When Rob first built the Big Bad Nitro Daddy Hayabusa, he did not know who the driver would be, but he certainly wasn't envisioning me! I'm 5'2", 110 pounds, and I couldn't even touch the ground when we put a seat on the 'Busa. We ran it at Bonneville sitting directly on the battery so I could reach.
Of course, I didn't get to ride the 'Busa on the Salt in 2010, but I did make a couple of runs on our friend Matt's Honda Blackbird, even though I had to stretch up on tippytoes while waiting at the start. I loved the run, but my support team had to hustle to get back to the pit ahead of me and catch me as I coasted in so I didn't tip over and embarrass myself.
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| Not much shows around the fairing |
Last week, Rob brought home a bike that will be designed with me as the rider: a 2000 Aprilia RS 50. Yep, a 50cc 2-stroke. What a powerhouse! We're still contemplating what its final configuration will be. Modify the body? Widen the fairing? I look pretty small behind the stock fairing without leathers and a helmet, but will I be small enough in full gear?
What about the engine? There will need to be some modifications if we are going to run nitro methane.
Meanwhile, I have the bodywork cleaned up and the ugliest of the decals removed. I've zipped around the block on it a few times, getting up to a hair-raising 47mph. It's little, but the Aprilia is fun, and it's mine. Sort of a Bitty Bad Nitro Lady.
