[warriorwagner]

I have a 05 C model and have Scar tuned the carb and done the Clayton mod. I am getting a bonus from work and will have some money to either buy mods or buy a new bike. I am torn between the decision. I want more of a comforable cruiser that I can do some serious milage on without being uncomfortable. To do that, I would need a new seat ($375), risers ($100), sissy bar and rack ($300), new pegs for me and her ($200), windshield ($250), highway pegs ($150), throttle lock ($100) and new pipes ($500). A grand total of $1950. Do I want to spend that money on upgrades or just buy a new bike? I was thinking of a Ducati ST3 for the sport touring aspect, or either a H-D Street Glide. I am not asking to offend any VTXers or in any way say the VTX is not a great bike, I know I have one. I am asking to get some real opinions without being prosecuted. Be gentle.

 

[RARVTX]

From your list of potential mods, it seems to me that you'd be in the same dilemna with most any other bike. Everyone is always making mods to get that perfect fit/look.

Bottom line....You won't likely be getting your money back if you sell a bike with mods. So you should ask yourself "What's your plan?" You gonna keep the bike a long time or buy a new one from year to year.

No sense spending money on mods if you're not completely happy with the stock bike.

 

[armyrecruiter]

The question is this: Can you trade your bike in and with adding $1950.00 to what you get, get the other bike? Most of the time it is a little cheaper to mod the one you already own, but sometimes getting a whole new bike is the better deal since you can't make an apple into a banana.

Bottom line: do what makes YOU happy. Go sit on the new bike candidates and let the "feeling" help you decide.

Good luck either way.

 

[scaramouche]

Warriorwagner, don't be so apologetic, you're asking a genuine and valid question.
If you're not planning on keeping your X for some time, and you can afford the examples you've given, then if I were you I'd go for a new bike. The HD Street-Glide rocks.

If I could afford a Road King Custom I'd get one in a heartbeat, and I too am a satisfied and proud X owner. Since I can't, and I plan to keep my bike for a while, then mods are the only way I can go, knowing well that'll I'll never be able to get that money back.

Anyway, from the 'tone' in your post, I think you know what the answer is... good luck.

 

[topspin43]

You're asking questions you already the answers to grasshopper. Follow your mind.

 

[Phatrice]

New Bike

I am about where you are and have been looking at new bikes. Tested a new Road King and hated it before I got out of the dealers lot. Road it anyway. NOT for me, Tested a new KING Pin Victory. NOW we are talking.
This one will get me away from HONDA with no regrets. Make sure to ask about maintance cost for the new ride. Victory and Kawaskis are pretty much get it gas it ride it. Test ride a new Victory, you will smile like a fool when you get off.

 

[oasysco]

Re: New Bike

I am about where you are and have been looking at new bikes. Tested a new Road King and hated it before I got out of the dealers lot. Road it anyway. NOT for me, Tested a new KING Pin Victory. NOW we are talking.
This one will get me away from HONDA with no regrets. Make sure to ask about maintance cost for the new ride. Victory and Kawaskis are pretty much get it gas it ride it. Test ride a new Victory, you will smile like a fool when you get off.

Agreed on the Victory. Lots of fun to ride; upright riding position. Not sure how comfie it would be on a long haul, though *and* options for Victory's are expensive and not covered as well by third party cheaper versions as in the case of Hondas.

I bouhgt a used VTX1800C with most all the junk I like - adjustable shield (up to touring size), sissybar, V&H pipes. Still, I had to add my own personal touches to it with complementary chrome sindshield lowers, new Mustang seat, and a PCIII with custom map (dyno tuned).

But I got a good 'nuf deal on the bike that I didn't mind sinking $1100 into it.

So why not entertain a newer used bike if you go th route of buying another one?

Greg

 

[winddance]

Having been a harley owner I would agree that you would need to do the same things on anything other than a wing. That's what they call "the harley tax". It cost me about $2000 to make my harley rideable.
I did the same mods on my C for just a portion of what you stated. You probably won't be happy with risers, I'd suggest going with 1800S bars since they go up and back 9" more than the C's with risers and would only cost about $30. The throttle lock I got only cost $30. The exhaust cost $64 for the slip-ons, and another $3 to make the adjustable thumbscrew/washer baffles - I wanted to go with less weight since the bike was too heavy on the right side. My rack and sissy bar (cobra) ended up costing me about $175 new. And, I went with floorboards for $39 from JCWhitney. I can ride my x much longer than I could my harleys even with the mods I did on them. But, if you want to spend the money I am sure there must be some harleys out there that are more rideable. Out of the 20 or so bikes I've owned, the only bike I could put serious miles on was my gold wing. The x is a close second. With lowers and a shield, and using the right fuel (not 87 on mine), it is almost vibrationless and can cruise all day at 80 plus. But, wings are nice.

 

[warriorwagner]

Thanks for all the good advice. I am discussing with my wife my options and will probably go with a new bike if I can get it at a good deal. We will see. I will keep you informed. Thanks again.

 

[badvtx1300]

winddance - where did you get slip ons for $64? sound good or?

 

[winddance]

JCWhitney.com. There are several types you can get. I got the 16" ones. They were too loud for me (but, not as loud as many other pipes). So I built an adjustable baffle out of a washer and thumbscrew on each side. Works pretty good. Now I have a choice between loud and just slightly louder than stock. Definitely affects power when it is quieter! I used washers that fill the tube at the back and have a hole the same size as the stock pipe had. I used a 5/16 thumbscrew because the 1/4 seemed too weak after welding. The lighter pipes also got rid of the wobble when I was stopping at lights and stopped the bike from leaning to the left. 11,000 and has very even wear on the front tire.
exhaust:
http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/...06468/p-2006468/N-111+10211+600014672/c-10111
baffles:
http://www.nightrider.com/biketech/exhaust.htm

winddance - where did you get slip ons for $64? sound good or?

 

[kermit]

Actually, I just went through that. More Mods for existing bike or new bike. Opted for the new bike. My X. Now I have to start all over with mods. Not a cheap hobby.....er interest as we all know. But on the flip side, lovin' it.

 

[Tombstone270]

Kawasaki Vulcan1600 Nomad

everything you need for about msrp $12899.00

tomb