Mods... useless?

I'm a member of several diffrent forums (none I frequent as much as TWF) and I've seen this exact post in some form or another in every one... be it about bikes, trucks, or cars... this one just happens to be about sportbikes... Some people really need to re-evaluate & prioritize what they spend money on. "Go fast" goodies are nothing but a bottomless pit. You spend X amount of dollars for a slip-on or full system, Y amount on a jet kit, Z amount on 520 chain conversions & aluminum sprockets, for what? A total of maybe 3 to 6 hp? Sure, maybe you'll feel the difference the first few times you go riding, but HP gains are only felt for so long. Anyway, my post isn't to put-down or insult people who spend money on their bikes, but to awaken them to the backwards order in which some people spend it. The streets are far more dangerous than the track, yet I see alot of people riding around "naked" & doing silly **** they have no business doing in the first place. Spend money the important stuff first, like personal protection and rider education. NOTHING in motorcycling pays off more in the long run than proper training, which is FOREVER a continual process. You can NEVER learn enough. "Speed is nothing if you don't know what to do with it". Anyone can twist the throttle & go fast in a straight line, but the ones that survive are the ones that can turn and brake as well. Try going to a track day, or if you haven't already done so yet, at the very least look into MSF courses. The progress you'll make & the experience you'll gain is worth FAR more than 3, 5, 10, hell even 50hp at the ground. A 100% stock super sport is capable of FAR more than almost all of the riders that are riding them, there's no need to hop it up even more. So do yourself and everyone else that pays insurance companies for our privilege of owning a sportbike a favor & spend money on what really counts first..... YOU. Your bike will thank you the next time you carve it through the twisties or swerve around the blind driver that just pulled out in front of you. Thank you for your time. *steps off soapbox Like I said... I've seen it about everything... usually its about the Cosmetic mods... not performance... but the same general idea... so what's your guy's take on the subject? I've got my own opinion... but I'll hold that... (don't wanna influence anyone ;) )

I would agree that someone would get far more from a course than from a speed mod. But I also don't see a slip-on exhaust as a hp boosting mod. To me, the slip on is about sound. I hate the quiet sound of stock pipes. All the other stuff the poster is talking about, I certainly understand. First and foremost is gear and basic knowledge. I've always said, "If you can't afford to buy the gear when you buy the bike, then you don't need to buy the bike."

I agree to a certain extent that people usually turn to mods when they don't need to. I used to autocross quite a bit and I found that quite a few people used to like to mod the hell out of there rides and I would get faster times in my stock car. especially when it comes to bikes mods aren't going to help you go faster if you haven't reached the level of skill to fully utilize the potential of your vehicle. The major failing of the above post is that mods are fun regardless of whether or not they actually make you faster.

what would you put, for example, a better windscreen under? is that cosmetic?

what would you put, for example, a better windscreen under? is that cosmetic? depends... does it do anything? anything other than the stock shape is performance.... if it's just to change color... cosmetic.. :2cents:

I don't think cosmetic mods are for posers, but I also think there's a limit. But, to each his own, as well. I definitely think bikes (and cars) should look good, but if I was forced to choose between appearance and performance, I'd take the ugliest vehicle in the world if it had the best performance in the world.

I don't think cosmetic mods are for posers, but I also think there's a limit. But, to each his own, as well. I definitely think bikes (and cars) should look good, but if I was forced to choose between appearance and performance, I'd take the ugliest vehicle in the world if it had the best performance in the world. :withstupi though I like a balance.... I'd want something that looked good (in my opinion) but had good performance over something at either drastic end of the table...(all performance no looks/no performance all looks)

I think a rider is like a driver in the sence that what they drive is an extension of who they are. People want to look good on a night on the town, and also when they cruise the town. Same thing for riders (cosmetic). Also, a custom bike is more likely to be seen by that reckless driver. As for performance, I don't know a single person that de-tunes a vehicle. Car or bike to be "safer." If anything I want more power to remove myself from a dangerous situation. As for exhaust :iagree: with Captain and firmly believe "LOUD PIPES SAVE LIVES" :2cents:

:iagree:

depends... does it do anything? anything other than the stock shape is performance.... if it's just to change color... cosmetic.. :2cents: ahh so performance also covers functional mods. only performance mods for me.

ahh so performance also covers functional mods. only performance mods for me. yeah I guess I should have phrased it as Functional not Performance...:idk:

mods like marko or rae i could do without, they make the fun stuff boring very quickly... gman too. Now jeeps, hes not around enough when i'm on to completely violate my non-existant rights! hell i've only got 1 out of 4 infractions from him! oh i hope to get a new, ummmm, co1 emitter soon. do they make those in red? (haha just kidding guys and gals) (or am i) (or am i NOT) (or am i)

mods like marko or rae i could do without, they make the fun stuff boring very quickly... gman too. Now jeeps, hes not around enough when i'm on to completely violate my non-existant rights! hell i've only got 1 out of 4 infractions from him! oh i hope to get a new, ummmm, co1 emitter soon. do they make those in red? (haha just kidding guys and gals) (or am i) (or am i NOT) (or am i) :lol: :cheers:

I agree with the quoted poster to an extent. Your first "mods" should be quality gear. And I'd say he's mostly right about needing the performance mods too. We dont need them. Not for the street...and 90% of us dont need them for the track either. But motorcycles are our hobby. And this is America...where we are free to spend our loot as we choose. As far as performance vs. cosmetic. I think they both serve a purpose. I've got a mirrored screen on mine. Looks much better than clear stock...but it doesn't do jack for performance. I'm more about performance than cosmetice...but you gotta make your ride look good. Nevermind that mine is PINK...:leaving:

I think a rider is like a driver in the sence that what they drive is an extension of who they are. People want to look good on a night on the town, and also when they cruise the town. Same thing for riders (cosmetic). Also, a custom bike is more likely to be seen by that reckless driver. As for performance, I don't know a single person that de-tunes a vehicle. Car or bike to be "safer." If anything I want more power to remove myself from a dangerous situation. As for exhaust :iagree: with Captain and firmly believe "LOUD PIPES SAVE LIVES" :2cents: :iagree: I like my performence and cosmetic mods. Both serve a purpose. Making me happy! And I don't care if anybody else likes it although it is nice to hear. mods like marko or rae i could do without, they make the fun stuff boring very quickly... gman too. Now jeeps, hes not around enough when i'm on to completely violate my non-existant rights! hell i've only got 1 out of 4 infractions from him! oh i hope to get a new, ummmm, co1 emitter soon. do they make those in red? (haha just kidding guys and gals) (or am i) (or am i NOT) (or am i) Better watch out NTS... we's going to get you!! :wink: :lol:

depends... does it do anything? anything other than the stock shape is performance.... if it's just to change color... cosmetic.. :2cents: :withstupi

I cant think of anything that would be a cosmetic mod besides coloring stuff, ex chrome..... Changeing any part with aftermarket is a performance part being it lighter or stronger. Get the basics first, gear first, "cosmetic" parts second performance parts last imo. I dont think pig spotters flush mounts and db black windscreen are considered cosmetics tho, performance is judged by more than just power you know, which no one brought up. How about carbon fiber wheels that weight 2lbs (two pounds)?

Well actually if you want to get into power and not just the hp at the wheel.. then you should talk hp to weight ratio. Then the best mod alot of times is putting the rider on a diet. Cause we be fat americans! Further, something like the carbon fiber wheels and/or 520 conversions are actually lowering the rotational mass of those pieces. Therefor actually increasing the rwhp due to less drivetrain loss.

Better watch out NTS... we's going to get you!! :wink: :lol: ha its all in good fun, i love you guys.(not in that way though. cept for rae)

i am all about cosmetic mods for my bike. i like it to look good. i am not worried about being a fast rider...i just wanna be a good rider. my bike has plenty of performance that i'll probably never use, but it didn't have butterfly heel guards or flame seats. those are the little touches that reflect my personality. :dthumb:

my take on it is, that each person is free to do as he/she pleases with thier bike. I like making my bike look unique to ME because I'm like that, the biggest mod I'd be into doing really is changing the exhaust for something lighter and better sounding. those stock cans weigh like 15 pounds, aftermarkets are like half that. I also have to agree about good protective gear and proper education being more important than the shiny new windscreen. nothing on your bike will save you like that good helmet and leathers, plus taking a crapload of motorcycle courses to learn more.

i got bored , so i polished my rims

I wouldn't know I neither got cosmetic or performance mods...:whistle: :lol: actually I think people mod their bikes to make them their own most of the time. so I'm all for it if it is something to make you happy about your bike then do it.

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w123/kaw-636/racelook.jpg got it to work now.... here ya go

your wheels look SICK! now just to get the rest of the bikes paint to match them :dthumb:

your wheels look SICK! now just to get the rest of the bikes paint to match them :dthumb: i still dont know what i want to paint it. wait till i get back from the sandbox .

i still dont know what i want to paint it. wait till i get back from the sandbox . when you going? your army right? so your gone for a year, correct? anyways... good luck... keep your head down... and make it back in one piece! :pat:

when you going? your army right? so your gone for a year, correct? anyways... good luck... keep your head down... and make it back in one piece! :pat: :patr: soon , yea army

:patr: soon , yea army so I take it your not gonna be able to make it to the Gap trip... keep in touch... let us know how your doing and if you need anything...

so I take it your not gonna be able to make it to the Gap trip... keep in touch... let us know how your doing and if you need anything... my club is going the last weekend of june .. i should make it

my club is going the last weekend of june .. i should make it :dthumb:

I think that mods CAN be a waste of money. If ur one of those guys that just buys the cosmetic stuff to make the other riders oooh and aaaah over it u might be wasting ur money (unless its a showbike then thats another story). If u like the cosmetic mods and u think "dang thats sick!" every time u look at ur bike then theres no real "waste" of money, because u like what u bought. Performance mods I think are pretty much the same way. If u have a 500hp+ Busa and have no intention of ever going to the track then u probably dont need it. If u race I see no problem for a bike having that much hp. Pipes are something I think u the rider have to like for it to be considered a good investment. I guess what Im trying to say is if ur doing it just to impress the peeps then ur probably wasting ur money. :2cents:

I guess what Im trying to say is if ur doing it just to impress the peeps then ur probably wasting ur money. :2cents: but see is it really a waste if that's what they're going for? I mean if that's what they want to do... and that's the result... didn't they accomplish their goal? it may be a waste to you but no to them... for example... DLIT is very vocal about his distaste for sport bikes with stretched swing-arms and no doubt considers it a waste... but 1Bad I'm sure wouldn't consider it a waste on his ride...

I think that mods CAN be a waste of money. If ur one of those guys that just buys the cosmetic stuff to make the other riders oooh and aaaah over it u might be wasting ur money (unless its a showbike then thats another story). If u like the cosmetic mods and u think "dang thats sick!" every time u look at ur bike then theres no real "waste" of money, because u like what u bought. Performance mods I think are pretty much the same way. If u have a 500hp+ Busa and have no intention of ever going to the track then u probably dont need it. If u race I see no problem for a bike having that much hp. Pipes are something I think u the rider have to like for it to be considered a good investment. I guess what Im trying to say is if ur doing it just to impress the peeps then ur probably wasting ur money. :2cents: :iagree: .................................................................................... i only spent about $40.00 to poish my rims.only did it cause i was bored

but see is it really a waste if that's what they're going for? I mean if that's what they want to do... and that's the result... didn't they accomplish their goal? it may be a waste to you but no to them... for example... DLIT is very vocal about his distaste for sport bikes with stretched swing-arms and no doubt considers it a waste... but 1Bad I'm sure wouldn't consider it a waste on his ride... Yeah thats what Im saying. Its not a waste to u if u like it but to others who dont it may be...its all about personal preference.

Yeah thats what Im saying. Its not a waste to u if u like it but to others who dont it may be...its all about personal preference. :withstupi

:withstupi Speaking of personal preference...ur bike needs black rims :whistle: :lol:

Speaking of personal preference...ur bike needs black rims :whistle: :lol: hell i dont even know what color im going to paint it yet.and im low on cash right now.. so im goint to wait tiill i get back from the sandbox. that why she is the way she is .. as for rims thats stock color.. i just got tired of the red.

hell i dont even know what color im going to paint it yet.and im low on cash right now.. so im goint to wait tiill i get back from the sandbox. that why she is the way she is .. as for rims thats stock color.. i just got tired of the red. I saw one of my friends verizon razrs and it had a silver outside and a black inside. Ever since than I thought a silver 636 with back rims and highlights would look bad a$$ :2cents:

im thinking blue and silver

im thinking blue and silver I think I saw a bike like that. Looked pretty sick!

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w123/kaw-636/racelook.jpg got it to work now.... here ya go That looks SICK!!!!! :dthumb: Speaking of personal preference...ur bike needs black rims :whistle: :lol: No I like the red!! Looks different!!

That looks SICK!!!!! :dthumb: No I like the red!! Looks different!! :iagree: on both counts the bike looks awesome and the red rims complement it perfectly...:dthumb:

i didnt know he had red rims on his 636...i didnt even know he posted the pic up :lol:

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w123/kaw-636/2196_1024.jpg this is what it looked like stock. then i droped it.

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w123/kaw-636/2196_1024.jpg this is what it looked like stock. then i droped it. yeah i figured after I saw the flames on the tank. I think it looks good primer grey tho...almost better than stock IMO.:dthumb:

yea i didnt like the flames thing ... it was the only kawi they had in stock

im thinking blue and silver That would be pretty sick.