I’m certain the ADV market, much like the Harley and BMW market get soaked in all upgrades and accessories because they can for exactly the reasons stated above. Sure most of us can fabricate something almost as good if not better. As adults usually 30+ years in age, we know that sorting out the required tools, sourcing the materials and clean up, would cost us more hourly than any of us care to spend.
Sure this stinks, but we value time, with our friends, loved ones, actually riding out bikes or just taking a much needed nap, much more than begrudgingly wasting too much time fabricating extras. It’s not fair, especially when most of us will happily install such items or do most of our own maintenance.
You don’t see near the upcharge on accessories for bikes made as a younger person’s first or second motorcycle.
Just the time it takes looking for a best price on the net takes time away from what you actually would rather be doing.
My late uncle used to fabricate things for his ATVs like racks. Usually because he wanted something different, and enjoyed doing the fabrication, but he always made a minimum of 3-4 of the same accessory because he knew his riding buddies would ask where he got the basket or rack. They would eventually if not sooner ask if he could fabricate another for their ATV. So he usually didn’t anodize whatever if it was aluminum, until a request cane in. Just one sale paid for his materials. Selling the remaining leftovers gave him money to buy any raw materials he needed to order if he had a new idea.
As you get older, you pay more for almost everything. Sad fact of life.
I hate getting soaked on ADV gear as much as the next guy.
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