which is better for time trials, the spear or the flame runner? my brother says the spear's faster but everyone seems to favor the flame runner.

The flame runner is better on most courses, but there are a few that are better with the spear.

The Flame Runner is for courses thats you need to turn alot and the Spear is for courses that need to wheelie alot.

Use whatever the wr uses. For some couses though where the Spear is better you can use the Flame Runner if you like just so you can set a PR easier.

Most tracks with sharp turns require the Flame Runner, but a few simple ones (DS Yoshi Falls, Luigi Circuit, etc.) are best done with the Spear.

Flame Runner = better drift, while Spear = top speed, so depends on the course.

The Mach Bike has even better drift which is why some courses like DK Mountain and SNES Mario Circuit uses Daisy/Mach Bike even though she has lower speed than Funky.