Vodka-powered motorcycle breaks Bonneville speed record

VODKA AND MOTORBIKES, it’s not usually the best idea. But when it’s the bike consuming the alcohol it becomes a winning combination…

That was the case for a 1980 Yamaha XS850, which was converted to run on recycled-vodka made by Montana-based Montgomery Distillery.

And at last weekend’s Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials, the potato-powered machine achieved an incredible average speed of 113mph at the Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials. The record speed exceeded the original its target of 98mph by 15mph.

The bike was hand-built by the distillery’s owner Ryan Montgomery and is called ‘Sudden Wisdom’ after the distillery’s rye whiskey.

The fuel is made by recycling the heads (which would otherwise be thrown away due to impurities) from the distilling process, which makes a good clean-burning ethanol. The team produced around 10 gallons of the vodka to be used as fuel.

 

#holyshit we actually did it. Nothing official yet, but we blew out the old record with an average 113 mph. Thanks to awesome pit crew and road trip partners @tadworth_vontadington and @coli.cri as well as the help, knowledge and encouragement of @morto279 @missspryt and @diculousrick and our sponsors who didn’t know what they were getting into @seeseemotorcycles @uniongaragenyc @mikesxsnation @bigskybrewing and @blueribbonauto we’re walking on clouds! * * * * * #bonnevillesaltflats #amateurracing #suddenwisdom #missoula

A post shared by Montgomery Distillery (@montgomerydistillery) on Aug 26, 2018 at 5:07pm PDT

Following the record-breaking run, the distillery took to Instagram to thank the pit crew and sponsors, commenting: “Holy shit we actually did it. Nothing official yet, but we blew out the old record with an average 113 mph."

Unfortunately, it appears that Sudden Wisdom's amanteur record was later beaten. But nonetheless, 113mph on a Vodka-powered two wheeler certainly isn't bad going!