So... I've had my baby for a couple of months now, and I've been hanging out here for just as long, and I've noticed a strange phenomenon: modification fever.

Actually, it's not so strange; when I had my '07 Versys and hung out on the Versys forum, "farkling" was all the rage. And honestly, the little V truly needed a few mods to make it more comfortable and more practical and more... well, not faster but louder. Er, more "personality" shall we say...

Same thing kind of happened with my 2010 Moto Guzzi Griso, but to a lesser degree. Not a lot of aftermarket stuff available for rare Italian bikes, and what's out there is damn expensive. But every bike needs to be massaged to perfectly fit its owner, amirite?

So I should'd be so surprised that the mod bug ("farkling" doesn't seem to fit these beasts) has bit and bit hard, and I've added a few items that are fit and comfort related. But the weird thing is I keep looking hard at performance mods. Specifically ECU flashes and related fueling items. When I get on these forums, I sometimes feel my gen1 is lacking because the flies don't open sooner and the top speed limiter is still in place.

Then I go for a ride and realize this crazy bike already has way more power than I can actually use. And there's the rub: this bike is frickin' awesome just as it is, and I really need to spend more time riding it instead of thinking about buying more shit for it.

Case in point: recently I've been thinking about changing out my Puig double bubble for an MRA version, because I felt like I was getting too much turbulence at speed. But last night I was out and had a chance to spend some time at speed (90+) and it was, strangely enough, the first time I actually got deeply tucked into the pocket... and the Puig was pretty good! Rather than replacing my existing equipment, I just needed to adjust my body position to get flatter on the tank and more behind the bubble.

Funny thing is, when I got home, I parked the bike and still thought about visiting the local bike shop just to see if they had anything for it. Geez, maybe I'm just a shopaholic!

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It takes a man to go his own and not go all mod crazy just because others are doing it. You're basically right, for probably 80-90% of the riders here the bike doesn't really need any performance mods, not even Gen 1s. And if they get them, they really don't need them, it's because they want them. There is a difference. Obviously everyone is entitled to do whatever they want to their own bike for whatever reason, take a hammer to it, turbo, nitrous, shocks, brakes, whatever.

Gen 1 riders do complain about throttle response abruptness of Gen 1s though. If you're bike is unmodified, and you're affected by perhaps on/off throttle, smooth response, and power delivery flash n' flies might just be right up your alley. If you don't notice these things, and they aren't affecting your enjoyment of the bike, imo there's little to no reason to make these mods.

It really is just a rider decision. If you don't need to modify the bike, maybe you want to anyway. Nothing wrong with it. The shallowest reason of course is bragging rights. Kind of like the H2... great bike (although a tad unsightly imo), but I won't be impressed by someone that's interested in showing it off as a trophy. Buy one, ride it, run it (hard), that's what will impress me. Not the mere fact of owning one, just as a huge list of aftermarket parts doesn't impress me alone.

Then I go for a ride and realize this crazy bike already has way more power than I can actually use. And there's the rub: this bike is frickin' awesome just as it is,

Yes, modding is fun for its own sake. It makes the bike unique and cool and sorta mysterious in a way. In reality, it's pretty hard for the average joe to take full advantage of performance mods. There are those situations where an appreciation for the enhancements can be had. If you're not racing, the bike is really great just as it is. With all the modding I've done, I'd say the bike is 10% better than stock at best. It's a lot of money for a little improvement and I don't use all the stock bike has to offer in the first place. That's the practical way to think about it but who wants to be practical about motorcycles?

and I really need to spend more time riding it instead of thinking about buying more shit for it.

Yeah, well good luck with that.

Geez, maybe I'm just a shopaholic!

An empty wallet will cure that for you.

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"An empty wallet will cure that for you."

A couple of nights ago I worked out the cost of mods on my bike including an engine replacement.
Result?
You just don't want to know!

But given my time again I wouldn't change a thing.
If I ever decide to sell the bike for whatever reason I will not go even close to re-couping the money spent.
But i always knew that along the way.
My bike is now exactly as I want it.

Not too many can say that so I feel pretty lucky...

* Last updated by: yannih on 2/7/2015 @ 9:16 PM *

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it's maybe also ego. I was happy with stock standard, in fact it was great. Until the first guy could get the best of me on a run, I don't race or anything like that. I ride for fun, on the road and the occasional track day. So then it started with exhaust, then PCV, then air filter mod, and so it goes on. My motivation is not to brag it's merely wanting to be as fast as I can go without opening the motor or adding things like nitrous and Turbo. There's nothing that beats that feeling when somoene thinks they are fast and you are faster.
I also know that there will always be somoene faster. I'm sure I will get to the same point as Yannih and be happy with what I've got or at least accept that's as far as I'm willing to go.
This forum I do find is a great place to find what mods are available and gives me some idea as to what can be achieved and at what costs.

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yannih - you did the right thing though. That blue is just far too gorgeous to have done otherwise. IMO your only option would've been to buy a different scoot and put all that bodywork on there unless it was the same paint. There was no other option!

untamed - it's understandable, but as an independent thinking person ("man") you either have your limits or you don't. If your limits are set in reaction to things like losing street races, it's probably some indication of having some tool tendencies.

It's the same way with your riding choices. If you'd only run your bike to illegal speeds or whatever in some street race because you have to beat that guy or whatever, but you'd never run that fast on your own, that's being a tool. If you'd only do wheelies down the interstate because you're riding in a group with others doing wheelies, that's being a tool. Think about it.

Vic, I trust you know about tools, and if me being faster than the other guy or having a competitive nature is being a tool, well then I accept graciously. On that vein let me react on your comments. (Or maybe I totally misunderstood your implications.)

My 2c was based on why I do mods.
Is it fun to race others on the street, hell yeah. I do however still ride responsibly and when it's safe to do so. If I only wanted to ride legal speeds then I shoudnt have bought this bike. Meaning that it was designed to ride fast.
I don't have to prove anything, people know what the zx14 can do, it's reputation precedes it.
I have a bike that can be made a little faster so why not.

I don't however judge those that choose to remain stock, have more mods or can ride faster than me. I get schooled now and then as well. They still have a super cool bike and it's no less/more meaner or impressive than mine.

Ride it brother anyway you choose.

* Last updated by: untamed on 2/8/2015 @ 11:54 PM *

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Don't get me wrong, I think personalizing and hot rodding our bikes our great ways to increase enjoyment while supporting the sport. I just think I might be thinking about it a little too much. At one point I found myself pricing out carbon fiber body panels! I mean, I really don't have money to burn, but it's so easy to get caught up in that "Wouldn't it be cool to...?" wishful thinking.

Seriously though, my next mods are going to be based on enhancing bike control and feel: traction pads on the tank, and a suspension setup. But I'll stiill probably daydream about a 240 kit!

* Last updated by: BigBloke on 2/8/2015 @ 11:49 PM *

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That's the beauty BigBloke.
Stock standard, a few mods, or totally kitted out.
Personalizing your 14 to what you want makes it individually yours.
And thats if you decide to do anything at all!
Whatever works for you is what you should do, no matter what that entails or what others may think...

* Last updated by: yannih on 2/9/2015 @ 2:05 AM *

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Couldn't agree more.
Whatever makes your bum hum

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On that vein let me react on your comments.

React is a keyword that came to my mind when I wrote that. What I'm really talking about is what makes up someone's constitution.

* Last updated by: VicThing on 2/9/2015 @ 10:21 PM *