[from Bike Magazine June 1999]
"Because I'm smaller than Martin I can get tucked in more, but even
so every one was stunned when the Hayabusa howled through the lights
at 198.7 mph. Now it was obvious we couldn't go home until we'd had
a bloody good crack at the 200mph barrier. The next run was slower. With
any kind of crosswind at Bruntingthorpe, the trick is to stay out of
the middle of the runway until about a quarter of a mile from
the lights, then let the crosswind blow you across towards the edge,
where the lights are, so you're going with it instead of fighting it.
On that run I let the wind take me too early and ended up heading
for the adjoining field at 'only' 196.6 mph. But the next run felt fast.
As I came over the slight crest and let the wind take me I was
introduced to a new bizarre experience - nothing that the speedo was
indicating 200 mph, and then changing up to top gear I did'nt even
see the timing lights, but went past where I knew they must be
at just over 215mph,[indicated] and just nudging the red line. Sitting up
into the airstream at that speed was like being punched in the
chest, but the enormously powerful brakes hauled the Hayabusa down
to a more civilized speed with no drama beyond the occasional
chirp from the Bruntinginthorpe's bumpy surface. As we rolled
back up to the lights I knew by the way everyone was jumping
up and down that we'd done it, and the display showed the
proof but the fact remains that after a couple of attempts,
a STOCK production bike that costs £8000 has done 200 mph.
No raised gearing , no folded mirrors, no special fuel, no special
equipment . Amazing!"
