Becci Ellis, a seasoned rider from Britain, has shattered records and made history as she achieved a remarkable top speed of 372.384 kilometre per hour, setting a new record for female riders on a naked bike.
The awe-inspiring feat was accomplished from a standing mile and left the previous record of 340.212km/h, established at the Bonneville Salt Flats in 2015, in the dust.
While you might wonder how a Suzuki Hayabusa could qualify as a ‘naked’ bike, Ellis’s two-wheeled rocket underwent significant modifications. To meet the criteria of a naked bike, the ‘Busa was stripped of its entire bodywork, including side fairings, front cowl, tail, and rear side panels, with only the front fender and fuel tank remaining. This left the fearless female rider with zero wind protection during her record-setting run.
Speaking about the exhilarating experience, Ellis revealed, “You don’t really feel anything until you’re actually at full pelt, to be honest. But I did feel that my head may well have not been low enough because towards the end of the run, I was wishing that it was over because my neck was being pushed back quite severely.”
In addition to the bold move to race without wind protection, Ellis’s Suzuki Hayabusa, affectionately named the “Odyssey,” received various performance upgrades. A turbocharger was discreetly incorporated alongside internal engine enhancements and a straight pipe, resulting in a staggering 350 horsepower. The bike also featured fully tuned suspension, a custom subframe, and lighter wheels, further enhancing its performance.
What makes Ellis’s achievement all the more impressive is the age of the Hayabusa she rode. The “Odyssey” is based on a 1999 model, predating the current-generation 1,341cc Hayabusa and producing 14hp less from its 1,299cc, inline-four engine.
Setting such a record is no small feat, but for Becci Ellis, it’s a challenge she has conquered before. In 2014, Ellis achieved a remarkable speed of 425km/h over a standing mile, earning her the title of the overall fastest female rider in the world. Despite being 56 years old, she shows no signs of slowing down and has no plans to retire.
For those interested in following Becci Ellis’s remarkable journey, she often shares her accomplishments and updates on her Facebook page, where her passion for speed and motorcycles shines brightly.
