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Court
| | Posted on Friday, February 17, 2006 - 11:31 am: | 
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>>>>Let's not get all pissy over semantics boys. "Factory Backed" is not a "Factory Team"
That's a REALLY accurate statement. Buell has, once again, changed the paradigm. The confusion is understandable; this hasn't been done before. . . at least on my watch.
Buell is understandably very proud of and has a great interest in the XBRR. To that end, there will be extensive factory presence during this early testing with real riders, real bikes and real tracks.
There is a huge difference between lots of "factory involvement" and "factory backed". . . I know having priced both. 
In fact, I see this first outing in much the same way I learned to ride my first Schwinn. . . my Dad was holding on to the seat and my shoulder, lending all the support and knowledge he could. . . he was not riding the bike.
I suspect you'll see, as knowledge grows, less factory involvement in the actual racing . . . and hopefully more TEAM ELVES.
Anyway it happens, I'm already getting hyperpsyched about hearing the first Buell storm down the front straight at DAYTONA! |
Crusty
| | Posted on Friday, February 17, 2006 - 12:17 pm: |
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I'm already getting hyperpsyched about hearing the first Buell storm down the front straight at DAYTONA!
The sweetest sound in motor racing that I've ever heard is the sound of 18 XR-750s coming off turn 4 at the Springfield Mile. I expect that four XBRRs coming down the front straight at Daytona will be equally sensual. |
M1combat
| | Posted on Friday, February 17, 2006 - 12:47 pm: |
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Great post Dave. |
Blake
| | Posted on Friday, February 17, 2006 - 01:05 pm: |
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"These 4 bikes are as factory as it gets" I disagree strongly with that. And Matt, I know you are a Buell enthusiast for sure.
I think that "factory supported" is a better description.
I think some folks would be surprised at how "grass roots" the Buell teams' efforts really are. When we see a separate custom big rig tractor-trailor for each team, then I will agree that they are "as factory as it gets." |
Ceejay
| | Posted on Friday, February 17, 2006 - 01:40 pm: |
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Awesome pics, wishing I was packing up the pick-up and headed to florida... |
Diablobrian
| | Posted on Friday, February 17, 2006 - 03:39 pm: |
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notice the white xb-r undertail on the McWilliams rr? I wonder if they will enclose the tail more for daytona.
I admit I do not know how much effect that has on how well the bike closes the hole it makes in the air.
/edit I also note the lack of the "racing style" front fender.
(Message edited by diablobrian on February 17, 2006) |
M1combat
| | Posted on Friday, February 17, 2006 - 03:46 pm: |
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I seem to remember an anony post about that front fender... Something about it staying stock...
I would assume that it "might" cool the brake caliper better... I don't know though. |
Nlegrett
| | Posted on Friday, February 17, 2006 - 05:04 pm: |
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love that pic with the front wheel off the pavement!!! - my new screensaver!! |
Diablobrian
| | Posted on Friday, February 17, 2006 - 07:02 pm: |
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I thought that for air cooled twins body work was pretty much anything you choose.
Kinda the reason they get to design fresh plastic for the RR. |
Jon
| | Posted on Friday, February 17, 2006 - 09:00 pm: |
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It's exciting to see Warr's in action here...wow. I wish I could go. Actually, I could go, blah, blah, blah.
It's going to be great. I wonder what the chances are that Buell will make a DVD of this event that can be sold to enthusiasts. |
Blake
| | Posted on Friday, February 17, 2006 - 11:58 pm: |
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I dunno, but if they don't, we should! |
Coolice
| | Posted on Saturday, February 18, 2006 - 12:26 am: |
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The bikes look "stealthy" in the black and from a Batman movie.
I can't wait to see/hear them at Daytona.
THIS IS GONNA BE GREAT!
GO BUELL!!!
And like the announcer said last October in Daytona before the Thunderbike class went out for practice, "And now the REAL motorcycles are going on the track"
Just thinking of the sound of the RR's going around the east banking.....ooooo it's gonna be great! |
Dylanfan53
| | Posted on Saturday, February 18, 2006 - 08:33 pm: |
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Anyone notice the large diameter spools on the swingarm for the rear stand? Anyone have a source for those? |
Slaughter
| | Posted on Saturday, February 18, 2006 - 08:48 pm: |
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Dylanfan53 - the problem is those spools mount to the swingarm which is chain-converted. I guess what I'm saying is that to get those spools, you're going to spend more than $2500 for the whole rear end conversion. As far as I've seen, none of the street swingarms are threaded to accept sliders/spools
(Message edited by slaughter on February 18, 2006) |
Dylanfan53
| | Posted on Saturday, February 18, 2006 - 09:03 pm: |
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Yeah, I noticed that too. I was kind of hoping that they were held on by what looks like a steel clamp around the swingarm, in which case it might be adapted to the stock arm. I haven't see that before so I thought I'd come out of lurk mode to ask. Maybe I'll make a few phone calls Monday.
Thanks for the response. |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Sunday, February 19, 2006 - 12:19 am: |
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The final price on the XBRR swingarm hasn't been set, but it surely won't be $2500. The XBRR swingarm is a standard XB9R/12R (or S) arm with new billet end pieces welded on to allow for chain adjustment. Unlike previous ProTwins/FX Buell swingarms, it retains a 30mm axle, and is stiffer than those previous arms that ran a 25mm axle -- but it's not as stiff as a stock XB arm. The axle clamping on the production bike adds measurable stiffness. |
Slaughter
| | Posted on Sunday, February 19, 2006 - 01:26 am: |
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Anony - I'm just pissed that I built mine one piece at a time. $30K is a bargain.
I think I paid about $2500 for all the chain conversion bits. DANGIT!
I gotta talk to Mario at Glendale about us getting a couple of them once this initial feeding frenzy is done. |
Slaughter
| | Posted on Sunday, February 19, 2006 - 11:03 am: |
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By "a couple of them" - I mean a couple RR's! - not a couple swingarms. |
Captpete
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 - 03:53 pm: |
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I can't believe how much better that machine looks in black!
If I could find my way to Mr. Anonymous’ shoulder as one of those little guys that whispers advice into your ear, I’d drive him batty:
“Pssst,” (with a couple of finger jabs in the neck every two or three seconds,) “Buell… The Dark Horse, different in every sense. Think about it.”
“Pssst, Buell… The Dark Horse, different in every sense. Think about it.”
“Pssst, Buell… The Dark Horse, different in every sense. Think about it.”
“Pssst, Buell… The Dark Horse, different in every sense. Think about it.”
“Pssst, Buell… The Dark Horse, different in every sense. Think about it.” |
Bomber
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 - 04:14 pm: |
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ditto on the stealth look!
and, since there are 4 entries, they could be known as the Four Horsemen . . . . .
I would also like to see less factory teams and more factory involvement in racing -- it would do away with the latest silliness from Honda, for one, and offer better racing for the fans and participants --
I will, however, not be holding my breath ;-} |
Whodom
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 - 04:43 pm: |
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they could be known as the Four Horsemen . . . . .
Oh man, would that be an awesome TV spot or what? Smoke coming across the track and four all black XBRR's roar out of it at full bore! Man.... |
Midknyte
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 - 05:27 pm: |
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Are you sitting down?
The four horsemen of the a-pack-o-laps  |
Court
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 - 06:11 pm: |
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Cool beans ! |
Blake
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 - 06:12 pm: |
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I agree, the understated satin black finish is wicked cool.
Whodom,
And just prior to that, queue up AC-DC's opening to "Hells Bells" or some other fitting hard rock tune. |
Court
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 - 06:12 pm: |
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By the way. . . the bikes at Daytona will not be black. But, I confess, it's quite cool looking!
Much research went into the colors. . . .
Remind me to tell you something . .
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M1combat
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 - 06:42 pm: |
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Like when you stare at them for long enough then look at a white surface they're red, white and blue  ? |
Blake
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 21, 2006 - 11:34 pm: |
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All black bikes with riders in black leathers and black helmets would be super attention grabbing. A more profound marketing scheme does not exist. |
Captpete
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 22, 2006 - 02:50 am: |
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A more profound marketing scheme does not exist.
Black: The subliminal HD logo. They'd see it... and be there.
(‘Course that would take some of the fun out of owning a Buell. “Hey – nice looking Harley ya got there, bub.”) |
Benm2
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 22, 2006 - 07:21 am: |
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Army of Darkness (WERA endurance racing team)already has the black-on-black theme going, with the added touch of the skull & crossrods on the back of the riders leathers.
I like the blue & yellow. Hopefully that color combination will eventually be as connected with racing & motorcycles as orange & black, lime green, bright red, or yellow with black stripes.
Will the SpeedTV microphones pick up the low frequencies? Will they be transmitted that way on satellite TV? If so, I've GOT to get the surround sound system (with the subwoofer) hooked up to the TV before the race. I want the on-bike camera segments to shake the floor! |
Blublak
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 22, 2006 - 12:13 pm: |
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Hmmmm.. I think (and yes, I'm totally biased here) that the bikes should be Blue and Black.. With a stripe in the nations colors.. Think about it..
Cicotto's bike would be black with blue fender, tail and airbox cover.. with a Stars and Stripes 'strip' running down the main side fairing. McWilliams would have the same basic colors with a Union Jack .. etc..
Hey, it's a thought.. |
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