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