Officer appalled after biker clocks 218km/h

A motorcyclist was clocked at 218km/h. Photo / Thinkstock

A police officer who clocked a motorcyclist at 218km/h says it's one of the fastest speeds he's recorded.

Former racer Robert Noel Tichborne, 56, was riding his Kawasaki ZX 1200cc motorcycle on the Napier-Taupo road when he sped past Senior Constable Taina Puketapu doing road speed checks on February 22.

When pulled over about 1.18pm, Tichborne, a mechanic from Clive, told police he was speeding so he could "get home quicker".

Mr Puketapu said Tichborne should consider himself lucky. "This was one of the fastest speeds that I've detected in many years of policing.

"It was fortunate that it ended with the rider spending the day in court rather than in hospital, or even worse, by being another statistic."

In Napier District Court yesterday Tichborne pleaded guilty to a charge of driving at a dangerous speed.

His lawyer, Phil Jensen, argued his client was aware of the "inherent danger" in his actions, yet he was a former competitive bike racer so he "knew speed".

Judge Tony Adeane accepted there were no other motorists on the road at the time.

"The greatest danger presented in this case was to himself," Judge Adeane said.

He imposed a fine of $500, court costs of $130 and a three-month driving disqualification.

After his appearance Tichborne told Hawke's Bay Today he was "remorseful" but had assessed the road and traffic conditions before deciding to accelerate. "I am a skilled rider."

Asked if he agreed he was a danger only to himself, he said: "Absolutely."

"I won't really miss riding for the next three months ... I'm a fair-weather rider."