| Author |
Message |
    
Charlieboy6649
| | Posted on Saturday, March 05, 2005 - 12:14 pm: | 
|
Boy you people are high strung lately!
"Buell's aren't racin', Harley won't support em', the best rider ain't ridin', the company's doomed..." WHEW, my heads spinnin as of late.
Buell did put up $75,000 worth of contingency. That's quite a chunk for a young company. Yes Buell is still comparatively young...
Harley does own 100% as of 2003. SO, that said, Harley has a deep interest in seeing Buell be successful. Just because their vision for that end doesn't include a full grid at Daytona doesn't mean they don't care. If you'll look at this months Enthusiast, there's an article about the close relationship between HD/Buell in design/engineering ideology. HD is working closely with Buell. That interactive exhaust wasn't a Buell idea. It came from HD. Read the article. I'm with Cataract, wait and see how the support comes. We don't see what happens behind the scenes. The racers have been getting factory insight/support on their motors.
I believe that we all feel strongly about Buell and that's why we want them to race so badly. But racing doesn't sell bikes. Here's why. Buell isn't selling repliracers at the dealerships. They're selling a corner carver. Winning Daytona won't bring the public in for that bike. There's not much left stock about an FX bike and the public knows it. Winning races is nothing more than bragging rights.
Example needed. OK. Toyota has dominated the off road truck series for over a decade. If I am not mistaken, Ford doesn't have a factory team. Privateers, yes. Who has won the JD Power and Assoc. Best trucks consistently for over a decade and had top sales numbers. You guessed it. Bragging rights doesn't equal sales. I think HD will do what it has to to aid Buell in success. What the answer is in getting Buell into the mainstream? I don't know. But I'd say they're well on their way. i.e. Good press reviews in Cycle World, Motorcyclist mag, and features in motorcycle shows on Discovery.
Wan't to make a difference for the privateers! It's up to us... Go to the Badweb Contingency thread and put your $$$ where your mouth is!
Summer needs to hurry and get here so that the zen that is Badweb will return... |
Slaughter
| | Posted on Saturday, March 05, 2005 - 06:12 pm: |
|
I don't know why HD should fund Buell's racing efforts outside the grass-roots level since it isn't obvious to me that Buell helps HD sell chrome or leather buttless chaps.
The enthusiast in me of course would like to see a factory effort but don't know how that would feel to the teams out there now - racing "against" the mother company...
That being said, the cost of running an FX effort for the whole series can be well over half a million when you factor in all costs for a front-running team.
$75K isn't small change but it sure can't keep a race budget in the black either.
(and I got $100 of last year's Buell contingency money for not crashing in Vegas F-USA) |
Chainsaw
| | Posted on Saturday, March 05, 2005 - 07:49 pm: |
|
The only other thing that impresses them is racing wins...
I've heard this before. Win on Sunday, sell on Monday. Any NASCAR fans here? Jeff Gordon won the Daytona 500 in a Monte Carlo. How many of you ran out and bought a Monte Carlo after that race? Anyone? That's what I thought. Total B.S. I can't remember the last time I saw a Monte Carlo on the road. I'm guessing some other criteria must come into play, 'cause if WINS were IT, everyone would be driving one.
Maybe this only applies to sporty vehicles for recreational use. Hmmm...the 2004 SCCA World GT Challenge was won by Tommy Archer in a Dodge Viper. We all have one of those in our garages, right?
I bought motorcycles to ride, not to race. Race wins mean nothing to me personally. I don't think Buell needs to spend millions in a race effort to make their existing owners feel all warm and fuzzy. Does Buell need to spend 7 figures to attract some squid that will ride 2000 miles in his entire life? Hell, might as well bring back Hot Pink wheels and zebra print seats. Maybe giveaway a tank top and flip flops with every bike sold! |
Benm2
| | Posted on Saturday, March 05, 2005 - 10:45 pm: |
|
Who's Jeff Gordon? Does he work with Colin Edwards?  |
Blake
| | Posted on Sunday, March 06, 2005 - 12:49 am: |
|
Steve,
Here's to doubling that this year and more. You thinking of entering an FX race maybe? I hear tell that a fourth place among Buell racers pays $100.
How tought would it be to make the 120% of top qualifying time against Miguel on his factory 600RR FX racer shod with qualifying slicks? |
Slaughter
| | Posted on Sunday, March 06, 2005 - 08:30 am: |
|
How tought would it be to make the 120% of top qualifying time against Miguel on his factory 600RR FX racer shod with qualifying slicks?
Think they'll let qualifying go as slow as 120%? With the size of the fields, I bet they could make it 110% and still get a field of 45 riders.
Weellll me... (I wish!!).... I've got these "issues" about a 2 week old high-side, broken bones and neurological issues... the neurologist won't even let me drive or return to work at my desk til my next MRI of my head in another 2 weeks. My co-workers keep saying to tell them I'm always like this, not to let the oddball behavior scare them.
Can't do much work on the bike til I get more movement outta my busted collarbone and can sit/stand without dizziness. Getting better each day |
Charlieboy6649
| | Posted on Sunday, March 06, 2005 - 11:34 am: |
|
I hope everything comes out ok slaughter...
Here's wishing you well in your recovery. |
Jscott
| | Posted on Monday, March 07, 2005 - 11:15 am: |
|
Hopefully Shawn and his bike are OK. Hopefully they can get it back together in time for the 200.
http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=22159 |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Monday, March 07, 2005 - 11:24 am: |
|
Shawn has sustain severe hand injuries and most likely is out for the duration of the event. |
Slaughter
| | Posted on Monday, March 07, 2005 - 11:31 am: |
|
Shawn has sustain severe hand injuries and most likely is out for the duration of the event.
Oh nooooo!! Hope he can continue the season!!! |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Monday, March 07, 2005 - 11:37 am: |
|
Shawn definitely is out for Daytona, and possibly for the whole season. Jerry Wood highsided in turn one, and the crash took out Shawn. He has severe hand injuries, requiring re-attachment of fingers. Let's wish him the best. That's what I hate about amateur and semi-pro stuff...the turn one melee stuff virtually never happens at the top level. |
Anonymous
| | Posted on Monday, March 07, 2005 - 11:43 am: |
|
Sorry, misinformation in the last posting. There was some mess-up in turn one that took Shawn out, but it was separate from Jerry Wood. Everything else is correct. |
Kenb
| | Posted on Monday, March 07, 2005 - 11:49 am: |
|
awful news, hope Shawn makes a speedy recovery and regains full use of his hand. |
Charlieboy6649
| | Posted on Monday, March 07, 2005 - 01:05 pm: |
|
 Prayers fourth coming |
Henrik
| | Posted on Monday, March 07, 2005 - 01:10 pm: |
|
Sorry to hear about Shawn's crash and injuries. Hope he heals quickly and completely.
Henrik |
Daves
| | Posted on Monday, March 07, 2005 - 01:49 pm: |
|
My thoughts are with Shawn as well. |
M1combat
| | Posted on Monday, March 07, 2005 - 01:50 pm: |
|
"fourth coming"
Fourth??? I thought we were still waiting on the second?
Sorry... Just kidding Chuck . |
Cataract2
| | Posted on Monday, March 07, 2005 - 02:13 pm: |
|
Dang, not good. Hope he comes out of this ok in the end. |
Rubberdown
| | Posted on Monday, March 07, 2005 - 02:17 pm: |
|
Well, dang it! Get well soon! |
Firebolt428
| | Posted on Monday, March 07, 2005 - 02:21 pm: |
|
Man that sucks about Shawn... hope he has a speedy recovery.
Your right everyone above about racing doesn't sell bikes. However it will help some. For example if there is a Buell running in AMA FX and doing well and someone wanted to get a bike to race in a similar class the Buell would be on the list. I am looking to run another class this year and looking to run the Buell and a 600cc.. Guess what I am looking at? Kawi 636. Why? Because it won the championship and its a good bike with great reviews. So the statement that racing doesn't sell bikes isn't entirely true. Racing also is going to help develop the bike for the future.
my 2 cents |
Reepicheep
| | Posted on Monday, March 07, 2005 - 02:52 pm: |
|
Man that sucks. I hope a person as talented as Shawn Higbee can push through this and keep racing.
It would be a huge loss for all of us if this is a career ending injury. |
Ebear
| | Posted on Monday, March 07, 2005 - 03:05 pm: |
|
Hope your allright Shawn,Were all pulling for you here!! |
Jscott
| | Posted on Monday, March 07, 2005 - 03:10 pm: |
|
When I think of Buell racing - Shawn is always the one who comes to mind first. Your in our prayers.
http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=22166 |
Reepicheep
| | Posted on Monday, March 07, 2005 - 03:50 pm: |
|
Wasn't that him in that amazing Motorcycle Online demo for the 96 S1WL doing some amazing right to left transitions along a California highway? That clip is burned into my brain in the catagory "things I never thought a motorcycle could do"... |
M1combat
| | Posted on Monday, March 07, 2005 - 04:07 pm: |
|
Do you have a link to that clip? |
Davegess
| | Posted on Monday, March 07, 2005 - 04:15 pm: |
|
Does anyone have na address we can send the Badweb Get Well cards to? I am sure Shawn could use a little support right now.
Dave |
Reepicheep
| | Posted on Monday, March 07, 2005 - 04:31 pm: |
|
ftp://ftp.motorcycle.com/pub/videos/bikini1.mpg
Other videos of him riding "lesser bikes"  there as well...
http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/mccompare/bikini/sequence.gif
ftp://ftp.motorcycle.com/pub/videos/bikini2.mpg
ftp://ftp.motorcycle.com/pub/videos/bikini3.mpg
ftp://ftp.motorcycle.com/pub/videos/bikini4.mpg |
M1combat
| | Posted on Monday, March 07, 2005 - 04:35 pm: |
|
Dang... No account w/ MO... I can't get in. No biggie . |
Jscott
| | Posted on Monday, March 07, 2005 - 05:18 pm: |
|
Here's another update on his condition.
http://www.cyclenews.com/ShowStory.asp?HeadlineID=7228 |
Slaughter
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 08, 2005 - 01:51 pm: |
|
I have to pump up Shawn's sponsor a bit here - I have to hand it to Bill Bartels (Bartels HD/Buell) for his unvarying support of the racing community.
Bill is a true enthusiast. The Bartels race shop does zero "over the counter" work as a race shop. Bill just supports racers like Springsteen and Higbee with NO expectation of return $$$ into the race shop. Not only that, if he takes pity on a club racer, he'll throw in the occasional access to the machine shop.
When I needed dyno work, he let me spend 2 whole days on their dyno at no charge - just because they needed to learn the ins and outs of the race ECM for their shop race bikes and my bike was ready to go.
I needed case boring and machining - so he set me up with his machinist at Bartels and just left payment between the two of us - and I shouldn't publish how little I was charged.
I didn't feel ready for F-USA in Vegas last year but he said that I could put my bike in the Bartels trailer and head up with Jeff Ecklund. No cost, no requirements or pre-conditions.
Yeah, Bartels is in the business of selling HD's but Bill Bartels is one of the good guys.
It's a shame that they (Bartels HD) do not really push the Buells outside the race teams or I'd really talk them up more.
Bill doesn't even race bikes anymore - he's doing short-track stock cars and just supporting the Buell and HD racing community at a loss to himself.
Now don't go and call the "race shop" and ask for custom engine work - because it really isn't there for the asking.
Wish there were more like him. |
Blake
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 08, 2005 - 05:03 pm: |
|
My best wishes and prayers are for a complete and speedy recovery for Shawn Higbee. |
Davegess
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 08, 2005 - 07:50 pm: |
|
Bill Bartels is one of the good guys
I would second that. He is a true enthusiast. Very n=nice gentleman also. |
Buell2001b
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 09, 2005 - 10:14 am: |
|
Its sucks about Shawn, I am still fairly new to the racing world, but i hope he gets well soon and keep on racing. |
