by Mark
114mph might not sound like a massive speed to hit on a motorcycle. However, when you consider this particular motorcycle is a hearse…a trike…being driven by a vicar…your perspective changes!
The Reverend Ray Biddiss, 57 from Halifax, West Yorkshire, had to hit over 80mph at Elvington Airfield in his custom built trike hearse to be entered into the Guinness World Records book.
Well the clergyman managed to blitz that by hitting 114.1mph in the bike which is used for real funeral services as well.
The trike hearse is a Triumph Rocket III with a 2.3 litre engine built by Liversedge based DTB Panther Trikes to the Rev. Biddiss’s personal specifications.
Biddiss, who has been a biker for over 40 years created the coffin carrier after a near miss on the road.
“I nearly got wiped out on a ride and realised if I had done I would have to be carried to my funeral in a car, and I didn’t want that. I know some people get taken in a motorbike sidecar but a true biker wouldn’t be seen dead in one of those, so I came up with the idea of an all-in-one hearse.”
The conversion cost £20,000 and is used for personal funeral services.
“Many people who are or have been bikers agree that a motorcycle hearse is the only way to travel for your final journey” he finished.
