Through their website, Two Brothers Racing now offers their customers the chance to design and personalize their own exhaust system. Customization options include choosing the muffler canister type as well as the color and material combinations on all of the individual components, even the bolts! Customers can choose between several logo badge styles and even add their name, racing number or their own special text.

With their online tool, Two Brothers Racing has opened a custom design shop that users can access anytime, anywhere with quick turnaround and easy purchasing options. Buyers can purchase their custom exhaust directly from their dealer or online.

Customers simply select the make and model of their machine, pick the material for the canister (Aluminum, Titanium or Carbon Fiber) based on performance needs and style preferences and then click through different component color combinations until they come up with their own perfect look. Add in a personalized logo badge with their name and number-or pick from other badge designs.

The one I made is up top for my Yamaha R1. It still looks like a Two Brothers Racing’s exhaust so I think I’ll pass. A better feature would be making the entire exhaust customizable, not just the colors. I hate Two Brother’s carbon weave. Looks cheap. They should offer matte black. I am also not a fan of the tip. I say offer different tip designs. Then we’ll be talking! I also think it makes it difficult for their dealers to sell any. Why compete with your own dealers?

If you like this post then please consider subscribing to our full feed RSS or receive new posts by Email.

The New York City Council is about to give final approval to a bill that the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) says discriminates against motorcyclists and imposes severe, out-of-line penalties.

The AMA also complained that the measure discussed in the Council for two years and then, in a surprise move, was revived just a week before the scheduled final vote, allowing little opportunity for public comment.

“This is outrageous. This is no way to operate in a democracy,” said Imre Szauter, AMA government affairs manager. “The Committee on Public Safety considered the bill on Dec. 14, 2006, and then suddenly approves it and sends it to the full Council on Dec. 10, 2008?” Talk about a sneak attack!

The measure, would make it illegal for any motorcycle to be on city streets unless it has an exhaust system with a stamp that states it is approved by the federal Environmental Protection Agency. Essentially that means the bike must have a stock exhaust system.

Motorcyclists caught without an EPA-stamped exhaust system would face fines of up to $1,000 for a first offense and temporary forfeiture of the motorcycle until the fine is paid. A second offense would result in a fine of up to $2,500 and permanent forfeiture of the motorcycle.

City officials apparently believe that requiring motorcyclists to have EPA-approved exhaust systems is easier to enforce than trying to prove a motorcycle exceeds the city’s vaguely defined 80-decibel sound limit.

Szauter stressed that the AMA has long opposed excessive motorcycle sound and has funded information and public relations campaigns in support of quiet motorcycle use.

“The issue is that the New York City Council is unfairly singling out motorcyclists because motorcycles are the only vehicles covered under the bill,” he said. “If New York City officials believe they have a sound problem, then the problem should be handled through the existing noise ordinance and not through piecemeal legislation targeting specific modes of transportation.”

Szauter added that requiring motorcycles–and no other motor vehicles–to have a stock exhaust system is particularly discriminatory. When the muffler wears out or breaks on a car, the car owner can go to a local muffler shop and get an aftermarket system that costs much less than an original equipment system. The proposed New York City law wouldn’t allow a motorcyclist to do that, forcing the motorcyclist to potentially spend hundreds of dollars more for an original equipment system, assuming that system is even still available.

“If a motorcyclist can’t find a stock system, then the rider faces stiff fines and forfeiture of the machine, Szauter said. “These penalties are too severe and out of line when compared with other city laws.”

We are happy to report that for now the bill was pulled from the schedule for December 18th, when it was to be voted upon by the full council. We would like to thank Speaker Christine Quinn for realizing that this issue requires much more than one week worth of consideration.

If you like this post then please consider subscribing to our full feed RSS or receive new posts by Email.

So I was browsing the internet the other day and came across this Yamaha dealer’s site in the UK. Being a fan of bespoke everything, I was intrigued by their custom Yamaha bikes. It seems they have been offering these for a few years now. Recently, they revealed a special FZ-1 one-off Abarth FZ-1. Tamworth Yamaha created this particular Fiat Yamaha-liveried FZ-1 for their shop director, and boasts all of the top-notch parts you might expect.

The chassis is the standout feature of the Tamworth Yamaha’s FZ-1 machine. Ohlins Road and Track forks are slotted into the standard yokes, and carry the standard front wheel, Brembo radially-mounted monobloc calipers, and narrow track discs.

The calipers are connected to a radial-pump Brembo master cylinder by a set of steel braided hoses made to suit the set-up, and the brake system is finished with a black anodized Rizoma fluid reservoir.

The engine has also received tuning courtesy of YEC kit parts and an Akrapovic exhaust system (although it’s stickered as a Termignoni). The paintwork is an adaptation of the Fiat-sponsored 2008 Valentino Rossi YZR-M1, tweaked to suit the fairing-less FZ-1.

A genuine Yamaha passenger seat cover and a set of custom aluminum side panels are the only other bodywork changes, finished neatly with a reupholstered seat.

Too bad the bike isn’t for sale, but I’m sure Tamworth Yamaha is open to creating more specials!

If you like this post then please consider subscribing to our full feed RSS or receive new posts by Email.

What’s up guys? Exactly 25 years after the launch of the groundbreaking K bikes, BMW has unveiled the newest generation of this line of powerful inline-four machines. The new K bikes sport a larger displacement, now with 1,293cc, and an array of new enhancements and features. The 2009 K 1300 S, the most powerful street legal BMW, now offers 175 hp and the torque has been bumped by 7.5 ft-lb to a very impressive 103 ft-lb at 8250 rpm.

New for 2009 are three K1300 models. The K 1300 S with 175 hp, the K 1300 R with 173 hp and the K 1300 GT with 160 hp. The new K bikes feature updated transmission and clutch assembly, plus smoother engine performance and new switchgear. Check it out!

Can’t wait to pit this against the Hayabusa on the straight!

If you like this post then please consider subscribing to our full feed RSS or receive new posts by Email.

Talk about a dream bout! Troy Bayliss has named his price for coming out of retirement to face Valentino Rossi in a proposed race between the two champions. Unfortunately, the retired World Superbike champion said it would take about 1 million British pounds ($1.5 million USD) to convince him to face MotoGP champion Rossi, although Bayliss says it’s not likely to happen.

“For me right now, I’ve stopped training and I’m happy with my plan to finish. I’m feeling happy that the last time I rode, I was world champion, plus I won both races and beat all the other guys out there,” Bayliss says. “For me to do it (race Rossi), I’d need something like £1m and that’s not going to happen.”

Bayliss did confirm that Rossi brought up the idea of a race between them, as reported by Spanish magazine Solo Moto. The weekly publication was the first to report about a proposed race between Bayliss on his Ducati 1098 F08 and Rossi on a Superbike spec Yamaha YZF-R1.
(more…)