OK, I have full blown mod-itis (MI). I've had it for a while, and it's nowhere near done running it's course. In the "Mods" threads I've been reading lately there seems to be the inevitable question: "Why did you buy a warrior? Why didn't you buy a Sport bike/sport tourer/chopper/etc.
My first reaction is usually "Are you kidding? Why did YOU buy a warrior?" A couple of heart beats later I realize the true meaning of the question.
Obviously, the person asking does not truly understand MI. MI isn't someone saying "I put the pipes on myself." Yes, most MI suffers have put on their own pipes, but putting on pipes dosen't mean you're MI. When you are MI, the mods just have to be done. There is no explanation, no reason, no method to the madness. Ya just gotta do it.
Less obvious, the person is a true consumer. 100 years ago, people had to make almost everything they needed to survive. 50 years ago, people could buy almost anything they needed, but quite often chose to do it themselves. Now, people are conditioned to buy everything. Need a taller lamp? Toss out the old one and head to the local home decore palace. Need a shed? Head to lowes and pick up a pre-fab kit. Since you nailed the corners together, you can tell everyone you did it your self (bonus!)
Now the question sinks in. Why did I buy a warrior? Because I wanted a hot rod. Sure there are faster bikes. Sure there are better handeling bikes. Sure there are bikes that will automaticallcy include me into huge "in crowds." HD and goldwing just to name a couple. But I want a hot rod. I want a bike that can look cool cruising, that can burn rubber for fun, that can be ridden 500 miles, just because. Do I want it to turn? Yep. You bet. For the very same reason people put mustang II front suspensions under old Novas. Do I want more power? Yep. For the same reason people put big blocks in those old novas. It's a hot rod. It's not all about what it is. It's also about what it's going to be, and what it could be.
Yeah, mine is chopped up, jacked up, and warmed up. I still say, bring on the choppers, bar hoppers, touring rigs, corner carvers, and whatever else you come up with. It's why you bought the warrior, right?
My first reaction is usually "Are you kidding? Why did YOU buy a warrior?" A couple of heart beats later I realize the true meaning of the question.
Obviously, the person asking does not truly understand MI. MI isn't someone saying "I put the pipes on myself." Yes, most MI suffers have put on their own pipes, but putting on pipes dosen't mean you're MI. When you are MI, the mods just have to be done. There is no explanation, no reason, no method to the madness. Ya just gotta do it.
Less obvious, the person is a true consumer. 100 years ago, people had to make almost everything they needed to survive. 50 years ago, people could buy almost anything they needed, but quite often chose to do it themselves. Now, people are conditioned to buy everything. Need a taller lamp? Toss out the old one and head to the local home decore palace. Need a shed? Head to lowes and pick up a pre-fab kit. Since you nailed the corners together, you can tell everyone you did it your self (bonus!)
Now the question sinks in. Why did I buy a warrior? Because I wanted a hot rod. Sure there are faster bikes. Sure there are better handeling bikes. Sure there are bikes that will automaticallcy include me into huge "in crowds." HD and goldwing just to name a couple. But I want a hot rod. I want a bike that can look cool cruising, that can burn rubber for fun, that can be ridden 500 miles, just because. Do I want it to turn? Yep. You bet. For the very same reason people put mustang II front suspensions under old Novas. Do I want more power? Yep. For the same reason people put big blocks in those old novas. It's a hot rod. It's not all about what it is. It's also about what it's going to be, and what it could be.
Yeah, mine is chopped up, jacked up, and warmed up. I still say, bring on the choppers, bar hoppers, touring rigs, corner carvers, and whatever else you come up with. It's why you bought the warrior, right?