OT: RE: Lexicon -Flying Broom and Motorcycle

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 79267

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "hp_lexicon" <steve at h...> wrote:
>
> ...edited...
> 
> (more information here: http://www.hp-lexicon.org/brooms.html)
> 
> ...edited...
> 
> Steve Vander Ark
> The Harry Potter Lexicon

>From the first sentence of the Lexicon Brooms webpage that Steve
Vander Ark - 'God and Guardian of all HP Knowledge' posted above...

"Flying on a broomstick, particularly one which accelerates as quickly
as the Firebolt, must necessarily involve some form of magic
protective field holding rider to broom and shielding against wind and
inertial forces. Without this, it seems unlikely that anyone could
hang on when a Firebolt accelerates from zero to 150 mph in only ten
seconds."

Just for reference Steve, there are a couple of muggle open vehicles,
 motorcycles to be exact, that have the acceleration capability of 0
to 150mph in 10 seconds.

Suzuki GSX1300R  9.86 sec @ 145.80 mph 
Kawasaki ZX-12R 10.06 sec @ 142.00 mph 

The Suzuki has a top speed of 189mph (governor limited, actual top
speed is over 196mph; let's just say an even 200mph), so in the
additional .14 seconds needed to reach a full 10 seconds of
acceleration, I think it is safe to say that it reached 150mph. 

Not that it's important, but I thought I would pass that on to you,
and I thought, as a bit of trivia, others might be interested too.

So, if the Firebolt can accelerate to 150mph in 10 seconds, what do
you speculate it's top speed is? ...200mph? ...250mph?

In my wild imagination, I have speculated that a somewhat small
leading edge dome of windscreen builds up in front of the broom, and
expands as the broom goes faster. It still unbelievably windy, but if
you are lying flat on your broom, it does offer some reasonable
protection from the wind. That would make the broom's top speed 'drag
limited' by the windscreen. (my guess top=200mph; actual top speed
without the windscreen, close to 250mph.)

These are the kinds of things I think about late at night. Really...
way too much time on my hands.

Just a thought, and sorry for the OT.

bboy_mn