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Top 5 drag strip heroes

Published: 23 April 2009 Updated: 19 November 2014
  • Santa Pod
    Santa Pod
  • Kawasaki ZX-10R
    Kawasaki ZX-10R
  • Suzuki Hayabusa
    Suzuki Hayabusa
  • BMW K1300S
    BMW K1300S
  • Suzuki B-King
    Suzuki B-King
  • Yamaha V-Max
    Yamaha V-Max
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In this week’s issue of MCN the BMW K1300S challenges the Suzuki Hayabusa for the speed title. But they’re not the only bikes capable of blistering straight-line pace… here’s 5 bikes that beg to be taken to the drag strip.

Thrashing a bike flat-out down a strip is something every rider has to try at least once. As MCN road tester Chad puts it: “No matter how old I get or how many bikes I test, I still get a huge adrenalin buzz when I ride hyperbikes like these.

“When the speedo passes 170mph and the bike is still accelerating. It’s a high like no other.”

Here’s 5 bikes that bring the fun of the drag strip to a traffic light near you:

 

Suzuki Hayabusa

Suzuki GSX1300R Hayabusa (2007-current)
“Suzuki have played around with the GSX1300R Hayabusa’s styling without losing the original’s looks and character, as a result the new Suzuki Hayabusa looks really sleek. Engine capacity had increased and so has power and torque. Handling hasn’t been significantly improved, more a gentle step forward however the brakes are a miles better, and about time.”

 

Yamaha V-Max

Yamaha V-MAX (2008-current)
“The V-Max is what happens when you mix 1679cc and nearly 200 horsepower in a motorcycle that’s one part cruiser, one part sportbike – and all parts thrilling. Pick up the throttle and hold on tight… you’ll be doing 90 mph before you say, “Holycrapthisthingisfast!”. It’s a thrill ride of epic proportions – the V-Max redefines the word torque. It produces the kind of acceleration that you feel in your chest.”

 

BMW K1300S

BMW K1300S (2009-current)
Triumph’s standard Street Triple mixes Triumph Speed Triple style with the tech of a Triumph Daytona 675 engine. It’s light, fast, fun, agile, stylish and cool… and it just got even better. The ‘R’ version comes with fully-adjustable suspension and fiercer radial four-pot Nissin front brakes, making it the perfect bike to tempt UK riders away from their sportsbikes.”

 

Kawasaki ZX-10R

Kawasaki ZX-10R (2008-current)
“The new Kawasaki ZX-10R scores an easy five out of five; it surely must be the fastest production 1000cc bike of the current crop. But this ZX-10R is not all about Kawasaki’s new blistering engine and head-banging attitude, it’s controllable and handles much better than the previous ZX-10R. Not for the faint hearted, the new ZX-10R is a true superbike for the road.”

 

Suzuki B-King

Suzuki B-King (2007-current)
“The verdict is still up in the air on the Suzuki B-King. It seems you either hate it or love it. What can be said for sure is the B-King is very fast, enough to match a sports 1000. The B-King is a lovely road motorcycle, has loads of torque and is easy to ride despite its size. It’s smooth, has good brakes and its only weakness is its soft rear, which results in a lack of traction when pushing really hard.”

 

If you’re thinking of buying one of the above models from MCN Bikes For Sale, get insurance quotes from a number of motorcycle insurance providers in one place with MCN Compare. 

James Keen

By James Keen