks but for more practical reasons. Heated grips have allowed me to ride at lower temperatures. I also put on a Ohlin shock and replaced all of the fork internals with Race Tech components. In both cases the spring rates were increased to provide a slightly stiffer setting as I run 40 pounds of factory side bags on it for more than half of the time. In addition to not bottoming out any more the bikes increased rebound and compression control allows the wheels to stay in contacts with the road when it is bumpy. A dramatic improvement in control.
If I'm buying used, original is better. Aftermarket levers, windscreen, seat, I don't have a problem with, but exhaust, power commander, flush mount signals, undertail, etc., forget it. Anything that messes with the running of the engine, electrical system, or road safety/visibility is a minus in my books.
Read what the knowledgeable guys over at advrider have to say, and they'll subscribe to the thought that at least 75% of the problems people have with their bikes are directly or indirectly related to aftermarket modifications. Heck, even read the technical forum here and you'll notice a number of threads where aftermarket **** caused problems.
01CBR - nothing to do with skill. Everything to do with reliability. And that 2-3 hp that a pc and exhaust will give you really isn't even noticeable on the street, therefore not worth the decreased reliability in my books, when I'm going out for 800km day trips.
Read what the knowledgeable guys over at advrider have to say, and they'll subscribe to the thought that at least 75% of the problems people have with their bikes are directly or indirectly related to aftermarket modifications. Heck, even read the technical forum here and you'll notice a number of threads where aftermarket **** caused problems.
01CBR - nothing to do with skill. Everything to do with reliability. And that 2-3 hp that a pc and exhaust will give you really isn't even noticeable on the street, therefore not worth the decreased reliability in my books, when I'm going out for 800km day trips.
flameboy182
Well-known member
I'm one that also thinks that original is better as well. Being a newbie that is still shopping for his first bike, I am finding it extremely difficult to locate a used example that is 100% original. Most of the ones I'm looking at have some sort of modification done to them, and their asking price is raised because they feel the bike is worth more with aftermarket upgrades. The only thing I'm worried about are shoddy quality installs that will cause problems in the future. If the seller also has included the original parts in the sale, then I might be open to negotiating a fair price, but I am finding out that they are usually sold or thrown out which is quite discouraging.
I dont see what a seat and bars has to do with reliability?
And im not talking about buying/selling, im talking about making the bike yours, comfortable to ride.
Got on my bike the first day and the brake lever was way too high, the grips sucked, suspension was horrible, and the power was definatly not where i wanted it. This is all a result of riding experience, where I know I want things, how they need to feel work. $2000 in mods may not add any resale value to my bike but it definatly gets me through the single track better and makes the ride much more enjoyable.
My PC helped make my bike safer. When you had the throttle completly closed and went to apply it again it would surge foreward, now it's nice and smooth, plus it was needed for my full exhaust system. OEM is fine but I mod everything with quality parts and make sure that they won't make the vehicle unreliable. My oem R/R died on my stock track bike... oem isn't bullet proof.
If I'm buying a bike I would like to get it as original as possible. That way I can modify it the way I like. Any part I put on the bike is quality and will not cheap out (i.e. ebay levers). I have an Akrapovic slip-on and a PCV. The PC was mandatory because I was removing the catalytic converter and the bike will be under powered without it. I just ordered Driven rearsets to help with comfort and ASV levers for aesthetics/quality and ease of operation.
I keep all the stock parts, exhaust, levers, rearsets etc (which are all in good condition)... That way if the buyer wants a stock bike, I can reverse everything and vois la!!!
Nothing is wrong with buying a modded bike. It might even be better if you planned on doing those mods yourself down the line. The only problem is if you don't like certain mods (i.e. the the look/sound of an exhaust)...
I enjoyed my bike when it was all stock, but I enjoy it even more after the mods I've done/will do.
Edit: OP, If I rode a CBR125R, I wouldn't bother with mods either. Just sayin'...
I keep all the stock parts, exhaust, levers, rearsets etc (which are all in good condition)... That way if the buyer wants a stock bike, I can reverse everything and vois la!!!
Nothing is wrong with buying a modded bike. It might even be better if you planned on doing those mods yourself down the line. The only problem is if you don't like certain mods (i.e. the the look/sound of an exhaust)...
I enjoyed my bike when it was all stock, but I enjoy it even more after the mods I've done/will do.
Edit: OP, If I rode a CBR125R, I wouldn't bother with mods either. Just sayin'...
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Just want to point out that if it's a proper cold air intake, this actually helps with the gas mileage.
A lot of cars have the air intake in an area where there's lots of heat coming off the engine.
I don't own a vehicle that is not modified.
Cosmetic stuff will always be subject to personal tastes, and non-stock paint jobs in non-factory colours (something that can't easily be put back to stock) are a notorious resale-value-killer. Stuff that can be unbolted and put back to stock is often best put back to stock (with the modification piece sold separately) come resale time. People won't pay extra for it.
As for functional mods, I'll take a properly-done aftermarket improvement over any known weak spot on a stock bike any day of the week. Suspension comes to mind in particular, here. A steering damper is a good thing to have on any late model sport bike, too. Not all aftermarket parts are actually improvements. Aftermarket lighting that replaces stock parts (signals, undertail kits, tail-tidies, etc) are usually major downgrades that don't work anywhere near as well as stock. Not all of it is crap, though.
Cosmetic stuff will always be subject to personal tastes, and non-stock paint jobs in non-factory colours (something that can't easily be put back to stock) are a notorious resale-value-killer. Stuff that can be unbolted and put back to stock is often best put back to stock (with the modification piece sold separately) come resale time. People won't pay extra for it.
As for functional mods, I'll take a properly-done aftermarket improvement over any known weak spot on a stock bike any day of the week. Suspension comes to mind in particular, here. A steering damper is a good thing to have on any late model sport bike, too. Not all aftermarket parts are actually improvements. Aftermarket lighting that replaces stock parts (signals, undertail kits, tail-tidies, etc) are usually major downgrades that don't work anywhere near as well as stock. Not all of it is crap, though.
stormcat
Well-known member
I don't do anything to my bike with the expectation that it will increase the value of it. The mods are just for me. Some things are pretty simple and useful too. Like just switching the stock headlight bulbs over to PIAA X-Treme White to see better at night. Other things are just for sound, looks, etc. Whatever makes the owner happy, IMHO. If you don't want to do any modifications to your bike, then don't. *shrug*
Well put and really does make the bike better.
A couple of things with your scenario. Check the price/availability of original exhausts that are 20+ years old. Some people are pulling off and scrapping a pipe worth 4 or more times their brand new one. If you truly treat your bike nice and it lasts, you'll be storing it for a long, long time. Spouses don't usually like that.
If you're pulling the catalytic converter off will it not fail a safety check? Are you a licensed mechanic? Could I trust you to put the bike back to stock without messing something important up?
If it was a track bike from a reliable rider who has a reliable mechanic, then sure why not.
But for a street bike, I don't think so, unless you know that this is the bike for you for a long time and you're planning on driving it into the ground.
Hammer
Well-known member
most moded bikes have been beaten on... my 2cents...
it's like a guy with a civic and a fart can... he thinks it's a race car and that it's the fastest thing on the planet, can't tell me you haven't seen these clowns beat on their cars...
if 5Hp or 10 is gonna make your day, then the bike is obviously too small to begin with...
my bike is bone stock... doesn't even have the mudflap cut off...
it's like a guy with a civic and a fart can... he thinks it's a race car and that it's the fastest thing on the planet, can't tell me you haven't seen these clowns beat on their cars...
if 5Hp or 10 is gonna make your day, then the bike is obviously too small to begin with...
my bike is bone stock... doesn't even have the mudflap cut off...
Gryphon
Well-known member
Everybody knows you can't remove the cat(s) from an automobile or you get charged...
Why then are things different for bikes?
Answer is they're not. Won't be long before regulations (like California) and enforcement catch up.
I've seen insanely loud bikes, wide-open pipes, there's no enforcement.
Dealers these days sometimes sell brand-new bikes with aftermarket exhausts they have fitted - that can't be legal either.
Todays young riders often seem disinterested in developing skills and proficiency, instead they want to know "how do I get rid of these turn signals, and get music and phone calls through my helmet?"
LoL, heheh... countersteering - what's that? Duh.
Anyway, agreed that stock is the way to go. Especially on the public roads, where potholes, streetcar tracks and nutty cagers (especially taxis) should be everyone's main preoccupation!
Suspension, braking, handling, these are okay areas for aftermarket improvements.
But engine, exhaust and electronics mods will always send up a red flag for new buyers... and rightly so.
To answer your question, no. I am not a certified mechanic. To replace the stock exhaust and cat. with Akra. slip on is as easy as taking a few bolts off.
For my particular bike, the cat. bolts off with the actual pipe. I think it's held on by 3 or 4 bolts and a clamp. So taking it out is not exactly rocket science and to put it back will not take much effort. There is no welding or cutting to be done. A simple tighty-righty and lefty loosey will do.
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Im surprised you ride with me so often lol.
Although you must admit my secondary signals on my passenger pegs are bright as hell.
