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Mirror Extensions; why not DIY from other materials?

Sopher

Sopher

New member
I think that cost of $119 for the Kewlmetal extenions are way too costly. I compare this to my other two hobbies: Remote Control Helicopters and Nitro Monster TRucks.

The CNC parts for my REVO truck are far more complicated and are like $25-$45.
Although I do recognize the Kewlmetal maker want to re-coup his tooling costs, I think its still too high.

I make make my own... PLastic Wood, sheets of 1/4" alliminum or die-cast alloy. I could see even making a mold and using die-cast metal to fill it.
 
I felt the same way so I opted for a cheaper yet equally effective solution that doesn't compromise the look of the Spyder...
14907243444.jpg


$2 US and I have no blind spot.
 
daddydarko said:
I felt the same way so I opted for a cheaper yet equally effective solution that doesn't compromise the look of the Spyder...
14907243444.jpg


$2 US and I have no blind spot.
Click to expand...

You may not like the looks of the mirror extensions but there is no way that a fish eye is going to do the same thing. If we ever have the chance to hookup I'll let you ride mine and you'll see the difference.

As far as cost goes, these are priced better than they would be if they were sold through a dealer. The dealer margin is not built in so you could add another 20 to 30% if it was. All parts are based on cost. Small runs cost more to build than if you built 10,000 of these. Trust me they are not getting rich on these.
 
Lamonster said:
You may not like the looks of the mirror extensions but there is no way that a fish eye is going to do the same thing. If we ever have the chance to hookup I'll let you ride mine and you'll see the difference.

As far as cost goes, these are priced better than they would be if they were sold through a dealer. The dealer margin is not built in so you could add another 20 to 30% if it was. All parts are based on cost. Small runs cost more to build than if you built 10,000 of these. Trust me they are not getting rich on these.
Click to expand...

I certainly would not question Kewlmetal's integrity or business practices but I guess I've just never felt the need for anything more than the fish eye. I see everything right away and don't have to crank my neck. I suppose I'll have to try a :spyder: with the extensions installed. It's just that I can think of more fruitful investments for my $120 such as this Acceleration Assistant System

attachment.php


or this great new helmet

cat_davidson.jpg


Sorry- I'm done now. :-X
 
You don't think a cheesy fish-eye mirror degrades the look of the Spyder???



Sopher.... how much is your time worth?

It would take you hours and hours to create something as good looking as the Kewlmetal mirror extensions... I'm guessing a good 6 hours or more.

Is your 6 hours of time not worth $120 ???
 
I'm thinking a pair of CRG bar-end mirrors (or similar) would do the trick. The next project would be to repalce the stock mirrors with some sort of better looking turn indicator, something like the stuff Gregg's Customs makes for sport bikes.
 
Danimal said:
You don't think a cheesy fish-eye mirror degrades the look of the Spyder???
Click to expand...

No. It looks $118 cooler than the alternative.

Bottom line- if you have problems with rear visibility and have $120 burning a hole in your pocket, Kewlmetal is the way to go. If you can see just fine with $2 fish eyes, it's money well spent (saved).

Don't knock the "cheesy" fish eyes until you've tried them. Unless those mirror extensions come with X-Ray vision, I aint missing anything.
 
Well... you look like a somewhat skinny guy...... pack some pounds on and then try and look through the stock mirrors.... I've got really broad shoulders... so all I could see in them was my arms .. without leaning really far in the opposite direction.

The Kewlmetal units look great... you cannot tell that they were added... which is really the only kind of Mod I like to add... if it is visible... I want it to look STOCK.

I've had the fish-eye things on trucks for years... towing campers and whatnot.. and they worked 'okay'... but then again I wasn't worried about my truck looking cheesy.... ;D
 
Danimal said:
I've had the fish-eye things on trucks for years... towing campers and whatnot.. and they worked 'okay'... but then again I wasn't worried about my truck looking cheesy.... ;D
Click to expand...

Ouch! ;D

I'll take Lamont up on his offer to let me experience his Spyder someday and see the difference for myself. For now, I'll take your word for it.

Now I'm all self-conscious about my cheesy mirrors. Thanks a lot, Animal!
 
I didn't mean to start a flame war.
As far as the cost of my time... I actually LIKE to fabricate stuff like this... So i'll enjoy it and have fun at it too. So to me it's the cost of having fun or not. 8)

In fact last month I made a single piece aluminum skid plate for the belly of my Traxxas REVO nirto truck. Mind you this truck goes 45mph! and the stock plates were getting banged up. Aftermarket plates were not covering the parts I wanted to protect and I enjoyed the process too.

To each his own I guess.
 
I'm not going to get into the discussion about the price charged for the mirror extensions, but I will say....why are they needed? The stock mirrors on the Spyder are spaced further apart than those on most motorcycles (actually 4 inches further than the mirrors on my Yamaha Raider) and provide a very good view to the rear and sides for a normal sized person. Maybe Green hulks might need them. The miror extensions make the Spyder look like it has a bugs antenna's, IMO, they stick out way too far and are UGLY. I would suggest trying a properly adjusted stock setup before purchasing the extensions.
 
I totally understand Sopher..... Like I enjoy mowing my yard, building computers, etc....

Post some pics of what you come up with.


daddydarko ... just yanking your chain a bit... they don't look THAT bad (on your bike!).... I just don't like ad-ons for the spyder that don't look like OEM.....
 
Ray R said:
I'm thinking a pair of CRG bar-end mirrors (or similar) would do the trick. The next project would be to repalce the stock mirrors with some sort of better looking turn indicator, something like the stuff Gregg's Customs makes for sport bikes.
Click to expand...
I'd be leery of bar end mirrors until I actually tried them on a Spyder. On a bike, the handlebars move very little, so you still can see most of the time while turning with bar mounted mirrors. On a Spyder, the bars move quite far, so I expect you will be blind unless going straight. It would worry me, although I can't say for sure I ever use the mirrors during a turn. Heaven knows the Spyder would benefit from mirrors that were closer to you, but I would try the bar end solution first, before I removed the original mirrors.
-Scotty
 
Here is my two cents worth. I got the mirror extensions and they opened up a whole new world for me. I can see completely behind me and off to each side as well. And the objects are real world size, not skewed as with the spots. I use the spots on my autos and they are fine, but the extensions on the Spyder are in a class by themselves.

Jack H.
 
WOW!!

Think he just asked a question?? The only thing he got was flames.. Love these kinds of sites but wondering if the posts are being done by part makers of some sort or another.

Yes I do think 120 is too much. For a couple of hours of work... I know people need to make a buck but things have really gotten out of hand..

Love what I have seen so far about the bike. My wife even has gotten involved. After 20 yrs she is interested. Can't wait to see one on the road or in person.
 
Welcome Hellfire to the site.Just thinking of what kinda post i can come up with, to get these anxious boys stirred up some. hmmmm .got any ideas Danimal
 
MADE IN THE USA by Americans that buy the same things we do is why they cost what they do.
We could just put more Americans out of work and send the manufacturing over seas like most do.
I betting on all us Americans to do the right thing.
Big Joe.
 
ManWithNoSpyder said:
MADE IN THE USA by Americans that buy the same things we do is why they cost what they do.
We could just put more Americans out of work and send the manufacturing over seas like most do.
I betting on all us Americans to do the right thing.
Big Joe.
Click to expand...
Thank you!! You said it just right. If we keep sending work overseas to make things "cheap" Nothing will ever be cheap enough because there won't be any jobs left. That is why we do not step foot in Wal-Mart or Sams Club. We shop local as much as possible, especially if the price is within a few bucks.
 
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