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Madav8tr
| | Posted on Friday, July 03, 2009 - 01:22 pm: | 
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"In other words, a lot more roadracing success than Buell have. "
You didn't bother to answer my question. I didn't ask what series they "competed" in, I asked about their roadracing "success". Particularly with the 990 based Superduke? Like I said before, I have ridden them both on the track and it's no competition. Fielding the SD in Daytona sportbike will be "racing to lose" IMO. |
Trojan
| | Posted on Friday, July 03, 2009 - 01:51 pm: |
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I didn't ask what series they "competed" in, I asked about their roadracing "success".
Considering that KTM have only been developing road bikes for 4 years and roadracing for only a little more, their success is astonishing right up to GP level. Not only that, but the company has had the confidence to assist national championships set up KTM one make racing at reasonable cost, which also gets them massive exposure to boot. How many countries now run Superduke championships and RC8 series? Maybe HD/Buell could learn a lesson from KTM in that department. In the UK at present there are lots of KTM Superduke racers in various Sound of Thunder and Supertins race series, as well as the RC8 cup (which incidentally is far cheaper to race in, including bike purchase, than the badly planned, poorly organised and unsupported XR1200 race series, which has been abandoned before it even started). To date there is not a single Buell 1125R racing in the UK in any series. If you mention KTM to people they automatically think of competition and racing, which is something that the name Buell does not conjur up over here.
I think that you will find that KTM have achieved success in pretty much every class they have set out to enter. The ridiculous irony about the Daytona Sportbike ruling is that they are deliberately allowing the 'naked roadster' KTM to take part whilst specifically excluding the natural choice for the series in the RC8. That would be like saying that Buell can only race the CR variant, or that they can only race against the 600s with a XB12. As I said before, the only reason for that must be that they think the RC8 will beat the current crop of 'Daytona Sportbikes' and it makes the class even more oddball than it already is.
I probably did the team running the KTM in sportbike this weekend a disservice actually, as I have since done some homework on them. They have been racing the SD since last year and have had considerable success racing in the open twins class against 1098's etc. It may have been at lower AFM level but I don't think they will be too embarressed with the performance of their bike. I for one hope they do very well 
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Doerman
| | Posted on Friday, July 03, 2009 - 03:16 pm: |
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Trojan... all of that is good and well, and I certainly agree that KTM's racing roots on many levels are deep and solid.
I'd like for you to reconsider one thing, and that is your characterization of Daytona Sportbike class as "oddball". In other threads, you have referred to it as wacky, if I recall correctly.
Granted, oddball might fit since there is nothing else like it elsewhere on a national level. However, I would advice you do not dismiss this format too quickly, since it is gaining in popularity and attracting a lot brands and riders. This is the series where any one of 10 riders can win on any raceday. Exciting stuff.
It'll be interesting to have a post mortem discussion at the end of the season.
For now, I am highly entertained by this race format and glad to see KTM enter the fray! |
Fresnobuell
| | Posted on Friday, July 03, 2009 - 03:19 pm: |
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For now, I am highly entertained by this race format and glad to see KTM enter the fray!
+1 Ozzie.
Are you going to Laguna? Let's hope Danny can get on the top step again. How awesome in front of a crowd like that! Are they running one or two races? |
Doerman
| | Posted on Friday, July 03, 2009 - 03:22 pm: |
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No Laguna for me 
I am going to Mid Ohio though! 
Only one race at Laguna for both DSB and SB |
Krassh
| | Posted on Friday, July 03, 2009 - 04:56 pm: |
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When is the mid-ohio race? Maybe I will be moved back to PA by then. |
Ponti1
| | Posted on Friday, July 03, 2009 - 08:21 pm: |
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Dont' move to PA...We've got nothing here but 6 months of cold and another 6 months of road construction! |
Krassh
| | Posted on Saturday, July 04, 2009 - 01:07 pm: |
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Well that is where I am from originally. Besides I have KTM Super Enduro 950R so I am good to go in regards to the roads.
Lost my job back in March and not happy with the direction (in the toliet) that California is headed.
I will not be far from Beaver Falls. Little town I am sure you know called Punxsutawney.
Driving back in 2 weeks to do some work on a house my brother in law bought for us for 20K. Then flying back to CA first week of August to finish packing and will be moving out there end of August. |
Ponti1
| | Posted on Saturday, July 04, 2009 - 06:21 pm: |
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Well, since you're equipped properly and know what you're in for, wecome back! Give a shout some time when you're back and want to ride... |
Krassh
| | Posted on Saturday, July 04, 2009 - 10:03 pm: |
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Thanks I will do that. I am currently Buelless but have the KTM. |
Ponti1
| | Posted on Saturday, July 04, 2009 - 10:46 pm: |
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I'm no snob...would be glad to ride with ya, Buell or KTM. Just don't tell me you're riding a Pheonix 125 or a Shadow 250. |
Krassh
| | Posted on Saturday, July 04, 2009 - 11:40 pm: |
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LOL, I do not think I have ridden anything that small other than dirt bikes.
My first street bike I owned was a 1974 Suzuki GT750 water buffalo 3 cylinder 2 stroke.
Rode some of my friends bikes before that and the smallest was a 400.
I should have said yeah I have a Rebel 250 lets ride. |
Ponti1
| | Posted on Sunday, July 05, 2009 - 08:58 am: |
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Rebel 250...That's what I meant. Actually, the Phoenix 125 and Rebel 250 are a running joke on another forum. There happens to be an old thread there with a write-up on each model. So, the very small local forum gets a huge number if "introduce yourself" posts from people that only join to read the write-up. |
Fresnobuell
| | Posted on Monday, July 06, 2009 - 02:38 am: |
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I am currently Buelless but have the KTM.
What happened to your 1125r? |
Krassh
| | Posted on Monday, July 06, 2009 - 11:12 am: |
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Lost my job last March. Was severely upside down on the 1125R so the bank got it back.
I still have my KTM because the payment was the most reasonable and if I had to sell it I could actually get what I owe for it. |
Slaughter
| | Posted on Wednesday, July 08, 2009 - 08:41 pm: |
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By the way - just to clarify - it was a KTM/USA decision NOT TO homologate the RC8 (according to Gulbransen at Laguna) |
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