The roar of a high-speed bike, a ‘wheelie’ or ‘stoppie’ on a busy road — behaviour every one of those illegal road stunts is a modified motorcycle violating many a clause of the Motor Vehicles Act.Two weeks ago, at least 50 bikers gathered on Valluvar Kottam High Road and performed stunts, including wheelies, stoppies and drifts. Greater Chennai Police tracked and arrested at least 21 of them. All their bikes were ‘modified’, costing several lakhs of rupees.Factory-built motorcycles are calibrated to balance power, torque, fuel efficiency, emissions and safety while complying with Bharat Stage (BS) VI emission norms. However, changes to the exhaust, air intake, and engine settings can alter performance and potentially affect emissions, reliability and safety.Arjun Kumar, a pit stop owner in Pudupet, said, “Customers spend between 18 and 25% more to enhance the engine tuning, though it could affect mileage and engine life if not done properly. Modified bikes are not covered by insurance.”“More than speed or appearance, riders want a bike that reflects their personality and responds differently when they accelerate, brake or take a corner,” said Karthik, a track rider from Coimbatore.However, modifications can cross the line from customisation to violations. Section 52 of the Motor Vehicles Act restricts alterations that make a vehicle’s registration particulars differ from those specified by the manufacturer. Section 190(2) addresses violations of prescribed safety and noise standards.MORE THAN SPEED OR APPEARANCE, RIDERS WANT A BIKE THAT REFLECTS THEIR PERSONALITY AND RESPONDS DIFFERENTLY WHEN THEY ACCELERATE, BRAKE OR TURN A CORNER— R Karthik | A track rider from Coimbatore1. TYRESCost: Rs 10K–Rs 20K (per tyre)What it does: Replaces stock tyres with wider, high-grip tyres.Benefits: Better grip and stability.Improved cornering performance.Enhanced look.Things to keep in mind: Tyre choice affects mileage and fuel efficiency and may require changes to the swingarm or fender in some cases.2. AIR FILTERCost: Rs 2K–Rs 6KWhat it does: Allows more air to flow into the engine.Benefits: Better throttle response.Can slightly increase power output.Things to keep in mind: Requires regular cleaning and maintenance. Gains are limited without other modifications.3. EXHAUSTCost: Rs 10K–Rs 20KWhat it does: Replaces the stock exhaust with a free-flow system.Benefits: Louder and deeper exhaust note.Reduced weight.Can improve exhaust flow and power when tuned properly.Things to keep in mind: Excessive noise may lead to legal violations.4. CUSTOM PAINTCost: Rs 5K–Rs 25KWhat it does: Changes the bike’s appearance with custom paint, wraps or graphics.Benefits: Unique and personalised look.Wide range of design options.Things to keep in mind: Keep modifications within legal requirements. Cost varies based on paint quality, design complexity and finish.5. ECU TUNINGCost: Rs 8K–Rs 22KWhat it does: Reprograms the bike’s engine control unit (ECU) to adjust fuel injection and other parameters.Benefits: Improved throttle response.Better power delivery.Can unlock additional performance when combined with other modifications.Things to keep in mind: Incorrect tuning can reduce engine life and affect reliability.6. SUSPENSION UPGRADECost: Rs 15K–Rs 40KWhat it does: Replaces or enhances the stock suspension (front/rear).Benefits: Better handling and stability.Improved ride quality.More control at high speeds.Things to keep in mind: Cost varies based on brand and type, such as adjustable suspension.7. QUICK SHIFTERCost: Rs 15K–Rs 20KWhat it does: Allows clutch-less gear shifts, usually for upshifts.Benefits: Faster gear shifts.Useful on track and during spirited riding.Things to keep in mind: Requires proper installation and ECU compatibility.
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