Why hasn't Burt Munro's record been broken?

**Lorax** · 11th February 2007, 22:20

Is it because his record is not prestigious enough? People are chasing the mega-speed (unrestricted) record instead?

Or have others tried and failed?

How hard would it be to try to break that record?

Hmmmm? Hmmmm?

FYI:
The current 'Open' record holder is Chris Carr, who achieved a speed of 350.884 m.p.h.
Burt Munro holds the 850cc record (178.97) set in 1962, and the 950cc record (190.07) set in 1967.

**Switch** · 11th February 2007, 22:39

Possibly because people want to go the fastest, so they arn't put under the same classification?

**babyB** · 12th February 2007, 00:14

On one of his runs, his Indian reached speed of 205.67 mph, earning it the title of "World's Fastest Indian". but it was an incompleted run.

hmmm someone get a 1920 Indian over there & see if they can beat it

**Jaxi** · 12th February 2007, 01:18

Just like when they "retire" some racing numbers from Moto GP etc as a sign of respect to the racer, so it is with Burt Munroes records.

The categorys he raced in have been frozen as a mark of respect... and hence can never be broken...

**idleidolidyll** · 12th February 2007, 06:51

Originally Posted by Lorax

Is it because his record is not prestigious enough? People are chasing the mega-speed (unrestricted) record instead?

Or have others tried and failed?

How hard would it be to try to break that record?

Hmmmm? Hmmmm?

FYI:
The current 'Open' record holder is Chris Carr, who achieved a speed of 350.884 m.p.h.
Burt Munro holds the 850cc record (178.97) set in 1962, and the 950cc record (190.07) set in 1967.

Some years ago (early 90's) Jon White of Christchurch built a bike to challenge the speed record. He spent lots of money (LOTS!) and powered it with a Britten motor.
The Britten itself had a top speed close to 300kph at the time and I seem to recall it getting about 170mph on the Tram Rd at a speed trial with pretty much standard fairing etc.
Jon's bike had the potential to do very very well. At the same speed trial on Tram Rd though, Jon crashed. Tram Rd is not actually a great place for long wheelbase land speed record style bikes. The cambers are terrible and so are the bumps at speed.
Jon eventually went to Bonneville but was plagued with little problems that essentially screwed up his attempt. However, his girlfriend at the time managed later to break a record or 2 on the bike.

Anyone know what happened to that bike and if it ever managed to do better?

**Skunk** · 12th February 2007, 11:58

Originally Posted by Lorax

Is it because his record is not prestigious enough? People are chasing the mega-speed (unrestricted) record instead?
How hard would it be to try to break that record?

FYI:
The current 'Open' record holder is Chris Carr, who achieved a speed of 350.884 m.p.h.
Burt Munro holds the 850cc record (178.97) set in 1962, and the 950cc record (190.07) set in 1967.

The rules have changed and the actual class he set his record in does not exist any more.

It therefore cannot be beaten ever.

The specific part has to do with sitting on the bike with an enclosing body.

**Finn** · 12th February 2007, 11:59

Burts dead, that's why.

**doc** · 12th February 2007, 12:07

Originally Posted by Finn

Burts dead, that's why.

Na Burts living with that young thing Nicole. Saw them talking to Saddam in the carpark at Westhaven yesterday after the Westpac ride.
Actually I think they had been on the ride

**Indiana_Jones** · 12th February 2007, 12:13

Originally Posted by Skunk

The rules have changed and the actual class he set his record in does not exist any more.

It therefore cannot be beaten ever.

The specific part has to do with sitting on the bike with an enclosing body.

so If I made a 850cc or whatever it is motorcycle, got the guiness world records boys to time me and beat it, It still won't count?

if so, that's bollocks.

-Indy

**kneescraper** · 12th February 2007, 18:46

Your right, it wouldnt count....and your also right...its bollocks. Total respect to Burt though. Showing that old school doesnt mean slow and out dated. Just think about the stories that man could tell....

**pritch** · 12th February 2007, 18:49

Originally Posted by doc

Na Burts living with that young thing Nicole. Saw them talking to Saddam in the carpark at Westhaven yesterday after the Westpac ride.
Actually I think they had been on the ride

Yeah I think I saw them too. Were they were standing next to Elvis?

**Simon A** · 12th February 2007, 18:56

Originally Posted by kneescraper

Your right, it wouldnt count....and your also right...its bollocks. Total respect to Burt though. Showing that old school doesnt mean slow and out dated. Just think about the stories that man could tell....

He had some pretty incredible stories and you can read most of them in the book about him. Same title as the movie I think.

**kneescraper** · 12th February 2007, 18:58

Oh really, I will have to pop into one of the book stores and buy it. I didnt know of this book...what have I been missing

**Steam** · 12th February 2007, 19:07

Originally Posted by kneescraper

I didnt know of this book...what have I been missing

It's at the library too, free. The bit of the book that I remember especially is where he lists all the injuries and crashes he's had, all the bones he has broken, what happened when he crashed and why, and at frightening speeds. It's really worth reading, there are heaps of pictures too.