Land-speed legend Sam Wheeler, seen here with the shell of his Parts Unlimited/EZ-Hook streamliner, dedicated much of his life to going as fast as possible on two wheels.

Motorcycle land-speed legend Sam Wheeler, 72, died on Monday at a Salt Lake City-area hospital from injuries suffered in an accident at the Bonneville Salt Flats while testing the latest evolution of his famed Parts Unlimited/E-Z Hook streamliner.

Wheeler’s fully enclosed machine was powered by a turbocharged 1300cc Suzuki Hayabusa engine built by Vance & Hines. According to AP Reporter Brady McCombs, Wheeler “was going about 200 mph when the streamliner started fishtailing.”

Wheeler had pursued the motorcycle land-speed record for more than 50 years. “It’s a goal I’ve had all my life, to have the fastest motorcycle, which I have had a couple of times now, but for some reason that didn’t end it,” the Arcadia, California, resident told The Orange County Register in August, 2014.

Wheeler joined the 200-mph club in 1970 (208.720) and, later, the 300-mph chapter (332.410), noted www.bonneville200mph.org.