Softail mods- looks or performance?
Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 923
Likes: 43
From: New Hampshire
I think there's a 4th catagory, functionality. Adding things like saddlebags and windshields and even seats to some degree, which don't alter performance (in terms of handling, acceleration, etc.), oftentimes look worse, but make the bike more useable since most Softails don't come out of the factory with shields and bags, and the like.
Aside from a stage 1 setup, all of my mods have been for functionality (highway pegs, bags, seat, windshield) and for looks (chrome do-dads..)
Didn't read the OP closely enough, I'm not quite up to 10k either...
Aside from a stage 1 setup, all of my mods have been for functionality (highway pegs, bags, seat, windshield) and for looks (chrome do-dads..)
Didn't read the OP closely enough, I'm not quite up to 10k either...
Thread Starter
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,033
Likes: 7
From: TEXAS
I think there's a 4th catagory, functionality. Adding things like saddlebags and windshields and even seats to some degree, which don't alter performance (in terms of handling, acceleration, etc.), oftentimes look worse, but make the bike more useable since most Softails don't come out of the factory with shields and bags, and the like.
Aside from a stage 1 setup, all of my mods have been for functionality (highway pegs, bags, seat, windshield) and for looks (chrome do-dads..)
Didn't read the OP closely enough, I'm not quite up to 10k either...
Aside from a stage 1 setup, all of my mods have been for functionality (highway pegs, bags, seat, windshield) and for looks (chrome do-dads..)
Didn't read the OP closely enough, I'm not quite up to 10k either...
Last edited by JIMSFBL; Mar 23, 2011 at 12:36 PM.
Former Sponsor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 19,364
Likes: 40
From: Los Angeles, CA
Number three for sure. I have never added up my total of my mods as I don't want to know how much I have spent./ I could have had another bike too.
I started with looks, and then over the years I got into performance after I felt I did msot everything I could with looks. Actually first thing was exhaust, PCIII and air cleaner. Then it was rims, air ride, 5 more sets of ehxaust. Then a few more sets of wheels, 2 more air rides, another set of bars or two, new cables, and the list goes on and on and on.
Drew
I started with looks, and then over the years I got into performance after I felt I did msot everything I could with looks. Actually first thing was exhaust, PCIII and air cleaner. Then it was rims, air ride, 5 more sets of ehxaust. Then a few more sets of wheels, 2 more air rides, another set of bars or two, new cables, and the list goes on and on and on.
Drew
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,033
Likes: 7
From: TEXAS
The guys that do it for performance, do you do it for the same reason I do it for looks, which is to show it off?
To me, I don't want more power on my 96ci. I have no desire to go faster than a hundred or 0-60 in 3 seconds. I have all the passing power I need and I can smoke my back tire to a melt down.
So the only reason I can think of to want higher performance is to show it off. Is this the case? If it were the need for speed, then why buy a harley which is the desiel of the motorcycle industry.
I personally have a lot of respect for the guys that mod in the direction of performance. Maybe it's because that's where that type of modder is most knowlegeable?
To me, I don't want more power on my 96ci. I have no desire to go faster than a hundred or 0-60 in 3 seconds. I have all the passing power I need and I can smoke my back tire to a melt down.
So the only reason I can think of to want higher performance is to show it off. Is this the case? If it were the need for speed, then why buy a harley which is the desiel of the motorcycle industry.
I personally have a lot of respect for the guys that mod in the direction of performance. Maybe it's because that's where that type of modder is most knowlegeable?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,154
Likes: 6,175
From: SE Michigan
The guys that do it for performance, do you do it for the same reason I do it for looks, which is to show it off?
To me, I don't want more power on my 96ci. I have no desire to go faster than a hundred or 0-60 in 3 seconds. I have all the passing power I need and I can smoke my back tire to a melt down.
So the only reason I can think of to want higher performance is to show it off. Is this the case? If it were the need for speed, then why buy a harley which is the desiel of the motorcycle industry.
I personally have a lot of respect for the guys that mod in the direction of performance. Maybe it's because that's where that type of modder is most knowlegeable?
To me, I don't want more power on my 96ci. I have no desire to go faster than a hundred or 0-60 in 3 seconds. I have all the passing power I need and I can smoke my back tire to a melt down.
So the only reason I can think of to want higher performance is to show it off. Is this the case? If it were the need for speed, then why buy a harley which is the desiel of the motorcycle industry.
I personally have a lot of respect for the guys that mod in the direction of performance. Maybe it's because that's where that type of modder is most knowlegeable?
I think for me, its about reliability, so after about 50K or abouts, I'll want to replace the bearings with reliable ones, upgrade the compensator, true and weld the crank, etc. Cams and a bigger bore wouldn't be that much extra at that point
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,033
Likes: 7
From: TEXAS
I agree to a certain point, its certainly fast enough now, but a little more oomph wouldn't be a bad thing.
I think for me, its about reliability, so after about 50K or abouts, I'll want to replace the bearings with reliable ones, upgrade the compensator, true and weld the crank, etc. Cams and a bigger bore wouldn't be that much extra at that point
I think for me, its about reliability, so after about 50K or abouts, I'll want to replace the bearings with reliable ones, upgrade the compensator, true and weld the crank, etc. Cams and a bigger bore wouldn't be that much extra at that point
The reason I'm asking about this, is because (kinda like Drew said) I'm at the point in my mods to where I'm looking at performance, but I just don't really want more power than what I have. So I don't think I'm gonna go there at this time.
But If I had to replace stuff after many miles, I could see where I would up grade at that point, since I'd have to rebiuld or replace anyway.
Last edited by JIMSFBL; Mar 23, 2011 at 01:29 PM.