Royal Enfield breaks speed record

A Royal Enfield Continental GT has set a new Australian Land Speed Record in the recent Dry Lakes Racers Australia Speed Week event, held at Lake Gairdner in outback South Australia.

Fielded by SA dealership Motorcycle Revolution and backed by Prancing Pony Brewery, the Continental GT achieved 103.341mph (166.311km/h) on the salt flats to break the record in the '650 MPS-PG' category, for bikes up to 650cc and pushrod engines running on pump fuel.

Jon Guidera, of Motorcycle Revolution, said the Continental GT hadn't required much in the way of modification to achieve the feat.

"The bike had some mild internal modifications such as cams, pushrods, valves and valve springs," he said.

"A Dynojet Power Commander V was also fitted and then it was dyno tuned, which netted around 40 per cent more power than stock and a slightly higher rev ceiling.

"The fastest speed achieved by the Continental GT was 103.341 mph (166.311km/h). The bike performed faultlessly, even in 40+ degree heat, bouncing off the rev limiter in every gear run after run after run.

"It's a testament to the engineering that goes into these bikes from the factory."

The bike was ridden by Frank Samson, who is also the head brewer at Prancing Pony Brewery, which is located just east of Adelaide.

The record attempt was also supported by team boss Corinna and support crew Shane and Craig, Bongo Racing Team, Royal Enfield Australia and New Zealand, Moto National Accessories and Dry Lake Racers Australia.

The Continental GT arrived in Australia in 2015 – click here to read a review of the stock model.

Royal Enfield has expanded its range considerably in recent years, with the latest model to grab attention being the new Himalayan adventure bike. To celebrate the model's looming arrival, Bikesales has partnered with Royal Enfield and Nevermind Adventure to send two people on a 12-day riding odyssey through the Himalayas – click here for more information.