To tell you the truth I really did not know much about customizing bikes when I bought my bike. All my superbiking experience came from Kerala and well, just having a superbike itself was a grand feat out there. Naturally when I was looking for a bike it never occurred that I should buy one with all the accessories. I went ahead and bought a bone stock bike that was untouched by customization.
It was on my first ride with the G.O.D.S that I began to understand what accessorizing your bike was all about. Every single rider in the group had done something or the other to make their bikes special. However the one common aftermarket accessory that every rider had was the exhaust. Doc told me to get a few KM of riding under my belt and then we can look for a good free flow exhaust. I was in no hurry as I had already blown up all my saving to buy the bike. However in no time I was wondering what to sell from my house to buy that exhaust. Two incidents lead to me getting so desperate. Let me narrate both of them
During the third week of riding with the G.O.D.S UV offered me a chance to ride his R1. It came with all the works and most noticeably, the carbon fiber two bros exhaust system. I mounted his bike and by the time the tachometer touched 3000 RPM, I began to hear the music of the exhaust note. Its hard to explain how suddenly the bike began to feel so much more involving. Until then it was just your eyes that were participating in the dance of speed.. Suddenly your ears and your butt also have joined the party. The bike genuinely felt like a machine made for speed. Reluctantly when the short ride got over I handed the bike back to UV. When I mounted my bike and started to ride it, it felt so lacking. Kinda like watching porn on mute. The entire joy of the show was lost. The rest of the ride was all about looking out for exhaust cans on other rider’s bikes. The group had it all Akra’s,Muzzy,Vance and Hines, Yoshi, DND etc. Lust had begun to take shape.
The second incident was the more alarming one. This happened a good two months later. I was riding back home after a ride and was almost home when there was a sudden burst of traffic. This inquisitive guy on a rickshaw pulled over and asked me if I was riding an electric bike. I was stunned. I asked him why he thought so to which he replied that he couldn't find the exhaust(being an underseat one) and secondly the bike was very silent. Thankfully helmet was on hence he could not see how badly my ego was hurt. Meekly I rode back home and decided to do something about it asap.
I began to do some research into why my bike was ‘quietier than everyone else’s’ that’s when the truth hit me like a hammer. All info on my bike was written in Japanese, including the manual. I was in possession of a JDM or a Japanese Domestic Market bike. In Japan the rules are so strict that all bikes need to be ultra quiet. Hence they have extra muffling to do the job. Now it was absolutely important to ensure that I get to work on getting that Free Flow exhaust immediately. Couple of calls to my brother in Dubai and promising payment over a few month ensured I got myself a spanking new Carbon Fiber Yoshi RS exhausts. Inspired by wheelie king and his awesome Yoshi pipes
I was too eager to fix it myself. Two hours and plenty of screws later I had to throw in the towel.(changing underseat exhausts are a pain, especially on a three yr old bike) Hence I rode the bike minus the seat and cowl over to JayDee and he got the exhaust fixed. I swear the bike suddenly felt so alive. I had such a huge smile on my face. The beauty of installing it on a 600 is that the middle weights rev all the way to 15000 RPM. So you have a lot of range to play with and the bike make various tones at different revs. Personally I get the true kick out of it post 7000rpm. So much so that I hardly take the bike beyond third gear as this way its always in the higher revs.
Now coming back to the topic of this post? Why are we in Delhi so obsessed with an exhaust? I would say the answer is twofold. The first being peer pressure. Its hard not to have it when all your buddies have it. And two this one customization suddenly makes your bike so much more involving to ride. The one question that you must be having on your mind right now would be “ what about performance ?”
Every manufacturer claims that you will get a 1 or 2 bhp increase in power provided its clubbed with a free flow exhaust along with significant weight loss. Now for a rider like you or me, is this noticeable? I think not really. Reason being that the percentage increase in power is barely even 1%. Its as hard to notice this power increase as it is to figure out if your riding at 100kmph or 102kmph. At that speeds both the figures feel more or less the same. Same theory applies. However the entire exhaust note of the bike is so different and louder that it truly feels like it moves far far more faster.
Thus having an exhuast on your bike is well not a question of if but when!So ensure you have that extra 30K ready when you decide to buy your bike. Ride Safe.
It was on my first ride with the G.O.D.S that I began to understand what accessorizing your bike was all about. Every single rider in the group had done something or the other to make their bikes special. However the one common aftermarket accessory that every rider had was the exhaust. Doc told me to get a few KM of riding under my belt and then we can look for a good free flow exhaust. I was in no hurry as I had already blown up all my saving to buy the bike. However in no time I was wondering what to sell from my house to buy that exhaust. Two incidents lead to me getting so desperate. Let me narrate both of them
During the third week of riding with the G.O.D.S UV offered me a chance to ride his R1. It came with all the works and most noticeably, the carbon fiber two bros exhaust system. I mounted his bike and by the time the tachometer touched 3000 RPM, I began to hear the music of the exhaust note. Its hard to explain how suddenly the bike began to feel so much more involving. Until then it was just your eyes that were participating in the dance of speed.. Suddenly your ears and your butt also have joined the party. The bike genuinely felt like a machine made for speed. Reluctantly when the short ride got over I handed the bike back to UV. When I mounted my bike and started to ride it, it felt so lacking. Kinda like watching porn on mute. The entire joy of the show was lost. The rest of the ride was all about looking out for exhaust cans on other rider’s bikes. The group had it all Akra’s,Muzzy,Vance and Hines, Yoshi, DND etc. Lust had begun to take shape.
The second incident was the more alarming one. This happened a good two months later. I was riding back home after a ride and was almost home when there was a sudden burst of traffic. This inquisitive guy on a rickshaw pulled over and asked me if I was riding an electric bike. I was stunned. I asked him why he thought so to which he replied that he couldn't find the exhaust(being an underseat one) and secondly the bike was very silent. Thankfully helmet was on hence he could not see how badly my ego was hurt. Meekly I rode back home and decided to do something about it asap.
I began to do some research into why my bike was ‘quietier than everyone else’s’ that’s when the truth hit me like a hammer. All info on my bike was written in Japanese, including the manual. I was in possession of a JDM or a Japanese Domestic Market bike. In Japan the rules are so strict that all bikes need to be ultra quiet. Hence they have extra muffling to do the job. Now it was absolutely important to ensure that I get to work on getting that Free Flow exhaust immediately. Couple of calls to my brother in Dubai and promising payment over a few month ensured I got myself a spanking new Carbon Fiber Yoshi RS exhausts. Inspired by wheelie king and his awesome Yoshi pipes
I was too eager to fix it myself. Two hours and plenty of screws later I had to throw in the towel.(changing underseat exhausts are a pain, especially on a three yr old bike) Hence I rode the bike minus the seat and cowl over to JayDee and he got the exhaust fixed. I swear the bike suddenly felt so alive. I had such a huge smile on my face. The beauty of installing it on a 600 is that the middle weights rev all the way to 15000 RPM. So you have a lot of range to play with and the bike make various tones at different revs. Personally I get the true kick out of it post 7000rpm. So much so that I hardly take the bike beyond third gear as this way its always in the higher revs.
Now coming back to the topic of this post? Why are we in Delhi so obsessed with an exhaust? I would say the answer is twofold. The first being peer pressure. Its hard not to have it when all your buddies have it. And two this one customization suddenly makes your bike so much more involving to ride. The one question that you must be having on your mind right now would be “ what about performance ?”
Every manufacturer claims that you will get a 1 or 2 bhp increase in power provided its clubbed with a free flow exhaust along with significant weight loss. Now for a rider like you or me, is this noticeable? I think not really. Reason being that the percentage increase in power is barely even 1%. Its as hard to notice this power increase as it is to figure out if your riding at 100kmph or 102kmph. At that speeds both the figures feel more or less the same. Same theory applies. However the entire exhaust note of the bike is so different and louder that it truly feels like it moves far far more faster.
Thus having an exhuast on your bike is well not a question of if but when!So ensure you have that extra 30K ready when you decide to buy your bike. Ride Safe.
I remember my case when i got my busa. The first few rides were good as i enjoyed the silence ;) and the only sound i got to hear was the wind noise through the half face helmet. Everything was just perfect....until.... our fellow and only female rider started making fun of the exhaust sound(or lack of it) with her 2 bros. Every time i tried to overtake her - she used to come up to me gave a BIG VROOOM n zoom off. It didnt stop to this, even during starting point she used to come up to the bike n pretend to hear the sound by getting as close to the bike as possible. Not that I ever mind that cause I know it was all in good humor, but that was it - I coaxed one of my friend who was in US n coming back in 15 days to get my exhausts. Then it was I had a swanky pair of 2 bros on my babe n as VJ puts it - its a different feel altogether - I fell in love all over again :). From that day on I dont recall using the HORN button. Who needs it neway when u have a busa with 2 bros under us A$$ :). Now I feel the need to upgrade - yup 2 bros suddenly started feeling mute. As Doc says "MORE IS NEVER ENOUGH"
ReplyDeleteGaurav :))
Same Story, now i need more on my Busa. Only concerning thing is the disproportionate after market exhausts for Busa, but i think i will still go for it. FED UP OF HONKING...:P
ReplyDeleteAlso safety wise its better to be louder cos in the rear view mirror of cars when ur in the blind spot car drivers cant see us and chances of getting side swiped increase....so like they say if they can hear u they wont hit u...its important to be heard...plus ofcourse all the factors above :-)
ReplyDeleteRide hard Ride safe!!
Dr Ramandeep Virk
Since I got a two brothers on my 1st bike it's an addiction, the roar is pure music never felt the need for a horn (which is a bonus)
ReplyDeletePs, lovely piece vijay
Waoh !
ReplyDelete