The other day, I was on my way to the grocery store, and while waiting for a red light this motorcycle with 2 guys on it pulls up next to me. Not sure exactly what it was...a Ninja or something like that. Anyway, as we're waiting for the light, this guy starts revving his engine...a lot. I think to myself, 'hmmm...that extra dude riding on the back can't be too good for his power:weight ratio'. Ah, what the hell, there's about 1 mile of clear wide suburban road ahead of us (speed limit 55mph). So the light turns green and I slingshot about 2 car-lengths ahead of him. I can hear him smokin through 1st gear, then 2nd, and just as he pulls about even with my bumper and ready to powershift into 3rd at redline and fly past me, he accidentally DOWNSHIFTS...I hear his engine make this ungodly sound as he overrevs it and drops way back behind me. I had to wonder if the guy riding on the back was actually the owner of the bike, and was just letting his buddy ride it...pretty funny, eh?

Bob W.
'99 A4 1.8Tqms, APR 1 bar, Brullen cat-back

As a former CBR owner, I can tell you that any sport bike, 600cc or more (that's the smallest in the US), with a competent driver, including the dead weight of a passenger, would smoke you completely in a straight line. A 900-1100cc sport bike could probably do it while shifting at mid point in his power band.

I seriously doubt the driver downshifted. He would have to be an ultra klutz to "accidentally" downshift when he meant to upshift on a sequential shifter. He probably missed the shift, let out the clutch and sent the revs through the roof in the same gear.

I can also tell you that carrying a passenger on a sport bike is a real chore when you're not used to it. I used to tell mine to make sure they reach around and hold the tank and not me.

It will be a learning experience for him though. Besides, racing cars, with the exception of exotics like a Viper or ZR1 was considered "bad taste". :)

Best,
Jeff 1999 2.8 30V QMS Wett

how it should've gone! Like Jeff said, sounds like he missed a shift. I think anyone who's ridden a bike has done that, it does sound awful.

98 VFR wit 2 bros exhaust