10-Time Canadian Motorcycle Drag Racing Association Champion
When people speak of motorcycle drag racing in America, most notable Rickey Gadson (Kawasaki) and Ed Krawiec (Harley-Davidson).
Sure, Canadians are known for hockey and publicly funded health care, but one Canuck is bringing something else to the forefront – motorcycle drag racing.
This is Ethan Barkley, a 10-time Canadian Motorcycle Drag Racing Association CMDRA Championship. “EB” continues to destroy the Pro Street competition aboard his 500-horsepower, EB Speed Suzuki GSX-R 1000.
His latest feat came in the 2011 CMDRA, when he won both the Pro Street category, and also the Street class aboard a Suzuki Hayabusa.
And this man has ties to America through Icon, the motorcycle apparel company based out of Portland, Oregon. In the above video, Icon gives us some insight into the quick world of its rider, Ethan Barkley.
Speaking of the video, Icon says: “The key to getting his Suzuki GSX-R 1000 to reach speeds of 190 miles per hour and post elapsed times at almost 7.5 seconds is light weight, big power, and of course high traction.
“However, combining those elements together can make for one wild ride, which is why Barkley is well protected with Icon’s Overlord gear and Airframe Carbon helmet. Thanks to Barkley’s innate ability to control this two-wheeled rocket, he makes it look easy. Ethan invited us out to the drag strip for a first-hand look into what it takes to be one of the most successful Canadian drag racers of all time, and how he manages to keep 500 horsepower glued to the pavement for a full 1,320 feet.”
