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Bikertrash05
| | Posted on Friday, March 05, 2010 - 02:51 am: | 
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They dumped Buell and the Wrecking Crew, now make up a new class for a poorly selling bike. Racing is in HD's DNA? Um, no, just trying to sell more bikes. |
Danger_dave
| | Posted on Friday, March 05, 2010 - 03:05 am: |
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Are you saying 'Win on Sunday - Sell on Monday' works a lot better if there is only one brand in the field?
:-)
(Message edited by danger_dave on March 05, 2010) |
Sparky
| | Posted on Friday, March 05, 2010 - 03:55 am: |
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If Harley had any balls about racing, they should make this race series a showdown by putting in a lone stock Buell XB12R up against these modified XR1200s.
If the Buell wins, then H-D has to cut loose Buell MC so it can be sold; if an XR wins, well, H-D still has its head up its a$$, ha ha. |
Danger_dave
| | Posted on Friday, March 05, 2010 - 03:58 am: |
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Nice. Buell Hur. |
Elvis
| | Posted on Friday, March 05, 2010 - 07:04 am: |
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I think this is more about the AMA getting butts in seats than it is about Harley selling bikes.
I also think it's not a bad thing for us. If the AMA can bring some more Harley fans in and if Erik can get back up and running and those Harley fans stay around for the Superbike races, are they going to be rooting for Suzuki or EBR?
That's one reason I want to be careful not to come down on Harley riders for the actions of their management.
There could be some good allies among Harley riders as EBR moves forward. |
Cataract2
| | Posted on Friday, March 05, 2010 - 07:37 am: |
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So, HD wants to go racing with a class of only their bikes. I guess this just shows they really can't compete.
Oh, and if anyone wants to know how this will go. Anyone remember the VR1000? |
Glitch
| | Posted on Friday, March 05, 2010 - 07:52 am: |
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So, HD wants to go racing with a class of only their bikes. I guess this just shows they really can't compete.
Racing to H-D is marketing. |
Glitch
| | Posted on Friday, March 05, 2010 - 07:53 am: |
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http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2008/02/09/jay-s pringsteen-xr750-replica-street-tracker/
Did someone say XB12? |
Firebolt020283
| | Posted on Friday, March 05, 2010 - 08:01 am: |
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that xb engined street tracker looks a heck of a lot nicer than that xr1200. |
Glitch
| | Posted on Friday, March 05, 2010 - 08:05 am: |
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that xb engined street tracker looks a heck of a lot nicer than that xr1200.
I'd like to see 'em race |
P47b
| | Posted on Friday, March 05, 2010 - 08:23 am: |
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Hey I always wanted an american made or as close to an american made sport bike. Buell was it.
After I rode a Buell the first time I was hooked. Now only if it was water cooled. Wala the 1125R.
The sales floor for most H/D dealers really believe that air cooled is it. Yes it has it's perks.
I'm at the point of wanting to see a american made bike race and win in World Superbike. Air cooled is not going to do it without allot of money behind it and a huge rule change and allot of rebuilds.
Sorry people, I'm still bitter. Bad H/D dealers in Wichita.
We had a chance and H/D cut it off. It will be ten to fifteen years before someone other than Erik Buell steps up.
Ford did the same with there race program in the late 70's and it took a long time before they got to where they were winning. |
Pso
| | Posted on Friday, March 05, 2010 - 09:35 am: |
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As a Uly owner and intend to keep it for a long time, I hop eHardley does OK. I want them to stay in business so that I willhave access to parts if and when I need them. thats all folks. |
P47b
| | Posted on Friday, March 05, 2010 - 10:12 am: |
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Don't get me wrong, I don't want H/D to fail.
They can still move forward. |
4cammer
| | Posted on Friday, March 05, 2010 - 10:33 am: |
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Nice looking V&H exhaust at least. Why they never made one for the XB bikes is beyond me... |
Koz5150
| | Posted on Friday, March 05, 2010 - 11:00 am: |
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Maybe they can start with another V-rod Destroyer class thing... that sure turned out good. 
How long did they make that bike for? Are they still making them??? I have no clue... |
Pwnzor
| | Posted on Friday, March 05, 2010 - 11:04 am: |
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You can polish a turd forever... and it's still a turd.
(Message edited by pwnzor on March 05, 2010) |
Reg_kittrelle
| | Posted on Friday, March 05, 2010 - 11:30 am: |
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Hey Sparky....
What part of spec class don't you understand?
"If Harley had any balls about racing, they should make this race series a showdown by putting in a lone stock Buell XB12R up against these modified XR1200s."
Strange thread, this. I mostly write it off as lingering animus re HD and the Buell execution.
However...
I'm not happy with the axing of the Crew etc., but we ought to stick with facts. Aside from drag racing Harley's racing program is currently MIA. And this is understandable considering the financial mess there in. However... Harley probably has a longer history of racing than any other motorcycle company, and certainly most car companies. Yes, it's most DT, but they've also won a world 250 rr championship (Aermacchi). Recent rr efforts (VR1000) were laughable, but that does not negate history.
And for those denigrating the XR1200 effort, possibly you should check out how popular the three different XR spec series are in Europe.
A decade or so ago, I heard the same criticism of the 883 rr series. Yet, these "heavy, slow, ill-handling" motorcycles offered up some of the most competitive racing that we've seen. This class gave us a number of today's heroes, including Zemke, the Boz Bros., Higbee, et al.
Put equal riders on prepared XBs and XRs, and the XB will dominate. So what?
Put equal riders on prepared XBs and GSX600Rs, and the Suzuki will dominate. So what? And please don't tell me how you waxed a Suzook... just look at the lap times of the 600's at the current Daytona. Check back over the years that XBs have been raced at Daytona... any and all classes and organizations and I doubt that you'll find an XB within 10 seconds of the leading 600s.
Personally, I'd rather ride and XB than any of the 600's, but that doesn't change facts.
Glitch: "Racing to H-D is marketing."
This is true of EVERY company. Another point here. Harley has supported DT for decades without having a comparable street model.
Being young once, and now old, I understand how youth believes that history began with their birth. Fortunately, history has been documented, and all your anger won't change it.
As usual, listen to Elvis. He understands. |
Bcordb3
| | Posted on Friday, March 05, 2010 - 11:49 am: |
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supported DT for decades without having a comparable street model. In the early the Harley guys rode modified 45" harley K model until the advent of the XR750. the 750 was winning everything. Then AMA stared the Honda and Yamaha 650 compete, Harley started losing its strong hold the dirt. the Harley Wrecking was almost unbeatable. |
Fast1075
| | Posted on Friday, March 05, 2010 - 12:50 pm: |
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It's really no more different than Indy Car racing...just another spec class.
Even considering how I feel about the Mother ship...Harley's past at least was infused with racing and was very much a part of their success....i has been a LONG time since that has been relevant...As a youngster I was strongly influenced by the short track XR and the Harley nitro powered hill climbers...
You have to either look at harley race bikes from the harley perspective without comparing them to others...and realize they are only going to be competitive in a spec class...or in comparing them to the others, to realize they are not in that league...I prefer to not think of a harley as a race machine, but rather as a machine that can be raced within it's limitations..much as lawn mowers are raced, or other such odd forms of motor sport competition. |
Ohio_xb12
| | Posted on Friday, March 05, 2010 - 01:39 pm: |
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By getting rid of Buell they affirmed that they were not interested in fielding a world class sportbike capable of showcasing itself on an international stage. Do I think that is lame and does not bode well for getting younger riders interested in their products? Absolutely. That being said I am all about more racing venues and more opportunities for people to get on the track. As a compromise I find myself asking isn't there something out there that Harley can produce a motorcycle to compete fairly against in road racing? Like a Honda Ruckus or something? |
Kmbuell
| | Posted on Friday, March 05, 2010 - 03:42 pm: |
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Thanks Reg, an honest look at reality. Too much kool-aid being consumed here to have common sense. I didn't understand where the thought process of "Harley isn't into racing"? Huh?
Kevin |
Danger_dave
| | Posted on Friday, March 05, 2010 - 03:52 pm: |
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>>lingering animus<<
Stop that, You'll go blind. |
Madduck
| | Posted on Friday, March 05, 2010 - 04:03 pm: |
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I believe that Paul James, who just qualified for the 200 on an 1125, is Harley Davidson communications manager. I doubt very much that its just some sort of marketing plan. Harley people go racing and a lot of them do well. Harley corporate is at best unreliable when they go racing, primarily because they respond to slowly to be competitive.
Harley does best with supporting independent dealers and race teams, not by running the show. I think we can all agree that Harley doesn't do well at total control racing. |
Wbrisett
| | Posted on Sunday, March 07, 2010 - 05:51 am: |
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I'm not holding my breath expecting great races in this one, but you never know. BMW has done similar things with the boxer cup and some of those races have been fun to watch. In fact, I would love to own one of those Boxer replica racers that BMW made for a few years. 
But I can also see where this race could turn out to be pretty boring. I guess at this point we'll just have to wait and see. Although I'm in total agreement with folks that pretty much any Buell in this race would kick the XR1200's butt. |
Lemonchili_x1
| | Posted on Sunday, March 07, 2010 - 05:43 pm: |
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If H-D hadn't shut Buell down, I would view this announcement very differently, and a lot less cynically.
A spec class series like this has a lot of potential for some great racing. The 883 series was very successful here as well, and there hasn't been anything like it for a number of years.
I, however, would much rather have seen Buell be sold instead of shutdown, and a spec class series based around the 1125CR announced 
I think Dale put's it nicely:
http://dalefranks.com/cycles/index.php/2010/03/har ley-davidson-racing/ |
Swampy
| | Posted on Sunday, March 07, 2010 - 09:37 pm: |
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If HD (spit) hadn't of shut down Buell the new racing class would be kind of a cool curiosity than a FU kind of moment. |
Paint_shaker
| | Posted on Monday, March 08, 2010 - 11:54 am: |
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I played with the numbers trying to create a package to get something going;
$11,000 for the bike, $3,500 for the kit and $200? for an AMA license and you are eligable to go to the track. Total $14,700
Per weekend costs, $650 to $1100 fuel/hotel/food A first place win would cover the expense of a race weekend. 2nd place MIGHT. Fuget-a-bout-it if you throw the bike down the track.....
Anybody wanna send me racing??
(Message edited by Paint_shaker on March 08, 2010)
(Message edited by Paint_shaker on March 08, 2010)
(Message edited by Paint_shaker on March 11, 2010) |
Buellerandy
| | Posted on Monday, March 08, 2010 - 01:04 pm: |
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If I had the money, I'd gladly buy your bike, kit, food, expenses for race license, tires etc for actual race weekend just to see you throw it down the track, get up, dust yourself off, and rip open your suit with a "HDFU" shirt on underneath giving the thumbs up
But thats just me- adolescent I know. |
Paint_shaker
| | Posted on Thursday, March 11, 2010 - 10:13 am: |
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FYI... James Gang/Hoban Brothers will race this class |
Slaughter
| | Posted on Thursday, March 11, 2010 - 11:24 pm: |
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Racing is in our DNA? Seems that their DNA comes from a small gene pool.
Racing is in their roots?
OK - aren't roots what keep you TIED TO ONE SPOT?
Buell - the Pegasus (with WINGS fercripesakes)
(Message edited by slaughter on March 11, 2010) |
Paint_shaker
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 - 02:11 pm: |
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The AMA has released the rules package. The class is open to racers who currently hold an expert license. |
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