CanberraR3
Living Legend
- Joined
- May 27, 2010
- Messages
- 11,337
- Location
- Canberra, Australia
- Ride
- Triumphs, but no Rocket just now.
Mine is still bone stock after 6 years of ownership. Hot rods make lousy touring bikes, but make for a great second bike. I just don't want to hear the noise on a long trip, and worry about breaking the tire loose in the rain.
I also worry about the rear breaking loose in the wet but it was more of a concern before I took secondaries out. That initial jerk when you turn the throttle is gone and its now much smoother. Yes there is more "liberated" power but it's controllable and the improvement in rideability is what I'm really pleased about (if not what I grin about
I'm not sure I want to go chasing extra horse power just for the sake of it - I agree with you and others, there IS plenty anyway. Total respect for those that do, however. But for me, I don't want to start making more radical changes that might compromise reliability or rideability.
Noise is definitely personal taste too but having a bit more aural presence has saved me more than once. Just the other day I missed a kangaroo because of it - or rather it missed me (in suburban Canberra!). They're like hitting a steel post. Besides, I like the rumble.
While on the subject of noise, what's with the stock horn? It's an embarrassment.