The Match up:

2003 Kenne Bell Cobra



vs.



Note:

This is an example of the bike for illustrative purposes. I'm no bike expert, but this one sure does look like the bike I raced.
It clearly had exhaust. Other mods are unknown.

The Story:

I just pulled the Cobra out of the garage to head to the gym at 7pm. It's a short drive, no more than 2 miles. A long, tiring day at work made the drive a chore almost as I wasn't driving spiritedly like normal. I caught a light no more than 50 yards before the gym entrance when I noticed a bike rolling up in my rear view in the center lane. I was to his right.

The light went green and I rolled out somewhat casually since I was about to turn into the gym when something told me to put it to the wood. I nailed it, admittedly I took the jump...and he chased. I probably put a car on him before he hit it so I definitely got the jump.

My 17" MT ET DR's have seen better days. However, even in their best day they couldn't hook up 600rwtq @ 2,000rpm in anything less than 3rd gear without doing a serious burnout. No burnout here since this was an impromptu race, which happen to be my favorite.

As I said, I nailed it from a very slow roll at the light. The tach hit 7,000rpm instantly as the tires hazed. Ziiiiiiiipppppp, ziiiiiiiiipppppppppp, ziiiiiiiiiiiipppppppp...that was the sound of the blower as I pedaled the throttle 3 times quickly. Each time it smoked the tires. I quickly grabbed 2nd looking for traction. Nada. Ziiiiiiiiiipppppp, ziiiiippppppp...again, nothing.

While I was looking for traction, my opponent on the gixxer was side-by-side with my while riding a wheelie...front wheel to the sky.

Still no traction after pedaling 2nd gear. I powershifted into 3rd. It spun for a second then it hooked. He was out front at this point. It all happened quickly so I'm estimating when I say he was a car length ahead...still riding out his wheelie. He had the throttle pegged for sure.

Third gear is hooking and I started to real him in hard. I was again side-by-side with him when he let out. His front wheel fell back to the pavement and I stood on the brakes praying that we didn't attract the attention of the local police, which we didn't. He rolled up and I threw a thumbs up out the window and an approving nod. I hung a quick right to get off the road and double back to the gym.

Did I win? Don't care. Would I have won if he didn't let out? Don't care.
It was a badass race...picture it...going WOT, blower screaming, pedalling, short shifting, powershifting...all while a biker who was no more than 8 feet away, side-by-side, was riding out a wheelie at full throttle. Great race, lots of fun. I have no idea what his perspective would be of the race, but that's mine. I thought I would share it with you.

Thanks for reading - unit

 

Good kill and good read

 

nice man

 

very nice!
have to love the out of nowhere ***** to the wall!

 

im surprised you didnt get left, could have been a 600 though... 620 rwhp is sure handful on the streets...
despite of all your spinning, it was still a badass race

 

Good story man. Sure it looked and sounded badass from all three standpoints, the bikes, people, and yourself.

 

Good ****...way to start off a post with pics too haha. Power wheelies on a 600cc+ bike are no joke!

 

he didnt get left because the bike was on the back wheel, if he stayed down he would have walked away since he already was while doing a wheelie..

sounds like a hell of a lot of fun..

id say if you hooked even if he stayed on the ground he still wouldnt pull you... would be interesting!
you should go bike hunting!

 

Very cool unit and written like a pro.

 

Sounds like fun and that is what it is all about. Nice one unit.

 

Nice race and well written story.

 

So you lost?

LOL! Just kiddin'! That was a good read. Felt like I was there.

 

Good kill enjoyed the story.

I can't believe I never saw a video of your car Unit.!!!!!
Post some vids

 

Good story, I love racing bikes , they are not used to cars keeping up with them.

 

very nice story and good run, but like stated above, you cant stay full throttle in a wheelie, so thta why he hung right beside you. but still good run regardless

 

Well then it was fair for both of us since I was pedaling it so much.
Racing isn't something I do for competition. I do it for fun...and it was
fun. The outcome of the race really isn't that important to me.

Traction is on the way so maybe the next race will be a little different.

Thanks for all the comments guys.

 

A race story coming from Unit??..

Very nice, bro.

 

Touche, Fadi.

I canceled an order for some 28" M&H drag radials and I just placed an order for some 335 Hoosier drag radials and
some new 17x10.5 rear wheels. I'm also going back to a 3.55 gear so I can actually have some top end again.
We'll see if I can crack off a 9 before the season is done. Doubt it, but we'll see. I definitely can't touch that
orange rocket you're driving though!

 

Nah, not at all. Just a pleasent surprise to see you post a race story. I enjoyed the read. Be safe, brotha.

 

I'll have to make a trip to Grand Blanc this year so I can be a victim in
one of your vids.