'Late' biker snapped at 284km/h

2005-11-20 22:40

Eduan Roos

Johannesburg - A Pretoria biker who was apparently doing 284km/h on his Suzuki motorcycle has earned the dubious honour of being the offender caught for the highest speed in the Ekurhuleni district.

Chief superintendent Wilfred Kgasago of the metro police said the 34-year-old man was caught at 06:42 on the R59 south at the Kliprivier offramp.

"The Suzuki motorcycle (GSX 1000cc) he was riding had been photographed doing 249km/h on the N3 south a few seconds earlier," said Kgasago.

The man was arrested and was due to appear in Alberton magistrate's court on Monday on charges of reckless and negligent driving, or alternatively for exeeding the speed limit.

"His excuse was that he was late for a breakfast run. This is the fastest a person has been caught going through a speed trap in Ekurhuleni district.

'Irresponsible behaviour'

"He will face a stiff fine or even imprisonment," said Kgasago. "The previous 'record' was 263km/h."

This was the speed recorded by David Griffin on the same type of bike and in the same spot in September this year.

André van Rooyen, national director for the Association for Motorcycle Importers and Distributors, (Amid), said the organisation could not condone such irresponsible behaviour.

"Most people who buy these so-called superbikes know how to ride and yet there are no special prerequisites for buying one of these bikes (which can cost up to R124 000)," he said.

He said the present land-speed record for a motorcycle was 329km/h.

"This record was set with a Suzuki GSX 1000cc, and these bikes are well equipped for reaching such speeds. But, we urge owners to race them on proper racetracks."

Inspector Prudence Mvelase said the man was released on R1 000 bail. She said the bike was being held at Brackendowns police station.

- Beeld