Wacky, Weird And Dangerous: 5 Two Wheeler Modifications To Avoid

Some of them can put yourself AND others in danger!

One of the first things we do when we buy a two-wheeler is make some subtle changes so it fits us better. This, after all, goes a long way in making the overall riding experience that much more comfortable, and rewarding. However, some accessories (and the people who add them) seem to have missed out on that point entirely. 

So here are 5 accessories/modifications commonly seen on public roads that are mostly useless, sometimes hazardous, and definitely illegal:

Seat attachments 

If you own a two-wheeler, a summary glance at its registration certificate will show that it’s built to accommodate 2 people.  But then there are an ingenious few who stretch this to include two adults and a child. Said youngling is mostly squished between the adults on the seat, or perched atop the fuel tank. Lately, though, they’ve been seen on one of these contraptions.

Now, on the surface, this is a testament to India and jugaad. But all it takes is one panic-braking situation or a random bump, and… you fill in the rest. Better to put your child on a school bus.

Roofs for two-wheelers

The presence of a roof is a middle-class refrain that pulls many away from two-wheelers and onto cars. But then again, jugaad strikes and you get one of these… things. 

Yes, BMW sold a quirky roofed scooter called the C1 in the early 2000s, but the roof on that one was a structural component. This, on the other hand, is basically two pieces of plastic that offer negligible wind (and weather) protection. Besides, it not only makes the two-wheeler top-heavy but also makes the rider even more susceptible to cross-winds. Moreover, the various parts can easily break off in a crash, causing additional harm.

And considering all the pointing and laughing you’ll no doubt be subject to, we believe you’d be better off investing in a quality helmet and weather-proof riding gear instead.

Aftermarket exhausts

Racing motorcycles are exempt from all forms of emissions or sound compliance, as they’re not supposed to be ridden on public roads anyway. The last part, though, is something that most so-called ‘enthusiasts’ miss out on, buying poorly built (and needlessly loud) exhausts devoid of any emissions compliance or sound-deadening materials. 

The most common culprits are “pataka” exhausts. Essentially a pipe devoid of any internals, they throw out unburnt fuel particles from the engine, causing bright flashes and loud bangs (hence the name) during deceleration. 

Granted, installing such an exhaust on your two-wheeler will see you effortlessly overtaking fellow road users. But that’s only because the others don’t want to risk deafness riding alongside you. 

Suffice it to say: loud pipes DON’T save lives, they just make the living more miserable. So rather than spending money on an ‘Arkapovix’ exhaust, invest in a reputed riding programme instead.

Air horns

Most two-wheeler horns, even those deemed ‘ineffective’ are loud enough to alert the average road-goer/pedestrian. Meanwhile, the cheaply available “train horn” not only damages your two-wheeler's battery and electricals but can also startle or even disorient inexperienced and elderly road users. 

Additionally, if any part of the bike you’re riding is too loud, you, too, risk permanent hearing damage. It would be better, then, to learn to anticipate vehicle movements and ride defensively, rather than trying to strong-arm your way through traffic.

Fancy (read: illegal) number plates

Some RTOs (Regional Transport Offices) allow you to choose from pre-set parameters (birthdays, lucky numbers, and the like) for your vehicle’s number plate. Some people, however, aren’t happy with that, and skirt the law by increasing or decreasing the size of some of the numbers and attaching corny stickers of their local political party or “friend circle.”

A select few, however, go a step ahead, stylising the numbers themselves. So while 8055 becomes ‘Boss’, 2161 becomes ‘raja’ and 6161 becomes “dada” (in the Devanagari script). This ‘badge of honour,’ by the way, is done so that people know exactly who the rider is.

Our advice? If you’re so starved for attention, just put your social media handle on the vehicle somewhere, and leave the number plate alone! 

So which of these “modifications” do you hate the most? And is there anything we have missed out on? Tell us in the comments below, so we can bring out part 2!