|
|
What is the fastest bike sold on the market today?
|
Hey All,
I guess no one liked my idea for a Howard Stern bike? Thats ok.
|
A supercharged bike beating a normaly aspirated one? Hardly an
accomplishment.
And, if your reflexes are off you could still lose! That would be
quite an embarassment.
|
At any rate, what is in your opinions. the fastest bike being sold
on the market today. I remember, YEARS ago, and this still may be
true, I don't know. But the Yamaha VMAX was the fastest bike. It was
|
No way. The V-Max was maybe the fastest *cruiser* of its day, but it
wasn't the fastest bike in general. The GSXR1100 of the mid-80s was
considerably faster. I streetraced a V-Max several years ago on my
600cc ZX6R sportbike and walked away once aerodynamics became a factor.
Mr. Max is a cool bike, but was always overrated -- especially by
|
You're 99% right, except that NO manufacturer caters to "those who want to go as
fast as they can". The handful who truly do want to go as fast/quick as they
can are found riding highly modified, carefully prepared bikes on tracks, strips
and dry lakes. Manufacturers only cater to those who want to POSE on the fastest
bike based on magazine tests and manufacturers' ads. It would be idiocy for
them (or anybody) to ride a showroom bike at anywhere near 180 MPH.
|
True, but few if any street riders are 'experienced' at those speeds and also
maintain their bike to be safe going that fast. The original Ford GT-40 racers
had a devil of a time acclimating to 200 mph, having only driven at 160-170
before then. It's a different world where a wall can trap you and suck you into
it.
|
|
I'm chicken.
|
Moi aussi :-)
It's the stopping distance that would be in the back of mind, square of the
speed thing.
On the tech in the bike side I think would not be the problem, it could cope
but my mind would have a big problem with going that fast...
|
Two things come to my mind when contemplating that sort of behaviour.
Brakes
Tires
|
How about sitting in a wind stream that is faster than a category five
hurricane?
|
That's what fairings and/or screens are there for, so YOU don't have to.
|
|
|
Only one word came to my mind....Airplane. I don't think I'd like to be on a
train going that fast either. I've done 120 mph in a cage though, so I suppose
going a mere 50% faster wouldn't be too much.
|
Yes, it is. Even on an open dry lake the added wind effect must be considered.
On a road course, even a NASCAR one, even more thing come into play. I'm sure
you've seen how NASCAR cars get lifted into the air if they get a little
sideways to the wind, changing the aerodynamics. But tires would worry me most.
A quick run up to 120 or so then back to 70 is OK on tires that *might* be a tad
underinflated (Of course we on reeky always check presure twice a day ) but a
pull up to 180 ....??? I've ridden home to find a sheet metal screw in a back
tire - hate to think what'd happened if it had come out and the tire deflated at
180.
|
|
I did have my Dad's old '68 Pontiac up to an indicated 130. (120 and
beyond) It was so smoooooov.
|
Lucky you didn't have to make any quick moves. Smooth doesn't equal
safe.
|
I Dunno what model Pontiac Bob's dad has, but I had a 68 GTO with some special
stuff the factory would provide in you knew how - it'd wind the speedo past the
120 mark, then the high beam indicator, then stop on the back side of the zero
peg. The mid-size GM cars of that era enjoyed a great chassis and were quite
stable & quick with the right options.
|
|
Bikes are a different matter. I start to get a little nervous around
100mph.
|
Riding on the highway doesn't get fun until after 100mph.
|
It passes. At around the indicated 150 mark, it's REALLY good fun. And
that's not on any of our motorways (your freeways I believe) Too many cops
on those, so we stick to the two laners for our blasts.
|
|
Roller coasters make me nervous too.
|
|
I'll be finding out about the train in a month or so.
Going to take the Eurostar from London to Paris.
|
That's where I draw the line Bob. Going through tunnels that pass under
water. thanks, but no thanks.
|
Having lived in London, you get used to it. Just on a smaller scale.
|
I draw the line there too. I wouldn't live in London for a gold pig.
|
This from someone who lives in Bolton. ;-)
|
Notlob? I've heard there's a pet shop there.
|
Yeah, but they're bereft of parrot these days.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
You're mostly right.
There is a video of the guy who makes some nice exhausts for these
bikes doing an indicated 183 on the ZZR.
|
I find for either slowly cruising very windy mountain roads, doing them
at a somewhat fast clip, and for the long straightaways (at
comfortable, non-felonius speeds), I can stay in 3rd gear, never
shifting, on my ZX11. I imagine on the newer and more powerful liter+
bikes, it is similar.
|
|
|
people who never rode one or raced against one.
|
supposedly capeable of outrunning an F 14 up until takeoff, right off
|
That is along the lines of my thoughts when pushing it. Pushing it
will vary by the person.
For me it begins at about 100mph.
|
depends on the bike too. 100mph was real exciting on the Virago, but
barely an eye opener on the Venture.
|
True, the more exposed you are, the more "invigorating" it is.
That Virago looked like an adventure just sitting still. ;-)
|
|
|
|
I passed on a short straight on my Concours summer before last, went up to 95,
and had to get back over while entering a turn to the right. Being the first
time I'd ever ridden that fast and having to do it around a bend was pretty
exciting to me. The bike handled pretty well though so I'm sure it only takes
practice to get into the low 100s. I try to stay within 10 mph of the speed
limit normally to avoid tickets.
|
|
Cool. In a tunnel under the ocean to boot, huh? We're going to get over there
someday. FYI, the train bit was just a little artistic license, really. I'd
trust that the train wasn't doing anything it hadn't done before.
|
of the production line.
What is the fastest bike in todays day and age?
|
Today, it's still the Suzuki Hayabusa. In a few weeks time, it's likely to
be the Kawasaki ZZ-R 1400.
|
|
The Harley-Davidson VRXSE.
|
He said fastest.
|
How about the Tomahawk?
|
That might do it.
|
But what about the Y2K?
|
Wassat? A 2000cc YZ?
|
Gas turbine powered (engine from a Jet Ranger). Officially a road legal
production bike, but obviously, SMALL production runs ony. (I'm thinking
one-offs)
|
Yeah, In the PDF brochure it talks about custom colours and a $150,000 price
tag.
|
|
|
I think he means Jay Leno's jet bike:
|
Leno's just one owner, there ARE others.
|
|
Hmm could be.
That might be interesting.
|
I've seen a couple of TV shows that featured it and it's a very odd machine.
No acceleration from the "off", but acceleration apparently builds
exponentially, so it REALLY gets going eventually:-)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
My bike. And you can't have it.
|
Faster than a Speeding Ticket, Right? :-)
|
All except for one day:
|
Ouch! They didn't waste any time, that's for sure.
I once received a parking ticket for my motorcycle from San
Francisco, while working and living in Long Beach 8 hours
away. I wrote them a letter and sent $5 to get a copy of the
ticket. Happens ticket license number had a "G" in it, my
motorcycle had an "H". They returned my $5 check, sent me a
copy of the ticket and recinded the violation.
I was surprised to see they would send me a ticket with a
different but similar license number. Din't know my CB100
could travel that far.
|
|
|
Glad to help out.
|
|
This is a point of some debate, but amongst the contenders are the
GSXR1300 and ZX14R.
|
In a sort-of-its-own-way the V-Max does have its appeal (posing to some).
I suppose the same crowd that might be attracted to the V-Rod would be
similarly attracted to such, provided that place of design origin would
have little bearing. (But then a Porche made German engine and body with
Italian design? Body I'm speculating ...)
I might prefer something like a V-Max, because it is a little out of the
ordinary run-of-the-mill sportbike or cruiser.
|
It didn't stand up even in its day:-)
|
|
What about the NEW (coming soon) V-Max? A supercharged 1800cc V4 with
(reputedly) 210bhp and all the torqe that comes with supercharging.
|
(Good supplemental testosterone therapy for us greying ones).
|
It may not have modern day performance, but relatively speaking, for a
commuter back and forth to work and treks outside the area on weekends,
would do good service. IMHO, a modern interpretation to braking and
suspension systems and handling would just add appeal to the formula.
|
|
Tim Kreitz
2003 ZX7R
2000 ZX6R
|
Thanks to all who reply!
|
You can't buy a GP bike or AMA Superbike. And the H-D VRXSE
accelerates through the 1/4 mile more quickly than any other bike sold
to the public. Including those silly little girly skirt rockets that
you list above. Do try to keep up, grandad!
|
Huh. Elzi said you had sworn this place off.
|
|
Take one of those "rice rockets" up to 185 mph and then get back to us about
how "girly" it is. We'll wait.
|
Been there, done that. Bike handled and ran so easily any experienced rider,
male or female could easily ride it. Hence it's fair to call it a "girlie bike",
right? By comparison, few women can get a Boss Hoss of the sidestand so ....
|
|
C'mon. Real men ride motorcycles with barely more power than a
high-end scooter, but with plenty of chrome.
Get your priorities straight. ;-)
|
Gee, what was I thinking?
|
|
|
|
I had to laugh when I watched "Pinks" this week. Some "power" dude with a
V-rod was TRULY expecting to beat a 20 year old Suzuki GXR 1100 down the
1/4mile. He didn't.
The Suzi owner (now a V-rod owner too) was a bit pleased.
|
|
|
V-Max Still
holds the title for quickest production motorcycle.
|
_Why_ are people still saying this? I guess they are still falling for
Yamaha's marketing.
V-Max:
# Performance Corrected 1/4-mile: 11.30 sec. @ 119.84 mph
# 0-60 mph: 3.55 sec.
There are at _least_ a dozen UJMs that are "quicker" than this, some of
them 600s.
|
Then Rocket III has the title
|
Not hardly. Rocket III's are around mid to low 11s. Far from any kind of
title.
|
|
|
Rocket III is work on taking it.
0 to 60 in just 2.9 seconds
2294cc 3 cyl.
140bhp
147lb-ft of torque
$15,990 MSRP
The Suzuki GSX 1300 R still has the title for fastest prodution bike.
Hold on got to be this!
and this is nice.
|
|
Fastest or quickest?
You say fastest but you describe quickest.
|
|
Forget the VRXSE. It only out accellerates other contenders. And then, it
wouldn't do that if it had to be street legal. I would venture to say
that a stock GSXR1000 might out accellerate a VRXSE with only the
addition of a wheelie bar. Maybe a wider, stickier than stock tire might
be necessary. Imagine, if you will, a GSXR with the same mods as the
VXRSE-with the long wheelbase, slick, open race pipes and the way high
compression ratio. You would be talking high seven second ETs. As it is
the VRXSE doesn't really perform all that well considering how far from a
|
Get out of here. A bike designed to run to 180mph is perfectly capable of
running at 180mph and it's not "that" difficult to do it either. Especially
in America where you have straight roads for miles.
|
The BIKE may be capable IF it is maintained properly (like tyre pressure
checked) but very few posers do that. And few posers can deal with these bikes.
Yes, America does have straight roads for miles - with 65-75 mph limits and a
cop every mile. So they never get acclimated to speed.
|
Yes, I have had the misfortune to cross Texas e-> w and vice versa a couple
times. Always took days even though the miles aren't that many. Worse yet
always left with a hangover . Drove a van down to Houseton to deliver a bike
once. Ran into herds of deer. One deer ran full tilt into the van after I'd
stopped. Like being inside a drum. Bike owner who was sleeping in back raired up
and cut his head on the bike. Yup, nice wide smooth road for miles ......
It's trivial to get a modern 2W-NASCAR bike to top speed a lot of places. Only
takes a minute. It's riding that fast long enough to learn how that's the
bother. Most have ridden 65-75 mph for hours many times - perhaps every day-
and know what happens. Not many have done that at over 175. Why should they?
They only bought the bike to pose on.
|
I'm reminded of a buddy, an experienced rider, who bought a new GSXR-750 when
they were the hot lick. He easily blew off a back Porsche on a nice straight
road one night, so easily and smoothly that he swung into a left turn lane
forgetting he was still doing over 100!! He survived his trip down the median,
thanks to a lot of motocross experience, but the GSXR did not.
|
Might not be a good idea at Deal's Gap though.
|
street bike it actually is.
|
I bet your right. The imaginary GSXR1000 you describe would be more
than a match for the actual, production line, buy it and race it
VRXSE. Imagine how many of them Suzuki could sell!
Its sad that Suzuki doesn't build it or sell it and that it only
exists in our imagination.
|
I believe there would be a market for such a bike. Suzuki could stipulate
the buyer have a NHRA license to avoid liability issues. They build RMs,
Racing Motocross bikes, now. I don't see much difference, really.
I just wonder what kind of horsepower figure we are talking about. The
ECM would be adjusted for open pipes and open, or no air cleaners. That
alone would bump the power way up. I don't believe the VRXSE meets any
kind of EPA requirements as it's competition only.
|
Well, Suzuki could always offer to sell one of these...
|
I wonder how rideable that thing is. And how far you can get on a tank
of methanol.
|
"I live my life a quarter mile at a time." [1]
|
|
|
[snip]
You're right, the OP wasn't talking dyno racing.
Anyways, the Hayabusa _is_ the fastest bike in the world,
and it is sold on the market today.
|
Good on Noonan, but the OP asked "What is the fastest bike sold on the market
today?" and AFAIK Noonan's Suzi isn't on the market.
|
Sure it is...you just have to flash enough green.
|
|
|
|
Sure, but they don't. Anyway, if we're talking "dyno-racing" think what Boss
Hog could do with their small block Chevy . Now there's a MANs motorcycle
... takes a man to get it off the sidestand.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Probably the Hayabusa, especially if you replace the chip in the
engine controls. Its been deliberately de-tuned in part of the
'envelope' to make it easier to handle.
|
Actually, to comply with US regulations to do with top speed.
|
Wasn't the US who started the speed cap. 187 isn't a round number-
300kph is....
You will see all advancements in roadburners haulted because of this.
|
The big Kawasakis have been too.
Out of the box, the Hayabusa is marginally faster than the KZ1200 but
even the ZZR1200 will top out at around 180mph. Especially with a set
of pipes.
Since top speed is regulated there are a few fastest bikes.
|
Sorry, but I can't see there being a cop every mile. We've got camera's up
the wazzoo but we still manage to get to decent speeds and 180 isn't out of
the question, even on the motorways, although that's the last place to use.
|
|
They still are.
He easily blew off a back Porsche on a nice straight
|
|
Obviously not a good rider then. that's not the bike's fault.
|
My point exactly. He had MX'd a lot as a teen and spent many hours on
twisties - enough to be more competent than most street riders. BUT he had near
zero experience over 100 mph, let alone at 150/160, so he got into deep trouble.
NO it was not the bike's fault - nobody said so. The "virtue" of these NASCAR
bikes is the ease and smoothness with which they go very fast. The trouble is
human nature.
Circa 1966 BSA more or less hand-built a model with GP pattern carbs for
enthusiasts. Even though it cost a third more than the fast street model every
poser bought one. The GP carbs didn't have idle circuits so they tightened the
cable adjusters - and promptly crashed when turning the bars pulled the throttle
open. Then they seized the hi-comp. motor lugging it in traffic. The next year
the same model was "cosmetics only" and all the rags raved about how much more
reliable it had become .... .
Similarly, modern posers buy whatever bike the rags say is the fastest bike,
without the skill to maintain it or ride it at the speeds it will easily do.
Nope, thats not the bikes fault.
|
|
There are several that can do more than the fedrally mandated limit
with minor modifcations.
|
IIRC it's not a federal limit; it's a gentleman's agreement amongst the
Japanese makers.
|
I would have to imagine that someone leaned on them pretty hard
though. The horsepower numbers and red lines taken against gear ratios
would put several bikes in the 180-200 mph club if not for governors.
Reminds me of my old Mazda RX2. Several people removed the governors
on those and ran them hard. A friend went out and ran the gears
without dropping below the redline.
|
|
|
|
|
All MFGs agreed to limit speed to 187mph (300kph?) to avoid banning
these bikes in Europe. No production bike from Japan is going over that
limit unless modified.
|
|
|