Motorcycle farkle

The word Farkle belongs to the vernacular of the North American motorcyclist, and refers to accessories or the act of accessorizing a motorcycle.

Farkles may include any accessories but especially those intended to increase the function of a motorcycle -- vs. those intended to glamorize (i.e. if an accessory is chromed, it is probably not a farkle - see Bling.)

Examples include items that do not arrive as standard equipment on the motorcycle, such as Radar detectors, GPS systems, heated grips, satellite radios, highway pegs, or top and side cases.

Etymology

The Etymology of "Farkle" is murky. It was in use at least by the late nineteen-nineties, circa 1997.

The word may be a combination (portmanteau) of "function" and "sparkle." One source attributes the term to a member of the Honda ST1100 user group [http://www.nabble.com/Re:-Farkel,-or-is-it-Farkle--p2354383.html] .

Another source claims that farkle was a term originally used for the multiple tail lights that Honda Goldwing riders used in the late 80's and early 90's. They would flash or sparkle when the brakes were applied, thus farkle may be a combination of those two words Fact|date=February 2008.

Although the term Farkle is most likely attributed to a member of the Honda ST1100 group the Backronym originated from an entry in the Concours Owners Group forum. As stated a Farkle is a:

:F.ancy :A.ccessory :R.eally :K.ool & :L.ikely :E.xpensive

Variations

An enthusiast may "farkle" a motorcycle, may be in the process of "farkling" or may have "farkled up" a motorcycle. This is not to be confused with "f'd" up a motorcycle.

External links

* [http://www.st1100.org/farkles/ ST1100.org farkle photos]
* [http://koczarski.com/Motorcycles Adam Koczarski's ST1100 & ST1300 farkels]
* [http://www.concours.org/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=20781 Definition from Concours.org]
* [http://davedragon.rilysi.com/search/label/Farkle BMW R1200GS Adventure farkles]