Photo: Yamaha
Here's another thing supporting those who say that Japan is a weird place (with no offense intended), even though we believe there was no need for additional proofs.
You cringed when the long, appalling exhaust was fitted to the Japanese version of the MV Agusta F3. Your body ached in agony when Ducati agreed to see the 899 Panigale in Japan fitted with the stomach-churning can which protruded further to the rear than the license plate holder. Brace yourselves, the Japanese R1 is coming!
Like in so many unfortunate cases, the R1 will be sold in Japan with an exhaust canister which has nothing to do with the initial looks of the bike.
On a brighter side, someone at Yamaha has been considerate enough to ask Akrapovic to save what was salvageable in this scenario. The Slovenians have designed a canister that complies with the strict Japanese noise regulations and tried their best to make it look as non-insulting as possible.
The can clearly doesn't exactly belong to the new R1, but elegantly avoided the trip to fugly HQs. This is a most polite move from the Iwata guys, who seem a bit more careful when it comes to how their bikes look after being prepped for sale in Japan. The same cannot be said about Ducati and MV Agusta, tragically.
As modern as the R1 is, these mandatory cans add '80s looks we all could do just well without. Can't help wondering what will happen if the Triumph Street Triple or the 675 Daytona got such a makeover...
Noise regulations demand different cans for most bikes in Japan
Opinions on the design of the new R1 have divided superbike fans in two camps, with the dual headlights lower in the front cowl being most likely the pivotal point for R1 bashers. Yet even the biggest adversaries of the new R1 design haven't been able to pick on the exhaust because there was nothing there to be mocked. However, when it comes to the version which will be sold in Japan...Like in so many unfortunate cases, the R1 will be sold in Japan with an exhaust canister which has nothing to do with the initial looks of the bike.
On a brighter side, someone at Yamaha has been considerate enough to ask Akrapovic to save what was salvageable in this scenario. The Slovenians have designed a canister that complies with the strict Japanese noise regulations and tried their best to make it look as non-insulting as possible.
The can clearly doesn't exactly belong to the new R1, but elegantly avoided the trip to fugly HQs. This is a most polite move from the Iwata guys, who seem a bit more careful when it comes to how their bikes look after being prepped for sale in Japan. The same cannot be said about Ducati and MV Agusta, tragically.
As modern as the R1 is, these mandatory cans add '80s looks we all could do just well without. Can't help wondering what will happen if the Triumph Street Triple or the 675 Daytona got such a makeover...
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