Speed Kills

Ride Safely As It May Bethe Last

Ride Safely As It May Bethe Last

It was just a month ago that I had spoken to my friend Rizal. He was all excited about his new ride. A Yamaha R1 which produces a massive 180 horses. It is also a very new model which is manufactured in year 2009. I was a little jealous of him getting to ride this pony as compared to mine which is a Ducati 900ss. Anyway, I was happy for him as a fellow Superbiker.

Ever wondered what is a 180 horsies bike will feel like? Well, let's compare it to our very own Proton Perdana V6. This car produces an equivalent of 170 horse powers. When we do the maths, a Proton Perdana weighs around 1700 kgs as compared to my friend's ride weighing a little more than 180kgs. When we calculate the power to weight ratios of these vehicles, the car will only have 100 horse powers per tonne as compared to the R1's power to weight ratio of 1000 horsepower per tonne. This will mean that if the bike is a car, it will be a monster car having a massive horse power. If compared apple to apple, bike to car, the Yamaha R1 is 10 times more powerful than the Proton Perdana V6.

Now, let's compare the R1 to a formula one car. The rated horse power for Alonso's Ferrari Formula F1 car is 800 horsepower weighing around 800 kgs. When we do the maths again, the power to weight ratio of a Formula 1 car is a massive 1000 horsepower per tonne. Compared to my friend's R1 again, both Yamaha R1 and the Ferrari Formula 1 car have got a similar power to weight ratio. Which means what a Formula 1 car driver feels upon acceleration can be felt by an R1 rider particularly people who rides superbikes. We are talking about G-Force here.

Bare this in mind that a Formula 1 car cannot be bought off showrooms. But a superbike can be bought off showrooms. A Formula 1 car will only be driven by a driver possessing a super licence which is sanctioned by the FIA to drive the monstrous car. FIA had imposed such strict rules that even Michael Schumacher, the former world Formula 1 champion could not get to drive in the 2009 Formula 1 season because of a neck ache. As for a superbike, all the rider needs is a "B" Full license to ride the beast. To attain the license, all the rider needs to do is to prove to JPJ (Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan) officer that he or she is capable of handling the 2 wheeled beasts. He or she will be tested on how to brake, turn a figure 8 and show some hand signs when turning. It is a far cry when compared to a Formula 1 driver to a Superbike rider in terms of qualifications. And they both will need to handle similar powered vehicles when compared apple to apple and power to power.

I am not feeling sour or questioning my friend's capabilities of handling his bike. But the fact that this 1000 horsepower per tonne bike of his did cost him and his wife's life. His wife was riding pillion when they crashed on the North-South highway somewhere around Ayer Keroh, Malacca, Malaysia. They passed away on the spot. It was devastating to hear about this incident as both husband and wife are great people and great friends to be with. Imagine the devastation caused to Rizal and wife's families. Especially to their daughter who is only 3 years old who have lost both her parents at a young tender age?

For those who are considering of getting a Superbike or have already owned one, please remember that sometimes we may forget that riding a Superbike is as close as to driving a Formula 1 car. And these vehicles demands our absolute respect when in or on them. Be reminded that we are riding an equivalent of a Formula 1 car and making the slightest mistake may cost our life dearly. So, the next time, other than making sure your bike is shining and all ready for that glamorous outing, remember that speed kills. It will take us Superbikers to break the Malaysian speed limit of 110 km/h in less than 4 seconds at only in the second gear and sometimes the first gear. The absolute respect for your bike is a priority.

With the sound and shine of the bike, like a knight in shining armour, heading against the wind and defying the laws of physics, please remember this: "it is better late than never". As the power that these Superbikes generate are so great that it won't be shy to give you your last ride if respect is not adhered.

Speed Kills

By: Halim Chew

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