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These tests were conducted in the UK at Bruntingthorpe. The bikes tested were the Suzuki Hayabusa, Honda Blackbird, and Kawasaki ZX12R Ninja... all of which were donated by local dealerships off the showroom floors. Unlike the ringers donated by the factory like in other magazine tests, these were examples you'd find on any showroom floor, in no way set-up or built specifically for this test.

Bruntingthorpe is a 2 mile straight used to test for ultimate terminal speeds. Unlike other land speed racing events like Maxton in the US where it's a matter of how much speed you can get in 1 mile.. Bruntingthorpe's longer stretch allows these machines to stretch their legs fully.

All three bikes made 3 passes with the SAME rider and let numbers fall where they may. The Blackbird brought up the rear with a respectable (and consistant) 177mph, in the 90's... that was enough to make you king, but nowadays it doesn't get you off the front porch... especially when amongst the company of the other 2 in it's class.

Next up was the Hayabusa which ran a best of 184mph along with a 183mph and 180mph run. Much faster than the Honda... but not quite fast enough to take home top honors that day. Granted, the Busa didn't have it's rear aero hump during these runs, it wouldn't have effected it enough to match the Ninja.

Finally, the Kawasaki Ninja came out and threw down a commanding 188mph to snatch the top speed crown of the day. Although varying from 183,184,188mph on the 3 runs.. it did manage to beat out the Hayabusa by a clear 4mph.

Now I know what you're thinking, "These bikes can go faster". Very true, but the conditions were not as ideal as possible with a strong sidewind present during testing.

Next up was the 1/4 mile testing, again the Honda Blackbird came in last with a 10.39@137mph (also making a 10.53@136mph and 10.64@135mph). Again, before the introduction of the Hayabusa and ZX12R... this was enough to send most people packing.

Following the Blackbird was the Ninja which layed down a best of 10.21@144mph (also making a 10.28@143mph and 10.31@142mph pass). With the Ninja's worst pass being enough to Blackbird's best pass to shame... the Ninja still couldn't bring down the bully of the group, the Hayabusa.

Redeeming itself after the Top Speed tests, the Busa comes back and takes top honors in the 1/4 mile by laying down a 10.05@142mph pass.. followed by a 10.07@147mph pass. It would seem the extra cc's came in handy down low.

For arguements sake, all times and speeds were verified by official certified timing lights.