Negative upgrades
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,027
Likes: 163
From: Grapevine Texas
Stereo! Guess it depends on the individual, my last bike a 17SGS, I went boom 3 on the audio, adding amps, upgrading the gauge wiring for audio, speakers, you name it. Sounded great but a complete waste for me. I do mainly highway miles with a bluetooth system on a modular helmet, so it never was really used. Money wasted for me. Added more blingy chrome, willie G gadgets, etc. Again, what I should of been focusing on was just comfort and performance, like suspension, shocks and handling components. I learned and did it right on my 20RGL
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 4,798
Likes: 5,889
From: Knoxville
Nope, bike was fine as is. For me there is nothing the dealership could do that I can’t. My time has no dollar value assigned.
I enjoy doing whatever whether it’s an upgrade or a repair. No repairs outside maintenance per manual. I have done bars and exhaust, complete. Out the door it was fine.
I enjoy doing whatever whether it’s an upgrade or a repair. No repairs outside maintenance per manual. I have done bars and exhaust, complete. Out the door it was fine.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,845
Likes: 16,583
From: Wisconsin, USA
On my ‘03 Ultra I bought Kuryakyn adjustable passenger pegs. You can’t use the first two positions because the saddlebags are in the way. The weight of the peg made my bolt shear off after a month. I bought Rivco passenger pegs, which rotate 360 degrees and had a sturdier mount. Still going after 12 years, two different bikes. And they’re made in the USA.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 18,688
Likes: 3,790
From: backwoods
Nope, bike was fine as is. For me there is nothing the dealership could do that I can’t. My time has no dollar value assigned.
I enjoy doing whatever whether it’s an upgrade or a repair. No repairs outside maintenance per manual. I have done bars and exhaust, complete. Out the door it was fine.
I enjoy doing whatever whether it’s an upgrade or a repair. No repairs outside maintenance per manual. I have done bars and exhaust, complete. Out the door it was fine.
I have been happy with newer stereo even on interstate. Sure amp be better. But compared to hogtunes on older bike it blows it away. I need to upgrade older bike to cheap stereo.
Seats for me are best upgrade
I may not do exhaust on new bike, which is probably why I like the stereo. I got enough loud bikes.
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 11,659
Likes: 8,468
From: Inland NW
If you ever want to get into some serious wrenching let me know.
I have been happy with newer stereo even on interstate. Sure amp be better. But compared to hogtunes on older bike it blows it away. I need to upgrade older bike to cheap stereo.
Seats for me are best upgrade
I may not do exhaust on new bike, which is probably why I like the stereo. I got enough loud bikes.
I have been happy with newer stereo even on interstate. Sure amp be better. But compared to hogtunes on older bike it blows it away. I need to upgrade older bike to cheap stereo.
Seats for me are best upgrade
I may not do exhaust on new bike, which is probably why I like the stereo. I got enough loud bikes.
Yeah, you are the one that we look to for "serious wrenching" on a newer bike, which you don't even have! The stock stereo you are discussing is even worse than the new one I upgraded. Your help was not needed, thank God.
OP: Everyone is different when it comes to mods. Some here are passionate about it, and many more are passionate against it. This is leaving cost out of the deciding factors. If you add price into it, it becomes even more controversial.
So far, I have not gone back to stock on any of the mods I have made, including: Engine (bore, cams, tune, etc), Clutch and components, Exhaust, Stereo, Bars, Seat, Brakes, Lighting, Controls, Suspension front and rear, windshields, add-ons, etc.
I think these items and the others I have added were positive for me, and I love the way it is now.
I would like some lighter wheels, next, and a more reliable transmission
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 18,688
Likes: 3,790
From: backwoods
I am happy with Rushmore stereo a lot better than my 07 that had upgraded speakers. Granted stock exhaust which I may keep just to enjoy radio
When I was kid we built up are car engines. Then kids started doing stereos instead. Now getting that way with bikes
When I was kid we built up are car engines. Then kids started doing stereos instead. Now getting that way with bikes
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 9,599
Likes: 7,982
From: Long Island, New York
I put a set of forward controls with pegs on my Road Glide, I thought for sure I hated the foot boards. Well after one long trip to NH and back, I decided they were torture devices and took them back off and re-installed the foot boards. Never looked back, that was a very negative upgrade that had to go away, quickly.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 144
Likes: 154
From: Tennessee
My Ultra Classic came with set of Cobra mufflers that had no baffles installed. I picked up a set from …. Somewhere…. Can’t remember now. They made the bike waaaay too quiet. Ran them for about a week, now they sit on a shelf in the garage.