Canadian Rider Liane Langlois Sets Historic Speed Record

Liane Langlois became the first Canadian woman to set an official FIM motorcycle land speed record, hitting 219 km/h at the Bonneville Salt Flats on a Triumph Rocket III with sidecar.

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Under stormy skies and across a salt surface scarred by weather, Canadian motorcyclist Liane Langlois made history at the Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials in Utah on August 26. The 50-year-old rider became the first Canadian woman to set an official Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) land speed record and only the fourth Canadian overall to do so.

Pushing Through Nerves on the Salt Flats

For Langlois, the conditions were as daunting as the challenge itself. The salt was damp and rough, forcing even the most seasoned competitors to second-guess their runs. “It was wet, it was slippery and it didn’t feel good,” she says as quoted from CBC News. “It was the first time since I started riding that I actually felt nervous.”

Despite her apprehension, she kept repeating a mantra inside her helmet: “I’m almost there. Just hang on.” Minutes later, she thundered past the timing traps at over 219 km/h (136 mph), securing a new world record in the 2500cc sidecar class.

The Bike: A Beast with a Sidecar

Langlois piloted a heavily modified 2012 Triumph Rocket III Roadster, a three-cylinder monster displacing 2295cc and fitted with a weighted sidecar for stability. Race team owner Jeremy Ragle explained that the bike produces nearly 275 horsepower at the wheel, more power than many small cars. “It definitely is not for the faint of heart,” he says.

How the Record Was Earned

At Bonneville, speed runs are carefully measured. Riders accelerate over a three-mile stretch before entering the timed sections at the three- and four-mile marks. Officials then average the two speeds to record the official figure. If the run is fast enough, the rider must repeat it in the opposite direction, with the two attempts averaged again for accuracy.

Langlois excelled on both her passes, and her record was certified by the FIM. She also broke the mark for the fastest timed kilometre during the same attempt.

Breaking Barriers

Beyond the numbers, Langlois’ achievement carries cultural weight. As founder and president of the Alberta Motorcycle Safety Society, she has long advocated for safe and responsible riding. Now, she hopes her success will inspire more women to pursue competitive motorcycling.

“I got the call to run this crazy huge motorcycle with a sidecar, and I’m the smallest girl on the loudest bike, making records. It’s pretty cool,” she said with a laugh.

What’s Next

This year’s event saw only four new records set, highlighting the difficulty of the conditions. But Langlois is not done. She plans to return to Bonneville to chase even higher speeds, determined to prove that her milestone was only the beginning.

“I want people to see what’s possible and I want more women to be part of it.”