Softened by Farkles?

[jimmystartup]

I've noticed that each time I add a farkle to my bike I get a bit softer. I used to ride all winter without heated grips and never complained once. Now I hardly ever ride without them and when I do, I'm known to say "brrr, time to turn the grips on"

I used to ride with a stock seat, no problem. Now the longest I'll go with a stock seat is the time it takes to get my new one made once I own the bike.

The list goes on and on, with each item I'm removed from the basics of the machine I buy!

[RickC1957]

Yep I'm definetely softened by farkles....I was the same...rode all winter....no stinking heated grips....then I hit 45....and man...every cold weather ride....my hands ached...no hurt for day...Vivid finally convinced me heated grips....so I did....now when it gets below 50...they go on...low...but they make the world of difference. After my first ride...I was think....all bikes should come with them.....period.

[JimWilliamson]

Nope - but the day I put a windshield or fairing on the bike - then I'm soft. It's an all or nothing for me on that one.

[TalkingHead]

I'm only softened by farkles as far as heat goes. I likes my Gerbing a whole lot. I've had one non-stock seat and I actually didn't care for it all that much. I've never had extra running lights, GPS, music or anything else. I like to keep it simple when I'm riding but the heat is oh so nice.

[andmoon]

It's age not farkles.

[DredheadV2.0]

The heat, yeah, it's a constant now with colder temps.  Like Rick , I broke out the vest AND gloves on a 40 degree day.  I felt wimpy but I did enjoy the commute a lot more than the day before, with no vest and unlined leather gloves.

The other things I've installed over the years, like XM, GPS, and radar detector...  they never get any use unless I'm on a road trip.  Which, in reality, translates to simply "never," sadly.

[TalkingHead]

It's age not farkles.

Well, if you're taking about middles.....

[JCM]

Yes, I've been softened by farkles. I couldn't imagine riding without a custom seat and good tunes.

[dinolee]

I'm a lot happier on long trips with tunes/gps/radar/custom seat/heated gear.  If happier = softer, then so be it.

[bubba zanetti]

GPS, Corbin seat, MRA Vario windscreen, Gen-Mar bar risers ... hell ...er ... ah ..... ... might as well call me the StayPufft Marshmellow Man and be done with it ....  

[R.Markus]

I'm not sure if farkles soften one as much as bike choice. Anyone can ride cross country on an ST1300, FJR, VFR, or Connie. They're like sitting on your Lazy Boy all day.

I don't see how a radar detector or GPS would soften a rider. Heated gear does, I have some anyway...and really like it.


....by the way, I voted for "Farkles make me hard" because wiring them up does give me a bit of a chubby.

[dinolee]

....by the way, I voted for "Farkles make me hard" because wiring them up does give me a bit of a chubby.

Saturday nights must be a hoot at your house... "Kris Baby... I've got the multimeter out tonight"  

[Shizoku]

No farkles here...old school.

Shiz

[slvrsprint]

I don't need no stinkin 'letrics.

(Maybe when I get old.)

[Req]

In the winter, it's kinda "have heated grips and gear" or "freeze to death" so if wanting to ride year round makes me soft, so be it.

I have heated grips and a vest, and I carry an ipod for tunes.  I also have a on-bike video system, and while I'm not sure that's a farkle, it's pretty awesome.

[Nimh]

For me, even if I'm commuting on the bike, my motorcycle is for pleasure.  I have known a few cyclist that believe suffering is an integral part of the two wheeled experience, and I just don't get it.  

If a farkle can increase the pleasure I experience, I say that's just fine.  A better seat can allow me to ride longer without fidgeting and losing focus on the ride.  Heated gear gets me out more often during the colder months (sub 40F) and still feel my hands well enough to operate all controls comfortably and quickly if necessary.  Farkles like stainless brake lines give me better feel and slightly decreased stopping distance, besides, they match the color of the bike and I think they look cool.  

Must we suffer to have a good time?  (...and me getting softer has more to do with my love of cake and pie)  

[R.Markus]

Must we suffer to have a good time?

Yes.

[Farked Up]

Who cut the cheese, Farkle?

[jimmystartup]

Just to clarify, I'm not implying that by having Farkles (why do I keep capitalizing that word?) you are soft.

What I'm asking is, do you notice that once you install a Farkle to increase your level of comfort in some fashion, do you find it hard to believe you could go back to riding without said Farkle?

 

[MDHCO]

Same question of gear as opposed to the dew rag, jeans, and black tee shirt.   Softer yes, but the bike doesn't get parked when the weather turns cold.