To Mod or not to mod...
09-20-2011, 03:21 AM
#1
Senior Member
Superstock
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Posts: 491
To Mod or not to mod...
First off let me say Im using this for the deciding factor as to which way I am going to go with bike...
I have been going back and forth on making custom bits out of aluminum and Carbon Fiber and making the bike as light and ridged as possible and not have to worry about integrity issues, then working on the :brakes, suspension, engine, wheels, gearing, ect... Yet I feel if I do all this I would be taking away from what makes the Superhawk. Yes, The 996cc liquid cooled engine is the heart, which makes the beast live, but the frame and fairings are the skin. I hate plastic surgury, like getting a face lift or fake breasts beacuse that person thinks that they arnt big enough... Would I be doing that to my bike?
Im torn. I can not get a nother bike. Otherwise I will no longer be married.
What it comes down to is... Has anyone on here felt the same way I am feeling now and gone thru with it and NEVER regretted the mod(s) that you chose to do?
This was long and drug out so I'll Shut the hell up now. -Squid-
I have been going back and forth on making custom bits out of aluminum and Carbon Fiber and making the bike as light and ridged as possible and not have to worry about integrity issues, then working on the :brakes, suspension, engine, wheels, gearing, ect... Yet I feel if I do all this I would be taking away from what makes the Superhawk. Yes, The 996cc liquid cooled engine is the heart, which makes the beast live, but the frame and fairings are the skin. I hate plastic surgury, like getting a face lift or fake breasts beacuse that person thinks that they arnt big enough... Would I be doing that to my bike?
Im torn. I can not get a nother bike. Otherwise I will no longer be married.
What it comes down to is... Has anyone on here felt the same way I am feeling now and gone thru with it and NEVER regretted the mod(s) that you chose to do?
This was long and drug out so I'll Shut the hell up now. -Squid-
09-20-2011, 05:15 AM
#2
Administrator
MotoGP
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Kempner, TX
Posts: 4,402
To me the VTR is a canvas, to be painted upon (built /MOD’ed) as the painter sees fit… ie, there is no wrong answer..
Several builders on this site have created versions of the VTR to which I would never buy, ride, own, or build.. but they were happy with them so who cares what others think.
I want a RSV4 Factory APRC SE
I want a Ducati 1198 SP
But, after spending on those… What do you paint upon? The masterpiece is done.
So, layout what your bike designs are at the end of the road,, and start building.
Several builders on this site have created versions of the VTR to which I would never buy, ride, own, or build.. but they were happy with them so who cares what others think.
I want a RSV4 Factory APRC SE
I want a Ducati 1198 SP
But, after spending on those… What do you paint upon? The masterpiece is done.
So, layout what your bike designs are at the end of the road,, and start building.
09-20-2011, 06:07 AM
#3
Senior Member
MotoGP
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Montreal
Posts: 5,631
Having indulged in the dark art of modding myself, I can attest that there is a great deal of satisfaction to be had in "refining" the VTR (or any other vehicle for that matter) and bringing it closer to your personal ideal. Does the VTR absolutely NEED modding? No, it`s a fine bike as it is. However, my goal in gong down that road was to both personalize it and make it perform better for my intended use.
09-20-2011, 07:09 AM
#4
SportTouring
Superstock
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Hawaii
Posts: 274
For me, I agree with the two previous posts. Modifying as you the rider see fit.
What is your riding style and what do you want to do. I no longer do much
aggressive riding nowadays, mostly sport touring. My S/H and I have been together
for some time now. I look to keep the charactoristics of the V-Twin foremost.
To me it is much more "alive" than an inline. Comfort and safety along with performance.
I do occasionally switch back and forth betweem my carbon fibers and stock mufflers.
Stock- super quiet but heavy, carbon fiber-noticeably lighter and better thru rev band
performance- louder but love the sound (two-bros.). Run carbons 99%. Heli-bars, Seargant Seat, vista-cruise,double bubble, Renthals, are some mods that make my ride for me. MCCTs might be one you could consider(insurance-peace of mind). ENJOY
.
What is your riding style and what do you want to do. I no longer do much
aggressive riding nowadays, mostly sport touring. My S/H and I have been together
for some time now. I look to keep the charactoristics of the V-Twin foremost.
To me it is much more "alive" than an inline. Comfort and safety along with performance.
I do occasionally switch back and forth betweem my carbon fibers and stock mufflers.
Stock- super quiet but heavy, carbon fiber-noticeably lighter and better thru rev band
performance- louder but love the sound (two-bros.). Run carbons 99%. Heli-bars, Seargant Seat, vista-cruise,double bubble, Renthals, are some mods that make my ride for me. MCCTs might be one you could consider(insurance-peace of mind). ENJOY
.
09-20-2011, 10:46 AM
#7
Senior Member
Superstock
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii USA
Posts: 427
Modding is natural for the human beast. It's a way to personalize a possession, especially one based on enthusiasm rather than necessity.
Every good recipe allows for "season to taste".
Every good recipe allows for "season to taste".
09-20-2011, 11:20 AM
#8
Head Scratcher
Back Marker
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Corvallis, Oregon
Posts: 202
What started out as a simple streetfighter build for me has snowballed into something that isn't recognizable as a Superhawk (to the untrained eye). FLO is right...it is a slippery slope.
I set out to build a bike that appealed to me. I get more compliments on it now than I ever did while it was in stock trim. I've had every conceivable type of rider approach me to find out what it is and became some sort of guru to this kid down the block building a GS500.
Once I pulled the trigger I never looked back and have no real regrets. To me it's a project that will never be finished, as I'm always seeing little things I can do to make it more aesthetically pleasing and my mind changes daily on changing the paint scheme. In the end though, I have the bike I want, built by me and I know this bike better than any other I've ever owned.
Now to focus some of this energy on the Bandit 1200 sitting neglected in the other corner of the garage
I set out to build a bike that appealed to me. I get more compliments on it now than I ever did while it was in stock trim. I've had every conceivable type of rider approach me to find out what it is and became some sort of guru to this kid down the block building a GS500.
Once I pulled the trigger I never looked back and have no real regrets. To me it's a project that will never be finished, as I'm always seeing little things I can do to make it more aesthetically pleasing and my mind changes daily on changing the paint scheme. In the end though, I have the bike I want, built by me and I know this bike better than any other I've ever owned.
Now to focus some of this energy on the Bandit 1200 sitting neglected in the other corner of the garage
09-20-2011, 05:37 PM
#9
Senior Member
Superstock
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Posts: 491
Alright. So i made a list of stuff now that I have the guilt gone... But everything I am modding I will be able to take back to stock Just in case. Thank you ALL for your input. It helped me take the plunge into this, now... anyone out there have a roll of carbonfiber and a vacume bag kit that I could trade my wife for, since she probably wont put up with the long days ill be spending in the garage and the amount of money I will be spending on it.
09-21-2011, 10:45 PM
#12
Head Scratcher
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Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Corvallis, Oregon
Posts: 202
09-24-2011, 03:17 PM
#13
Senior Member
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 120
09-25-2011, 12:06 PM
#15
Senior Member
Superstock
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Edwards AFB, CA
Posts: 491
All valid points. Deployment is looming some time in the near future and the weather is starting to get snotty. For right now its looking like I'm just drawing up plans and will probably just start stock pile parts and materials till I get back and tear into it then. Have some good ideas... and my wife says that this site "Has created a monster that draws parts on any paper in sight and spends more time thinking about your bike than me." Guys, I think she is starting to understand.
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