Comments on: When is a custom motorcycle not a custom?

By: Motorcycle Jack

Motorcycle Jack — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 22:23:03 +0000

I second that! It seems these days there are too many manufactured bikes that use the word “custom” to try to draw in business. As if they weren’t making enough money they try to squeeze out the little guys who are actually building custom motorcycles….what can ya do?!?

By: Dave

Dave — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 00:30:20 +0000

I have an 07 Street Bob that i have chopped, hard tailed, painted (flat black), welded my own chain link 14″ ap ehangers and it is pretty friggin custom. As far as the “factory custom”, it is what it is. We are all bikers and/or motorcyclists and it is first and foremost about two wheelin. Whatever you like is up to you. I do not like the new Fury because the whole bike is plastic, even the engine casing. Suzuki owner seems a little aggressive about it but is is whatever floats your boat. If you like it ride it! I will stick with my Harley Street Bob which has over 30K miles and has NEVER let me down, not once. Ride safe and keep the shiny side up brothers and sisters!!!

By: Reyzie

Reyzie — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 18:11:05 +0000

To me, there’s no such thing as a factory chopper. They’re just cloned production bikes with no originality whatsoever. Sure, some look nice, but when you see 4 or 5 Big Dog’s (for example) parked together, it’s pretty obvious, there’s nothing custom about them. (Decals and colored valve stem caps don’t count.)

You can’t call a bike a chopper, unless its had very close encounters with a cutting torch and TIG! Old school, ya know?

By: gunmetaljoint

gunmetaljoint — Sat, 23 May 2009 20:18:08 +0000

chopped the s**t out of my sporty in the front yard of my house till i got it nearly right, rode it but not happy with ride, so…having another go now to do what needs to be done.didnt cost me a fortune but i have a LOT of time invested in it and its a one off. now thats my idea of custom and also at the time (six nearly seven years ago) i think it was the only sportster in the world with a 240 back tyre

By: Suzuki owner

Suzuki owner — Fri, 08 May 2009 05:33:10 +0000

Listen I agree to what you guys are sayin. But not everybody can afford a texas chopper. I have been drooling over the american iron horse texas chopper for years.But my pocket cant produce the 40k for one. So you know what I dont see one riding around my town yet so it will be a head turner with the reliability of a liquid cooled bike. Dont put the hate on it cause tghey are trying to advertise a great bike with phenominal qulities, like not breakin down every five minutes like some other motorcycle companies we know. Enjoy that some dude who cant afford the 40-80k piece of shit is etting to enjoy what its like havin the one off without having to spend thosands on keeping the damn thing running. Stop pickin it apart and give credit where its due. GOOD JOB HONDA KEEP IT UP! Actually this weekend im going to try and buy myself one ofthese so good luck with all your fixer uppers out there my harley brothers and sisters. And when I drive buy your ultra classics and fat boys and the car next to you takes a picture of my bike just remember who is driving the CUSTOM bike!

By: Dave

Dave — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 01:26:37 +0000

Agree 100%. These are not customs by any stretch of the word. Unique? Maybe. Custom? No way!

By: Lizzie

Lizzie — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 15:23:42 +0000

Ha ha, YES!

By: Dean "D-Day"

Dean "D-Day" — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 14:55:40 +0000

Agreed. These are not customs.
I have an ’03 Wide Glide. At the time it came out, H-D was calling it part of their “factory custom” line. Factory custom?!?! Aren’t those kinda contradictory terms???

By: Lizzie

Lizzie — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 16:43:28 +0000

I agree, if it’s a production bike, how can they call it a custom? Don’t get me wrong, I think some of the bikes look really great. I guess it’s sort of the lazy way out of customizing your own.

Does anyone know anybody that has one of these “customs”? I’m curious of the mindset behind purchasing one.

By: Micah

Micah — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 04:44:27 +0000

I don’t see how any production bike can be a custom. The only exception would be using a production rolling chassis, motor, and transmission and build everything else from the ground up.

By: giest

giest — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 22:10:30 +0000

I agree. Using the word custom on these types of bikes is a misnomer. Custom usual refers to something being built to individual tastes or specifications. These types of bikes are being mass produced and sold to anyone who wants one. That doesn’t exactly fit the definition very well. But that’s advertising for ya. If you stick the current “catch word” on the adverts, it helps sell merchandise.

I can live with it. I know what a custom is and we all know the big companies are a few years behind whatever is the current rage. I really like the look of the Fury, but it’s a little behind the times.

That’s on tough kid! LOL