Chennai police have arrested at least 21 riders after around 50 bikers allegedly performed wheelies, stoppies and drifts on Valluvar Kottam High Road, bringing renewed attention to the road-safety risks and legal consequences associated with modified motorcycles.
The riders gathered at the busy city road two weeks ago, according to a report by the Times of India. Greater Chennai Police tracked the group and arrested at least 21 participants. The motorcycles involved had been modified, with some reportedly costing several lakhs of rupees.
The modifications can involve exhaust systems, air intakes and engine settings. Factory-built motorcycles are calibrated to balance power, torque, fuel efficiency, emissions and safety while meeting Bharat Stage VI emission standards. Changes to those systems can affect how a motorcycle accelerates, brakes and handles, while also potentially altering emissions, reliability and noise levels.
Arjun Kumar, a pit stop owner in Pudupet, told the Times of India that customers aged between 18 and 25 visit workshops for exhaust changes or engine tuning. He said such alterations could affect mileage and engine life if they were not carried out properly. He also said modified bikes were not covered by insurance.
The appeal of modification is not limited to speed or appearance. Track rider R Karthik, from Coimbatore, said riders often want motorcycles that reflect their personality and respond differently when they accelerate, brake or take a corner. That customisation, however, can become a legal violation when it changes the vehicle from the specifications recorded by the manufacturer.
Section 52 of the Motor Vehicles Act restricts alterations that make a vehicle’s registration particulars differ from those specified by the manufacturer. The provision is relevant to modifications that materially change a motorcycle’s construction or operating characteristics.
Penalties can also apply when modifications breach prescribed safety or noise standards. Under Section 190(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act, such violations can attract a fine of up to ₹10,000 and imprisonment of up to three months for a first offence, along with possible disqualification of the rider’s licence.
The Chennai arrests place enforcement focus on more than the stunt itself. They also highlight how modified exhausts, engine tuning and other alterations can create a gap between a vehicle’s certified factory configuration and the way it is used on public roads. The police action followed the gathering at Valluvar Kottam High Road; the report did not specify further enforcement measures or the next legal steps in the cases.
