Hondas Set New Speed Records

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 4, Issue 34, 10 February 1987, Page 5 (Supplement)

Hondas Set New Speed Records

A duo of Honda high performance motorcycles sped to a fistful of FIM (Federation Internationale Motorcycliste) world endurance speed records, smashing the previous 24 hour record by nearly 15mph (24 km/h) in Texas recently. The records set were for six hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, 100km and 1,000km. The event took place at a five-mile (8.05km) banked circular track at the Uniroyal Proving Grounds near Laredo, when a Honda VFR700F and a Honda VFR750F set out on their record-breaking attempt

with a team of 14 professional riders, including several motorcycling journalists and members of American Honda's staff, at the controls. Each rider did 18 laps, or 90 miles (144.8km), at a time, between refuelling stops, which totalled 25.47 minutes over the 24 hours for the VFR750F and 21.24 minutes for the VFR700F. In addition, the individual riders' speeds were monitored and controlled in accordance with rider weight and ambient temperature in

order to conserve the tyres. Except for tyres, rims and the use of smaller than standard rear sprockets, the bikes were completely stock. When the VFR700F finished its 24 hour run, it had covered 3,333.7 miles (approximately 5,365.1km), substantially bettering the existing records, but when the VFR750F completed its 24 hour stint the same day, record books were written all over again, as it had covered no less than 3,436.3 miles (approximately 5,530.2 km).