There will be no argument when we say that the big-ticket items for all motorcycle manufacturers are adventure bikes. Similarly, there will be no argument when we cast incredulous glances at the price tags for such bikes: R300,000+ is nothing unusual for a brand new 1,000cc+ model, a price that can be almost endlessly added to when the accessories catalogue is brought into play.
There is another factor to bring into the equation and that is the used bike market, which is often flooded with low-mileage, excellent-condition models, which are a few years’ old, often barely used and which are available for fractions of the new costs.
Regular updates to existing models cause a glut of the previous model to appear on the used market. Many of these have had accessories fitted to them, which makes them even better bargains. Currently, the bike that is making waves in adventure circles is the new R 1300 GS from BMW. Being slimmer, lighter and having more power and torque are one thing, but even a higher price tag has not put off fans of the model from trading in their R 1250 or R 1200 models, meaning there are a lot of virtually brand-new used models coming onto the market.
All is well and good, but you’re buying a model that hundreds of people already own, so you’re not going to stand out from the crowd. One way of personalising your new-to-you bike is to fit an after-market exhaust, either the full system or a slip-on silencer, which might have benefits to power, torque and weight but the main reason is to improve the sound of the exhaust note, which is often rather muted thanks to noise legislation in the country or continent of manufacture.
Akrapovič is the established leader in the market and there’s no arguing with the expertise that goes into each system, just as there’s no getting away from the, often, steep price tag. For some, there is simply no substitute. However, if you’ve saved money by buying second-hand, do you particularly want to lose some of that savings by spending a large chunk of money on an after-market exhaust system?
For a long time, there have been few alternatives to Akrapovič, especially if you’re looking for a South African-manufactured alternative. Happily, that situation has now been remedied with the arrival of the Vykon brand, designed and manufactured right here in SA.
The new Vykon X silencer has been specifically engineered for adventure bikes and a mere R11,445 will give your bike a whole new character, without being so loud as to spoil your ride. The quality of design and manufacture leaves nothing to be desired and it looks just as good as its more expensive rivals, equally as important to many owners.
We tried one on an R 1250 GS and the rather flat, drone-like exhaust note of the original system was transformed into something altogether more aggressive and purposeful. Being a slip-on piece of equipment means it can be fitted in minutes by anyone with even the most rudimentary understanding of how to bolt things together and requires no alteration of any hardware so that the original can be re-fitted at any time.
As we have said, new adventure bikes are unbelievably expensive, making a used buy a tempting proposition, especially when a four- or five-year-old model gives very little away in terms of outright performance or ability to brand new models. When something like a four-year-old R 1250 GS with a tiny mileage showing can be bought for the same price as, say, a new Yamaha T7 or Triumph Tiger 900, while possessing arguably more all-day riding practicality, the argument against buying used simply fades away.
Adding a Vykon X exhaust silencer not only supports local industry but elevates your purchase to something individual for relatively little cost.
For more information, visit www.vykon.co.za
