Like the pursuit of speed records on water, in the air and on four wheels, record attempts on two wheels also enjoy a long tradition. And what could be better suited to a speed record on two wheels than a specially tuned motorcycle?

After the first unofficial records, set by Glenn Curtiss at the start of the 20th century in Yonkers (US state of New York) and on Ormond Beach (US state of Florida), Gene Walker set the first speed record to be officially recognised by the International Motorcycling Federation in 1920: Walker clocked an impressive 104.12 mph (167.57 km/h) on an Indian at Daytona Beach (Florida).