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Lower shocks, pull back bars and seat cut down (along with seat heaters) so I can actually ride it, not just be a passenger on it. Upgrade stereo so I can actually hear the music on the road. Jackpots, stage 1 and CAM so it will run cooler, better gas mileage, cars will know I'm there while splitting traffic, power to pull a trailer when I get that. Hey, it's a lot of money but then the bike wasn't cheap either. Like my SO says, might as well spend it on us instead of giving it to the ex!
Now that I have this 2011 Electra Glide Limited, I'm getting the same pressure from people to mod my bike...
Tell your friends you like things just they way they are. I'm not into performance and chrome mods. Been there, done that. The only mods I made to my '08 Ultra Classic are functional--a GPS, shifter linkage with heim joints and this 12V socket for connecting a battery tender or powering my heated vest.
Ever since March of 2000 when I got my first 7.3L diesel truck (which I still have), I have been pressured by many friends and acquaintances to mod my truck. Now that I have this 2011 Electra Glide Limited, I'm getting the same pressure from people to mod my bike, make that PERFORMANCEmods not COMFORT mods.
I understand the desire for more speed, horsepower and sound. I get that, but if I want speed, I don't think I would have bought my EG Limited, I would have bought a Hyabusa or some other crotch rocket (which I am deathly afraid of anyway!). I'm a middle aged guy who just wants to ride in comfort and luxury. I still have my Yamaha cruiser that is a lot lighter and much faster if I have the need for some additional speed.
"Boys and their toys" I get that. But if I just spent $27K+ on a bike and now an additional several thousand or more makes me want to just go find a custom builder and have a custom bike made just for me. Than I truly would have a one of a kind bike that's all mine!
Glad I got that off my chest! Thanks for the opportunity for the rant. I feel much better. Please don't think I'm knocking anyone for their mods. I really like a lot of them, just not my style. To all my friends and co-workers, I appreciate your concern and ability to try to make me spend more of my money. But please let me enjoy my toy my way for now and maybe one day, I'll join the crowd for all those mods.
It would be great to not allow yourself to do mods, they are worth nothing when you go to sell/trade it, money gone. Many mods you read here being done, most have draw backs or a negative side, those are the ones to detour around.
It's a dirty secret that a lot of people haven't learned yet......A stock bike will run just fine and have no reliability issues related to being left stock, period. You don't "need" to do a Stage 1 to "cool it down". You don't "need" to do a damn thing other than ride it.
I spent a $hitload on my Night Train. I spent about 1/3 of a $hitload on my Limited. My next Harley, if I decide to get another one, will have nothing but a Corbin, highway pegs, and a set of 575 bars added to it.
I always get bitten by the mod bug. And the funny thing, I've actually said before that I am done.
For me, when winter comes around here and the snow and ice hide in pockets of shade, I'll quit riding. Then, I go nuts and have to tinker just to keep my sanity. Speaking of, I think I may start to pull the front end apart this evening to begin installing my PYO bars. They've been in my garage for about 3 months now....
And then there is the Mod police that will berate you for doing any mods that they don't approve of or if you decide to use some other company than the preferred shops that they used, or if didn't do the mods yourself, or if you financed your bike, or didn't get abs or did get abs, etc etc etc.
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