Theoretical biker question - 2 pint bet on yer' answer!

britboy4321

britboy4321

britboy4321

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Non-serious Argument with mates. This is a theoretical question bought on, over beers, as one of my mates has bought a Yamaha R1.

I've been riding a honda 125cc motorbike every weekday for 3 months - total of 1500 miles. I only have my CBT (and L-plates). I have never been over 60mph. I'm used to the upright 'commuter' ride of the Honda CBF. I have been driving safely for 15 years but only riding for 3 months.

If theoretically I took my mates Yamaha R1 using his keys, with NO tuition whatsoever, the question is could I safely traverse it through central London, then right the way to Aberdeen without falling off?

Now here's the kicker, at one point of my journey to Aberdeen, my choice when, the rule is I hit 170mph on the bike (even for just a second) or I fail. This has to be on a public road or motorway I can't nip off to an airfield ...

Small print:
Theoretical question so magically no police/cameras to physically stop me - traffic normal for weekday setting off at 9am in the morning so it won't be in the middle of the night when I do 170. The bike has unlimited fuel. I have to do the whole trip 'in one sitting'.

-

He reckons I'd more likely have a crash then get up there safely. I reckon I'd more likely make it safely than crash. We in all seriousness need an official adjudicator, a whopping 2 pint bet (whoa!) relies on the majority of you backing me! What say you ..?
 
I say this is rather random...

But, I think a sane person with previous experience of any bike (eg the controls) would be able to do it, mainly as a sane person would realise that it's ridiculously powerful and take it sensibly.

Getting up to 170 is a non-issue really, find a nice straight bit of road, open the throttle, easy.
 
The problem won't be the top speed, it'd be pulling away. Jumping from a 125 to an R1 you'll likely wheelie and die as you try to pull away. There is a colossal difference in power between the two.
 
The biggest problem would be doing the trip in one sitting. You'd be very tired by the time you'd finished with motorways so I'd say a mistake would be likely.
 
Gribs said:
The biggest problem would be doing the trip in one sitting. You'd be very tired by the time you'd finished with motorways so I'd say a mistake would be likely.
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You might have a sore arse but it's not THAT far.

I think any measured person could do it, even without any previous bike experience.
 
You do know that aberdeen is miles away? And some of the roads in scotland would leave me to surmies a WOW! look at that (crash band off the cliff) moment . . . . :D
 
britboy4321 said:
Now here's the kicker, at one point of my journey to Aberdeen, my choice when, the rule is I hit 170mph on the bike (even for just a second) or I fail. This has to be on a public road or motorway I can't nip off to an airfield ...
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I wrecken the bit through London would be the difficult bit a touch to much front brake and you would be off. if you managed that part i am sure you would manage the rest!
 
Yes you can do it no problem.

Your right hand controls the outcome. So if you are observant and have self control you will have no problem.

170mph is easy to do on a bike. I heard someone who used to do 160ish daily on his way to work. Used to take 4 mins to travel 10miles I heard. So I heard. ;)
 
I'd say it depends on what sort of person you are. If you over estimate your abilities and 'go for it' as soon as you hit the M1, then you're more likely to crash.
If you're a cautious person but a quick learner then the London part of the journey will get you used to the bike. Then you've got plenty of time to steadily increase your top speed on the motorway. Once you're comfortable, you could do the 170 and I think you'd be okay.
 
Yes it's quite possible, however I'd say you'd probably bin it due to inexperience at some point.

Doing the 170 part would quite likely be possible but I wouldn't really advise it, your margin for error will be tiny, and with little/no experience of a high powered bike is asking for trouble. All it would require is 1 person to not notice you and you'll be seriously injured. (I've had a close call like that in the past doing significantly less, I was bloody lucky I didn't come off, but I did end up unintentionally taking the wing mirror clean off with my elbow as I passed).

helpimcrap said:
170mph is easy to do on a bike. I heard someone who used to do 160ish daily on his way to work.
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One of my colleagues used to do that sort of speed to work on a regular basis, he is currently half way through a 6 month ban and narrowly avoided a dangerous driving conviction.
 
I reckon you would stall it..a lot

I find a lot a lot that I let have a go on mine stalled it a lot, sportsbikes throttle/clutch feel completely different to a 125.
 
I think any measured person could do it, even without any previous bike experience.
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The riding wouldnt be a problem, but I dont think you would make it, your bum and wrists have to be trained to take the punishment from doing long rides. I ride every day and the most I would want to do would be 400 miles, did that last summer on a bike ment for touring, and by the end of the day my wrists were dead and bum was numb. now on an R1 I give you about 50 miles before you have to get off and jump around for a bit.....
but you would ride it fine...every one has the "just got off a 125 moment"


bullit
 
I agree. You would be so paranoid and concentrating so hard that you would likely not crash, but the discomfort would probably be unbearable!
 
I don't think it would be a problem. Treat the machine with a little respect and you'd be fine.
 
If you didn't get tired, or a sore bottom, and didn't have any "close calls", didn't have to do seat of your pants riding round the scottish highlands, and were allowed to stall it, then yes it's doable - but riding a 125 is COMPLETELY different to riding an R1. IMO it's not like stepping from a fiat uno to a lambo - it requires more skill to ride a bike IMO.
 
I think you'd be able to do it. If you were gentle with the bike, esp when riding through London. It'd probably be best not to filter at this point as well. Then when you get out onto the motorway you could crusie at 70-80. Whenever you had large gaps you could periodically take the bike upto 100. Then 110, 120 etc. ie build up to 170, get a feel for what it is like at faster speeds. It would probably be painful on your arse and wrists though having never riden a sports bike, to ride one up to Scotland. But yeah, I'd say theoretically you'd be more likely to manage the trip than not.
 
When my mate used to courier around London he estimated that he had a non-serious off roughly every 2 weeks.

Changing from a zero weight, zero power, zero brakes 125 to a instant power/brakes 160Kg R1 & taking it through central London.............probably be a wise idea to also book a bed at the hospital :D



The 170MPH is nothing, my mum could do it :D
 
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