World's Fastest Passenger Train in China Breaks World Speed Record

China's railways ministry said Friday that one of its passenger trains had broken a world speed record, travelling at 486.1 kilometres per hour in a test run, state media reported.

The feat -- a record for unmodified conventional commercial trains, according to the ministry -- was achieved on a stretch of track between the capital Beijing and Shanghai, the Xinhua news agency said.

State television showed footage of the white train cruising through the countryside.
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"It not only marks a milestone in the construction of the Beijing-Shanghai high-speed railway, but also is a major achievement of China's technological innovation," ministry spokesman Wang Yongping was quoted as saying.

China is rapidly expanding and upgrading its railway network amid increased pressures on its transportation system, with plans to have 120,000 kilometres of track by 2020.

The railway authority said in July that China would spend about $US120 billion ($A121 billion) to nearly double the country's high-speed rail network by 2012.

Earlier this year, the ministry announced that the high-speed line linking Beijing and Shanghai would open in 2011, a year ahead of schedule, cutting travel time between the two cities from 10 hours to four, state press said.

Once operational, the line is expected to carry 80 million passengers a year -- double the current capacity on the 1,318-kilometre route, the China Daily reported in March, citing railway officials.

During a trial run on September 28, a Chinese high-speed train had set a record of 416.6 kilometres per hour on a run between Shanghai and the eastern lake city of Hangzhou, Xinhua said.

In 2007, an experimental version of France's high-speed TGV train, equipped with two supercharged locomotives and extra-large wheels, hit a speed of 574.8 kilometres per hour on a specially prepared track.

World's Fastest Passenger Train reaches 302mph record speed in China Breaks World Speed Record 2010 Video 

Top 10 Fastest Bikes 2010

Top 10 fastest bikes, hopefully we’ll be impressing the boys with this post. Here is an exhaustive list of top 10 fastest superbikes. We have tried our level best to gather information from various sources, and inter-tallied them. This seems to be a viable answer. Top speed would be considered here under testing driving conditions. If you’re about own anyone please do let us know how it feels to ride them. Here goes top 10 fastest bikes in the world.

10. Ducati 848

 Engine: 849 cc (51.8 cu in), 4 valves per cylinder desmodromic liquid cooled L-twin

Top speed: 159 miles per hour (256km/h)
Power: 100 kW (134 hp) @ 10,000 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed, wet clutch

Replacing the Ducati 749, the 848 weighs 370 pounds and was announced in 2007. The 2009 model was available in Red and Pearl White color. The 848 shares more features with 1198 than its predecessor, the 749, like single-sided swingarm, same rake and trail and same valve angles among many. 9 more after the break...

09. Aprilia RSV4

Engine: 999.6 cc V4
Top speed: 175 miles per hour (281km/h)
Power: 132 kW (178 hp) @ 12,500 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed, wet clutch

This is the successor to the Aprilia RSV 1000 R motorcycle which began manufacturing in 2004. The RSV4 was unveiled at the International Piaggio Group Convention in Milan, Italy. During its first full season of World Superbike racing, Max Biaggi aboard the RSV4 reached the podium 9 times, and won one race at the Brno Circuit.

08. Suzuki GSX-R750

Engine: 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC
Top speed: 190 miles per hour (306km/h)
Power: 110.3 kW (150 hp) @ 13,200 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed constant mesh

Introduced in 1985, the Suzuki GSX-R750 features a 750 CC 4-stroke engine and weighs 437 pounds. It easily goes to 300+ km/h and is priced at $12,000. It has an excellent body work and is the most powerful, efficient and cleanest running production engine Suzuki has ever produced.

07. Yamaha YZF R1

Engine: Forward Inclined Parallel 4-cylinder, 20 valves, DOHC, liquid-cooled
Top Speed: 186miles per hour (297 km/h)
Power: 128.2 horsepower (95.6 kW) at 10000 rpm
Transmission: Constant mesh 6-speed

Lets discuss 7th position in the list of top 10 current fastest bikes in the world. Yamaha launched the YZF-R1 after redesigning the Genesis engine to offset the crankshaft, gearbox input and output shafts and this “compacting” of the engine yielded a huge dividend in that the total engine length was now very short. The Yamaha YZF-R1 motorcycle, introduced in 1998, was the first significant motorcycle in the true liter class (1,000 cc) “handling arms race” between the Japanese Big Four motorcycle manufacturers (Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha). When introduced, it took the class closer to a true racing motorcycle, and increased the handling capabilities. May be some more improvements it might push it further to the top among the top 10 fastest bikes in the world.

06. Ducati 1198R

Engine: 90° V-twin cylinder, 4-valve per cylinder Desmodromic, liquid cooled
Top speed: 185 miles per hour (299km/h)
Power: 134 kW (180 hp) @ 9,750 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed

Introduced in 2009, the Ducati 1998 is a successor to the Ducati 1098. The 1198R from the Italian manufacturer is available in red, black and white.

05. Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14 – Electronically limited to 299 km/h

Engine: 1352 cc four-stroke, liquid-cooled,DOHC, four valve per cylinder,inline-four
Top speed: 185 miles per hour (299km/h)
Power: 142 kW (190 hp) @ 12,500 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed

This is Kawasaki’s most powerful current bike. Introduced in Tokyo 2005 show, the ZX-14 does 0–60 mph in 2.5 seconds. Also known as ZZR1400, it was also featured in Fifth Gear. It can cover one-fourth of a mile in 9.783 seconds.

04. Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R

Engine: 998 cc, 4-stroke, 4-cylinder, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 4-valve cylinder head
Top speed: 186 miles per hour (300km/h)
Power: 147 kW (197 hp) @ 12,500 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed

With the highest theft and damage loss claim rate of any registered motorcycle, the Ninja ZX-10R is at number four. It is a successor to the ZX-9R sport bike. It boasts ultra-narrow chassis, low weight, and radial brakes.

03. Suzuki Hayabusa

Engine: 1340 cc (82 cu in), 4-stroke, four-cylinder, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 16-valve
Top Speed: 188 miles per hour (303 km/h)
Power: 197 horsepower (147 kW) @ 6750 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed, constant mesh

Standing 3rd in the list of top 10 fastest superbikes the name Hayabusa, translates directly from the Japanese as Pergerine Falcon, the bird commonly attributed of achieving speeds of over 180 mph (290 km/h) and predator of the common blackbird. The name Suzuki Hayabusa is a subtle reference to Honda’s competing Hawk models. When introduced in 1999, Suzuki Hayabusa overtook the Honda CBR1100XX Super Blackbird as the fastest production motorcycle. The first generation of the Hayabusa was called the GSX1300R and was powered by a 1299 cc (79.2 cu in) inline-4 liquid-cooled engine. In the US, the 2008 suzuki hayabusa will boast a price tag of $11,999 and stands still in the list of top 10 fastest bikes.

02. Suzuki GSX-R1000

Engine: 999 cc four-cylinder 4-stroke, DOHC, 16-valve, TSCC
Top speed: 185 miles per hour (299km/h)
Power: 142 kW (191 hp) @ 12,000 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed, constant mesh, Back-torque limiting clutch

Introduced in 2001, the YZF R1 is powered by a liquid-cooled 999 cc inline four-cylinder 4-stroke engine. It too tops at 185 miles per hour. It features dual hydraulic disc brakes at the front and single ones at the rear.

01. MTT Turbine Superbike Y2K

Engine: Rolls-Royce 250-C20 turbo shaft
Top Speed: 227 miles per hour (365 km/h)
Power: 320 horsepower (239 kW) @ 52,000 rpm
Transmission: 2-speed automatic

MTT Turbine Superbike, also known as Y2K Turbine Superbike, is the world’s second wheel driven motorcycle powered by a turbine engine, created by Ted McIntyre of Marine Turbine Technologies Inc and it appears just below Suzuki GSX-R750. Powered by a Rolls Royce Allison 250 series turboshaft engine, producing 238kW (320hp), this motorcycle has a recorded top speed of 227 mph (365 km/h), with a price tag of US$150,000. It is recognized by Guinness World Records as the “Most powerful production motorcycle” and the “Most expensive production motorcycle”. Unlike other contemporary motorcycles (such as the Hayabusa), 2001 and later models of MTT Turbine SUPERBIKE do not have the 300 km/h speed limit self-imposed by Japanese manufacturers. MTT has achieved the 1st rank among the top 10 fastest bikes.

Via - Link

Fastest Woman in the World on a Motorcycle World Record set by Leslie Porterfield

She's breaking stereotypes and records almost every time she gets on a motorcycle. Her fans say she's hot, fast and fearless. Porterfield even has the nicknames to go with it like "Speed Queen" and "Dallas Diva."

But, her official title is "Fastest Woman in the World on a Motorcycle."

"My top average through the mile is 240 miles-per-hour," Porterfield said.

Her top official speed at the Bonneville Salt Flats that got her into the Guinness Book of World Records is 232 miles-an-hour.

"I get a whole lot of people tell me that I'm crazy," Porterfield said. "And, they're probably right. Actually, I know they're right."


It all started when she was 16 in the Dallas suburb of Flower Mound.

"It was more of a fluke," Porterfield said. "I purchased my first bike from a neighbor. It was an old beat up machine. I just thought it would be neat."

And, she says no one was going to stop her.

"I think part of the reason I was so determined to ride was because everybody said at 16 I wouldn't be able to ride this motorcycle," Porterfield said. "There is just no way I would ever be able to ride it."

Well, that fluke encounter with a motorcycle turned into fate as her passion started her ride into the history books, along with a few trips to the courthouse.

"I got a few speeding tickets when I was younger," Porterfield said. "(Then) a friend of mine convinced me to get out on the track."

She started racing at 19. Then she eventually started her own motorcycle shop in Dallas called High Five Cycles. In 2006, she built her first superbike. In 2007, she went for her first record.

"2007 didn't go so well," Porterfield said. "I actually didn't break any records. I broke seven ribs, punctured a lung and had a concussion and I came off the bike at a little over 100 miles-an-hour and had a pretty bad accident."

Her body was broken, but not her confidence. She rebuilt her bike and her dream a year later.

"In 2008, my first record was 209 miles-an-hour which got me into the Bonneville 200 mile-an-hour club," Porterfield said. "The first woman on a motorcycle to do so, which is a huge accomplishment."

Then in 2009 she hit 232 miles-an-hour.

"It's a long time at wide open," Porterfield said. "It's a big test on the machine and it's big test on the rider. Things go by really fast."

Her life has been going even faster ever since with fashion photo shoots and bike building, along with a little time for family and hanging out with her boyfriend.

And when asked if her boyfriend rides she said, "Yes, he sure does." But, can he beat her in a race? "NO, he knows that I'm faster than him," Porterfield said. "But, he's really gracious about it too. It doesn't bother him at all."

Now she has her eyes on another record that has nothing to do with gender.

"I'd love to have the top record," Porterfield said. "I'd like to be the fastest person in the world on a motorcycle."

To do that, she'll have to go faster than 254 miles-an-hour. The fast money says she'll do it.

"It's been an amazing experience," Porterfield said. "I'm really living a dream."

Current or prior Motorcycle Land Speed records in 4 classes:

• FIM Mile Record Class MPS-BF 2000 at 232.522
• FIM Mile Record Class P-P 1000 at 192.930
• FIM Kilometer Record P-P 1000 at 193.077
• FIM Kilometer Record Class MPS-BF 2000 at 232.492
• AMA Record Class MPS-BF 2000 at 232.523
• AMA Record Class P-P 1000 at 192.930
• SCTA Record Class M-BF 1350 at 209.398 AMA APS-BF 1350 at 234.0
• TOP speed: 246.6mph

Video of World Fastest Woman on a Motorcycle Guinness World Record set by Leslie Porterfield