189 mph, for me on a Ducati Super Sport 900cc Motorcycle, and on the same day in 1979, four and quarter hours from Sydney to Ballina. Today, would I do it again, at age 20, as I was at the time, probably not, even as a soldier back then, their was not much wisdom between the ears.

My previous Rolls Royce Silver Spur, a 6750 cc V8 engine without turbo with a three speed automatic gear box (GM400) and carburetters, Flat chat at 190 kph (120 mph).

My favourite though was My Old Borgward Isabella Coupe 170 kph (105 mph) was my regular driving speed. It could do that all day if there were roads capable of it.

Now days I wouldn't have the reflexes to drive at those speeds, and certainly not at 417kph (260mph).

In 2011 we were on a bit of new autobahn that was still to be connected properly at each end. It was a very quiet stretch. We were doing about 140 kph & a Porsche when past us as if we were standing still. The air shockwave knocked us about a fair bit. The Porsche's engine was screaming as it passed.

I counted the seconds to where it disappeared & how long it took us to get there. It was doing at least twice our speed.

 

I am quite happy to drive a bit slower on our country roads, it's less tiring.

Mike Harding wrote:

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417kph on the autobahn in a Bugatti Chiron - that's knocking on a bit :)

BBC

YouTube

I've driven at about 210kph (131mph) and it's bloody quick, I can only imagine what 417kph must be like but, damn!, I'd like to do it :) 

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 Can't claim to have reached that speed,but got to 270kmh before I ran out of straightish road.Car (SS Comodore at 530HP Dyno figure) probably good for 300kmh,but I'm getting a bit old to drive at that speed for too long.Still love sideways at 160kmh on dirt though! Cheers

This has to be the fastest car. I think the secret is lack of wind resistance.

https://www.whereisroadster.com/

Bicyclecamper wrote:

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189 mph, for me on a Ducati Super Sport 900cc Motorcycle, and on the same day in 1979, four and quarter hours from Sydney to Ballina. Today, would I do it again, at age 20, as I was at the time, probably not, even as a soldier back then, their was not much wisdom between the ears.

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old racer once said to me doing 100 mph on a bike is exhilarating but still doing 100 mph with out the bike is VERY exhilarating

dogbox wrote:

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Bicyclecamper wrote:

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189 mph, for me on a Ducati Super Sport 900cc Motorcycle, and on the same day in 1979, four and quarter hours from Sydney to Ballina. Today, would I do it again, at age 20, as I was at the time, probably not, even as a soldier back then, their was not much wisdom between the ears.

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old racer once said to me doing 100 mph on a bike is exhilarating but still doing 100 mph with out the bike is VERY exhilarating

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 I think BC may have meant 189kph. As an ex superbike racer from the 80's getting flicked over the bars at 200+ is not nice.

peter67 wrote:

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dogbox wrote:

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Bicyclecamper wrote:

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189 mph, for me on a Ducati Super Sport 900cc Motorcycle, and on the same day in 1979, four and quarter hours from Sydney to Ballina. Today, would I do it again, at age 20, as I was at the time, probably not, even as a soldier back then, their was not much wisdom between the ears.

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old racer once said to me doing 100 mph on a bike is exhilarating but still doing 100 mph with out the bike is VERY exhilarating

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 I think BC may have meant 189kph. As an ex superbike racer from the 80's getting flicked over the bars at 200+ is not nice.

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  No it was 189mph, it was a new import bike, with MPH, instead of kmh. I imported it from the states. What I am going to tell you is, I spent 27 minutes off the bike, getting fuel, on the Ballina run. I was matched on the whole trip by an ex-cop mini Cooper S, with tripple SU's. He had no problems doing 150 mph behind me, staying with me for the length of the whole trip. My fuel economy was terrible. The bike was a racing bike. I intended to race at Phillip Island, but the army wouldn't give me permission.

-- Edited by Bicyclecamper on Thursday 10th of February 2022 02:09:57 PM

I once did 30mph in a Morris minor. Absolutely exhilarating.

Magnarc wrote:

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I once did 30mph in a Morris minor. Absolutely exhilarating.

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 They were legendary, My parents had one in the early 50's - bull-nose convertible, what a beast - I do remember a trip from Singleton (Hunter Valley NSW) to Western Sydney. Mum, Dad, Auntie and two kids (Mum and Auntie were well proportioned country girls) - added a couple of "Ports" (suitcases), Large bag of potatoes, half a dozen (Qld Blue) Pumpkins, two Arnotts biscuit tins (filled with Bee hives). Down the old windy Putty Rd through Windsor - Still a memory trip after nearly 70 years. 

I remember John French, Bob Holden and Brian Foley in those Mini Cooper S. Didn't need just raw horsepower, the handling, the braking, just incredible. I used to go to Warwick Farm and Bathurst as a kid. I also remember there was a race circuit near Katoomba called Catalina where they were virtually unbeatable as it was a tight, turning circuit.

The Highway Patrol or as it was known then as the STP used them in Sydney. I remember I had a Mini K, took over from the Mini Deluxe. It cost $1800 brand new in 1969. A Cooper S set you back $2400 but the insurance for a Cooper S for a young bloke like myself was hard to come by and if you got it, bloody expensive, What days!

The Cooper S also had a heater unlike the Mini K. I found out how good car heaters would have been when I went down to Perisher one winter.

-- Edited by DMaxer on Thursday 10th of February 2022 08:07:04 PM

peter67 wrote:

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yobarr wrote:

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Magnarc wrote:

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I once did 30mph in a Morris minor. Absolutely exhilarating.

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Yes,Phil. "Exhilarating" is a good word to describe the Mighty Morrie! No power,no brakes,no handling and dangerous at any speed! Mind you,with a well-tuned 1764cc Ford GT motor,and a few other modifications,they were a lot of fun.Cheers

-- Edited by yobarr on Thursday 10th of February 2022 04:38:09 PM

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 Magnarc, or getting together with mates and hiring small scooters so you can slipstream each other at 60kph.

Yobarr do you remember the BDA? escort Garry Rodgers used to race, watched him at Calder in the 70's.

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Yes Peter,I do remember that,even though I was more in to rallying,and dreamed of being able to afford a similar car to rally! Garry Rodgers has probably done more to help new drivers than has any other team owner.Think:- Jamie Whincup and Garth Tander for starters.Cheers

Bicyclecamper wrote:

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189 mph, for me on a Ducati Super Sport 900cc Motorcycle, and on the same day in 1979, four and quarter hours from Sydney to Ballina. Today, would I do it again, at age 20, as I was at the time, probably not, even as a soldier back then, their was not much wisdom between the ears.

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 This obviously is actual drive time. Does not include any stops. Did Sydney to Coffs Harbour in 6hrs including re-fuelling

and toilet stops on a brand new Suzuki GSX1100 set up by Neil Chivas and Alan Hale. Speed restricted by the amount

of fuel burn. At anything above 200kph (around 7500 rpm from memory) one could actually see the fuel gauge moving.

So Bicyclecamper four and quarter hour a bit optimistic but good BS around a camp fire after a few beers.  

I remember going down a hill and thought it was never going to stop! But, as far as I can recollect it never had any problems it just kept going.