Floridian Bill Warner set a new land speed record for traditional (read: non-streamliner) motorcycles at the 2011 LTA meet in Loring, Maine last weekend. His mount was a 1300cc turbocharged Suzuki Hyabusa motorcycle, the make and model favored by speed crazed nuts the world over for shrinking time and space. The run was made on the 1.5-mile runway course at the former Loring Air Force base in Limestone, Maine.
Warner, who is 42, ran 273mph last year in Loring and later ran 278mph in Texas before really training his guns on the 300mph barrier this year. This run would be impressive in any format and at any location, but seeing as it was done in just 1.5-miles as opposed to a longer multi-mile course, like Bonneville is really something that causes our jaws to drop open.
Now that the 300mph barrier has been blown completely out of the water, we look forward to seeing the next set of incremintal steps fall as well. Anyone want to place bets on how long it is before he blows 320mph into the weeds? Are their limits as to a man’s ability to hold himself onto a motorcycle? If there are, Bill Warner seems like the guy to test them.
This record setting blast was not just a great thing for Warner, it has also thrust the Loring Timing Association’s meet into the national spotlight. At this writing, the Associated Press story on the record has appeared in papers across the country, motorycle sites have jumped on it, and the Maine media, as well as the Florida media have covered the story, too.
BangShift wants to extend a huge congratulations to Bill Warner on one of the most amazing and death defying mechanical accomplishments in the history of mechanical accomplishments!
Wow that’s awesome and freakin insane!!
I believe his pose in the picture is signifying his over 300mph achievement….but a guy with stones like that….I wouldn’t be too surprised if his index finger is missing!!!
That’s insane and awesome all at the same time. But how can this not be considered a streamlined bike?? It’s full bodywork is certainly not stock. I think it is more appropriate to distinguish between streamliner frame and conventional design / rider location. Please don’t misunderstand this comment. I’m not taking anything away from the achievement, it’s simply mind blowing. Congratulations Bill !!!
correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe the ‘streamliner bike’ class means an enclosed bike with a sort of ‘cockpit’.
Congrats to Bill, and to the LTA for having another great meet.
At what speed would you double up on the leathers?
Looks an awful lot like the bodywork Craig Vetter uses for 400mpg scooters… Hmmm. Helluva accomplishment.
Getting up to 311 MPH in 1.5 miles is totally AMAZING. Getting stopped again in that distance is INCREDIBLE!!
“Streamliner” means ‘totally enclosed”. This bike is ‘streamlined’ or ‘full fairing’ but NOT fully enclosed.
An incredible performance!!!
As the race director at the event, I am qualified to address why this not streamlined. He is sitting on the bike in a traditional manner and even thought the body is sculpted for efficiency, it does not meet the letter or the spirit of a streamliner. Stremaliner are aerodynaimc cylinders based on NASA wing designs where the rider is in a full roll cage recumbently seated. Bills design gives up considerable aero effect and is probably 1/4th as efficient in the air as a streamliner.