Are Performance Baggers A Thing Of The Past? The Impact Of Money On Motorcycle Culture!
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- Опубліковано 30 вер 2024
- Are Performance Baggers A Thing Of The Past? The Impact Of Money On Motorcycle Culture! We've seen this before, when something gets popular, rich dudes roll in and pay tons for perfect versions of the latest trend, destroying the culture entirely. Remember fat tire choppers and big wheel baggers? Yep, at one time they were cool. Let's not let money ruin cool stuff from now on!
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There is an old saying, 'Men in blue jeans built this country, men in suits ruined it". I think that goes for many other things as well, including hobbies. Great subject, thanks for bringing it up.
True same in the hobbies like gaming, Movies and other pop culture is all ruined.
It's The Love of money is the root of evil.
My $100,000 Bagger Budget:
50K: Badass Bagger
30K: Booze, Gambling, Strippers and bail
20K: Divorce Lawyer
😂😂😂
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
😂😂😂
Yeah Man, You're so right! Soon as a craze comes around the money comes out, and the people with the fat wallets with money to splash want the next Cool thing on the street, and They'll pay a fortune for it, just for the kudos that something like that will bring, And yeah it is sad, I myself have had people hating on me for riding my Harley, saying that They'll never ride one of those pieces of crap, then a short while later they sell their rice burner and go and spend a shit load of cash on bobbing out and M8 Softail in the vain hope that they can out do me in the Cool stakes 😂😂😂 But I must admit that it's really quite funny when they've spent all that cash and realise that they real haven't achieved anything 👍🤘🏴
Lmfao
You can say what you want, but it is damn nice to see the 20 somethings with their skinny chops, wrenching and riding rather than sitting on the couch playing video games. They are the next generation, the culture will die without them.
I completely agree!
But HOW MUCH are they actually wrenching? Not the MONEY ones - NO WAY are they getting their manicures messed up. I grew up without a father (The big "C" took him before I turned 5 - stomach cancer), so every time my mother had to pay a repairman to come fix something, she was like, "watch what he's doing - see if you can figure it out" - I've NEVER had a repairman NEAR my house since I was 12 years old. I've tried to instill a self-reliance in MY boys (sadly, only the oldest seems to have caught on).
Old-School Choppers weren't all they may seem NOW. There weren't ANY "rules" about what side the shifting or braking was done on. My buddy wanted to ride with me and some buddies, but he didn't have a bike - he talked his cousin into letting him "borrow" HIS bike. It was a late '60's BSA Chopper - brake with your left foot - shift with your right. As we're riding around, we'd get curious about what the other guy's riding, and we'd trade-off. The FIRST time I was on the chopper, and a stoplight turned red, muscle memory kicked in, and instead of braking, I was just down-shifting! GIVE ME MY BIKE BACK! And it was also Super Sketchy crossing Railroad Tracks if you weren't PERFECTLY aligned at a 90* angle to them.
Damn right bud. I love it too
That's the fact Jack! Money corrupts absolutely and ruins all sorts of things just like the classic car industry!
I used to restore 55,56,57 chevys for fun in the 70s,80s. Not anymore! Vintage bikes did that..its gone nuts. Vintage motocross bikes..its gone crazy as far as cost now. Anything that is a hobby will get too expensive to enjoy quickly
You're out your god damn mind
@@paulfleming4710 I used to buy 60s early 70's Chevy's all day long for 2000-4000K. Back then mid/late 70's they weren't that old and they were all in cherry shape. Not like rotten barn finds that get restored and go to Barrett Jackson. As the new trend sets like with smokey and the bandit and knight rider. Gotta have a Trans Am or whatever the soup de jour of the trend set for that generation became. Look at fast and furious. How about sons of anarchy? The list is long and wide. But you know that!
@@TagRolio I paid $450 for my GTO Convertible used in 1977 - $2,000 to $4,000 would *maybe* have bought a NEW car back then.
You can always tell when a build style is dead when Harley comes out with a half-assed factory built version of it.
I believe it actually started in 1999 when Harley started offering the CVO. Just sign the contract and drive off with unearned bragging rights.
I mean, how does one "earn" bragging rights? Stuff is cool because people say it is.
I think you could possibly even go back to the when the Evo first came out, people with more money than mechanical ability were then able to get into the Harley market.
Contracts! Now that's UNEARNED money! By the time you get to the end? What's the loan cost and what's the bike worth now? Guys with all the cash don't care. It's all disposable anyway! Trade it in for .25 on the dollar. Upgrade to the latest new trend set. No prob! But because of them we're supposed to cough up huge inflated, ...yeah, you get the pic...
I think the comments about it being cyclical and relative are right. It’s relative to your skills and resources at any given moment and cyclical to your place in life and riding.
You’re young and broke, you don’t have the money to buy into the game at your level. You admire the life so you find scraps in your garage and build what you can. You keep that up until you grow a little, make a little more money and start finding time and some conveniences (tools/prefab parts/other more experience experts) can help take your build/ride to the the next level. You make a little more, find new technologies you can’t get on older rides (maybe safety features/ ride improvements/gps) and find these are more important to your riding stage/age so maybe you upgrade because you can.
You’re not sorry for upgrading because you’ve worked your way to it. Maybe throw in nicer paint or a newer model and you tell yourself you’ve earned it after many years of doing in the other way.
Maybe life happens and you keep what you’ve got for a while because kids need braces and then when peace and time alone is what you crave, you go back to your roots (or discover the old ways for the first time). Money doesn’t impress or comfort or satisfy you the way it once (or maybe you’re just out of it) so you long for a return to basics.
If you were never mechanically inclined to start (maybe no mentor/no one who rode/etc) maybe buying your way into the life, even at the lower end would have been your only way in. It’s one more fan of the culture so why not
The money will set the trends but life will set the tendencies. Older tends towards comfort and convenience; you’ve earned it you’re not out to impress but to enjoy. Younger tends towards wild and risky. Do what you can now with what you’ve got and make sure they remember your name.
There are outliers in every bunch: the rich trust fund kid; the old bones still on a rigid with paper directions; some major technological advancement that simply turn the riding scene on its head causing an entire shift in safety or styling. You can’t account for everything but you can enjoy each season based on where you’re at and what you like and what’s available and important to you at any given moment.
In the end, at every event you’re bound to find one harley guy busting Honda chops, chopper guys laughing away at baggers, and an Afflicted owner turning up the music to drown everyone out. Then from the back is a voice saying “at least we’re all riding” and everyone nods and has another beer.
Do you. Life’s the shortest ride we’ll ever take.
F'n nailed it brother! Keep it real man. Thanks for all you do as well as all the others like us out there! Respect and love on our brothers/sisters who are the real deal. Dedicating our time and efforts for others as well as self. We learn from each other both good and bad things. LOL! We're all different but we have the common denominators to ties us all in together. To some degree anyway. Blessings!
Having or not having money does not make you “cool”. You are either “cool” or you’re not. What kind of bike you ride does not make you cool. If you like what you ride, and have a good time working on it or riding it that is “COOL”
TRUE. I never "tried" to be "cool' (I thought I was kind of a nerd/dork - being into electronics and all)b But the other day, I heard somebody say, "Why don't you try to be cool like Greg"? If NOT caring what everybody thinks about you is "cool", I'll take it.
I used to subscribe to Easyriders Magazine back in the '80s and cancelled my subscription when they started featuring big bucks cosmic builds instead of homemade choppers. A lot of cold winter nights, drinking rye and shivering in the garage while wrenching on your bike leads to total disrespect for the Write A Cheque crowd.
I don’t think performance baggers are dead but what is are the big wheel bikes. They’re going to go the way of the early 00’s choppers - unrideable and probably worth less than $10k as more people realize just because you put 10s of thousands into a bike doesn’t make it worth that much.
Huge wheels are absolutely one of the worst investments you can make in a bike.
LOL, love this subject, in my years riding (60 this year "including dirt") i got my 1st Harley in 1973 and my 1st dealership job the same year. my 1st Harley an SX125 and in the 70's working at a dealership was weird you had the bikers, on pans and flatheads and a few on the shovels, then you had the Motorcyclists who had often newer shovelhead bikes and the cops on the new police, but the MONEY you speak of didn't really come in till the EVO Era, and the 1st sign of it was the Flip your patch movement, old bikers were wearing upside-down Harley patches on their leathers, and then i was working part time at another dealer and a bunch of us quit to go to work at an EASYRIDER Store (part of the Easyrider magazine family franchise) what we didn't realize was the Money had followed us to Easyrider before our store even opened and we were worst than the dealership price wise, and some of us went back to the HD dealer. While in the 80's and 90's the time of the FXR, that frame was designed by Erik Buell, the FXR was and still is FAR superior to the Dyna in EVERY WAY !! the Dyna was just cheaper to build and made Harley a bigger profit. and by the late 90's the money was hardcore into the Motor Company and they opened the Kansas City plant and started flooding the market with bikes, why you can now find cheap early twin cams all over the place. Also in the 90's when those of us who were kids in the dirt and missed the Original Chopper craze, we started building our own, (you've seen my tribute to Billy's bike) but then by the late 90's and early 2000's Money got into choppers and we ended up with Titan, Big Dog, Iron Horse, Orange County, thunder mountain and other store bought choppers that were selling for $50K plus and now you can buy them for under $5k , then as us Boomers got older we got into Baggers and them custom baggers and the big wheel baggers (up here they are named after a British cigarette) and as with the choppers now there are companies building store bought super baggers.......it's officially a FAD, and in 10-15 years it too will be DEAD !!!
When were performance baggers not $$$
I’m not a rich dude but put a good lot into my road glide. Didn’t do it all at once and did as much of the work as I can. Same with maintenance. Who doesn’t like working on there bike ? House is a mess but the bike got fresh fluids
Road Glide .. expensive
Big motor .. expensive
Suspension .. pretty expensive
Nice bar setup .. not cheap
Forget the fancy paint.
Gonna need that money to fix it when it breaks down.
Just blew a head gasket on mine. Sucks. Gonna have to be in a cage for a few days. Makes me wanna cry like a little kid who dropped his icecream cone
The shows should do something like the Cycle Source show. Have different levels of competition builds. The garage builds, the shop builds, and then the "Stupid Money" builds. "Stupid Money" builds never get a payout (if there is any) if they win, and the trophy/plaque is small, very small. Especially when compared with the garage and shop builds. When they get nothing, they'll walk away from it.
Garage build shows are the best, but the problem is people just flat lie about building their bike.
Interesting commentary. For those of us with no money, we don't worry about it too much. It's more of just keeping my old 99 FLSTF in good running condition, and then getting out on the road with it. For me it's the ride... not so much the show. Keep up the good work and God bless.
Absolutely bud! Your FB is a modern classic already!
I guess I was unsubscribed from you. Just re-subscribed
I was at the cabbage patch in 19 ask the guy about his bike told me he didn't know anything about it he barely knows how to start it.he said a shop built it for him . I called him a poser with his white Oakley's and his bedazzled jeans. My wife told me that I was very rude and I told her that guy don't know shit about a bike he just makes a lot of money
True that! Seen it a few times. LOL! Meanwhile, other wanna be bikers need to grasp the concept. You know, where the bike actually has to leave the garage/driveway at least once in a while to be called a biker!
@@TagRolio THAT seems like A LOT of people - why keep the mileage low? For resale? That's like NOT banging your girlfriend to "keep it tight for the next guy".
I remember when a cool bike had tassles on the handlebars, a kuryakyn hypercharger and a thunderheader and Most likely an EV-27 in the cam box. Fads and yuppies will always be there calling expensive builds an “investment”. If you like a bike style ride it, if you like a part then put it on. Don’t set your bike up to impress anyone but yourself.
Considering the Motor company has started making performance baggers from the factory (CVO RG ST) and they are selling all of them.....then yeah, money has found the performance bagger world, additionally, the King of the Bagger series is helping to push this too.
Agree. I recently bought an 04 Big Dog Chopper because it was cheap. Nice toy for local poker runs. My bagger is for comfort, not performance.
I can’t wait for KING OF THE BAGGERS to become KING OF THE TRIKES ! Your dad and me are already set.
HA!!!
Someone will just write a check to put a Hellcat engine in it.
Well said,I thought a Stage 2 was a big performance upgrade on my Ultra, LOL I guess I'll never be one of THOSE guys. TY Mr M.
I'm trend resistant 😂 working on my bike is a hobby. Right now I put a radio with amp in (FLHTP). Requires re-pining connectors, putting extra switches in and installing and cabling the whole Soundsystem. Yeah, I know a piece of cake but to me, without a mechanical background, this is a challenge. But when it's done, I'm proud I did it myself (with the help of YT). That's how I see the builder discussion. Do it because you love it and not to be cool or famous. Otherwise it becomes a job and then it is no longer fun 😉 let the money bags do their thing. When the wave has passed, things go back to normal. One important aspect of the monetization is that it sparks invention and creativity (eg new parts, look at where Advanblack came from) and from that we all benefit. just my .02$. ride safe 🤙
I did the same thing a while back. Added a stereo to a Po Po Glide. It was a PITA!
@@ProfessionalMonkey I installed the passing light switch, re-pinned the horn cable and changed the handlebar controls. Now I'm waiting for Volunteer Audio to deliver the sound hardware. Scared of the speaker install but if I just don't get it, I'll ask a friend who is a mechanic. The rest should be in my wheelhouse 😀
New legislation is coming to make radios on motorcycles illegal. Expected to pass without much resistance.
I can see the validity of what you are saying. Never really liked the big wheel thing, or the OCC type build...I did like Indian Larry style. Trends will come and go but basic good style will survive. A solid dresser that will put down reliable miles is most desirable for me. One positive thing about motorcycle fads is when stuff goes out of style it seems to give regualr (working class) guys a chance to get a good deal on parts or a bike that has flooded the market (or been wrecked) and decreased the value. SOme can say ths about dressers/baggers also. They are in style. Rich/in debt guys buying them and never putting any miles on them. I like those guy cause they are a future opportunity. I am always on the lookout for a good deal on a CVO ----like your wifes...damn I love that paint job...and if some rich shmuck upgraded the motor...all the better.
Dude, absolutely agree! I remember back in the 70s when I was a kid, choppers from that era were cool because they were fun to build and look at. Then through the 80s motorcycles were just motorcycles, and people rode them for their own purposes. But then the Discovery shows came along and everybody just had to have a bike. After a year or two how many used bikes were available way cheap because everyone that just had to have one and then they realized riding wasn't what they thought it was and so they got rid of it. But I also think this conversation leads to a larger issue, the other side of the same coin. Some folks try to tell others they like something and everyone else has to like it because they are " supposed" to like it. Sheeple, posers, whatever you want to call them like something because someone else said they should. So those seeking attention or acceptance drop gobs of money on something they're supposed to like, driving things away from those who are truly motorcycle enthusiasts. Music, TV, movies, its all the same as what you're talking about.
You can spot those people a mile away.Just the way they conduct themselves they're phonies
Money is not the root of all evil. The love of money is the root of all evil.
The FXR was dropped due to the cost for Harley hand making the frames compared to the Dyna more machine oriented to build, I've owned both and would swap my Dyna for my old FXR in a heartbeat, better handling is just the start.
Apples and oranges to me as well. I'd love to lay hands on an old 82-83 FXRS, because those old Shovelhead FXRS/FXRs had soul. I still hurt inside over having to let go of mine.
Looking for easy-starting and reliable? That ain't a carbed Shovelhead Harley. An EVO, especially the later fuel-injected made a Harley an "Everyman's Bike".
Some will say that the easy-starting, reliable EVO was the start of the Harley market move from 'bikers" to "motorcycle riders", competing for the Gold Wing market.
Things have changed since then, like the shift from cruisers to "designer choppers" to baggers plain/big-wheel/performance and I'm sure they'll change again.
Money even ruined 4 cylinder local dirt track racers. It was meant to be an inexpensive way to get into the sport. Suddenly, people be putting together cars with a ridiculously high budget to where the whole point of that class was meant to be rather simple & who's the best driver. Now it's how much $$$ you have
I think you’re right about the traditional choppers being next. A recent example is Matty Matheson on the knucklehead. You can absolutely believe that when rich people spend $100k+ to build patina choppers, it’s only a matter of time before it bleeds throughout the rest of the industry.
actually its the love (or lust)of money thats evil, moneys just money.
As someone who has been involved with motorcycles since I was a kid. I couldn't agree with you more. 💯%. Great topic, Monkey!
Say what you may about FXRs. I have a '91, that thing didn't have enough of anything to get out of its own way. So I did the unthinkable, I installed an Ultima 120 engine. Now it's nothing but a wohoo moment. Why did I do this? The bike was free and the brand new engine was $4K. (Who knows how long the other drive train components will last, but as of right now who cares). And as for performance baggers, again say what you may, I installed a crate 131 engine, a Woods cam and again it's nothing but wohoo moments. The engine was cheap and the bike I bought new as a Christmas present to myself in 2019 in form of a 2020 RG at way less then MSRP. The key is do the work yourself, involve yourself with the project because YOU want it, and you'll never go wrong regardless of what the money trend tells you
I watched it happen with old muscle cars. Back in the 90’s-early 2000’s. You could get old Camaros, Mustangs, Novas etc. CHEAP. I bought a 70 Nova for $200. Running, and Driving. Throw a cam, carb, intake, and a set of headers on for $500. You’re burning rubber. Now days. The cheapest Nova you’re going to find is 80% rust, has no engine, or title. Dudes still thinks he’s going to get $2k out of it.
ALSO ! The FXR is clearly the superior bike. The Dyna replaced it, because it was cheaper to produce.
I'm from Delaware where punkin chunkin came from,went on discovery Channel and booom! In 2 seasons! All gone.😢
Delaware here 2
I remember when The Horse Backstreet Choppers magazine was making fun of everyone buying baggers post 2004.. they called it back then.
The good thing about when the trend ends is that the regular people that have been into bikes for years can pick up a bike at a reasonable price.
Some people buy these cycles. Just to have as a work of art in their house. And not know anything about it. And not it. It's just a conversation piece. Because as you said. Money found it. And money left it.
Sorry I didn't get a chance to see you at Bike Week this year. Spent too much time riding around go figure 🙂 I am still waiting for money $$$ to find me. If you and the bride to make it up to Laconia Bike Week please let me know. Love your content, keep up the good work. Ride hard, ride safe! I would love for money to "destroy" me. Mind you I am not poo, but I don't have the resources to get a 6 figure build. If I won Power Ball or what not, yes I would get a custom built "comfortable" performance bagger. Not gonna lie. 160HP / 175TQ would be awesome don't you think 🙂
OK I heard you say: "Money is the root of all evil." As a matter of fact most people MisQuote it. It's probably not your fault that you also misquote the verse., because so many do so & it effects what we think it says. RATHER it is " The LOVE of money that is the root of all sorts of injurious things". Indeed when money becomes the big picture, the things of true value get pushed aside. BTW I bought a bagger & only added a few minor things to my own taste at very little co$t. On my 2014, I installed a rear crash guard left & right., a front & a rear bumper. Just a few things not to compete, just to please me., and I ride. That's it.
I agree with the saying men in blue jeans, built this country and men in suits have ruined it! NASCAR is a perfect example of that perfect example! I used to be a huge fan
Of NASCAR . It's been years now, since I have watched a race. Same thing with the NFL now and the NBA a bunch of overpaid unAmerican spoiled brats! While our veterans get shit on. Of which I am one. Look at the Barrett Jackson auctions muscle cars that use the cost three or $4000 when they were brand new are now getting hundreds of thousand some millions of dollars. Money can build beautiful things And it could also destroy those things
When you build your own bike there is a sence of pride that someone who buys someone else toy will never know. Don't worry about what the other guys doing just enjoy what your doing weather it a chop or bagger that the fun of being a biker. Enjoy your videos.
First FXR's frame is far better than a flexing Dyna when it comes to handling and has been the performance bike of choice on the west coast as long as I can remember. So I respectfully disagree with you. Most people will hate on an EVO which I happen to love. I own both bikes. When it comes to a performance Bagger I built mine to what I wanted. I probably have 20k invested but over time. The one thing the rich guys cant buy is skill! Race you to Big Bear for a beer...
great topic! Tough call on this one. Without popularity then Low Brow doesn't exist with a good selection. Maybe something like OG choppers can grow in popularity BUT the popular OG choppers aren't massive dollar bikes? Maybe it'll be cool to zip-tie shit to shit?
I say just ignore the D-BAGS, maybe they will realize that they just wasted a years worth of tuition for their kid Chad. If nobody acknowledges them, then their self worth tanks just like their 401k in Boeing.
🛑🛑It cyclical.
What goes around, comes around.
You’re just not as old as me Monkey. 😂
Bell Bottom Jeans will be back in style in your lifetime, but for me; I already saw that fad once.
😆😂🤣👍
Built not bought isn't just a saying.... It's a way of life! That's how our generation did it.... You want badass stuff.... Don't have any money??? Build that shit ...
So how is this effecting your Advanblack performance bagger colab.
Not at all. The ST only has a pipe and a cam in it. the body will come painted and not cost half of what these paint jobs cost, and that includes a new body. I only work with stuff that the average dude can swing if he really wants to.
You’re hitting on all the right points living here Southern California. I see a lot of it first out of the gate and sadly it does go from the sublime to the ridiculous. The big wheel baggers were flareup performance baggers have been out here for many many years however, a lot of the guys that I know who are true sport touring guys will opt for a BMW K 1600 GT which Harley what performance and a long ride those things are animals starting to see late 50s early 60s FL fully dressed. I talked to a lot of guys that have been mechanics for 3040 years out here and they all say the same thing it’s cyclical that every 20 years the stuff comes back around so it’s just a cycle but as for right now, since the factory got a hold of the performance bagger look and has made it accessible from a dealer. I agree with you. I think it’s gonna wind up. Let’s see what happens but great thank you so much.
Did u just wake up? Look at mecum n barrett auctions n the amount of money thrown around on cars that you can buy for less money at the dealer.With the exception of Muscle cars , Ferraris, mustangs, 63 vettes, etc. Its about who has the deepest pockets and how the guy with 50k will always be overbidded. Nothing new here to see.
The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil! Baggers are just cool and will be for a long time, for guys that really like to ride. Big wheels are definitely over and performance baggers are probably not what older / retired guys are going to ride cross country on. A nice mix is what I’m after. ( and the new RG and SG would fit the bill for sure) But who’s gonna leave them stock?
I don’t think I can agree with this. Money coming into the performance bagger scene has just brought more & better products. You now have talented guys that can open a performance shop, and actually survive of the income. In my experience this has only resulted in the expansion of education in regard to performance.
Performance will never be out of style.
Cosmetic trends die off, and loose their value.
That’s their loss really. I sold my dyna and just got an 05 ultra classic. The enjoyment I get from simply removing the gay light bar on the front, the blinker bar in the back, removing the bag rails, and adding a black moons mc headlight and tail light, removing the tour pack and the mount bar for it, and seeing g the difference between it before and after, those guys that just pay someone else to do everything will never experience that feeling. I might not be building motors and shit, but I’m doing all of my own stuff, bars etc. I get to look at my bike and know I did that. Which provides me with a sense of pride. Those posers will never get to feel that.
You see these high dollar performance baggers in YT videos, on IG and at shows on display but the pulse of the average rider isn't anything close to these "money killed it" trends or crazes. For instance if you look at the bikes on IG's, cool Harleys on PCH, most of them are clapped out 5-20 year old bikes including all Harley sub models that get riden, riden hard and have design and accessories out of necessity and function not vein expensive parts to show off. That proves the real pulse of the average biker these days, you rarely see a performance bagger in the wild. The everyday riden Harley are the ones I like to look at, I like the fact that no two are ever alike.
@professionalmonkey We get caught up in stuff we cannot afford..... When it comes to bike shows I am not a fan of the bolt on guys. I like the creativity of a bike build. The Craftsmanship of creativity is what I am looking for.... Keep doing what you do. I enjoy the channel.
Performance baggers came from the west for building Harley’s as stunt bikes and mountain riders usually people from a dirt bike background. It’s never going to die, it’s a lifestyle. Don’t forget battle of the baggers racing that capitalized on it.
Money shits on everything. My answer is to ride into and out of the waves. I will be building my bagger still when all the parts are on the discount table. I see a bunch of mixed up people with no direction here and that’s perfection honestly. Seattle doesn’t have enough sense to realize they don’t matter ffs. But my bagger is 1 of my bikes all of which I’ve built myself. Yes it’s new yes it’s a base non ABS and yes I’ve done everything to it. Hell I just installed some more swap meet take off tonight. So build them part them out and sell me the cool shit on the cheep.
Garage builds forever! Bikes built in a garage like yours, or mine, or the guy down the street…..Those are the bikes I like to try and pick out at a show, or in a line of bikes on Main Street. To me those are the cool ones, because you can tell there was real blood and sweat involved in the project. 🍻
Money does support the small businesses so that they don't go unders o often. But sure someone can write a check and best your garage build. It's interesting about the performance bagger scene, with harley going full hog in 2024 in it. I don't see it ending anytime soon. The sporty chops are interesting and attainable still. And that vintage look has been something gems have been into producing for a decade now as well...
Performance baggers were never meant to be budget friendly. You’re imitating a race bike with the highest performance and lightest weight components available. At what point is that for the budget minded rider? Don’t get me wrong, I love them but you ain’t building one for cheap.
1 Timothy 6:10 - “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils.” Its not just money, but the love/worship of money.
Build within your budget and skill level to whatever style or preference you see fit. I dont care what anyone chooses to do with money i haven't earned or motorcycles i dont have to ride. Dont have much money? Cool, ride whatever you can afford. Have more money than you know what to do with? Cool, build the motorcycle you've always dreamed of and go enjoy it. When it is all said and done life is way too short to worry about what anyone else is doing or not doing with money that they traded their time and effort for. Do what makes you happy and try to enjoy your life while you still have that option.
Not that my oppinion matters... ✌️- Brandon
I watched the same thing happen with the diesel community. SEMA truck builds and spending money competition ruined it.
Well I totally agree right in a check isn't the same as wrenching on your own bike... It's going to happen but I don't see it changing and people still be wrenching on their bikes and still having self-pride in what they've done. I kind of hope that bike shows start making a bigger deal out of the weekend mechanic and seeing what they produced out of their own garage.. we'll have to see
@professional monkey the same issue with my other hobbies, japanese imports, rock crawlers and firearms. Its not money per se, but the press on it. Dynas are to expensive for the junk they are as well. Its all the influencers doing shit for the views.
So I guess what you're saying it that the big money people destroy the soul and grass roots feeling of building your own? I'd say build what you like, be happy with it and proud of it and to hell with the money guys. Anybody worth a shit is going to know a real homemade bike and appreciate the effort that went into it, and scoff at the dude with the Suit and Tie Special.
It’s cyclical like you said. Another 2-3 years it’ll be something else new and cool. Always is 🤷♂️
Not sure if it's been said already, but just a point of clarification for you. The Love of money is the root of all Evil, not necessarily money itself. But yes money can ruin a good thing, for sure.
$600.00 for handlebars,$1200for pipes,,yeah,money corrupts,
I remember FXR's bein popular in the early 90's FFS!
I started painting motorcycles in 1977 and I charged $200 to paint a set of FL tanks and fenders!
Times have def changed..
Money does kill things. As far as performance baggers I don’t think they are dead and really don’t see them dying they are imo just the rt combination of performance but have the ability to road trip on. Great topic for sure
He's not lying. My boy put 20k in stereo 15k for the front wheel and much more they don't care about budget
My brother in law has one of those Big Dog choppers sitting under a tarp...for the past 10 years.
Unfortunately it's not worth much. Big Dogs were some of the best made ones for sure. I'd like to take a 2000s fat tire chopper and try to make it cool. Spokes, flat black paint, etc.
Opposite opinion
Build what you like. Wait for the fad to subside. Upgrade for cheap when the bottom falls out if you’re still into it.
No! I hope the fat tire choppers don’t come back. Every time I see one I think of Orange County choppers. Just a trend
Performance Baggers aren’t dead. Big Wheel Baggers aren’t dead. Stretched Baggers aren’t dead. Bobbers not dead. Cafe racers not dead. Choppers not dead. Fat tire bikes not dead. Skinny Tire baggers not dead. FXR’s not dead. Vrods not dead. Vicklas not dead. Sportsters not dead. Dynas never die!
Rippin on bikes is always cool whether you’re running tbars or rockin ape hangers, scraping bags or having a crazy lean angle, it’s all good. Who cares if trends die? We picked up more enthusiasts along the way and Performance Baggers will never die!!
You said that wrong, money is not the root of all evil,
the love of money is!
You're a good Trend Observer. What is up with these show-queens with the giant front wheel? Do these bikes ride or just show?
This is almost like an oxymoron it's always took a load of money to even have a performance bagger it makes no sense when you're going to have almost 100 Grand in a real performance bagger anyways is that not money already
Didn't that happen to some rallies just my thoughts the bikes are the reason for them , but even Harley makes new products hoping to set a trend , isn't that the same as any company , look at cell phones , and tech yes money usually ruined most things .I'm still good though cause i have no money , ha ha
I think chopper are coming back they only weight around 400 lbs you don't need big hp tp push them baggers are more for touring
Honestly, harley are NOT performance. They are cruisers. Hell you can hop up a rv and race it. It doesnt mean its a performance race vehicle
real garage builders recognize non shop built bikes. Most of us don't even look at those crazy builds like that.
My awesome step dad quit stock car racing 1974. Said they can use unlimited money we didn't have. I love Racing. But we got Dirt bikes. Went to the mountains every Sunday. 14 years old that saved my life
That's a good way to avoid the money throwers, do something dangerous...
Build the bike you want and can afford for one person only, YOU! Then go ride it and have fun.
I agree money ruins it all but I don't give a dam I like my bike and it's for riding not shows I can't compete with most of the show bikes
Youre 100 % right fck the money Thing love the culture shoutout from germany ✌️
I agree for the bike shows your totally correct but for the small guys that ride a hang out. Riders still know the old school that did it on a shoe string compared to the weekend rider that just throws money at it.
Motorcycle trends seems to cycle around. I think that the fat tire long chopper will come back in about 7 years
Hey monk great point 100% but it’s to late,everything went to hell in a hand basket,we r done for lol
I don’t disagree with what you’re saying. But I’ll look at them all day long to see what was done when they wrote the check!😂😂
Happens all the time with all sorts of bikes cars truck etc. Just build or ride what you like. I don’t care what s hot or not.
You are so right. I've been riding Road Glides since 2010 and everyone called them ugly, bitched about the fairing not turning etc. Everyone was buying street glides and putting 30" wheels on them. That scene blew up and everyone had one and then the transition to Road Glides being the cool bike to have and then performance upgrades coming along and now the the MOCO is building them stock you know it's on the tail end of the trend. My bike looks basically stock but I've kept my performance upgrades low key and don't need reservoir shocks hanging off the back and carbon fiber parts to make my bike better. I'm waiting for the next trend so road glides will no longer be the cool bike. I enjoyed being the only guy I'd see out riding around on a weekend on a road glide.
I think it will swing back to street glides. The new batwing is better looking than the road glide. Talk about everyone saying your bike is ugly, I have a 1980 FLT Tour Glide, the very first road glide. A face only a mama could love!
i’m not rich and never will be. all i’m into is riding long distance. performance is great but not my thing. nothing wrong with stock harley motors at all. rather use my money on gas and cheap hotels.
I hope sportsters become the next craze. I have one i need to sell! Maybe i can get 15k for it in a year or 2 😂😂
I remember the R U B video you did about 3 years ago. Same principle different end of the spectrum. It's a giant bag of money vs passion for the project. Passion wins in the long run. Like you said, money comes in, money goes out but the passion bulids with each bulid.
Neon Trikes w/ Vette engines turbo'd out. They are already doing it to the slingshots.
Agree With You all the way, work on my softail Last 3 winter doing everything from welding thru painting and ride with guys who dont know nothing about there bike...that's OK to be raise poor 😂
I don't get the whole performance bagger thing. More power is cool but keep it gangsta
I feel like if I buy parts it takes away from the fun if I pay to have it installed. I want to earn that s***.
First, when the motor company finally puts out their own version of a performance bagger for consumers, yes the scene is dead. Second, the idea that a two wheeled machine are reaching 200 plus hp and such means that these bike are no longer reliable. I do not know of anyone with a “built” bike that doesn’t have it in the shop at least twice a year. Third, yes money has found it. No one “builds” a bike anymore. They buy a bike. They couldn’t tell you the torque specs on the derby cover. We have lost the meaning of the words in the culture. The difference between a “Built Bike”, “Custom Bike”, “Customized Bike”, and “Stock Bike”. Built Bike = I built it in my garage from the frame up. Custom Bike = Bike Built ground up to my specifications. ie OCC. Customized Bike = Stock bike that has parts swapped out to make it yours. Stock Bike = no changes from the showroom floor. Most people are calling Custom Bikes, Built Bikes.