The other day, while having lunch with some co-workers, we started talking about motorcycles, of course. During the discussion, a comment was made about the effect that television has had on the popularity of motorcycles, especially choppers, over the past few years. More specifically, there was concern that since these television shows document the process of building extravagant and high-priced choppers, won't they drive up the cost of the custom bike throughout the industry?
The bikes that are being built on these shows do go for a lot of money, way more than what the average person could afford, and there's a good reason for it. The producers of these shows focus on building extravagant choppers because they are the cream of the crop of what these builders can do. Plus, it makes for good television; everyone wouldn't be so fascinated by these programs if the bikes being built were mediocre.
So, in regards to the concern about these shows inflating the custom motorcycle industry so much that new riders or even veteran riders can't afford cool-looking choppers, the opposite is actually true. These shows have opened the eyes of many people in the industry and shown them that there is a high demand for good-quality, reasonably priced choppers that the average person can afford.
Easily six different production custom manufacturers have addressed this issue by offering various chopper models that are all very affordable. Not only do these manufacturers offer reasonably priced base-model choppers, but they also have many cool options and upgrades that you can add to help your chopper stand alone in a pack, and since they are manufactured, they are very easy to insure and register.
But what if you've spent an entire weekend watching an American Chopper marathon, and now you've got the itch to try and save some money by building your own bike. There are literally dozens of companies that have recognized that there is a huge niche of do-it-yourselfers out there that are just dying to try their hands at building a custom chopper. These companies have filled that niche by offering everything from frames and rolling chassis to complete bike kits.
After doing some research and identifying what you are looking for in a chopper, a do-it-yourselfer can pick up the phone, order a complete bike kit, and feel safe knowing that, when it arrives at his house, he will have everything he needs to build his dream bike. Although the bike kit route is a great way to save some money, there is still a lot of time, skill, and mechanical knowledge that is required to get the job done.
If building your own chopper seems overwhelming to you, or you're a die hard Harley-Davidson fanatic and wouldn't be caught dead riding anything else, then there's a solution for you as well - buy a Sportster. That's right, I said it. Think about it, Sportsters have been around for more than 40 years and have been the basis for some of the coolest choppers ever built. Add some downtube stretch, rake, and lengthen the frontend of a stripped-down Sportster with its peanut-style tank and spoked wheels, and you could have one of the hottest choppers on the block.
Sportsters are, and have always been, very reasonably priced, and now with the completely redesigned '04 models featuring a rubber-mounted motor, all-day riding comfort is guaranteed. Another great thing about building a chopper out of a Sportster is that they have been around for so long, that there are plenty of companies that offer a huge assortment of parts and accessories for them.
So, the next time you're sitting around watching one of the latest motorcycle shows, and you find yourself wishing you could have your own custom chopper, just think, with some research and careful planning, you could fulfill your dream. While it might not be a high-dollar ground-up custom made by the skillful hands of one of the master builders showcased on TV, it will still be your chopper.