VTR-Powered Honda Lawnmower Sets Guinness World Record + Video

Dennis Chung
by Dennis Chung

A lawnmower powered by the engine from a Honda VTR1000F Superhawk has set a new Guinness record for the world’s fastest mower.

Honda UK revealed its 996cc V-Twin-powered Mean Mower last summer, claiming it had been tested at a speed of 100 mph but could reach a theoretical top speed of 133 mph. Those claims were put to the test in March at the IDIADA Proving Ground in Tarragona, Spain, with an official Guinness World Records adjudicator on hand to observe.

Piers Ward of BBC TopGear Magazine was given the opportunity to attempt to break the previous record of 87.83 mph set in May 2010 by Don Wales and his Kawasaki-powered Project Runningblade mower. Ward had previously tested the Mean Mower, posting an unofficial speed of 87 mph, making him a good candidate to try for the record.

Ward rode the Mean Mower through a 100-meter speed trap twice, in opposing directions to obliterate the previous record, reaching a speed of 117.54 on his first pass and 115.603 on the return run to get an average speed of 116.57 mph. And to make sure the Mean Mower qualifies as an actual lawnmower, Ward also had to demonstrate that the Mower can actually cut grass.

Honda Mean Mower top speed world record, IDIADA, Spain. 8 & 9 March 2014 Photograph: James Lipman // jameslipman.com

“The original brief for Mean Mower was to create the world’s fastest lawnmower – and now it officially is, by some distance!” says Kate Saxton, Honda Motor Europe manager of PR communications. “We are all delighted to hold a Guinness World Records title and we’d like to thank everyone who was involved in what has been a challenging yet incredibly exciting project.”

The Mean Mower was designed and constructed by Team Dynamics, Honda UK’s British Touring Car Championship partner. The team built the mower from a Honda HF2620 lawn tractor, fabricating a new chromoly steel chassis and replacing the engine with the VTR powerplant. The suspension was specially made for the Mean Mower while the brakes were taken from a Honda TRX420 ATV.

Honda Mean Mower Specifications

EngineVTR 1000F Firestorm/Superhawk (stock)
Size1000cc
Power109hp
0-604 seconds (est.)
MPG40 (est.) (when cutting)
Optimum RPM9,000
PTW ratio532bhp/tonne
Torque96Nm
BodyHonda HF2620 Lawn Tractor
ChassisChromoly 4130 tubing (Custom-made)
Weight140kg (approx.)
Length2400mm
Wheelbase1425mm
Width1150mm
Wheels & Tyres
RearMaxxis/Goldspeed 10 x 10
FrontMaxxis/Goldspeed 6 x 10
Pressure.9 bar
Cutting
Cutter deckFiberglass (Custom-made)
Motors2 x 15amp, 4000rpm
Blades2 x 3mm steel cutting cable
Other
BrakesHonda TRX420 ATV
SteeringMorris Minor steering rack
GearsPaddle shift
Fuel tank capacity15 litres
Exhaust systemScorpion
InstrumentationMotorcycle
SeatCobra (Custom-made)
Dennis Chung
Dennis Chung

Dennis has been a part of the Motorcycle.com team since 2008, and through his tenure, has developed a firm grasp of industry trends, and a solid sense of what's to come. A bloodhound when it comes to tracking information on new motorcycles, if there's a new model on the horizon, you'll probably hear about it from him first.

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