I don't think a VTR has the ground clearance (thats why there is craddleless frame) but even with a hi-tec heat shield, wouldn't you think the mass centralization is offset by heat gain to the crankcase (requiring a larger cooling system) versus a conventional side or undertail area muffler? I know Buell, MotoGP and now all but Kawi (excluding their 650 twin) of the big 4, KTM and others have bikes have undercrank boombox/outets but jeez, is it a fad or gimmick to a great extent?

 

As far as mass centralisation, the small weight of CF cans, specially if you keep only one is minor to me, but may be worth consideration either for look or for racing.
It will help to keep the front end down tough.
CF cans are not good heat conductors but can hardly take the shape needed to be squeezed there. As for the heat issue, I see no problems at all, a simple aluminium plate is a wonderful insulator as long as it's not touching either of the surfaces.
I thought of moving the exhaust under the bike, but still have an underseat 2" pipe, the goal was to have a deeper growl without the high harmonics.

 

Something like this might be fun to make. Clearing the kick stand might be tough. I like the sound of my Micron's though.

 

I dig the underbody exhaust on the KTM RC8...

 

Hell, I like the whole bike.

 

If mass is an issue that require the relocation of the exhaust, wouldn't lowering the engine be a more viable option?

 

no, the point is to keep all the wieght in one location in between the tires. thats why, on a Buell, the fuel is in the frame, the oil is in the swingarm and the muff is underneath. keep it together, keep it low

 

you have to ride one to understand

 

I have thought about trying this, but after my experiance of grinding a hole into my bellypan, there just isn't enough ground clearance unless the bike is raised somehow. You already scrape on the right as it is.

 

Indeed!