[Need4Speed]

Are you of the thinking that scratches and dings on your bike give it character or are you of the thinking that if a bike is dinged up that means the rider doesnt take care of it, doesnt care, and the bike looks like shiate?

Just curious what you're thoughts are...

 

[Windigo]

I would not change a part because their is a scratch or a ding on it except if the bike really look like shiate but, wear do to intensive use of the bike is something else, wear due to clothes or gear rubbing on the bike or scratches done independantly of your driving skills ( rocks and sand on the road) are not bad as long as the bike is relatively clean while not in use, yes scratch & dings are acceptable.

 

[Gas Man]

I use to think I would always HAVE to fix any scratches... but then the bike got some scraches from the lay down and they are still there... character..yeah THATS IT!

 

[bumblebee]

Normal wear and tear show the bike is used, not posed...Scratches from falls have to be repaired/covered...isn't that why they make stickers...I mean besides making the bike go faster??

 

[Gas Man]

Only "R" stickers add 5hp!

 

[No Worries]

So "RR" adds 10 hp?

 

[Need4Speed]

So then if I cover my Kat in 20 RR stickers, I'll have a 200+hp beast right?

 

[drewpy]

only if you are the one that put the scratches there, not the previous owner, kind like you earned them:flush:

 

[Gas Man]

So then if I cover my Kat in 20 RR stickers, I'll have a 200+hp beast right?

Yeah sure...what ever you say! :lol:

 

[JK_DILLA]

only if there is a good story for the scratches. If you got em knocking your bike over in a drunken stupor... id say fix em. If you got em riding 700 miles through the desert, you can keep em.

 

[snadamo]

My bike was purchased with a few scratches and cracks, but nothing major. I had to use 3 small zip ties for the front fairing by the right headlight, and it gave it the cartoony bad guy stitch look. I think it makes it look badass, but thats just me being stupid I suppose. I think that it gives character. I wont go out and buy new fairings cause I know its Im just going to lay it down again. Might as well wait until I have a few riding experience notches under my belt before I shell out the $$$ for a some new plastics. Besides I got a bunch of stickers I can put on. Like bee said, it should make me go faster :lol:

 

[pickle.of.doom]

I hope so... I have abused mine... in just under 12k miles I have a rock chip on the front fairing, a scratch and a bubbly-paint spot on my tank from my tankbag, a cockeyed fairing from a drop (into my car ) and a scratch on the mirror from the same incident, as well as scratches on the swingarm from falling off the rear stand. Lots of 'Character'!

 

[jeeps84]

So then if I cover my Kat in 20 RR stickers, I'll have a 200+hp beast right?

Yea but, it has to be tuned right to get all the HP to the ground. :lol:
The paint on new bikes suck!
My 05 Gixxer has stone chips all over the front and even the front of the lower fairings. :cursin: That's what I get for trusting the guy in front of me and fowling to closely. :crazy:

 

[Need4Speed]

only if there is a good story for the scratches. If you got em knocking your bike over in a drunken stupor... id say fix em. If you got em riding 700 miles through the desert, you can keep em.

well said !!

 

[scorpion]

There's a fine point where it stops being character and it's time to fix it cuz the ****s broke...

example:

If your chains adjusted properly, swingarms dirty, rear wheel is dirty, rest of bike is clean, fine... character and ridden (hopefully)

Spotless, no scratches... (posed)

Couple of scratches, bug guts on head lights, fairings are slightly dusty, minor rash from being dropped... character (well loved and ridden bike)

CLuth lever missing the end, stator case cracked/ground down, frame slider missing 1/2 its length, turn signal hanging off, shifter busted off and jury rigged... FIX IT, the ****'s broke.

 

[JayMax]

Couple of scratches, bug guts on head lights, fairings are slightly dusty, minor rash from being dropped... character (well loved and ridden bike)

That describes my bike exactly!

I never really worry about my scratches since I seem to be the only one that can really see them. I realize it's because I put those scratches on there, but I figure it's because each of those scratches is an experience to be learned from. Other people that see my bike never really seem to see the scratches unless I point them out.

 

[Mudpuppy]

once you scratch it then it is time to track bike it.. my R6 is well ready to be put into track bike clothes, lose the un-necessary mirrors, lights, etc. and retire to the track a few times a year.. just need to buy the R1 for the street first.. dings are one thing as they are unavoidable and not a favorite feature of mine but scratches just downright piss me off because I like to keep my bike, car, etc. looking good and take good care of it.. but since we live in the state with the worst roads, etc. yeah they add character..