Top Ten Speed Records on Motorcycle in the History

From previous years the idea of speed records. The motorcycle is not very much accessible and considered unique but in the past it was a huge deal and was very popular among the bikers. The four and three wheels machines however get more attention with their sped records but bikes had their time too. This article which was selected among the top 100 motorcycles blogs consists of bikes with a speed of 300mph and above from over a century. So, without any further delay, let us shed some light on Top Ten Speed Records on Motorcycle in History.

Top Ten Speed Records on Motorcycle in the History – Top Rated

10. Craig Breedlove’s 1963 ‘Spirit of America’ – 407.447mph

When you think of the spirit of America, a car must come in your mind. However this spirit of America was the bike to cross 400mph and was the first holder of LSR. This machine had three wheels and FIA (Federation Internationale de l’Automobile) considered only four-wheelers as a car. So the computer was recognized as a three wheels motorcycle by FIM (Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme). In 1964 the bike had the outright title because both FIM and FIA felt the three wheels to get this title. However, when this rule was passed the spirit of America was behind the position due to jet-powered four-wheel cars which shows that the speed record held by Breedlove was under the regulations of FIM. So now it’s a motorcycle.

9. Cal Rayborn’s 1970 ‘Godzilla’ Harley – 265.492mph

Even in the 70s it was hard to believe that a Harley would have such engine but this man who was the best road racer in America, and was also a land speed recorder rider. The machine he owned which was an LSR which was backed by the hard work of the factory. He was behind in reaching the 25ph speed due to his friend Dan Vedic who was also his competitor. But the record he set of 265mph was unbeaten for several years.

8. Don Vesco’s 1970 Yamaha ‘Big Red’ – 251.81mph

The famous motorcycle record-breaker in the history of sports bike was Don Vesco, but Big Red got the position in the 70s for top 250mph and was the first two-wheeler. It had a pair of 350cc twins and is a two-stroke with a machine’s population of four strokes.

7. Don Vesco’s 1975 Yamaha ‘Silver Bird’ – 302.91mph

Vesco increased the previous bike’s size by two times and used TZ700 four-cylinder engine for his Silver Bird which means 1390cc and eight cylinders in total. The GP bikes are producing more bhp so 240bhp might not be much, but it did break the record of taking this bike to the 300mph setting another title for Vesco.

6. Johnny Allen’s 1956 Triumph Tiger 650 – 214.17mph

The bike missed its chance of becoming the first one to cross 200mph but is included in the list because of its achievements during the time. The bike only had 80bhp and had a Tiger T110 650cc twin, but it maintained a speed that the current MotoGP bikes only manage sometimes. It did not get FIM approval, but the popularity it made which made Triumph gain the position and was used some years later by the latest 650cc road bike. The Triumph’s most famous motorcycle was known as Bonneville.

5. Ernst Henne’s 1937 BMW Kompressor – 173.68mph

This record of Henne was unbeaten till 1951. The bike only had 495cc as the four-stroke small capacity engines were in fashion back then. The competitors also had more cc’s in their bikes such as NSU Delphin and Gilera who were record setters.

4. Rocky Robinson’s Ack Attack, 2006, 2008 and 2010 – up to 376.363mph

The current and twice before record holder by the same machine is Robinson. It uses engines of Hayabusa with turbos and gives 1000bhp average, which is more especially when Kawasaki introduced a 300bhp bike. The bike has the record three times, and is the fastest plus unique bike which made it worthy of a position in this list. From 342mph in 2006 to 360mph in 2008, the bike was under positioned by Chris Carr and again gaining 376mph in 2010 when Carr had retaken the record one. The bike faced crashes in 2004 and 2007 record run and in 2011 rolling 16 times.

3. Glenn Curtiss’ 1907 V8 – 136.27mph

The previous landmark sheer leap forward four years back was the unique thing about 1907 Curtiss record. He increased from 64mph to 136mph, and from 1000cc v twin to 4000cc V8. That’s faster than airplanes and four-wheeled eras. The speed remained unofficial because there wasn’t any official world record at that time, and the bike was beaten in the 1930s.

2. Dave Campos’ 1990 Easyriders Harley-Davidson – 322.150mph

Ack Attack beat the record for 322mph held in 1990 in 2006 which was quite a long time taken to overcome. It means that the innovations in bikes must’ve increased till that time and the bike was derived from Harley Davidson. It was sponsored and owned by magazine Easyriders, which gave funds and publicity, and provided 1500cc pair of Harley Shovelhead Motors. The bike Haines record crowds effort because of magazines back up, and this made it easier for the supporters to rebuild the motorcycle when it faced a crash in the test run with its 300mph.

1. Kawasaki Ninja H2 – 209.44mph

The team 38 was successful in setting the world record for a speed of 209.442 with its Kawasaki Flagship Ninja H2 when it competed in the current year’s Bonneville Speed week motorsports even which was held at Bonneville Salt Flats. On 14th August, the team made a record of 211.621 mph., and on 15th August it made 207.263mph record. The average speed recorded was 209.442 which proved the high performance of H2.

Top Ten Speed Records on Motorcycle in the History – Top List

Conclusion

It takes hard work, determination and focuses when the manufacturers are making the bike for breaking records and setting new ones. Our motorcycle blog which is included in the top 100 motorcycle blogs gives you a list of best record-breakers to be known around the world.