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A 2006 production model BMW K 1200 S has set a world landspeed record in the I000-1 350cc stock, partially streamlined,
naturally aspirated motorcycle class at Utah's famed Bonneville
Salt Flats. The motorcycle, piloted by 56-year-old Andy Sills of
San Francisco, California. reached an average speed of 173.57
mph and a top speed of 176.789 mph after two runs on the
vast, white plains, where hundreds of land-speed records have
been set and broken since the early 1900s in a variety of automobile and motorcycle classes.
"It was a rare opportunity for me and BMW," commented
Sills, an avid BMW enthusiast, who has amassed more than
300,000 miles collectively on four BMW motorcycles within
the last seven years. Sills went on to say: "The best part is that
our record on the stock BMW K I200 S matched to the mile
the historic last record run of 173.68 mph by Ernst Henne on a
specially equipped streamlined BMW! He must have been
watching over us."
Sills, who began making his mark on the Bonneville Salt Flats
four years ago and who holds the world 80cc and 100cc
motorcycle streamliner records, also clocked a record speed
of 169 mph, riding the K 1200 S two-up with passenger Erin
Hunter. The pair received a standing ovation from a cheering
crowd of fellow competitors as they made their way into the
pits.
The records, which were ratified on October 2S, 2005,
were set September 8, 2005, according to rules set forth by
the Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), the century-old, Swiss-based governing body for five motorcycling disciplines (road racing, motocross, trials, enduro and track racing).
Another record at Bonneville was achieved by Brian Parriott
and San Jose BMW, fielding the BMW K 1200 R Power Cup
bike, setting an AMA speed record for unstreamlined motorcycles in the I300cc class at an average of I64.4BO mph and a
top speed of 167.331 mph. San Jose BMW also is no stranger
to Bonneville, having previously set the 1OOOcc world record
with its infamous R 100 "Wrecking Ball."
92 NOVEMBER 23, 2005 • CYCLE NEWS
