Motorcycle Safety & Driveability: Burt monroe 1967 land speed record, land speed record, custom bodywork

Question
(Burt monroe 1967 land speed record for streamlined motorcycle under 1000cc's)
would a supped up to the max 2006 YZF-R1 be enough to take the record? what would I need to do in order to make the bike safe to attempt this feat? and what modifications would you recommend?


Answer
Eric,

People have been trying to beat that record for years. An R1 would have a chance if modified to the gills. I'd bet the new GSXR 1300 (1400?) would be a better choice.

I think the biggest factor is wind resistance. (Even Nicky Hayden on the $500K factory RC51 could only get up to about 200 at Daytona.) The biggest mods you'd have to make is probably to have it slammed (lowered) and build custom bodywork that can keep the bike out of the wind as much as possible. Aerodynamics are the key. A nitrous oxide boost, or maybe a turbo, would also help you get the power up there into land-speed record range.

I think guys spend their life savings trying to build bikes to beat that record, and always fall short. Get a partner who's into rocket science to design you some bodywork, get that bike stretched and lowered a little, and throw on an NO2 can, and you'd at least have a heckuva good time tryin'.

Cheers,

Pat