How do you prioritize your accessory/gear purchases?
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,035
Likes: 0
From: Arlington, Washington
Well i read these forums, look at magazines ect..... The thought is implanted in my brain and then I obsess until I bite the bullet and buy what ever shiny bauble that is currently keeping me awake at night! 
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 497
Likes: 1
From: Wa. state
Usually I prioritize ergonomics first - gotta be comfortable
then performance, because stock EFI bikes are so detuned.
then the chrome,leather,bling accessorizing stuff.
I've decided to avoid adding stuff just for looks. I have been there and done that and then when the bike was sold ended up giving away most of the extras.
If you ride 10k a year or more and live in a four season state , heated gear is definately the way to go. If you can stay off the bike when temps are hovering around 50 deg. and lower then I'd put off the heated stuff.
Actually I feel like any boot works for riding. I like my ankles covered.
If spending a lotta bucks is gonna cause problems with the wife just take it slow.
Once you aquire the mindset that "chrome wont get ya home' then is is easy to say nope, leather fringy =nope, powder coat and paint=nope, fancy lighting=nope, spiffy new wheels=nope, then think of ways I could better put to use thousands of dollars.
I think you have to ask yourself , why did you get the bike in the first place?
If it was with the intent to customize it and it wont strain the budget ,sky is the limit, then do like the celebrity builders do and start with the frame and work your way outward.
number one rule is = gotta have fun and enjoy it!
then performance, because stock EFI bikes are so detuned.
then the chrome,leather,bling accessorizing stuff.
I've decided to avoid adding stuff just for looks. I have been there and done that and then when the bike was sold ended up giving away most of the extras.
If you ride 10k a year or more and live in a four season state , heated gear is definately the way to go. If you can stay off the bike when temps are hovering around 50 deg. and lower then I'd put off the heated stuff.
Actually I feel like any boot works for riding. I like my ankles covered.
If spending a lotta bucks is gonna cause problems with the wife just take it slow.
Once you aquire the mindset that "chrome wont get ya home' then is is easy to say nope, leather fringy =nope, powder coat and paint=nope, fancy lighting=nope, spiffy new wheels=nope, then think of ways I could better put to use thousands of dollars.
I think you have to ask yourself , why did you get the bike in the first place?
If it was with the intent to customize it and it wont strain the budget ,sky is the limit, then do like the celebrity builders do and start with the frame and work your way outward.
number one rule is = gotta have fun and enjoy it!
Last edited by ZZZCICI; Nov 28, 2010 at 03:35 AM. Reason: added an e to celebrity
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,647
Likes: 11
From: Stockbridge, GA (Atlanta)
STOP buying chit immediately---in 6 months to a year half (the stuff you bought) it will be on ebay or worse sitting in the garage (i've done this twice) gave the stuff to a buddy who rebuilt a bike.
make a plan for what you want the bike to look like and follow the plan --NO impluse chrome purchases
Prioritize what is important and work on getting that item first
Just my .02
you can easily spend 10k / 20k on accessories and wheels
make a plan for what you want the bike to look like and follow the plan --NO impluse chrome purchases
Prioritize what is important and work on getting that item first
Just my .02
you can easily spend 10k / 20k on accessories and wheels
Last edited by lkr0; Nov 28, 2010 at 07:38 AM.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 660
Likes: 27
From: Southern Illinois
It seems like there is always one little aspect of my bike that is bugging me. Then I just work on that until I have it the way I want it. Of course everything mechanical must be working perfectly before any cosmetic thingies are added. Hate to see someone spend a $100 bucks on chrome and not own a factory service manual. Just my 2 cents.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,616
Likes: 17
From: Mid West
Main priorities:
1) Comfort need for me or the little woman; 2) functional by someone else's eval or recommend; 3) stylish add to the ride, maybe too blingish or too plain or may not fit personality; 4) affordability.
1) Comfort need for me or the little woman; 2) functional by someone else's eval or recommend; 3) stylish add to the ride, maybe too blingish or too plain or may not fit personality; 4) affordability.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,507
Likes: 23
From: Orange County Texas
You may find this funny but other than gas, none of the changes or mods to my bike have been paid for from my income or purchased on a credit card.
All my changes and improvements have been paid for by selling stuff on E-bay. Items from my previous hobbys, items I no longer use or want..
I still have every original items I took of the bike so if I decide to trade in/up I can put it back to original.
Almost everthing I have put on the bike has been for either comfort or funchion.
I actually put the first part on this week that did nothing but change apperance. A set of black saddlebag latches and yes I like them. Is guess the theme buying is starting now. The song Back In Black comes to mind.
All my changes and improvements have been paid for by selling stuff on E-bay. Items from my previous hobbys, items I no longer use or want..
I still have every original items I took of the bike so if I decide to trade in/up I can put it back to original.
Almost everthing I have put on the bike has been for either comfort or funchion.
I actually put the first part on this week that did nothing but change apperance. A set of black saddlebag latches and yes I like them. Is guess the theme buying is starting now. The song Back In Black comes to mind.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 866
Likes: 18
From: Richmond Hill, Ontario
Comfort first. No question about it. Once you are comfortable, you have all the time in the world to ride around and look for shiney things. Mmmm,... shiney things.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
Club Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,633
Likes: 54
From: GA
This is a bunch of great feedback! I told myself when I got the bike I was going to take it slow on the bling purchases and except for the pipes I have. The C&C seat is all about comfort (according to A LOT of feedback here on HDF) but I figured why not fancy it up a bit since it isn't too expensive...still cheaper than a Corbin. BTW, the Service Manual was my first purchase.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 497
Likes: 1
From: Wa. state
I recall reading where a guy bought a brand new bike and kept it at his friends home. He was hiding it from his wife.
The practical way is to say if I can ride the bike the way it is then it is not a priority.
I had a friend ask me , why I didn't change out my floor boards. I told him I will when these are worn out.