Is that the most beautiful muffler you've ever seen? Oooh man, it's huge! I love it. Part of the reason I went for a 2004 instead of a 2006: I believe any good sportbike needs a big can hanging off one side. To hell with lower centers of gravity: If extra weight hanging off one side of the bike makes a big difference, then I'm pushing it way too hard for my own comfort.

And the sounds... this throaty, burbling growl at lower RPMs... it makes my knees weak. And building into a wailing scream as the tach shoots past 10,000 RPM. Pure, erotic joy. Dare I even say, aural sex. ^_^

I believe that in a world where everyone else is content to ride in their horse buggies, sportbike pilots are the dragon riders of the 21st century. Astride our mounts, agile and swift... swooping through traffic on our magnificent, snarling, roaring beasts. Even a little feared by the common folk. Exactly what I want to be.