| Author |
Message |
    
Jon
| | Posted on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 10:15 pm: | 
|
Rocket,
Relax man. Vitreol is not your style. You are passionate and I respect that and you. There's lots you don't know about this whole thing and you are seriously understimating/assuming things. We know what we've been told but certainly not all.
Just relax man...Buell needs a good slap on the back right now, not a slap in the face. Like I said, this is not the usual you. |
Lowflyer
| | Posted on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 10:22 pm: |
|
My ego is bigger than your ego.
I have got to figure out a way to get to Birmingham. |
Rocketman
| | Posted on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 10:51 pm: |
|
No worries Jon. It's always going to be difficult to offer a criticism of Buells Daytona crisis.
I feel the the effort was let down by the factory, which is more disappointing when we hear the problem will not happen again. That suggests to me that the fix is already known. Or more appropriately, WAS already known, therefore could have been avoided.
I've said my piece, now I'll crawl back under my rock.
Peace, out.
Rocket |
Mutation_racer
| | Posted on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 11:29 pm: |
|
rocketman once again there nothing that can simulate racing like racing, and shit like this will happen. and buell will get it worked out , it a long season. |
Ortegakid
| | Posted on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 11:40 pm: |
|
And the words of the small will be eaten with no slight amount of fecal matter! |
Jon
| | Posted on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 11:55 pm: |
|
No rocks for you Rocket...and no rebuke for having an opinion...just slow down a little.
This XBRR thing is just beginning. Some are really dissappointed and therefore angry about the maiden voyage. Not me. Keep watching and be patient. Your passion will not be dissappointed I think. |
Court
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 05:06 am: |
|
I still like what Capt. Pete said. . ."the bikes could have been slow...then we'd had a problem".
Fact is, the bikes were FAST. Go take a look at the series of photos I took of the Warr's Buell leaving the Honda exiting the Horseshoe.
There was nothing at Daytona the Buell was no capable of out handling.
I think it was mass centralization and the ZTL brake system.
 |
Court
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 05:43 am: |
|
quote:Court, what can I do to promote and ensure the future of Buell Racing?
Too many e-mails for me to answer off line, so let me tell you what *I* did, yeah, it's just my personal opinion.
- I wrote a Thank You note to Mr. Jon Flickinger; arguably the best friend Buell and Buell owners have ever had. At long last a true corporate exec with smarts and the cajones to have faith in the talent he leads.
- I went to the Warr's website, write them and thanked them and bought 2 (ouch...the exchange rate) of the MeWilliams race shirts.
- I wrote the AMA Pro Racing people and told them how pleased I was to see DAYTONA back on track to once again be one of the world's premier race events.
Mr. James L. Zeimer
President and Chief Executive Officer
Harley-Davidson Motor Company
3700 West Juneau Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53208
and basically said that of all the companies with great racing histories, all pale in comparison to the legend of Harley-Davidson. I truly appreciated what Harley-Davidson has done, welcome home to where you belong. . . RACING.
I also told him what a visible show of support and their commitment it was seeing Willie G. and Nancy Davidson in Buell race gear cheering on the team. Willie is not a "toss in the towel" sort of a guy and has racing in his blood.
So....while the naysayers argue with each other, I'd urge each of you to
MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
And most of all thanks to you, the folks who have made Buell an American success story.
Court |
Rocketman
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 07:03 am: |
|
The XBRR is slow where it counts. LAP TIMES.
I owned a 750cc pre unit Triumph chopper during my early twenties. Nothing, not even the superbike of the day - GPZ1100B2, could touch it in an 1/8th from standstill, nor top gear roll-on 70 to 100mph. I'd expect nothing less from an XBRR against a Japanese 600cc racing machine. Nor would I have expected a win. A top ten finish might have been possible otherwise I doubt big Willie and his missus would have bothered swopping out of their usual HD attire. But an XBRR didn't even finish a race.
Frankly, to break out the champagne and proclaim the XBRR's Daytona run as a great success is well overboard. I believe more so now we have been told a $25 part failed on McWilliams XBRR. Sure a quiet celebratory 'think of what's to come' drinkypoo's is in order, but blowing smoke up your own arses is anything but magnanimous. If Buell were Honda right now, heads would have already rolled.
I'll pass on the 'T's thanks. My Japanese riding buddies would rip the pistola outta me at Squires Coffee Bar.
Rocket |
Rocketman
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 07:10 am: |
|
Oh, just to be clear, I forgot the  in the above post.
Wouldn't want to be sent to Guantanamo. Know what I mean. Just an opinion.
Rocket |
Steveshakeshaft
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 08:13 am: |
|
I can see a lot of sense in what Court says. The corporate types need to know that what they are doing is getting to the grass roots and is getting noticed. Heck, a couple of Emails of "thanks for the show so far, we're looking forward to the next round" takes a few seconds and is the least anyone can do. There's never been a more exciting time to be a Bueller in my opinion. |
Court
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 08:33 am: |
|
>>>>There's never been a more exciting time to be a Bueller in my opinion.
That's an accurate statement. Pick up the phone and ring Warr's or post a letter. Written letters present a quandary in that they about have to be read, can't be deleted from an inbox and can be morphed into a "trophy" of sorts.
Thank you . . the two most powerful words in the dictionary.
And. . . on a personal note. . don't be dissuaded by the negative folks. Some folks are predisposed to see bad in everything. In school they complained about how tests were graded, how sports teams were selected, they moved on to complain about their jobs and they are generally vile and vindictive...it's like pulling a tractor pull sled through life.
I kinda keep this on my wall:
quote:Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
The same people who, just last year complained that Buell DIDN'T race are now, many of them not ever Buell owners, complaining about HOW Buell raced. Many of them are more vocal than smart.
If you don't have something positive, be it kids, family, music or your job in your life, you'll soon start to sound like these folks.
I realize, pretty much on a daily basis, that I've been showered in gifts beyond what I deserve, the greatest of these is friends. I have an obligation to share my honest opinions, strive to make things better, treat people with respect and not be a whiner.
To me. . . . well, it's fairly simple.
I'm absolutely THRILLED with the fact that Buell is racing and making great strides to involve owners.
Court
(Message edited by court on March 14, 2006) |
Scott_in_nh
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 08:48 am: |
|
Well put Court, you should write for a magazine- your posts seem to always be well written, measured, logical and on target.
Because of that, you have influence over the people who read what you write... |
Clydeglide
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 11:11 am: |
|
they are generally vile and vindictive...
Hmmmm...not exactly words I would use to describe someone whose opinion is different from mine.
And on an internet bulletin board?.......that just ain't right. |
Lowflyer
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 11:34 am: |
|
Hmmmm...not exactly words I would use to describe someone whose opinion is different from mine.
I agree. I would be a lot more vile and vindictive towards someone who attacked my ego. However, Court is much kinder than me. He is also more talented at compelling people to unwittingly expose their jackassedness, and is content in their having done so of their own accord.
 |
Jens
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 11:58 am: |
|
Hi,
back from Daytona after 10 days of work with Buell and the Jeremy Mc Williams “Warrs of London” Team let me say some words about what happened.
It happened that the 160 employees Buell company took the challenge of developing and building the XB “double R” for the Daytona 200, get it qualified with Jeremy to second row before the best FX Suzukis and Kawasakis and also the other 3 Buell Teams qualified to start under the first 20. Than in the end all 4 bikes were out in the race. That’s the facts, so far –so good.
To make the start at the Daytona 200 possible, many good people do the “RR” job after their daily work additional to the running programs for the normal streetbikes. They work since 6 month day and night and compensate with their great engagement that Buell is a small company without unlimited budgets for racing (big difference to the competitors). Thanks to these men and women without their volunteers work it had never happens. The “double R” with all its intelligent details is absolute great and on my point of view what happened at Daytona is only what could always happen if you come out with a new racebike, under the full load of the competition the weakest part show up and break. The right way normally is to go first in short sprintraces and than in the longer distances, unfortunately Daytona is the FX seasonstarter.
And Daytona is a place of special regulations, one of the main problems was the limited track time, the teams signed in and booked what they can, from Hammers to the CCS, also at the vintage races we got some laps but at was on all days difficult to get more than 11 laps together in the same stint, mostly they got only 5 or 6. That’s enough for a sprint race (look at Ricos victory at the CCS) but not enough testing for the Daytona 200. Also to be daily out of the garages between 5-7 o clock in the evening is not helpful to check the bikes after the practice and to prepare them for the next morning.
The limited testing time and too late arriving spareparts were also in the end the basis of the decision to take not the risk to use the slipperclutch in the racebikes for the Daytona 200. We found out how helpful the system could be for fast laps (Jeremy think that’s a second in Daytona) but we were not able to test out the lifetime of the last version and the positive effects for the primary drive.
Erik and the Buell Company made the decision to let the double R out of the box for the Daytona 200 in 2006. A courageous decision balancing between the risk to fail and the chance to get first race experiences. And here is again a big difference to the competitors,
Buell took the challenge now and in front of the spectators, not after 2 years of secret testing on factory owned testing facilities.
And what shows up was great. The engine is running smooth, powerful and cold under any conditions, The chassis and suspension have the potential to met any professional race riders setup, the ZTL front brake is able to go on the track with the best brakes of the industry and the aerodynamic of the RR is a benchmark. Additional the complete construction still have a great potential of more developing.
Okay we were out with all 4 bikes in the end, but at all of these days I feel a special spirit from everybody involved in that project to be part of a new chapter of Buell roadracing.
Thanks to everybody who made it happen, Daytona 2006 was just the beginning.
Jens |
Dr_greg
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 12:14 pm: |
|
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Court-
My wife wants to know (er, so do I) who stated the quote you have "on your wall." I think I'll put it on my wall as well...} |
Sarodude
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 12:23 pm: |
|
Thanks, Jens, for that post!
A bit more light shed on the subject - and on a bright future.
-Saro |
Blake
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 12:34 pm: |
|
Well said Jens and thanks for taking time to contribute that very insightful commentary.
Truth be told, it was a real scramble for the Buell and Harley-Davidson XBRR folks and the dealership teams to be ready for Daytona. Then due to weather and other uncontrollable events, the XBRRs only had a single day of testing at TWS in February. It was beyond bold and ballsy for Buell and the four teams to step up and commit to Daytona with so much still unknown. But they did; not surprisingly they got badly bit, but I am proud that they made the effort.
I have no disdain or malice whatsoever for the Buell racing efforts. They stepped up and are putting their money where their mouths are. Compare that to Yamaha who are unwilling to even enter a machine in Superbike. Ducati didn't field a serious FX effort. Where was BMW? KTM? Who the heck are they in American road racing?
Buell was there, the dealership teams and the factory put it all on the line and now they will pick themselves up, stronger, wiser, and more determined than ever.
One thing folks haven't mentioned here is tires. Dunlop flat out OWNS Daytona. They know that track like no other motorcycle tire manufacturer. That is a HUGE advantage. Tires trump HP and at Daytona, Dunlop is the motorcycle racing tire to beat, period.
I think like Buell with the XBRR, Pirelli will soon be seriously advancing their trade wrt racing in the Daytona 200. |
Jima4media
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 12:41 pm: |
|
Max Ehrmann's Desiderata
http://hobbes.ncsa.uiuc.edu/desiderata.html
(Message edited by jima4media on March 14, 2006) |
Diablobrian
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 12:43 pm: |
|
I posted this on another thread, but I think it's important enough to be repeated:
Here is Hal's contact page:
http://www.halshd.com/contactus.asp
Deeley's is here:
http://www.trevdeeley.com/form/showForm.html?id=2&cid=2
Warr's is here:
http://www.harley-davidson-london.co.uk/pages2/contact.shtml
Buellgirlie added this later
here's the email address for hannover buell in germany (rico's dealer)
info@buell-hannover.de
site is http://www.buell-hannover.de/
be sure to express your thanks to the dealers who supported the 4 teams - and to congratulate hannover's rico for WINNING CCS supertwins the previous weekend!
Contact these dealerships and show your support!
They do this sort of thing to expand their image. They need to know it worked or they won't do it again. |
Slaughter
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 12:47 pm: |
|
We're writing our letters AND stating our reasons for raising funds AND naming a racer we hope to put onto an RR in the racing season AND how it hopes to be tied to streetbike sales.
It aint over til its over.
It's their first race.
TZ750 under Agostini in its first season had major problems - then DOMINATED. Not comparing to the TZ series of bikes (to the end of the OW series of machines) - but it's the first race of the first season. |
Bigdaddy
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 01:01 pm: |
|
Jens,
Ich kann nicht glaube daB ich sie vermiBte. Ich wuBte nich, daB sie kamen.
We, my son and I, were all around your pit area and garage for hours.
Eifel am sommer? Ich glaube so.
G2 |
Lowlife
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 03:58 pm: |
|
One thing folks haven't mentioned here is tires. Dunlop flat out OWNS Daytona. They know that track like no other motorcycle tire manufacturer. That is a HUGE advantage. Tires trump HP and at Daytona, Dunlop is the motorcycle racing tire to beat, period.
On a similar note, bear in mind that Dunlop screwed Buell out of another testing day at Daytona. A practice session was slated for October, but was cancelled due to the hurricane. The track tried to accomodate Buell by setting them up with a day along side Yamaha and Dunlop. Yamaha said it was cool, but Dunlop refused, because the XB-RR was running Pirelli. This according to Roadracing World. I guess the fact that new Buells leave the dealership with Dunlops on them doesn't mean jack! Guess which brand I won't be buying from now on. |
Rocketman
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 04:15 pm: |
|
Court, I wanna be real clear on this. Your psychology sucks. Just because I post an opinion you don't approve of gives you no right to go around branding anyone, me included, as negative. More so when you post that crap above. That kind of crap my learned friend makes you no better than anyone else. Get a life instead of sucking up to someone else's. Why aren't you on the Buell payroll anyway?
Rocket |
Paint_shaker
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 14, 2006 - 07:40 pm: |
|
Diablobrian,
I sent a note to all four this morning... Deeley's has already replied back.
Go Buell Racing!! |
Jens
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 05:55 am: |
|
Hi Greg,
I fly in only for 3 days and didnt want to make noise about that. In the end I stay till sundaymorning after the race, because everybody there give the best to make it happen.
Sorry to missed you, give me as early as possible a notice when you know when you visit Germany.
Jens |
Rocketsprink
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 06:16 am: |
|
Please, refer to yourself as Rocketman. All other, please do the same. I've been known as Rocket for over 30 years. Comes form the fact that MY first name is ROCCO.
How about you SEAN? From the fact that you shoot off at the mouth all the time? This hurts my reputation on the board.
For you that don't know, Rocketman pulls this shit ALL the time when people refer to me as Rocket.
See. I told you ROCKETMAN, your reputation precedes you! |
Rocketsprink
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 06:22 am: |
|
Known as Mr. Know It All. Boy, you English really think highly of yourselves don't you. Like anyone one at Buell knows who the Hell you are. I know some people there. I'll ask if they've heard of you. I don't deny you to the right to you OPINION. But don't expect everyone to agree with it, or bite their tongue either. They have a right to theirs as well. |
Curtyd
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 15, 2006 - 08:02 am: |
|
Let's look at some facts and be rid of the personal attacks, OK? This is RACING and in racing, be it humans, animal, machines or any combination therof, the only thing that matters is WINNING. You can't win if you don't finish. Motorcycles are certainly a fairly complex technology, not nearly as complex as the Space Shuttle, where even they ended up with two DNF's after a 100 or so starts. At least, thank god, we didn't end up with those results.
Erik and Co. have done a lot gridding 3 to 4 bikes in the front rows. That's a lot more progress than the VR1000 did in 10 years I believe. Also, a wonderful innovation is to actually SELL a bike for competition at 30K, that point can't be overstated. It's a real hoot that any manufacturer could protest these entries when their actual FX bikes are costing upwards of 350K in race trim. It may be even a good thing that these early runs are showing significant "learning curve" issues. I agree with the poster that if they walked in and dominated it would lend credence to the protestors.
I can't quite believe the bike will make it as a privateer effort, but just maybe, if a significant number of HD dealers jump on board with this thing then we could have a de facto factory effort. The race I saw on Sunday put the Buell RR ahead of most other privateers but still a bit behind the leading japanese manufacturers on the track. I couldn't get a good view of the back banks, so I'm not sure if they were pulling the same top speeds of the in-line 4's.
The 200 is a hard race and it is admirable that this was the intro of the RR, BUT it is a disappointment to DNF. None of this, nor will our grass roots support matter one whit if the tide turns on the racetrack. We can all take pride that "we were there", but WINNING is what will change the whole game, from corporate HD to showroom sales. I guess I just have to wait and see, right now the score is Japanese Race Teams-1, Buell-0. It is HONDA we are up against, remember. Let's hope the schizo AMA doesn't come in too soon and screw the whole pooch.
We can only go up from here, Erik and all of us got lemons, let's hope for some lemonade SOON. |
|
XBRR Threads Consolidated Here! »
What really happened at Daytona 2006 »
Archive through March 15, 2006