Re: Pikes Peak Hill Climb bans Sportbikes

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Re: Pikes Peak Hill Climb bans Sportbikes

As saddening as the deaths are, I still agree more with Jeremy Toye... A handlebar is a spec, we agree, but again, it doesn't mean it will be a low powered bike. There might already be 100-150 bhp bikes with handlebars, like Yamaha FZ1 and that Aprilia bike with RSV4 engine (I think its Aprilia Tuono?) This logic is flawed.

I think top revs should be limited instead of this. Ban any bike which goes above 10 krpm. High revs with even reasonable amount of torque up there build up such a rush of power that it may be uncontrollable in few situations.
High Torque is ok, it only puts the rider in more control in comparison.

And one more thing:- I would rather be rushing towards a peak's edge at 120 kmph on a Ducati 848, than an adventure bike with a handlebar, if the 848 brakes better (which it should, generally, the low weight, the brakes, etc).


Of course, we need to have the decision maker's viewpoint before we arrive at a conclusion. That I would love to hear.

Re: Pikes Peak Hill Climb bans Sportbikes

I'd say ban all powerful bikes (irrespective of handle bars) altogether. Pikes peak challenge is a maniacal event and they don't seem to have enough (or any) preparations for such catastrophic events (like a crash).

Do read this article about the Daytona crash from the 1st person's account - Witnessing death at Pikes Peak: a first person account of Bobby Goodin's final moments

I'd pick up these lines from the above article because I feel it summarizes the whole thing perfectly (applies to our mad riding in ghats/highways too):

"Pikes Peak is dangerous, has always been dangerous, and will continue to be dangerous. It is accepted, and almost expected, that someone may perish at this event. I fear that this nonchalant attitude towards death has begun to evolve the prestigious exhibition of speed into something demonic and inhuman.


Motorsport is dangerous, that we know. However, Motorsport is organized and planned. That is the difference between a sanctioned event and an illegal festival of speed. To not take proper precautions or plan accordingly in the event of a catastrophe is immature. There is no acceptable reason for this unwillingness towards safety, especially now that the racing is only getting faster."