Hiro Koiso had set the fastest open bike record on the salt at 227.236mph in 2017. The JIMS/T-Man Performance 135 cubic inch Twin Cam engine is coupled with a C-1R ProCharger on a modified 2006 Harley-Davidson FXD-I based motorcycle that puts out over 400 hp to the rear wheel.
 |
| Photo: Taka Masui |
Again numbering JIMS among their sponsors this year, the team put aero-dynamic assistance into place entering the team into the partially streamlined class. Following the shake-down passes on the first day, on August 27 Koiso clocked a blistering 259.951 mph on the measured mile - the fastest speed recorded in history on a sit-on Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
GPS recording shows in excess of over 260 mph. However, during the timed mile, the front tire began to fail. Koiso was able to keep the bike upright, but extensive damage prevented him from making a record return run.
“We could only make a few runs at the BMST this year,” Koiso stated, “but we learned some priceless information from them. By knowing the cause of failure and what our equipment is capable of, we are going to go even faster next year. Our next goal will be a tribute to the H-D factory Streamliner efforts from 1970, which set a record at 265.492 mph.
“All things considered, we believe it is possible to hit the 270 mph mark. With the JIMS/T-Man 135 incher we have the set-up for it – we just need to work harder.” In response, JIMS said that “we at JIMS are extremely proud to be a sponsor of Hiro Koiso Racing.”