HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO DO A LAP OF THE TT?
On a decent day, most riders get around the Isle of Man TT’s 37.73-mile Mountain Course in about 17 to 20 minutes. To do that, they’re usually hammering along at average speeds somewhere between 110 and 130mph, depending on the bike they’re on and how good the conditions are.
Weather makes a massive difference. When it’s dry and clear, the course is quick and riders can really open it up. In the past, when racing took place in all weathers, you were looking at lap times stretching out to 22 minutes or more, with average speeds dropping closer to 100mph.
Nowadays, slower lap times usually come down to mechanical issues or riders taking it steady through damp patches – often in shaded areas where trees stop the sun from drying the track completely.
The fastest lap ever recorded
Peter Hickman set the fastest lap ever recorded at the Isle of Man TT Races on June 9, 2023. Competing in the Superstock TT on a BMW M1000RR, he conquered the 37.73-mile Mountain Course in just 16m36.115s, averaging an incredible 136.358 mph.
His performance not only shattered the Superstock class record but also set the outright fastest lap in TT history.
The slowest lap ever recorded
Not every lap at the Isle of Man TT is about flat-out speed — but it’s worth noting that the slowest laps ever recorded weren’t just riders taking a leisurely cruise. They were slowed by stops for adjustments out on the course, so these times aren't true continuous laps.
In the solo class, Graham Taylor clocked the slowest lap during the 1984 Junior TT, wrestling his 250cc Armstrong around the Mountain Course in 92m4.8s, averaging just 24.58 mph.
For sidecars, Bill Crook and Kenny Arthur set the mark in 1973, guiding their 500cc BSA to a lap time of 72m34s at 31.20 mph.
Average lap times over the years
Can we provide the data in a table format please for average lap times over the years based on each category? So for example, the last ten years of average lap data for superstock, sidecar, superbike and so on.
Which manufacturer has had the highest recorded number of fastest laps?
1. BMW
BMW leads with the fastest lap ever recorded at the TT. Peter Hickman set this record on June 9, 2023, during the Superstock TT. He completed the 37.73-mile Mountain Course on a BMW M 1000 RR in 16m36.115s, at an average speed of 136.358 mph
2. Honda
Honda holds the second-fastest lap. Michael Dunlop achieved this on June 2, 2024, during the Superbike TT, recording a lap time of 16m38.953s at an average speed of 135.970 mph aboard a Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SC82.
3. Kawasaki
Kawasaki ranks third. Dean Harrison set a lap time of 16m50.384s at an average speed of 134.432 mph on a Kawasaki ZX-10R during the 2018 Superbike TT.
We’ve only just started
If you want to dive deeper into all things Isle of Man TT, the official website’s got you covered. If you’re thinking of heading over, check out iomttraces.com/visit for all the info on getting there, where to watch, and how to make the most of your trip.
For anyone looking to get into the racing side of things, the Race Guide is packed with all the details on the different classes, riders, and race schedules. It’s definitely worth checking out if you want to get the full picture.
