Death of a Top Fuel Harley

[TheMlc4life]

whats the redline on a bike like that its doesn t sound like it revs that high but i don t know shit but i am still very curious.thanks

[compmc]

@TheMlc4life Idles @ 2800 and thru traps @ 4900

[TheMlc4life]

@compmc thank you very much..

[zmxncbv1011]

6.76s, nice

[superpieman32]

hard to see with a crappy camera holder

[compmc]

@superpieman32

So think about the fact that the camera was an 8mm casette, and it was shot at 1/2 a mile away, not to mention the digital zoom from the late 90's video camera, I hope this is an acceptable explantion for a shakey pixalated video quality.

[1micster]

@superpieman32 - Then don't watch it you dumbass

[HEDSHOT]

I want to see the bike aftermath

[turbocarr]

These guys must have some monster size nuts to ride these bombs on two wheels. Damn!

[SteelBustingBiker]

Remember this! Wind drag looks to be the reason driver was suck out of "Tuck" with his weak side thrown up and twisted out of ride.

[brokewrench1]

160 on a Nitros V max, No fairing, no wind shield. Eyelid started to flap with goggles on.

[redneck350chevykkk]

that is 2/8 's or 1/4 engine of a top fuel dragster car

[farty1000]

I hope he was ok jeeeeeeeeeez 208mph on ur ass yikes!

[REDxFROG]

at least he could drive a bike

[allenokeefe]

@compmc the HD vs JAP bike thing is so played out...I ride an R1, my dad just retired from the HD factory and has always ridden HD....they are both bikes THE END. that being said, even though I ride an R1, there is no badder bikes built than what comes from the HD factory, be it a flat tracker or a drag bike, or a hill climb bike...they are absolute bad ass!

[xilix]

I remember the first time my visor came up on my at over 120mph. My neck was tweaked for months, and I am lucky to be alive, because it took everything I had just to stay on and slow down. I can't imagine that happening at 208mph. There's just no way you can resist that wind.

[1oldbaddog]

this just in...dont sit up at 200+!

[allenokeefe]

@1oldbaddog Ive sat up on my R1 around 160ish....well, not really sat up, but i put my helmet outside of the protection of the fairing, and thought my neck was gonna snap...i cant imagine getting blown off like a kite at 208mph!!

[coal4life]

I've been at just over 150 mph a few times and that was on my old shovelhead with the white knuckle death grip. On the highway no less. Leather jacket, chaps ect. I always kept in mind that if I lost it I would be a turd hitting the cheese grater.

[willsonnss]

never wave at high speed

[51geezerglide]

Saw a similar accident in Numedia, PA last year when a guy got blown off at over 225 mph. Same reason. He went to hospital but was ok. He called the track and wanted to ask one question--- "How fast did I go?" Bike was trashed after it continued on at into the woods at the end of the track. These guys are insane for speed!!!!

[xXShadowRejectsXx]

damn these bikes are huge

[DasTuefel]

Only one word can describe that ..... OUCH !!!

[scott93257]

Glad the gentleman is ok too...Must have been terrifying

[scott93257]

That thing sounded REALLY nasty...Good thing the new bike has a fairing on it eh?

[smallblocksupercharg]

i hope hes ok

[1958wvpicker]

been to the AHDRA's in Rockingham, and Bristol

seen alot of close calls but nothing like this

that was fuked up

Rich in WV

[PrebleSportsLive]

bill furr didnt die. he had a horrific crash at texas motorplex but after a short stint in the icu he is back in the sport.

[compmc]

@PrebleSportsLive The video did not say Bill Furr died..........Just that Bill "allmost" died! We are happy to have been racing with Bill since his 04' tire explosion!

[sssarsss]

@PrebleSportsLive the headline doesnt say the rider died... it says the harley did, which im pretty sure took place

[specialks1953]

That didn't go as well as expected.

[chazoclock]

holy crap!

[Ajanek]

The back tire is ridiculous!

[ptschafer]

Nature is a bitch.

[gkitchens1]

wind deflection...hard lesson learned. i see they fixed it though so good for them, bet that guy hurt. fairings aren't just for cool looks, with a bike like that they HAVE to work proper or someone might die next time.

[Robin1646]

Hardest bike ive ever seen!!

[alloypony02]

Thor ~ What A Hammer !

[bigbefan]

yes, it's a harley !

[surefoot4x4x4]

I notice most riders have to lean to the left to counter either a cross wind or torque. It looked like he rose up early and out of behind the fairing and of course the wind took him off. Good grief its so amazing he is still alive. Incredible power on just 2 wheels WOW. Sorry for the owner too. That was a crazy video, compmc Keep the shiny side up.

[slapleatheru3]

Wow!!!!!!!!

[BackstrokeOfTheWest]

That had to hurt.

[texaschoppers]

not good for the home team dammmmmm hope hes ok..tex in va...

[son8god8damn]

that thing is huge these guys have some balls

[CooperCycles]

AHDRA events dont necessarily post Harley AD's all around the track. Just because you cant see advertisement for Harley Davidson doesnt mean he isn't riding one. Rockingham Dragway only has one advertisement for Harley Davidson and it sanctions the AHDRA Screaming Eagle Nationals annually. Congratulations on chiming in on a topic you dont know about and making your selves look like idiots :)

[Rich606]

Ow. Ow ow ouch.

[jtp0321]

OUCH! Fucking physics.

[enigmaPL]

falling off at 208 mph? ouch central

[nyczumazooma]

Shit, i didnt really need to see that. What was his 1/4 time though? @08mph sounds very fast.

[thenaturalone1976]

What a ride.....that dude had some ballz...all I can say....

[scott93257]

DAmn that thing sounds mean

[mrbillmacneill]

Glad to hear your rider lived to tell the tale. reckon it would have been tough to figure out what happened with out the video and a living rider. i think the bigger fairing should help your times too.

[GOBbluthagain]

Lucky he survived that..

[callagan44magnum]

steve, how are you?

[guitarguy950]

TUCK MORE

[akracer1]

Glad he was ok. Scary thing to watch.

Thanks for the show.

[justwired]

name one stock harley part in that motor

[barfoeng]

Who said anything about it being stock? It's Top Fuel...

[InsanityHere]

@justwired That's funny, I know I don't have the best screen, but I dont see any Harley ads around him anywhere. He's running a drag bike. The reason you see a V-TWIN, is not because he wants people to think he rides a harley, but for the torque value that's going to get him down the 1/4 mile.

[kruser79]

@justwired Name one stock part in a NASCAR motor (whether Ford, Chevy, OR Toyota); name one stock part in a Suzuki Pro Stock Motorcycle, or a Harley, or a Buell, or a Kawi; My point is this, the faster a racing vehicle is, the fewer pieces of it came off of a showroom stock version of that same vehicle.

And this is across the board, so what does it matter?

[Hemi4127]

@kruser79 becuase he doesnt uderstand the meaning of "top fuel" and why they arent allowed in stocker classes...hell most of the decent street cars are runing aftermarket (note for Justwired that means non factory) aluminum heads and so forth..manufactured by independent companies that are no way related to the orginal manufactuer. hp is hp i dont care what the package is !!! i respect the sport bikes for what they are and what they are not but at the end of the day its a bike

[Bf2FlyBoy]

@justwired The name?

[MrOmonoiatis]

@justwired the brand patch

[1v1oCODoStatus]

@justwired The emblem... maybe

[HEDSHOT]

@justwired Lol

[Bamchucknorris]

@justwired The colling fins... lol.

[hfjde]

@justwired the name? :P

[BarneySaysHi]

@justwired the logo?

[idunnosia]

look at the power of that thing

[Iced9Earth]

to wicked for me.

[XZaapryca]

I sat up at 160mph earlier today, no problems. However, I'm a huge dude so the wind has to work a little harder for me. ;)

[craigmcvey]

idk how big u are but i dont believe you. im weigh almost 300 pounds and i ride a 600. i was doing 168 and then slowed down by letting off the throttle no braking and sat up at 140 and i had some trouble keeping myself together.

i highly doubt at 160 u wouldnt have any trouble. i caould imagine u would be able to stay on but it would be tough for sure.

[XZaapryca]

I'm 330 you little twig. ;) I ride a 1352cc and sit up all the time for "air braking." I'm not saying it's super easy, but for me is just a touch more windy. Of course, I'm stronger than the average person. Perhaps the reason why it's so unstable for some is that the physics involved can affect a lighter, 600cc bike more than a much larger one? Weight, wheelbase, aerodynamics, center of gravity, etc.

If you're ever in the Portland, OR area we could ride and I'll show you. :)

[doodlepugg]

@craigmcvey well try riding a street fighter then. I had a bandit 600 with a tuned gsxr 750 engine, no fairings and renthal mx bars. you had no choice but to sit up, and yeah you get one hell of a neck ache at 140+ and the front end gets stupidly light too.

[scott93257]

@doodlepugg

Holy shit...That's crazy fast...and on a QUAD?... Yeah all you can do is sit up straight and take it...and hang on to it like a there was tomorrow..and there wouldn't be if y alet go....DAMN what a power to weight ratio...GSXR 750 motor in a bandit...HOLY SHIT quad man

[MauleM4]

At the young age of 15, I wanted to find out what it was like to sit up at 100mph - let me just say; Thank God they put License Plate lights on the back fender! That was the only thing that kept me from going off the back and No I didn't have Leathers on. That wind at 100+ is strong! I can well image being double of what I experienced must have taken him totally by surprise!

[yamahandrea]

it really sucks

[ntrickn]

I love it when Douchbags w/600cc streetbikes talk of "Pulling the wheel off the ground at 150mph and waving at thier opponent". Such Bullshit! This is what happens when a limb is exposed at those speeds.

[speedemon861]

i have a 2008 R6 and theres no way i can bring the wheel off the ground anywheres close to 150mph i cant even do it at 100mph but maybe thats just cause i suck lol

[tripletrash]

its all about the rider, I cant wheelie at 150 either but I have seen it. the guy bounced it up in 4th(on an old f3 honda no less) and rode it out to 6th. looked like a 150 mph flying squirrle

[TonyBeazley]

sometimes those harleys front wheels don't touch the ground until the finish line....seen it alot of times ....too crazy for me!!!!

[SennaF1GP]

I have ridden Harley's with out a faring at over 115 mph and you need to hug the tank like it was your long lost dog!!!... At over 200 mph even one tiny little mistake and your blown off the bike before you can shit your pants.... I would like to try riding one of these baby's, and I know it takes Huge balls to ride one!!!

[MauleM4]

Are we doing bids here? I know what 140 something is like laying down and I never ever made the sit up mistake ever again! Once was enough for a life time!

On a Bike at 140mph+ a lot of stuff goes whizzing by and the tears run! I did it without a helmet. Yeah, I know, Stupid! Tee shirt and bluejeans. It was one of those rides where you never intended and then you get this stupid idea and well it happens..... All bike riders know what I mean.

[uracyclops]

keep your head down and hold on...

[unclesonnyonutube]

208mph on 2 wheels requires balls like a water buffalo!!

give me 4 wheels and i might try it...

fuck that, make it 6 wheels.

he's way more of a man than me!

[JimmyGliniecki]

haha 6 whee;s sounds good

[unclesonnyonutube]

top fuel dragsters or anything that goes over about 180mph....the fuckers should be on tracks like a roller coaster , just to make sure that sombitch goes in a strait line.

[mysticalmagick]

yea it's dangerous but i'd try it just once just to see what it's like, after that, u won't get me back on one again haha

[dc89dc]

I agree but have you seen ghost rider on here with his 499hp busa? Insane! wheelies at over 210mph like its nothing, now that guy has balls like a water buffalo as you say hahah

[unclesonnyonutube]

ive seen that too...that guys a mad man!

way too much power to be on two wheels. its just not practical to have a 500hp hayabusa

[1stGoRide]

Don't fuck with the wind.

[mysty0]

I had something similar happen when I was riding a KTM LC4 640 on the highway.., one truck came past and I heard a crack which was one of the bolts tearing through the fairing and then the second truck came and the fairing flared out and the bike went airborne sideways. The bike survived and I was just a little shaken

[123kionj]

the power in that bike is incredible, ya know if you catch any air resistance on that bike your flying off, he mustve shit himself

[tornfromgrace]

334 odd kmh is fuckin hookin

[Towtox123]

poor guy first race of new season

[imstm]

i dont want to sound dumb but i don't know that much about bikes.. what are fairings?

[compmc]

Wind deflectors

[FranciscoSRO2]

@compmc the harley can reach 208 MPH ?!

[herbiedrumr369]

good answer but that may not help,all the "body work" (the plastic that "wraps" the frame of the bike.

[tornfromgrace]

fairings r pritty much the plastic covers on a bike more on sport or supersport bikes as apose to a naked bike

[ribenawrath]

plastics designed to displace the air as you move

[XxXFPVXxX]

Basically, a fairing is the piece on most bikes that surrounds the headlight. It is the big piece right at the front of the bike. It offers wind resistance to the rider- or forget staying on at higher road speeds!

[89powerup]

@imstm man get the hell out of here with that. that would be like asking what are body parts to a car..Why cars have windows and things like that.

[breakbeatfanatik]

@imstm The plastic body pieces that give a bike the shape are called fairings, it's not dumb I didn't knew it either. :P

[imstm]

@breakbeatfanatik thanx :P.. i only have knowledge about cars.. i got no idea when it comes to bikes

[SmokeRises]

@imstm fairings are the bodywork surrounding the frame and motor used to help the bike create less drag. drag meaning wind resistance

[308scoutrfl]

@imstm fairings,are the plastic/fiberglass panels that cover the engine/body/etc.

[TheTwoStrokePower]

@imstm its the bodywork of a bike man

[TheDrakenZ]

@imstm fairings are more like body panels, like fenders and quarter panels.

[1mean13]

their EXPENSIVE!!!!!!!!!

[parisTDR250]

fairings are the plastic parts of the bikes.they are aside of the bike and at the front.for example supersport bikes like moto gp have fairings.

[srtgt500]

ouch. thats all i gotta say about that

[Loknology]

Did he survive that......especially going over 200 miles an hour???

[Brainiac83]

Good thing his pinky didnt get caught in the excuses blast there.Reason he got blown off is because the bike has no fairings..geesh, i dont see MotoGP riders riding without fairings..Wonder why.

[compmc]

Brainiac 83, You are absolutely correct!

The fairing is too small so we have built a new bike with the appropriate scabbards on the fairing to deflect the wind from the riders hands.

[dlsumner1]

@Brainiac83 try strenghthining up your for arms with some weight traing fairin or no fairing you will have the strength to survive

[twinstatespeedway11]

dang man

[garrett6699]

Hey, the bike still made a 6 second run!

[matrox]

OK I see someone said the wind blew his hand off the grip, yeh that could probably happen when adjusting your grip.

[driftability]

Its a dangerous sport but someones gotta do it!.

[animallover017]

/I have seen lots of bad accidents like this as I work frist aid at our local drag strip, il tell ya top fuel bikers are crazy! they go straight and only straight...... wether that is down the track or into a wall..... ive seen it happen and it usually doesnt turn out very well

[iGRAFF209]

o dam thats firebird raceway my dad races his boat on that lake

[GavinS1965]

Ye don't take both hands off the bars at 100mph.FFfffffuccckkk!!

[steveak93]

He didn't. The wind blew his hand off the bar.

[GavinS1965]

No,I did once,it ain't good!I saw a top fuel Harley once,hiked up on the edge of its tyre,the bloke had his left leg out all the way up,trying to keep it upright,sheeeit!

[blasterowner]

ye! i saw it too firs the hand than his other hand than he falled off@!

[djn00nan]

wish i had the balls to run those things, fuck, i tip my hat to any1 who runs top fuel anything. wat were his injuries?

[slot962]

That almost happened to Angel Sampey(OR WHATEVER HER NAME IS NOW)

[MikEtheGimP]

i ride a naked bike and i had to back off at 160 because it felt like somebody was grabbing my shoulder and trying to pull me back. it did this even though i was tucked in about as tight as i could possibly be. scary as hell..... yet very exhilerating

[audix123lol]

Its Hard To Hold The Camara In So Much Zoom !

[stoker20]

People who don't understand wind pressure on a bike should ride as a passenger. At only 50 mph if the driver flattens himself on the gas tank real quick the passenger will get blown off the back of the bike if they don't grab on real fast. Or,, stick your hand out the window of a car at seed and feel the pressure. At 200+ it would be like getting hit by a freight train.

[Nelsontim64]

Hi-five just a little to soon

[christmastreeorange]

I fell off the wagon a few times....lol

[dominofreak306]

motorcycling: -> and the people tell me I'm crazy for skydiving...^^

[336Torana]

well like most things, the hardest part about the sport is the ground!

[Mr572u]

That's gonna leave a mark!

[dreamofus]

You do have to have a big pair of balls to sit on one of them!!!

[fredfordguy]

The top fuel bikes must be the hairiest things on wheels..I enjoy watching you guys do your stuff...

[DatBoiNice99]

Wow i know this doesnt have anything to do with the guy comming off the bike but at the end of the video it named some drag bike riders who died one of the names was elmer trett i didnt know he died dragin i thought he died in a motorcycle crash off the track.

[GlockThis]

No at the track.

So significant was Trett's contribution to the sport that the NHRA named Trett one of its 50 Top Drivers of All Time. While Trett's racing career spanned three times that of most racers, he died tragically at the NHRA U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis on September 1, 1996, while making an exhibition run, one of his numerous endeavors to bring more attention to motorcycle drag racing. He was 53

[compmc]

"GOD SPEED ELMER"

[FerrilEwok]

oh damn and that was one sexy bike too :(

[the13joker]

shit thats was scary

[CJracer7]

the wind pulled his hand off the bars,he wasnt waving 2 the crowd

[Elliotmx16]

ur right. you dont wave running 200+ mph lol

[snerby141989]

He wasn't waving. The wind yanked his arm from the handle and it went downhill from there.

[madtorque]

that's why we do it, the thrill

[eclipse188]

lol looked like he barely tapped the throttle on the burnout hehe

[adminontrollgubben]

Ye your right, only like 15% throttle

[Prototypexl]

You don't listen do you

[smelanirose]

Gives me the willies just watchin. ^^^

<3 you daddy :)

[loathar21]

I got to see fuel bikes run once in Columbus. These guys have BIG BRASS ONES!!! I don't think the front tires touched the track till the finish line.

Truly a sight to see!

[Boog250]

Yeah, I watched them race in houston a few times this year and Its crazy..

[AndrewCock]

lucky guy.

[jdpavers]

omg

[spikedgav]

Im glad the guy survived. He must have nightmares.

[babaluboo123]

I go out to the ahdra events and it looks to me like trying to ride a 800+ hp unicycle! I think there are a lot of fine points/things that have to come together perfectly to be able to ride one of those. Firstly, one must have an Olympic quality brain.

[stratotanker518]

And a big pair.

[YSBCITTAR]

Shit, thats no good...

[jacalais]

Velcro gloves ??????

[veetwin812]

and people think this s**t is easy,NOT

kirby apathy, AMRA pro fuel rider

[jimmylayers]

Yeah these guys are freakin nuts....most cases making a run where the main means of steering the bike-the front tire-is off the ground.....not my cup of tea

[fool4Jesus52]

Piece o'cake,bud....they steer'em with their butt.Thats why there is always a puff of smoke at the end of the run.The front tire touches the track and it isn't spinning.Kinda like when an airplane touches down.

[ClassifiedZBuildup]

Yep...How does everyone think stunt riders can ride a 20+ mile long wheelie...its all about shifting weight...and trying not to loop it...thats the part I havent quite got down yet.

[jimvaught]

difference in these bikes compared to GP is the G-forces involved, for one thing. like being shot out of a cannon. have seem mopre than a few people blown off pro-stock bikes. in fact, it's the quickest was to get off one if the bike's about to dump....just sit up and let go of the bars. saw steve johnson do it once in houston @190mph...he just slid a ways and then got up and walked to the ambulance with a bruised ass bone and bumps/scrapes.

[grumpybb]

He's incredibly lucky. It's hard to tell, did he go over the wall? It reminds me of Angelle's deal earlier this year where she about got blown off the bike when her hand came off the bars.

[irondragsportster]

I've never seen anyone get blown off a bike before! Is he going to climb back on the fueler?

[compmc]

Steve is a True Champion, He did take a year off to heal his bones and is now riding my new fueler!

[raysrc]

dry the front tire after pushing it through the burnout water

[compmc]

Drying the tire was done before the burnout, Steve was pulled off the bike by the force of the 208mph air when his body came out from behind the fairing!