400kph on H2R

[PaulG]

Kenan Sofuoglu (soon to be 5 x WSS champ) just broke the world record recently on a bridge in Turkey.  0 - 400kph (249mph) under 30sec. Heard about it while watching the WSBK from Misano.  The bike was "factory stock" , but one thing they don't mention (which the commenator let slip) was that it was done with racing fuel and specialty tires.  But still, all-in-all an impressive feat of engineering and riding nonetheless.  They mention that if they went beyond 30sec the tires may explode, so I can see why they used a custom set.

YouTube clip

Kawasaki Ninja H2R Goes From 0 To 400KMH Or 249MPH In 26 Sec

WSBK site write up

Sofuoglu Hits 400km/h in Record Attempt

Too bad the only place you can do this is on a bridge in Turkey at 5am.

Found these other suggestions where you could do it World's Fastest Non-Autobahn Highways

Anybody got any other locations?  Ooops! Kinda makes the Mick Doohan PSA I previously posted redundant.  Must be that Jungian Duality of Man thing. 

[fj1289]

A lot of skepticism on the validity of these claims.  Here is one discussion: http://www.suzukihayabusa.org/forum/index.php?topic=165389.0

Ignore the SCTA vs FIM discussion that gets mixed in the middle of the thread.   

[krusty]

Kenan Sofuoglu (soon to be 5 x WSS champ) just broke the world record recently on a bridge in Turkey.  0 - 400kph (249mph) under 30sec. Heard about it while watching the WSBK from Misano.  The bike was "factory stock" , but one thing they don't mention (which the commenator let slip) was that it was done with racing fuel and specialty tires.  But still, all-in-all an impressive feat of engineering and riding nonetheless.  They mention that if they went beyond 30sec the tires may explode, so I can see why they used a custom set.

YouTube clip

Kawasaki Ninja H2R Goes From 0 To 400KMH Or 249MPH In 26 Sec

WSBK site write up

Sofuoglu Hits 400km/h in Record Attempt

Too bad the only place you can do this is on a bridge in Turkey at 5am.

Found these other suggestions where you could do it World's Fastest Non-Autobahn Highways

Anybody got any other locations?  Ooops! Kinda makes the Mick Doohan PSA I previously posted redundant.  Must be that Jungian Duality of Man thing. 

The Stuart Highway, Northern Territory, Australia.

"There was no absolute speed limit in the Northern Territory before 1 January 2007 but maximum speed limits are now posted on some road sections. Drivers, previously, were simply required to drive at a safe speed to suit the conditions. Thus, the Northern Territory section of the Stuart Highway had no speed limits at all.[4] The Northern Territory traffic laws were updated from 1 January 2007 to be similar to the rest of Australia. This included placing a speed limit on all roads (130 km/h or 81 mph on major highways such as the Stuart Highway) and significantly increasing penalties for speeding.[5][6]

The South Australian Section is signposted as 110 km/h (68 mph) outside built-up regions, between Port Augusta and the Northern Territory border.

In October 2013 the NT Government announced a trial period of reverting to an open speed limit on the 200 km (120 mi) stretch between Alice Springs and Barrow Creek, beginning 1 February 2014.[7][8] In September 2015, following the conclusion of the trial, a 276 km (171 mi) stretch of the highway had its speed limits permamently derestricted.[9]" - Wikipedia

[Bones]

I read somewhere that accidents actually increased when they lowered the speed limit there, makes sense in a way because high speed keeps you on your game, but when confined to a low speed boredom sets and that's when accidents happen from people falling asleep etc... Speed limits need to be reviewed in some areas here because 100/110kph max on our highways is stupid with roads continually improving and cars and bikes more capable and safer than ever.

[ribbert]

I read somewhere that accidents actually increased when they lowered the speed limit there....

Yes, that's true, there was a huge spike in the road toll, not just accidents.

Noel

[ribbert]

The South Australian Section is signposted as 110 km/h (68 mph) outside built-up regions, between Port Augusta and the Northern Territory border.

Yes, but thank goodness the coppers out there show a bit of common sense. I was up that way on the FJ last year. North of Port Augusta I encountered a Highway Patrol car coming towards me, I was doing 135 (on the GPS) and he ignored me. A while later I came across another one at 145 and all he did was flash his headlights. For non Aussies, these cars register the speed of every oncoming vehicle.

On the same trip my brother caught up to a Police 4WD between Port Lincoln and Port Augusta doing 160, he slowed and sat behind them, they effectively waved him past. He tentatively increased his speed after overtaking them and after a few minutes fanged off again at 160.

Oh, to live somewhere where this was the norm.

In the State I live in even the 135 would involve mandatory vehicle impoundment, 6 mths licence loss, and about $1500 in fines and costs.

Noel

[PaulG]

A lot of skepticism on the validity of these claims.  Here is one discussion: http://www.suzukihayabusa.org/forum/index.php?topic=165389.0

Ignore the SCTA vs FIM discussion that gets mixed in the middle of the thread.   

Wow, those 'Busa boys sure guard their territory.     Calculating the run from the video is pointless due to editing. The concerns regarding verification though are valid, considering these records should be done twice in a limited time frame - I just realized.  Would be interesting to see if they can replicate at the Bonneville trials or somewhere else. Still spectacular though.

For me it doesn't really matter as I would have left a shit streak trailing behind the whole run.   

About the only place in my neck of the woods we could do this might be here: James Bay Road

I have heard of people taking the 2-3 days to get there just to ring it out.

[fj1289]

As a group there are more in that community with substantial land speed experience than any other.  The Busa has some of the best aero of any production bike.  It takes a minimum of 200 HP to get it to 200 in a standing mile - maybe a very sell used 190 HP to hit 200 in a place like Bonneville.  Bumping the speed to 250 mph would require about 95% more horsepower -- or 370 - 390 HP.... from a bike that makes a "claimed" 310 and those that have been dynoed have shown a bit less at the rear wheel ..... ?

[PaulG]

I remember when the 'Busa first came out and the reviews it had.  If I recall, even when the ZX-12 came out a year later with more HP, it's top speed was still better due to that aero package which gave it such a distinctive shape.  Would be interesting to see these two go head-to-head.  I wouldn't be suprised if Cycle World or some other mag is trying to set that up eventually.   I wonder if we are at the start of another HP/top speed battle like there was 15 yrs ago.

Or it could be a case of been-there-done-that.   

[fj1289]

Right now all the manufactures have been honoring a self imposed 300 kph (186 mph) speed limit on their street bikes after several countries threatened to impose their own horsepower and/or speed limits. 

It would be cool to see a comparison between derestricted models and another with basic bolt-ons.  Cool to see the Busa, ZX12, current ZX14, and all the liter bikes as well as the GP-based Ducati, etc