Kawasaki H2R set production bike record 0 - 400 km/h 26 sec

moto vudu · Jun 30, 2016

The most successful World Supersport rider of all time, Kenan Sofuoglu, recently had his sights set on a new and different kind of record – the land speed record on a motorcycle. With many practice runs and attempts to get ready for the final push, the Turkish rider had been expecting to go for the record at the opening of a new bridge across the Gulf of Izmit, 50km away from Istanbul – before research concluded that an early morning attempt would have the most chance of success.

The WorldSSP Championship leader rode a Kawasaki Ninja H2R for the rescheduled 5am record attempt, complete with winglets, and had a special leather suit made. To lower the risk of a tyre blowout, the speed was to be reached in less than 30 seconds, and the Turk visited the bridge numerous times and at different times of day to check the conditions - such was the depth of his preparation for the tightrope task. Having judged early morning as the best time for the attempt, the record was then broken just after dawn, two days before the official opening ceremony for the bridge.

“I reached 400 km/h, the maximum speed that this motorcycle could have, after a 4 long months of training,” commented the WorldSSP superstar just after breaking the record. “I do not remember where I got this idea of the record from first, but when I signed the agreement on 2016 with Kawasaki, I liked and wanted so much this special edition bike. When I asked for the motorcycle, Kawasaki said its maximum speed was 380 km/h and that their dream was to reach 400km/h. The first time I rode it, I felt its huge power and speed, and I made small changes to the motorcycle - keeping its original settings - and did not modify it. I reached 390 km/h in my last trials and today I beat this and reached 400 km/h. I was planning to do this speed attempt for the opening but we had to catch the best weather conditions and so we did it at 5:00 am. The top speed we get to in the world championship races is about 300 km/h, so 400 km/h is a really high speed. It was a dream to reach this speed and thank god I made it. I currently hold the top place in the World Championship, and my next dream is taking the World Champion title the fifth time.”

Sofuoglu will be back in his Kawasaki Puccetti Racing colours at Lausitzring in Germany from the 16th-18th September after WorldSSP enjoys its summer break – counting down the Rounds in his attempt to achieve a fifth World Supersport crown.

Arrabbiata1 · Jul 1, 2016

moto vudu said:
The most successful World Supersport rider of all time, Kenan Sofuoglu, recently had his sights set on a new and different kind of record – the land speed record on a motorcycle. With many practice runs and attempts to get ready for the final push, the Turkish rider had been expecting to go for the record at the opening of a new bridge across the Gulf of Izmit, 50km away from Istanbul – before research concluded that an early morning attempt would have the most chance of success.

The WorldSSP Championship leader rode a Kawasaki Ninja H2R for the rescheduled 5am record attempt, complete with winglets, and had a special leather suit made. To lower the risk of a tyre blowout, the speed was to be reached in less than 30 seconds, and the Turk visited the bridge numerous times and at different times of day to check the conditions - such was the depth of his preparation for the tightrope task. Having judged early morning as the best time for the attempt, the record was then broken just after dawn, two days before the official opening ceremony for the bridge.

“I reached 400 km/h, the maximum speed that this motorcycle could have, after a 4 long months of training,” commented the WorldSSP superstar just after breaking the record. “I do not remember where I got this idea of the record from first, but when I signed the agreement on 2016 with Kawasaki, I liked and wanted so much this special edition bike. When I asked for the motorcycle, Kawasaki said its maximum speed was 380 km/h and that their dream was to reach 400km/h. The first time I rode it, I felt its huge power and speed, and I made small changes to the motorcycle - keeping its original settings - and did not modify it. I reached 390 km/h in my last trials and today I beat this and reached 400 km/h. I was planning to do this speed attempt for the opening but we had to catch the best weather conditions and so we did it at 5:00 am. The top speed we get to in the world championship races is about 300 km/h, so 400 km/h is a really high speed. It was a dream to reach this speed and thank god I made it. I currently hold the top place in the World Championship, and my next dream is taking the World Champion title the fifth time.”

Sofuoglu will be back in his Kawasaki Puccetti Racing colours at Lausitzring in Germany from the 16th-18th September after WorldSSP enjoys its summer break – counting down the Rounds in his attempt to achieve a fifth World Supersport crown.

That's my morning commute that is.

Great post MotoVD, and you actually managed not to mention Rossi once. Congratulations. Probably means that it won't catch Talpa's attention, but nonetheless genuinely thanks for posting - I'd been reading about this.

Pleased to see they didn't throw him over the bridge by accident at the end, he's got the not insignificant matter of a fifth WSS title to attend to. Four more and we can start referring to him as 'nine times'.

Fascinating to read how calculated this all was. From the video it looks as though he's been dropped off by a few construction workers and a white van. Actually, the grand opening of that bridge, the largest central span suspension bridge in the world was only last week I think, so perhaps that's why. Izmit is one of the most seismically dangerous places on the planet, this thing is 2.5 KM in length and 252m high but in the event of a large earthquake, perhaps 7.6, the flex and moving shafts sustain the damage. Engineers don't refer to magnitude any longer though, they analyse ground forces and calculate where the maximum damage would be inflicted. Bay Bridge, SF is retrofitted. Shear link and shock absorbing beams - hinged pipe beams (that slide back and forth and can be replaced when damaged like a fuse), battered piles and improved foundations all anticipate where the damage will be inflicted. These things are built to withstand a once in a millennia event.

Perhaps Kenan's 400km will also stand for a thousand years.

Notice that to reduce the risk of a blow out, he had to reach the speed in 30 seconds...I doubt he requested Michelin's.

Amazing that there are so few modifications to the bike. Clearly it was the winglets that made the difference!!

Dr No · Jul 1, 2016

I would be more impressed if he'd done it in his jocks Rollie Free style.

Arrabbiata1 · Jul 1, 2016

Dr No said:
I would be more impressed if he'd done it in his jocks Rollie Free style.

Which is exactly what I was expecting Toseland to do purely out of conceit at Bonneville several years ago.

Keshav · Jul 1, 2016

Arrabbiata1 said:
That's my morning commute that is.

Great post MotoVD, and you actually managed not to mention Rossi once. Congratulations. Probably means that it won't catch Talpa's attention, but nonetheless genuinely thanks for posting - I'd been reading about this.

Pleased to see they didn't throw him over the bridge by accident at the end, he's got the not insignificant matter of a fifth WSS title to attend to. Four more and we can start referring to him as 'nine times'.

Fascinating to read how calculated this all was. From the video it looks as though he's been dropped off by a few construction workers and a white van. Actually, the grand opening of that bridge, the largest central span suspension bridge in the world was only last week I think, so perhaps that's why. Izmit is one of the most seismically dangerous places on the planet, this thing is 2.5 KM in length and 252m high but in the event of a large earthquake, perhaps 7.6, the flex and moving shafts sustain the damage. Engineers don't refer to magnitude any longer though, they analyse ground forces and calculate where the maximum damage would be inflicted. Bay Bridge, SF is retrofitted. Shear link and shock absorbing beams - hinged pipe beams (that slide back and forth and can be replaced when damaged like a fuse), battered piles and improved foundations all anticipate where the damage will be inflicted. These things are built to withstand a once in a millennia event.

Perhaps Kenan's 400km will also stand for a thousand years.

Notice that to reduce the risk of a blow out, he had to reach the speed in 30 seconds...I doubt he requested Michelin's.

Amazing that there are so few modifications to the bike. Clearly it was the winglets that made the difference!!

Hater!

JohnnyKnockdown · Jul 1, 2016

Why is he riding around with an ISIS flag, glorifying himself, when its a Kawasaki achievement.
Too bad his crew didnt accidentally toss him off the bridge

JPSLotus · Jul 1, 2016

Regarding tires used for this attempt, he used specially treated Pirelli tires.

Special treatments and gear are envisaged for the new attempt, starting from tires and down to Kenan's leathers. Pirelli came up with a specially-formulated compound for the tires that will be used during the run. Petroleum giant Elf will be supplying a race-grade fuel that should help the H2R engine produce more power and a higher top speed.

Read more: 400 KM/H Record Attempt with Kawasaki Ninja H2R and Kenan Sofuoglu

I know Arrab made the quip regarding the Michelin tires, but I was actually expecting him to have used Michelin because in spite of their GP issues, they were the ones who made the tires for the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport which hit 267MPH at Ehrra-Lessien. So they are fully aware of temperature requirements for such feats.

Duc999 · Jul 4, 2016

surely you jest

JohnnyKnockdown said:
Why is he riding around with an ISIS flag, glorifying himself, when its a Kawasaki achievement.
Too bad his crew didnt accidentally toss him off the bridge

He's a turk and proud of his turkish heritage.

birdman · Jul 4, 2016

Too easy, where's Fabien Foret? first headbut at 400 is more a challenge suited to Sofaglu

Arrabbiata1 · Jul 4, 2016

birdman said:
Too easy, where's Fabien Foret? first headbut at 400 is more a challenge suited to Sofaglu

The ferret would probably still be prone to looking back over his shoulder at 400kmh

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Kawasaki H2R set production bike record 0 - 400 km/h 26 sec

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