Shaft-Drive Land Speed Record?

Hey good VFR folks. I am curious, after minutes and minutes of research, if perhaps I set a shaft-drive land-speed record when I clocked 170.446 mph at Loring last July. Can't find anything in searches I have done, is anyone familiar with another shaft-drive unit with the long legs of the 1200?

I'm pretty certain it's the fastest dual-clutch transmission speed recorded, what else could be out there?

Has anyone else unplugged their VFR's and clocked them? I am curious to see if the manual has any top-speed advantage over the DCT.

FYI - It ran at redline against the wind at that speed, despite the rev-limiter being raised 1000 rpm, which I verified quickly in a lower gear on the test track. The bike was so stable I felt comfortable letting a friend take a couple of passes.

I go to every Loring event, expanding this year. Lots of interesting stuff running. Expanding this year, check www.loringtiming.com FMI

Peace

Besides raising the rev limit, what else did you do? Although I have a 6th speed, I'll have to enjoy your run vicariously at half speed.

Awesome run! I have only hit 140, but it's nice to know it's stable at top speed! I think Satariel posted a cell phone GPS app, after his re-flash and it was up there too......I can't seem to find it though............

The BMW K1300S is the only other shaft drive bike that comes to mind, unless the Vmaxx is a shaftie.......

You said you ran at redline, what exactly is your redline? The one bummer about the shaft drive is that other than tire size, or rev limit, you cannot change top speed or gear ratio, without some serious expense. Maybe you can find a 200/55 tire and squeeze it on there.....to get a few more mph.

I was hoping the VFR1200X would have a lower geared rear diff, so there would at least be one option. 1st gear could be a bit lower, and fifth and sixth could be slightly more spread out, but it's still way more than I really need.

I will check that link and see if they have any events out here.............

Crud, I thought they held events all over - looks like I will have to plan a long road trip...............

Is the DCT geared the same in the transmission?

OP, you know we are all absolutely desperate to hear video from on board and track side of the VFR1200 at full song.

Guhl reflash took several tries to get around the top-speed restriction. The only real challenge was fitting the required steering damper. Fabricated a bracket that mounts to stock tank bolts, and ordered a top clamp to sacrifice to the drill. Miss the RAM mount that used to live there, but that's the worst of it in action.

I am not sure if the DCT/Manual ratios are the same, I think I saw differences once, but could be mistaken. The redline is just above 10k rpm, I made several 167-168 mph runs on Saturday, and made the 170 pass Sunday with a slight tailwind.

And swimmer - I tried to record a pass Labor Day for you. Mounted the camera right above the fart can pointed at it and the rear wheel. The audio sucked, and camera angle was of no interest. I don't think I'll top the audio on the 2014 155 restricted recording at [video: https://youtube.com/embed/wPTKpYDSupc?html5=1&fs=1] That is a great recording for induction sounds, showing how huge Loring is, and showing what a bummer restrictions are!

I had my '84 F to 150 and I redlined. Granted its not a shaft drive. This just after I was passed by a lambo at 75mph. He lit that rocket just after he passed me and within a mile he was half a mile ahead.

I have had both my sabre and magna to 150. That's my limit.

Wow, you made it from zero to top speed quickly, and the bike does seem very stable at speed..............

Just checked the workshop manual:

Secondary  Reduction, Final Driven Side....... F=0.949 (37/39)   DCT=0.951 (39/41)

4th, 5th, and 6th are the same ratio on both bikes, as well as the Primary Reduction, and Side Gear Case Side of Secondary Reduction.............so top speed almost no difference.........

Awesome effort!

To answer your question, you might have come within 4mph of setting a record:

http://www.webbikewo...ille-record.htm

However - you, and your home workshop, versus BMW the factory. Hold your head up high, soldier :smile2:

Because that BMW would have been blueprinted and fettled from the factory floor and had the best of everything between its birth and its run on the salt.

Awesome effort!

To answer your question, you might have come within 4mph of setting a record:

http://www.webbikewo...ille-record.htm

However - you, and your home workshop, versus BMW the factory. Hold your head up high, soldier :smile2:

Because that BMW would have been blueprinted and fettled from the factory floor and had the best of everything between its birth and its run on the salt.

Thanks, funny the fastest shaft-drive bikes are also some of the least desirable on the used market! I bet those K-bikes are damned nice too. I have had a couple of older bricks (BMW K-bikes), backed off at 180+ on a borrowed S100RR, and will not likely ever sell my '66 R60/2, so, if we had to be beat up by a mark I have no problem with it being BMW.

My speed can be beat. The PR4 tire is definitely smaller than the stock POS tire was on the 2010, 1/2 inch in diameter must make a difference spinning at those speeds. The ratios look so close (thx RC1237). Can we assume the closer to 1:1, the less reduction, giving a slight edge to the DCT's final drive? 

I'll have another whack at the S100RR if the opportunity presents itself with no crosswinds. The VFR is actually quite fun to ride in crosswinds, of course it helps to be intimately familiar with how it handles on the road. Holding your line down the track in a crosswind requires turning at high speed, and while it's not fast for racing purposes, it sure is fun! The S1000 was like a scalpel with completely different handling characteristics than the VFR, so having been uncomfortably blown a lane or two out of line, I bailed instead of more radically correcting than a slight lean. While the VFR is stable by design, the S1000 seemed to want to turn, and I was afraid to ask how much at 180. I'd love to get more comfortable with the S1000 before taking another pass on it, under 5 miles wasn't enough practice! Good people, good machines, good fun at Loring.

Otherwise, for what the VFR1200 is, I continue to be very happy with it. And, to hell with the naysayers, while the DCT will never win any drag race from a standing stop, it is cool, so cool, to wring it out like a rental! 

There is something to appreciate about every bike, it's just harder to find on some!

[video: https://youtube.com/embed/d8VGIZNbZ_4?html5=1&fs=1]

[video: https://youtube.com/embed/Ws1Fp2ei3uA?html5=1&fs=1]

And BTW, had a shaft failure on the antique BMW a few years ago after a bolt came out of the transmission end and slid down the (oiled) shaft housing, thus cutting the shaft in two!

The shaft removed last month from my VFR showed no flaws at all, but the garage queen still hasn't rolled through 4000 miles since I took advantage of Honda's first panic sale in January 2012. Fun miles though!

wow my buddy in High School (class of 77) had a BMW just like that one....so cool....i forget which model....it's slightly different than that one  ...there's some memories there

A slightly taller rear tire, and maybe the record will be yours! If not, have Don raise your rev limit another 250 rpm, and that would do it - maybe not worth the risk though. You're obviously having fun which is the best part!

Is the steering dampener needed on the VFR at that speed, or just required by the sanctioning body?

Keep enjoying!

I also forgot to mention, you probably DID set the record for a shaft-drive, DCT driven motorcycle......................

A slightly taller rear tire, and maybe the record will be yours! If not, have Don raise your rev limit another 250 rpm, and that would do it - maybe not worth the risk though. You're obviously having fun which is the best part!

Is the steering dampener needed on the VFR at that speed, or just required by the sanctioning body?

Keep enjoying!

I also forgot to mention, you probably DID set the record for a shaft-drive, DCT driven motorcycle......................

Rev limit isn't the problem at top-speed, it's power vs. wind. There isn't power at 10k+ rpm to go any faster. A larger rear tire is the only thing left, unless there is more power to be found way up there somehow. 

The damper is "required" on all bikes running over 135mph by rule. I do not believe it is necessary with the VFR's geometry, my several initial 155 runs were all without. Would I run 170 without a damper's cheap protection? No way! Throw a weight, blow a tire or clip a groundhog and I'll take zero wobble while gathering it all back up for $5-600 and some work.

Bottom-line is, as you would guess from your own experiences, the fact remains that the faster you go the more fun it is! Taking it to the track isn't a huge sacrifice for the safety factor inherent at most events. Loring is immense (2.5+ miles, 100 yards wide), smooth where it counts - like buttah, uncrowded (nobody leaves Sunday able or wishing to take another run) and it's a very nice and diverse crowd at Land Speed events - little competition, much help available. 

My irresponsible peak on empty highway had been a couple 138 bursts - that was hitting the stock rev-limit in fourth, and an easy reference, reached quickly once found!

I looked on the map and Loring is about as far as I can get from my house without leaving the country. unlikely I would ever make it out there, at least in the near future.

Can you post a picture of your steering dampener adaptation, in case I find a place to legally cross "top speed on a bike" off my bucket list.......I used to do open road racing when I worked at the Porsche shop, and have been well over 200 mph in a car, but can't find anything like that around here for motorcycles. 

Can't get you a pic at the moment, but dynajohn summed it up, I hope he is well!

"Posted 27 November 2014 - 03:47 PM

I gave up finding a good quality steering damper with mount hardware specifically made for the VFR 1200. I used a Scotts damper kit for a GSXR 1000 Suzuki and modified the fixed frame mount that came with the kit to mount on the VFR 1200. Just finished the install this week. Completely unnecessary but required to race in the ECTA sanctioned top speed trials for this bike."

He and I took different approaches working with the same kit for the GSXR. He adapted his to screw mount to the frame, I adapted mine to use the existing tank mount bolts. His solution is likely better in all respects, with the exception of the need for drilling. It took a very patient and gray fabricator and I a few hours to alter the mount around the tank to the mounts.

  Will try to post pics soon. Picking up a backhoe today for new low-speed thrills.