Motorbike Insurance

The world motorcycle sidecar speed record has been smashed in New Zealand.

Kiwi Glen Hayward beat the 19-year-old record by travelling on his 1,000 cc bike at a speed of 272 kilometres an hour on a straight stretch of rural road on the country's South Island.

The time, which beat the previous speed of 222 km/hr set by a Briton in 1986, was confirmed by the International Motorcycling Federation but still needs to be ratified later this year, Radio New Zealand reported.

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Hayward reportedly carried a 60 kilogram weight in his sidecar, as allowed under the federation's rules.

The new speed record is the result of three-and-a-half-years work by Christchurch racer Phil Garrett to break the previous time, the New Zealand Herald reports.

Garrett, who joined Hayward in carrying out a record speed run, clocked up 264 kilometres an hour on the clock.

"It has taken over my entire life for the last three-and-a-half-years and to bring it home to a successful conclusion is stuff dreams are made of," Garrett said.

At speeds of 272 km/h the importance of comprehensive bike insurance is easily seen!