Attempting to Break the World Record!
May 15, 2017
To promote Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, we attempted to break the world record for time spent circling a roundabout!
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 4,975 motorcyclists were killed last year (2015). As a manufacturer of LED motorcycle headlights located in Milwaukee, WI (Harley-Davidson country), this staggering number hits home for many J.W. Speaker employees.
So this past Sunday, May 14th, our team gathered down at the 6th Street roundabout (corner of 6th & W Florida St), where Brandon Yahr, employee of J.W. Speaker, attempted to break the world record for the maximum time spent driving in a roundabout.
| Brandon Yahr with the Harley-Davidson Night Rod he used to attempt to break the current world record. |
| “I was excited for the opportunity to try and break this world record in support of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. Record or no record, safety is a top priority for both me and my family, every time I get on my bike and hit the road.” — Brandon Yahr |
| Kick-off ride over Milwaukee’s 6th Street Viaduct Bridge. |
The event started at 7 p.m. CT with a kick-off ride down 6th street. Yahr then continued on his route in an effort to break the current record of 3 hours & 34 minutes, previously set by Oran Sands in Carmel, Indiana.
| Yahr’s first lap. |
| J.W. Speaker employees with local MPD. |
The goal of this event was to shed some light on Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month (May) and that’s exactly what happened. Yahr’s continuous circling turned more than a few heads, with by-standers and drivers stopping by the countdown clock to see what was going on.
“It was great to opportunity to talk to those in our own community about Motorcycle Safety,” said Kurt Kaufmann, Motorcycle Sales Manager at J.W. Speaker. “By showcasing our LED headlight upgrade, we’re providing every motorcycle rider with a safer way to ride.“
| Still going strong at dusk. |
To demonstrate safety for both day and night riding, the event started an hour before dusk at 7 p.m. with Yahr’s bike fully equipped with a new J.W. Speaker LED headlight upgrade.
| Yahr’s final time was 1 hour and 57 minutes. |
Unfortunately, Yahr lost battery power as he was coming up on the 2 hour mark. He coasted for one final lap, until he was finally forced to exit the roundabout and end his challenge with a time of 1 hour and 57 minutes.