Softail mods- looks or performance?
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 294
Likes: 2
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?
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,624
Likes: 189
From: Newcastle, Ca.
Do you ride 2up? Are you used to riding bikes that are better performing? Ever ride with faster bikes and you would like to keep up? Ride over steep mountain or high altitude passes? Performance mods can fall into the non-existent "functionality" category. Then again, some like to burn up wheels to show off also.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,891
Likes: 54
From: Mansfield, MA
I went performance because I wanted to be out on the highway and know I had the juice to pass the semi.
My stock 88 loaded with myself, girlfriend and luggage for 4 days was a lot. I was on the interstate and needed more juice... There was no one home....
I put a highway package in it. I go on at least 2 trips a year and on highway 81 you better be able to do 90 easily or your going to get run off the road.
Once I get to the rally, I show off the bling.
My stock 88 loaded with myself, girlfriend and luggage for 4 days was a lot. I was on the interstate and needed more juice... There was no one home....
I put a highway package in it. I go on at least 2 trips a year and on highway 81 you better be able to do 90 easily or your going to get run off the road.
Once I get to the rally, I show off the bling.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 7,882
Likes: 5
From: So California
Mostly 1.
DG seat, SE air cleaner and slip ons. Shotgun Shock and soon Ricor Intiminators I ordered after Drew wrote about his experience with them.
The way I ride, I don't need a beefed up engine. If those I ride with decide they are frustrated grand prix riders, I'll just show up later than them.
DG seat, SE air cleaner and slip ons. Shotgun Shock and soon Ricor Intiminators I ordered after Drew wrote about his experience with them.
The way I ride, I don't need a beefed up engine. If those I ride with decide they are frustrated grand prix riders, I'll just show up later than them.
Thread Starter
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,033
Likes: 7
From: TEXAS
Moog5050, lol hell no! It was a figure of speech.
Kuma, Good points.
hspring, I hear ya bro, but I have that power with the 96ci. I have the 88ci on my ultra and I can see the need for an upgrade there.
Kowan, I agree!
I have to admit that there are a few valid points here on the performance side. But it sounds like I have the power for the suggested needs for performance already on my lo.
Kuma, Good points.
hspring, I hear ya bro, but I have that power with the 96ci. I have the 88ci on my ultra and I can see the need for an upgrade there.
Kowan, I agree!
I have to admit that there are a few valid points here on the performance side. But it sounds like I have the power for the suggested needs for performance already on my lo.
Banned
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 533
Likes: 1
From: Houston, TX
1 and 1/2 here...
i love the looks thing because im a previous crotch rocketeer... i had all of the RPMs i needed and have all the tickets to prove it...
sport bike riding for me was about performance and freaking speed... what i abosolutely love about the HD world is the modding of looks.
if i ever need speed again, i'll go buy an R1...
i love the looks thing because im a previous crotch rocketeer... i had all of the RPMs i needed and have all the tickets to prove it...
sport bike riding for me was about performance and freaking speed... what i abosolutely love about the HD world is the modding of looks.
if i ever need speed again, i'll go buy an R1...
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 661
Likes: 3
From: Brooklyn
#1 but a future #2 when I'm done with #1 on how much money spent will check when I'm done because if I knew now I'd probably stop the maddness.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,775
Likes: 14
From: Northern Colorado
#1 here also. Dropped about 5k in all the things Ive done so far. Still lookin at gettin wheels, Stretching my rear fender etc. Probably gonna drop another 5k on her before Im done.
Ive had bikes built for Speed, had a Busa before my deluxe. I dont care about goin fast anymore. I wanna be seen and heard. The only performance mods I've done is Big Sucker, PCIII, and exhaust. Might do Cams next year, but thats mainly for alittle bit more Torque and for the sound Good Cams make, potato, potato, potato.
Ive had bikes built for Speed, had a Busa before my deluxe. I dont care about goin fast anymore. I wanna be seen and heard. The only performance mods I've done is Big Sucker, PCIII, and exhaust. Might do Cams next year, but thats mainly for alittle bit more Torque and for the sound Good Cams make, potato, potato, potato.
Last edited by CountryD; Mar 23, 2011 at 02:45 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: Cuse'
Dropped about 10k this past winter on a bunch of mods all surrounding looks. I get crap from the rocket guys at my work about racing them... My comeback is lets bring our bikes to bike night at the local bar and put up a voting booth to see who gets more props... My moneys on my bike over theres. Speed limit is 65 here so I have no need to go 150. Next yr Ill probably do a few engine mods to boost performance but no where near 10k.
I love walking by the rocket guys on a nice hot day and asking them "hey man are you sure you dont want to pull your bike in the garage, arent you worried that you're going to walk out to a puddle of plastic and a few metal parts?"
I love walking by the rocket guys on a nice hot day and asking them "hey man are you sure you dont want to pull your bike in the garage, arent you worried that you're going to walk out to a puddle of plastic and a few metal parts?"