The World's Fastest Motorbikes

Hang onto your hats; we're going for a ride. The Superbike sector which was created during the seventies, would allow mere mortals such as you and I to ride something akin to the machines that our heroes use on the track. Of course we all ride sensibly, but to have that spare capacity in hand is something wonderful. Nobody's had this much power between their legs since Marilyn Monroe died. I can hear you all screaming 'Hayabusa', but here are a few others that turn heads (quickly). To avoid favouritism, I've listed them in alphabetical order. You can make up your own mind.

Aprilia RSV1000R

The V-twin power unit is going to generate 143 HP and push you up to 175mph if you're that way inclined. Experience in top class racing has allowed designers to come up with a frame that weighs in at less than 10,000 grams. Introduced in 1998 this bike is not only quick, but has the looks to go with it.

BMW K1200S

If I said 'Zero to Sixty mph in 2.8 seconds' you'll know where I'm coming from, and after that it just keeps on accelerating. With a top speed of 167mph, you ain't going to be late very often. I've never had the pleasure of riding this shaft driven beauty myself, but they say that the comfort and handling are second to none.

 Ducati 1098s

160 horsepower and 169mph apart, this is one sexy bike. The high tail section gives the impression of speed, even when the bike is standing still. The whole bike only weighs 173kg, giving the highest torque to weight ratio of any production sport bike ever.

Honda CBR 1100XX Super Blackbird

Production of this superb machine began 1997. The Blackbird gave high performance and touring comfort. At 178mph this bike won the title of 'The World's Fastest Production Bike', stealing the glory from Kawasaki. Some wag once said that the Blackbird cut through the air like a surgeon's scalpel and I can see where that analogy came from. To my eyes, this bike is just beautiful.

Known as the ZZR1400 in Europe and Japan, this is Kawasaki's flagship model in the Sport bike sector. It takes just 2.5 seconds for this bike to reach 60mph and has a top speed of 186mph. It can cover a quarter mile from a standing start in less than ten seconds.

MTT Turbine Superbike Y2K

Created by Ted McIntyre of Marine Turbine Technologies Inc, this bike is only the world's second wheel driven motorcycle powered by a turbine engine, and doesn't it move; 227mph to be precise. It has a Rolls Royce Allison 250 series engine and is recognised by Guinness World Records as the 'Most Powerful Production Motorcycle'. If you want one, you'll have to find around $150,000.

MV Agusta F4 1000R

Released in 2006, this bike which could whizz you up to 185mph in rapid time set a world record at Bonneville Salt Flats and won the title of the 'Fastest Production Class 1000cc'. Massimo Tamburini, the designer had this to say about his creation 'The dream of every design engineer is to come up with the most beautiful sports motorcycle in the world, then turn it into the fastest, most exclusive sought after and powerful on the market. This was my dream too. I wanted to feel the reactions of a racing bike that could put every available ounce of power through to the ground beneath me'. You know, I think he may have cracked it.

Suzuki GSX1300R

Ah yes, the famous Hayabusa. Introduced in 1999, this bike is capable of reaching a speed of 190mph. 'Hayabusa' is Japanese for Peregrine Falcon, a bird known for its speed. The bird is also a predator of the blackbird, which also happens to be the name of the previously fastest production motorcycle. Makes you think doesn't it?

Yamaha YZF R1

Introduced in 1998, this machine brought the sector nearer to a true racing motorbike. Its 1000cc engine powers the bike up to 176mph. In June of 1997, Nick Sanders of the United Kingdom completed a circumnavigation of the globe riding a YZF R1. His time of 31 days, 20 hours set a record for the fastest motorcycle circumnavigation. He covered 19,930 miles in breaking the recorAlan Liptrot is the founder of the motorcycle tour company Motorbike Tours. Need Biker Friendly Accommodation? Check out MotorcycleFriendlyAccommodation.com [http://www.motorcycle-friendly-accommodation.com]

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The Yamaha R1 Motorcycle - Innovative Energy and Control

First, let's quickly cover the basic specifications of 2009 Yamaha R1 bikes before getting side tracked by specifying all the new technology it features. 2009 Yamaha R1 motorcycles feature a liquid-cooled, 998 cc, inline four-cylinder, sixteen-valve DOHC engine. They've got a six-speed manual transmission with a multi-plate slipper clutch. The Yamaha R1 engine is capable of 180 horsepower at 12,500 rpm and 85 pound-feet (11.8 kilogram-meter) of torque at 10,000 rpm. The Yamaha R1 top speed has been experienced by consumer at or around 190 mph (257.5 kph). All this power is currently available for less than $12,500.

Now, onto the new Yamaha R1 motorcycle technology for 2009! The 2009 Yamaha R1 motorcycles are the first to feature crossplane crankshaft technology in a two-wheel motorized vehicle. Crossplane crankshaft technology is a extremely technical, very complicated machine, and a full explanation of it could easily fill its own article. Therefore, we'll try to describe it in the shortest, simplest term we can.

In a classic engine, gasoline combustion commutes pistons in up-and-down action. The pistons, in turn, drive the crankshaft. The crankshaft turns the reciprocal motion of the pistons into rotational motion that ultimately turns the back wheel of the bike. This translation from reciprocal to rotational motion is never perfect. Energy is generally lost when motion changes form, not to point out a timing delay from the pistons igniting to the wheels turning. The greater the motion and energy (in this case, the RPMs), the greater the loss in energy and motion transfer. What this means to you as a motorcycle driver is that the fast you go, the less control your throttle has over the rear wheel.

A crossplane crankshaft layout takes a fully different approach. First, as a substitute of two sets of pistons firing alternately, this engine involves four sets of pistons shooting in rotation. Second, the connection rods from pistons to crankshaft are placed at ninety degrees from one another around the crankshaft. The firing order of the pistons is 270°-180°-90°-180°. The outcome of the right-angle area and non-liner firing series is that the exchange of energy and motion from the pistons to the rear wheel is much more clean and exact. What this means for you as a motorbike rider is that your accelerator pedal has much more control of the rear wheel, allowing a steady, linear acceleration and smoother handling of the motorcycle, even at increased speeds.

Another innovation in 2009 Yamaha R1 motorcycles is a forced-air intake system. This system increases air intake efficiency by using the natural airflow generated when driving to pressurize the air in the air cleaner box. As more air in the motor generates more power, the new R1 engine has extraordinary power, especially at high speeds.

Yamaha has also adjusted the chip-controlled throttle and intake technology from racetrack motorbikes. This merges computer technology with the driver's throttle control for electronic micro-control of the fuel injection and air intake systems. The outcome is a throttle reaction that is both instantaneous and exact. Together, all these engineering enhancement in 2009 Yamaha R1 bikes provide more power and speed, and better pilot control at the same time. What's not to adore?

Since one can't totally redesign the engine without redesigning the frame, Yamaha has done that as well, consisting of many new improvements. It includes an aluminum frame precisely well balanced for the mixture of both stiffness and flex that a racing motor cycle wants. It also features crafted aluminum pistons, a light and portable titanium intake valve, and electronically actuated steering dampeners.

Regardless of of 2009 Yamaha R1 motorcycles' strengths and innovations, including great acceleration, outstanding responsiveness, and heightened maneuverability, it has its drawbacks like any vehicle. Some users report finding it to be unpleasant when travelling or driving long distances. The bike gives off a lot of heat, which can get uncomfortable at low speeds, or in the stop-and-start nature of rush hour city traffic.

On the other hand, some people may debate, 2009 Yamaha R1 motorcycles are not built for commuting - they're built for racing.

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