Why the Rush to Add MODS on a Brand New Spyder?

[dshogman]

Interesting discussion - having come from 2 different "biker" groups. The Harley folks do "chrome," the BMW folks do "farkels" and the Spyder folks do "mods." Someone could do an interesting (maybe) socialogical study of these groups.
As for me, the best so far were the heat stuff from SpyderPops, the Madstad windscreen, and the Utopia back rest. :yes:

And for me, it's always ATGATT - just my usual humble opinion.

 

[hrbeta]

I have THE answer: life is all about tinkering


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[Jeriatric]

Just finished reading a post where a fellow Spyderlover was in limp mode. Consensus seems to be the new L.E.D. taillights he installed last week might be causing the problem. Unfortunately, he was on a long trip (outside Nashville) when his Spyder went into Limp mode.

My question is simple. Why do so many Spyderlovers buy and IMMEDIATELY start tinkering with the darn thing? I guess I can understand comfort features (seats, foot pegs, etc.) somewhat but what is the urgency to start changing the electrical systems, particularly on a trike well-known for its sensitivity?

One of the locals bought a RT Limited and he was switching out the seat, installing a handbrake (said it felt weird not have a the handbrake he familiar with on his old bike), new foot pegs, L.E.D. lighting all around, etc. within the first few days of ownership. This was on top of him paying top dollar at the dealership for his RT. WHY?

Sometimes I read these posts about MODS and I am picturing a kid on Christmas day getting the favorite toy they asked Santa to bring, but immediately trying to figure out ways to "make it better."

I have read articles about lopping off the old muffler; swapping out shocks; changing tire pressure; adding new L.E.D. lights; wiring in new gauges; changing out the foot pegs; adding handbrakes; installing powerlets; etc. and they have barely owned their Spyder.

Can't people take the time to get used to their Spyder, out-of-the-box, before making all the changes?

Some like vanilla and some like chocolate. Kind of what today (July 4th) is all about....

 

[Clicker1944]

Simple answer. Most Spyder buyers have so much money that the mere purchase outlay (even at MSRP) is not enough to put a dent in their pockets. Thus more must be spent in the effort to say we have helped the economy start moving. None of the mods are really anything that we need or want but just a way to lighten the load of carring all that money around. :joke::joke::roflblack::roflblack:

 

[NancysToy]

Why do some people like plain ice cream while others like sprinkles? These things are personal preferences...much like options on an automobile. Some peple want them and some see no need. One side of the fence will likely never understand the other. It's all good. If you like your Spyder the way it was born...stick with it. If you feel the need for more lights for safety, so be it. If you want your Spyder to be different than anyone else's, that's good too.

The problem with the LED taillight mod really lies in going off and doing something without thoroughly researching the consequences. This issue has been discussed numerous times. If you are doing something (or use a product) that has not yet been not proven to work, or has yet to be tried at all, you have to expect the possibility of failure. Same goes if you don't have the skills or knowledge to do a mod properly. The Spyder is no place to learn about complex wiring procedures, for example. All CANBus vehicles have a certain sensitivity to electrical or electronic mods, and must be handled with kid gloves. With modern vehicles, mods are not necessarily bad, but some work and some don't. An owner should proceed with caution or use a proven product or procedure.

 

[Luckyme]

SpyderLovers.com is why. So many great ideas (this is like Farkle City for Spyders) so that we can pick, choose, and review the choices to make our bikes more personal, and better in some ways., I'm no gear head, and I myself do not get into all the mods, except for a few.
As far as the brake light, that was the first thing I did myself (not dealer installed) because on the way back from Cowtown, I had my buddy ride my Spyder for a day, while I followed on the GL1800. The RT's tail lights are way too low for caged drivers, and a high mount was a must for me. Especially while pulling the trailer.
Safety was my reason.

 

[spyder3]

Saftey, comfort, performance.

 

[Some Guy]

I wanted to make my Spyder "my own".

The only mod I did at first was a Calsi XL windshield because I wanted wind protection. Over the first winter, I added comfort items - Corbin seat & back rest and ESI handlebar risers (my right shoulder would hurt after 20 minutes of riding without them). After that I added one mod for coolness - a Micron exhaust. :clap:

My next round of mods were all safety related - ESI Triple Play, ESI Double Play, ESI LED fender tip bulbs, ESI Mud Flap lights, ESI Dayrunners (amber), ESI Dayrunner Pucks (white). All good stuff, except my Triple Play has crapped out on me...left side issues... :yikes:

I have a bad hip so highway pegs were not an option, so I added SFB Racing floorboards. This was before Seal Floorboards were around, otherwise I would have gone with those instead.

There are lots more...but I'm tired of typing! :thumbup:

 

[Buttsy]

The way some of these babies are "lit up" I think its a generational thing.

As we get older we have more fond memories of Christmas past?:dontknow:

 

[WackyDan]

Mods are personal, but also add great functionality in some cases to the bike.

- My powerlets in the dash power my phone and GPS which are mounted on my CHAD brackets
- My cat eye tail light replaced the crappy BRP one that fell off on it's own and adds another rear facing light
- My motolights add safety
- My Kewlmetal intake allows me to more easily get at my plugs when I need to

I see your point to a degree. I have worked on cars, bikes, and plenty of spyders with electrical modifications done by people that didn't have a clue as to what they were doing, were lazy, or cheap. Plenty of times it is those characteristics that will come back to bite them... Sometimes it is the product.

So... for example... I used to build, troubleshoot, and repair wire harnesses for a living and repair circuit boards. My addition of an accessory electrical circuit on the Spyder was well thought out, no expense spared and I would put it up against anyone's similar electrical mod... I'm confident it won't cause issues. ( See my Eastern Beaver thread )

On the other hand, the first cat eye tail light I installed couldn't take the vibration on the rear fender and produced a short as one of the wires broke free.... putting me into limp mode eventually and causing me to run with no rear light. The fix was simple... ordered a new one, and siliconed the wires to better isolate and protect them. The problem here was twofold - First, BRP had a crappy design on the rear tag light causing them to fall off and forcing some of us to find alternative product to remain legal... Second, the aftermarket product was also poorly designed. Is that my fault?

When my motolights were installed the installer did one crappy job with the wiring... I totally changed it come that winter.

So... To each their own. Mod at your own pace and within your comfort level - research and don't cheap out. *****And if you are going to let others install your mods, you best make sure they know what they are doing.

 

[Bob Denman]

I don't actually Don't feel the need to try and justify it; if you have to ask, you'll never understand anyway!
I do it because I can... :2thumbs:

 

[schnauzermom]

AGREED

Why do some people like plain ice cream while others like sprinkles? These things are personal preferences...much like options on an automobile. Some peple want them and some see no need. One side of the fence will likely never understand the other. It's all good. If you like your Spyder the way it was born...stick with it. If you feel the need for more lights for safety, so be it. If you want your Spyder to be different than anyone else's, that's good too.

The problem with the LED taillight mod really lies in going off and doing something without thoroughly researching the consequences. This issue has been discussed numerous times. If you are doing something (or use a product) that has not yet been not proven to work, or has yet to be tried at all, you have to expect the possibility of failure. Same goes if you don't have the skills or knowledge to do a mod properly. The Spyder is no place to learn about complex wiring procedures, for example. All CANBus vehicles have a certain sensitivity to electrical or electronic mods, and must be handled with kid gloves. With modern vehicles, mods are not necessarily bad, but some work and some don't. An owner should proceed with caution or use a proven product or procedure.

I agree with the original thread and NancysToy, in that I believe the electrical and mechanical mods might be contributing to some of the problems that show up on this forum, along with some owner "mishaps". NOT ALL PROBLEMS!! But, as long as the owner who does the mods personally can accept things might go wrong and not rant on how bad BRP and the product are....We are mechanically challenged...so any mods are done by our Spyder tech. I have added chrome pieces, floorboards, Utopia backrest. Not interested in lights, sirens, etc. It is an individual thing and those who can afford or want to should "MOD" happily away.

 

[BajaRon]

What amazes me is how people have problems with how other people do things that don't affect them.

People who want a bone stock machine don't understand why someone wants to mod the snot out of their ride. Some people think the manufacturer is god and can do no wrong, therefore the machine must be perfect right out of the crate and only OEM products will ever touch their ride. To modify is to commit sacriledge.

Others, (and I fall into this camp which really means nothing other than to divulge my bias in case you don't already know), feel like the manufacturer made a great start producing a canvas with a great theme with some of the shapes and colors filled in. But still an unfinished product, ie., I can not only personalize it but improve on the original product by replacing or modifying different components that I feel are inferior or just don't suit my needs/style.

These include, but are not limited to improvments in;
1- Lighting (safety, function & the all important BLING factor!)
2- Horse power & torque (enhancing the 'Fun Factor')
3- Exhaust function and sound (Bling and Sing factors)
4- Cooling & reduced engine and rider heat/fatigue (Longevity & Comfort factors)
5- Handling, traction, stability (Safety & Fun factors)
6- Lubrication (Longevity and Satisfaction factors)
7- Braking (Safety factor)
8- Paint, Colors, Graphics, etc. (Bling & Satisfaction factors)

Of course there are many who fall in-between the 2 extremes of Bone Stock and Blinged Out. Personally I don't like either one. But though I may wonder why, I never complain about what someone does to their ride.

Rule of thumb; 'Ride what you want the way you want and let others do the same'.

I will add 1 caviat. I think it is wise to ride whatever you get for some reasonable period of time to aquaint yourself and get proficient at riding your new machine before you modify anything. One Mod pitfall I find common is that people will go through several mods for 1 issue before they settle on the one they like. This is a waste of time an money. By waiting a bit and doing some research you can avoid this issue most of the time.

Happy 4th of July! Happy Birthday America!

 

[BajaRon]

I agree with the original thread and NancysToy, in that I believe the electrical and mechanical mods might be contributing to some of the problems that show up on this forum, along with some owner "mishaps". NOT ALL PROBLEMS!! But, as long as the owner who does the mods personally can accept things might go wrong and not rant on how bad BRP and the product are....We are mechanically challenged...so any mods are done by our Spyder tech. I have added chrome pieces, floorboards, Utopia backrest. Not interested in lights, sirens, etc. It is an individual thing and those who can afford or want to should "MOD" happily away.

:agree: BRP is not responsible for issues caused by Owner installs, after market items, etc. I have had 2 major issues with things I have installed. 1- Cheap HID lighting (against the advise of some obscure web forum owner that I won't mention here), and 2- heated gear wiring that I was a bit careless with the install.

Absolutely NOT BRP's fault and I take 100% credit for those problems created by my decisions and workmanship.

Lay blame on BRP when appropriate, not a problem. But take the blame just a readily when that is where it should be laid.

I would say the same thing about Dealership service that causes issues. While BRP may have some responsibility in what a dealership does they really have no control over much of what goes on in a dealership as far as maintenance on an individual machine.

Side Note: I highly recommend HID lighting (far superior to stock Halogen) and I also highly recommend KB Car Stuff (a sponsor here). Their HID kit is high quality at a great price and works flawlessly.

 

[Jeriatric]

"While BRP may have some responsibility in what a dealership does they really have no control over much of what goes on in a dealership as far as maintenance on an individual machine."

Ron, I agree with you to a point. While in Durango a comment I heard disappointed me. It went like this: (Tech to owner) who last worked on this Spyder? The owner asked why? The tech said....well for one this part is upside down! (Owner) my dealer. Followed by - Why doesn't BRP do something when dealers screw things up. Tech responded.....dealers are independent agents, we have no control over what they do. To which the owner had no response. Well, being the mouth I am I couldn't help but put my 2c in. Dealers may be independent agents but BRP grants them the privilege of being one.....and it's BRP's responsibility to make sure their dealer network is servicing BRP's customers to BRP and their customers satisfaction. To which there was no response.

(worth noting - this Spyder was under the tent getting dealer screw ups fixed for the better part of 4hrs)

 

[wyliec]

I do it because I can... :2thumbs:

Bob,

I have to call B.S. on that. You only do it b/c the wife allows you!!

 

[wyliec]

What amazes me is how people have problems with how other people do things that don't affect them.

Happy 4th of July! Happy Birthday America!

Ron,

Was this comment just in general or were you referring to the OP? From what I read he just asked why are some so quick to make mods; not that he was against mods.

And, Happy 4th to you.:thumbup:

 

[BajaRon]

Ron,

Was this comment just in general or were you referring to the OP? From what I read he just asked why are some so quick to make mods; not that he was against mods.

And, Happy 4th to you.:thumbup:

General comment not necessarly directed at the OP as he was just asking the question we probably all wonder at times. Some people are just curious about why people do some mods (me included). Others actually get aggitated or even angry and this is what I don't understand. My comment was regarding the second type of person.

Sorry if I was out of line.

 

[ARtraveler]

Interesting comments and a lot of opinions again.

My take on all this. My first :spyder2: was a 2008 GS and I bought it because it was a new thing on the market and I just had to have one. I did not find it to be a comfortable riding machine and begin to add "comfort" options. Windshield, handlebar risers, anti vibration hand grips, seat etc. This all happened over the first summer of ownership. The second year included bling to make the bike look and be more "touring" than "sport". We bought a 2009 RS and pretty much did the same thing with it--but quicker, since I knew what worked for me. Over $6000.00 of farkeles went into the first :ani29:'s.

When the RT came out I traded in 2008 :spyder2: for an early RT. I added extra lights right from the showroom, but I waited a few miles before changing out the seat. Have not done many other mods. When purchasing the 2nd RT, I once again have added lights and floorboards right from the start--but am doing wait and see to further mod and farkle. A different seat is going to be part of the plan though.

I have not done any performance mods because I am pretty much happy with the :ani29: as it is. Also, I have seen to many posts about performance mods not working good.

 

[spyderraven]

why.... cut your hair buy a shirt change your tires brush your teeth buy insurance get a wedding ring paint the walls drink a beer go to church....

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif]sure many will say "hey some of those are "needs" not wants! but if that is the argument who determines what is need and what is necessity.... THE GOVERNMENT DOES!!! TINFOIL HATS EVERYONE NOW!! ok ok[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Tahoma, Calibri, Geneva, sans-serif] sorry I kid[/FONT][/FONT]

For me there are a few things I need to do to any vehicle I own and while I may look at someones bike and think things they put on are "crazy" or not needed I quickly remind myself ... to each there own