Revolutionary technology for the ultimate driving pleasure: Dr. Jekill & Mr. Hyde and the sound of the future
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Almost everyone who thinks of Harley-Davidson thinks of the unmistakable sound of these machines. And although many love this sound more than anything else in the world, every few years it is made more difficult for motorcyclists to enjoy this sound.
With new rules and regulations, we are supposed to cruise along the highway as quietly as a mouse without our beloved bubbling as a suitable soundtrack.
Valve exhaust manufacturer Dr. Jekill & Mr. Hyde offers thousands of riders the solution with their electronically adjustable exhaust systems, giving riders the optimum sound without the risk of ending up on the wrong side of the law.
But with new agreements such as R41.05 and Euro5+, the voices are getting louder and louder that the flap exhaust systems are now a thing of the past... but is that really the case?
Euro5+ and R41.05 - what does that mean?
First the facts: What do the new regulations mean? Of course, there are pages of technical jargon written about it here, but we'll summarize it briefly.
Euro5+ is the current regulation for emission controls and requires vehicles to meet strict criteria for harmful emissions. These regulations are essential to reduce environmental impact and promote a more sustainable future; criteria already met by Dr. Jekill & Mr. Hyde.
R41.05 is different, as it concerns the noise regulation of motorcycles and is intended to reduce noise pollution. These regulations require motorcycles to remain below a certain decibel value at speeds between 10 and 100 km/h. These regulations apply to new motorcycles in the EU, as well as to motorcycles that have already been registered and are newly registered.
Dr. Jekill & Mr. Hyde offers the solution to stricter legislation
In order to write a program under these conditions that still offers the driver the ideal sound and is legal, a system has to undergo countless test runs and rides in order to perfectly tune the software for the exhaust system. In short: it is almost impossible for a human being made of flesh and blood to achieve this.
Introducing: Sabrina
To ensure that the new Dr. Jekill & Mr. Hyde systems comply with the R41.05 regulations, the exhaust manufacturer based in the Netherlands has invested in a state-of-the-art test laboratory. In a closed-off room with several microphones and the latest sound software, all bikes and their exhaust systems are tested and checked to the limit.
At the center of this testing process is a robot called Sabrina. It continuously carries out emission and sound measurements as well as endurance tests under the highest precision conditions. Thanks to her, a revolutionary flap system has been developed that adapts to the driving behavior to maintain the optimum sound level and offer a constant sound experience within the legal limits.
VIDEO - MEET SABRINA THE TEST ROBOT - Dr. JEKILL & Mr. HYDE
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More InformationA completely new smart box (the brain of a Dr. Jekill & Mr. Hyde system) was developed for this purpose, as well as actuators that react at lightning speed. As the software now has to intervene more often, this should not be perceived as annoying for the driver. Thanks to the new actuators, the flap can now be positioned in many more positions than was previously the case, so the ride still feels very ‚smooth‘.
Without these testing facilities and technologies, it would be virtually impossible to develop a legal exhaust that both complies with R41.05 standards and offers a high-quality sound experience. That's why Dr. Jekill & Mr. Hyde is the only manufacturer of adjustable exhaust systems in the world that can deliver the optimum sound through this combination of advanced technology, robotics and state-of-the-art testing infrastructure.
New exhaust system for Harley-Davidson CVO 121 models
Thanks to the new technology and Sabrina, Dr. Jekill & Mr. Hyde have succeeded in producing a perfectly fitting exhaust for the new H-D CVO 121 models. Which is of course legal and still offers the rider the ultimate riding experience despite the new strict rules.
This technology will of course also be used for all other new models such as the 117 Tourer, Sportster S and Nightster, so Dr. Jekill & Mr. Hyde is more than ready for the future. So whoever thought it was the end of the valve exhaust... thought wrong!
Text & photo credits: Dr. Jekill & Mr. Hyde
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