Motorcyclist cited for going 205 MPH (going faster than state patrol plane)

I don't hate American bikes. I also don't feel the need to throw around derogatory terms like "over-priced, over-weight unpowered chrome penis extension" when discussing them, as the real rabid Harley-haters do.

I am familiar with the Japanese business model. My understanding of it was, however, more that they used protected home markets where they could get away with high prices and healthy profits, to fund the R&D that produced the superior products that drove some foreign companies out of business. For example, atlthough early Japanese cars were quite cheap, that was for good reason - I mean, just look at them. By the time they were producing a product truly comparable with the domestics, they were charging and getting a premium for their product (as they still do) based on the quality and reliability of their product. In fact, that's a perfect example of where domestic manufacturers, despite years to learn from the Japanese, still for the most part don't produce a product as good as the Japanese, even when those Japanese products are produced in the US.

So do you have a big hate on for Mercedes, VW/Audi/Porsche, and BMW too? They were all directly involved in producing war machines for the Nazis in WWII, more directly than Suzuki or Yamaha were, anyway, although as I said I know that Kawasaki actually produced fighters for the Japanese army.

More fuel for the fire:

Motorcycle world abuzz at biker's 205 mph ticket

Monday, September 27, 2004 Posted: 1120 GMT (1920 HKT)

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota (AP) -- People across the United States are shaking their heads over the kid ticketed for allegedly riding his motorcycle at 205 mph -- some out of disapproval, others because they doubt he went that fast.

Ever since a State Patrol pilot clocked Samuel Armstrong Tilley's 2002 Honda RC51 going a quarter-mile in 4.39 seconds on September 18, people in chat rooms, garages and biker bars from Sturgis, South Dakota, to Los Angeles have been buzzing about the alleged feat on Highway 61 near Wabasha.

"Certainly anyone who flouts the law to that extent is seen by some as a latter-day Robin Hood, flying in the face of authority and doing stuff we all want to do but common sense stops us from," said David Edwards, editor-in-chief of Cycle World, a magazine based in Newport Beach, California.

Edwards is among the many experts who doubt Tilley's bike could have gone so fast. "More likely, the cop with the stopwatch had an itchy trigger finger," he told the Star Tribune of Minneapolis.

"There are lots of guys who have been spending a lot of money and a lot of years at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah trying to join the official 200 Club and most still haven't done it," Edwards said. He said Tilley's bike would have needed an add-on turbo charger to go above 165 mph.

State Patrol pilot Al Loney, a 27-year veteran, and his superiors stand by their report.

Tilley, who graduated from Stillwater High School last year, hasn't returned numerous calls seeking comment. He's due to appear in Wabasha County Court on October 25.

Tilley purchased his motorcycle last summer from Tousley Motorsports in White Bear Lake, where he once worked.

Tousley President Larry Koch said Tilley is a nice guy, "but I really want to ask him: 'What in the hell were you thinking?"'

OK :) Since I have been racing bikes for a while I can tell the forum this. You really hate bikes dont you? He was only endangering his own life, and it was his choice. Obviously kid knows how to ride. Also, is this not a free country?

Anyways

My 600 tops at 167 (going straight) in Colorado. Colorado is high altitude, engines lose 33 percent hp from lack of oxygen.

If his 1000RR had a pipe,filter,power commander. He should be able to spank 220. Thats going straight.

Kid is having fun, give him a break. And no, he would not hurt anyone, just kill himself, dont give me this "until he hurts someone" crap.

Now I'll get attacked.

That's where we are stupid. We have cars with balled tires, rust holes so big you can stick your head in the hole but, “drive slow to arrive” seems to be the big push. What percent is drunk on Fri/Sat evening on the road? When can a kid drive in many states? 16. Is drivers ed mandatory? How many old people can SEE? How many seniors pass out or have reaction times so slow that must drunks beat them at braking? But drive slow and it’s all OK.

Boy, flying must be a real dangerous thing! Just think of how fast they go.

We have roads in the US that a flat, straight and high quality in some places. If you want to go 150MPH, more power to you.

There is a limit that is prudent and reasonable, and MANY countries do think of this as well, despite their lack of speed limits. In Germany if you go over 130KM/Hr you can be made partially at fault. So we just set up the rules that if your car can’t go those speeds safely or you go over a reasonable speed (Say 75 MPH) the insurance may claim you to be 25% at fault for an accident even if you technically would be not at fault at a lower speed in the same incident.

There are MANY variables in the equation, but we only seem to focus on one.

Red6

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