Well known in Europe and trying now to gain some market share in the US, the Netherlands based exhaust company Jekyll & Hyde produces systems featuring an electronically adjustable valve to go from a social and legal sound…to a deep warm rumble when this valve is opened. A two personalities exhaust explaining the Jekyll & Hyde company name in reference to the legendary doctor with two personalities from the book of Robert Louis Stevenson “The strange case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” (1886).
To promote their new agressive electronically adjustable Thunderbolt NRS exhaust system Jekyll & Hyde teamed up with German builder No Limit Custom (NLC), a shop with extensive experience customizing the Harley V-Rod and offering different body kits and custom parts. Objective was of course to prove that their system is the most powerful and perfectly legal one a that a V-Rod can be fitted with. The system is available for motorcycles having the original swing arm to accept a 280 mm tire . The electronically adjustable system can be used in automatic or closed mode. An extra service mode is added for racing or testing purposes only.
Regarding the Night Rod, No Limit Custom replaced all the factory bodywork with their own proprietary chassis parts. Rims and matching brake discs are also produced by No Limit Custom. Radiator , seat, triple tree, bars, risers, all carry the the NLC logo. Including the paint job by Dany from Schrammwerk, a 6-week job for a sinister power cruiser with a very unique roar, exactly how a motorcycle should sound…The new NRS Thunderbolt is available through official Dr. Jekill & Mr. Hyde dealers. (photography Frank Sander for Cyril Huze)
In the old days, we put Exhaust “by-pass” system (it looked like a choke valve) operated with a cable. It would divert the exhaust before entering the muffler. This sounds (pun not intended) like a great idea….I like the bike, the pretty lady and the whole idea.
I should have said we installed them on our CARS.
I wish them luck. V-Rods are well liked overseas. Not so much here. There is an old dealer joke that the V-Rod buyer needs the spine of a 20 year old and the wallet of a 40 year old. Look online and most used V-Rods are low miles. Not because they aren’t fun to ride, they are, but because the “C-clamp” riding position gets brutal real fast on anyone older than 30. IMOHO it was a big mistake to drop the availability of mid controls like on the original VRSCA which was comfortable to ride.
I dig the idea of silencing the exhaust. But need to see different models on a Softail & Tourer (my bikes)
The V-Rod looks pretty good. But in the US, it’s not the main model to use to promote an exhaust system. I agree, show us on a Sportster, Softail, Bagger.
V-Rod. The under-loved Harley bike. Rode one. Liked it. Not the position as somebody mentioned.
Amen Marcus…
marcus,
Night Rod still offers an (OEM) Mid Control Kit.
Reminder – the distances are generally less in Europe vs the US and (in Germany at least) the speed limits often a bit higher. Suits the Rod’s higher rev affinity.
I am still a bit surprised that the V-Rod has not enjoyed greater support in the high density cities like NYC and LA. Is is a great short distance free-way machine.
That said; agree though – pitch it at the US favorites.
Guys their thoughts were Performance and V-Rods have that Porsche feel, design & Revs. A perfect Bike to hear that Growl.
The radiator didn’t help the V-rod’s image…. But now that “we’re all water cooled” (well almost all)…. Could it be the V-rod will finally get some well deserved recognition……???
And -Yes- that riding position is ridiculous, but easily cured.
-nicker-
HD……..Ducati Diavel. Take a look. You should clean its clock. The new one will be even closer to the VRod. Why the “Motor Company” is afraid of performance is beyond me.
The V Rod Porsche power plant is great. The MoCo should have put it into another chassis.
Rented a Breakout I Ireland with this exhaust on it, and I was truly impressed. Excellent idea and very we manufactured products. Three levels of electronic control at your thumb, for on the fly adjustment. Maybe a little cost prohibitive up here in Canada, with the exchange on the MSRP, seems to me it was around $2200.00 for a set for a Dyna or Softail, but with all the cops and fines for noise, might be worth it?!
Beautiful Bike, and, of course the Babe, too!
Do your homework, costs a few bucks, but it’s easy to make a VRod haul ass up the road.
Boss Hawg
Spot on Marcus, that “C-clamp” riding position is ridiculous beyond words on such a motorcycle!… Dangerous, uncomfortable and markedly uncool… What’s wrong, I ask thee, with the mid glide arrangement made popular (safe but fast…) by both CHiPs and Ness’ FXR diggers? 🙂
For me, that is a great looking bike, only thing to change, I would want mid controls. A great looking girl as well, only thing to change there would be less clothing.
If you check the No Limits Custom site you’ll see they have the cleanest shop ever! They also sell some very unique cam, trans, and, especially a primary cover for the Softail and Dyna’s. Look up a bike called the ‘Speed Slave’ for these cover pics. Overall, these guy’s make some real nice stuff for the V-Rod.
Hey it may turn out that the new Scout is the best thing that could happen for hapless Vrod.
V-Rod… great little bike for small guys.
Looks good with that exhaust
I recommend V-Rod for the sons of friends who are coming off racers…
Performance, looks, what’s not to like except the price
(And, yes i’m talking about the exhaust, not the young lady, LOL !!!)
Fortunately, these exhaust are already available for almost all HD models, Indian, Victory and more, so not only for the V-Rod. I really like them on my Road King