We're absolute suckers for speed records of any kind. There's just something about the preparation, devotion and determination that it takes to crank a machine to the upper levels of its limits that scratch all the right itches for us. That's even more true when you throw in the insanity of trying to break the 300-mile-per-hour barrier on a motorcycle.
That's exactly what Bill Warner has been trying to do for the past few years. Last Sunday, he succeeded at Loring Air Force Base during the Loring Timing Association's Land Speed Race.
Last year, Warner cranked his turbocharged Suzuki Hayabusa up to 278.6 mph. This year, he beat that record by clipping up to 311.945 mph. Though a few fully enclosed motorcycle streamliners have bested that mark in the past, Warner's Hayabusa is, according to the LTA, the fastest open-cockpit motorcycle ever measured.
Surprisingly enough, Warner said that the most terrifying portion of the ride wasn't the build up to top speed, but the fight to get the bike stopped before he ran out of runway. The rider said that his bike was hopping all over the tarmac and that the experience was "a little scary." Hit the jump to check out both this year and last year's run for yourself.
That's exactly what Bill Warner has been trying to do for the past few years. Last Sunday, he succeeded at Loring Air Force Base during the Loring Timing Association's Land Speed Race.
Last year, Warner cranked his turbocharged Suzuki Hayabusa up to 278.6 mph. This year, he beat that record by clipping up to 311.945 mph. Though a few fully enclosed motorcycle streamliners have bested that mark in the past, Warner's Hayabusa is, according to the LTA, the fastest open-cockpit motorcycle ever measured.
Surprisingly enough, Warner said that the most terrifying portion of the ride wasn't the build up to top speed, but the fight to get the bike stopped before he ran out of runway. The rider said that his bike was hopping all over the tarmac and that the experience was "a little scary." Hit the jump to check out both this year and last year's run for yourself.
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