VTEC kicked in, yo

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Grayfox

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Carmaker Honda is not content with bragging about the top speed of its sporty models.

The Japanese maker has also just set a speed record for the world's fastest lawnmower, a mean machine that exceeds open-highway speed limits.

Dubbed the "Mean Mower", the record-breaker is based on a standard Honda HF2620 garden tractor.

Out went the standard engine in favour of a tuned one-litre motor from the VTR Firestorm motorcycle, with 109 brake horsepower on tap.

For the record, the Honda mower was clocked at an average speed of 187.6 km/h in two runs over a 100-metre section of the test track near Tarragona in Spain.

The feat has found a place in the Guinness Book of Records.

Honda says the mower can trim a lawn, too, albeit at a maximum speed of 24 km/h.

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/world/2014/04/12/14/24/honda-makes-world-s-fastest-grass-cutter
 
TB
Tim Taylor would be proud.

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Can't find a youtube video of this quote.

Tim Taylor: I did it! I finally super-charged my riding mower! Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho!
Tim Taylor: Oh, no! I've killed Wilson! Looks like it's back to jail for me! Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho!
 
Grayfox
Out went the standard engine in favour of a tuned one-litre motor from the VTR Firestorm motorcycle, with 109 brake horsepower on tap.
Click to expand...

Having ridden the above motorcycle I can definitely say that it is certainly faster than the silly lawn mower they used its engine for.

Pointless publicity stunts, these world record attempts... ;)
 
Wow, that's quick.

Here's a video of the record run for those that wants to watch it.

 
I can't help but think that there is a Honda VTR with a lawnmower engine in it. :p
 
That doesn't seem right, with that much power it should be able to go much faster.

A 60hp bike can go 125, even with the extra drag it should be going faster than that with almost double the power.



Maybe I should build up the John Deere and beat it...
 
Bopop4
That doesn't seem right, with that much power it should be able to go much faster.

A 60hp bike can go 125, even with the extra drag it should be going faster than that with almost double the power.



Maybe I should build up the John Deere and beat it...
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Gearing and tire size.
 
Slash
Gearing and tire size.
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Easy to change the gearing, takes a couple minutes.

The whole thing looks really well done, I'd have thought that they would have also put some attention to the final drive.
 
Bopop4
Easy to change the gearing, takes a couple minutes.

The whole thing looks really well done, I'd have thought that they would have also put some attention to the final drive.
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True, but if you tamper with the tire size too much it can adversely affect the handling quality. Taller tires generally means a higher top speed with stock gearing but worse handling.

But yes I agree.
 
Slash
True, but if you tamper with the tire size too much it can adversely affect the handling quality. Taller tires generally means a higher top speed with stock gearing but worse handling.

But yes I agree.
Click to expand...

They could run on 5" wheels or on 17's, wouldn't matter as long as they are trying to go straight.
 
Think the engine also powers the blades so it has to go through a transfer case or what ever is used on those ride on mowers to transmit power to the blades.
 
True, the need for it to remain a mower limits the choice of tire size and stance. It basically needs to sit at a height where the blade can reach the grass. No way they're going with bigger rear tires without a full custom build so they can pull the rear differential a half-foot higher off the ground.

Plus, it has the Super Seven problem... i.e.: the aerodynamics of a brick wall.
 

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