I've often been the odd one out, but that's nothing new - particularly to those who know me in the flesh. I've never been one to follow the herd, never felt weird doing my own thing, and never thought twice about airing my opinions even if they're 180-degrees from the norm.
I don't try to be different. I don't purposely try to think or act contrarian. I just do what I do, and the chips tend to fall where they may. Lately, I've realized this also applies with my attitude toward motorcycles - the latest example being my thoughts on my Fat Bob 96 Twin Cam.
Less than a year ago I bought the bike from a friend. It had just about 6,000 miles on it, and aside from a detachable windshield, the bike was completely stock. The bike was in mint condition, as if it had just rolled off the showroom floor. The guy I bought it from had kept it well.
I knew the typical modern Harley sported a 107 or 114 cubic engine (or larger) and I knew all sorts of add-ons (stage kits, exhausts, power controllers) were available to make the Bob do anything and everything "better." However, I decided to give it some time, and some miles, before opting to make any changes and make the bike "mine."
A few thousand miles have now been added to the Harley's clock and I've decided... I'm perfectly happy with it as is. HD, ya done me perfect with the under-powered, muffled, shell of a bike the '09 Fat Bob was then, and remains now.
Add more torque? More horsepower? More speed? More acceleration? More rumble? More decibels? To those questions I say nah, nope, nada, not, nuh-uh and no.
My 0-60 is great. My 60-85 is great. It sounds great, rides great, shifts great, and feels great. Now I'm not saying I won't put a backrest, or some saddlebags or running boards on it some day, but performance-wise I'm perfectly content with stock bike just as it is.
I can't tell you how many times I've been asked: You gonna put a stage kit on it? What exhaust you gonna buy? You gonna get a Power Commander?
Honestly, or weirdly enough, I couldn't be happier with the bike as is. The more I ride it, the more I fail to see why it needs any modding and why anyone would want to mod it. For the life of me, I think Harley got it right, right out of the gate. Do I just not get it? Do I just not know what I don't know? I feel the Fat Bob has been "mine" all along - unlike 99.999999% of other Harley owners I don't have the urge to make a single change. Surely it can't be, but is it...
Just me?
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