| Author | Message | ||
     Ebear |
"Huh. It makes me wonder why a guy like Erik,with his history of Road Racing,would want to introduce a 450cc dirt bike" Ft_Bastard....Reason Being...EriK is a BIG DIRT BIKE fan also , in fact all his daughters ride and more than likely his new family all ride too..... | ||
| Ebear |
In fact at Laguna last weekend(AMA Finals) we witnessed three of the four bikes blasting around the track!..We figured 1 of the four broke down before the trial....(probably the Evil HRC bike......) | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Ft_Bastard....Reason Being...EriK is a BIG DIRT BIKE fan also , in fact all his daughters ride and more than likely his new family all ride too..... I understand, but liking to ride off road and creating your own dirt bike knowing, as some have proposed, it to be a loss leader for your company are two different things. Taking Buell's model history, I would say that it would be very consistent to have Buell create a model that could be "tasked" for different purposes (dirt bike, dual sport, super moto, Mono GP). Maybe I'm just crediting the Elves with too much foresight. | ||
| Rick_a |
A Blast has an MSRP of $4,695 and is pretty low-tech and built to be affordable. A no-compromise sporting single is typically not much less than a comparable twin. That's why they've never been popular stateside...that and the fact that they don't satisfy all the spec-sheet street racers out there. | ||
| Ezblast |
mv and Cagiva both wish to bring in sport singles - 6 - 7 thou is their projected price - so far from the different things I've read. GT - JBOTDS! EZ  | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Mono racing is very much alive & well this side of the pond, & I'd rather watch it than moto-gp any day. http://homepage.ntlworld.com/scott_racer99/mono_bi kes.htm There's links on here to take you to suppliers & other European mono sites. Any of you guys want one one or need parts shipping over, just give me a shout & we'll sort it. (Message edited by Mr_grumpy on September 23, 2007) | ||
| Rick_a |
MZ tried that years ago with the Skorpion. They were such slow sellers they are no longer reaching our shores. I really don't think the market is that much different now. | ||
| Ezblast |
A good light single can be powerful enough and fuel efficient - people are getting hipper to different types of bikes out now, and many are looking at singles for those reasons - that reason could spill over to racing also. GT - JBOTDS! EZ | ||
| Mikef5000 |
MZ tried that years ago with the Skorpion. They were such slow sellers they are no longer reaching our shores. I really don't think the market is that much different now. I'm with this guy. The ninja 500 and GS500 both can cruise at 85 mph all day long with no problems. They have bulletproof engines, get 50-70 mpg, and are cheap as hell. Yet how many do you see on the road? | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Most of the low end bikes are just that. Their styling hasn't been updated in years, the components are low end, and quite honestly they aren't "cool". Why would someone want a supermoto? The same driver for it is the same driver for Mono GP. It might just be a fad, but much of what we buy is fad. Motorcycles in general are a fad market. | ||
| Wile_ecoyote |
"motorcycles in general are a fad market" yes, just look at the Harley now. | ||
| Diablobrian |
Current singles and the 500 suzuki and Kawasaki aren't cool based on more than their spec sheets. If they got better components like suspension and brakes instead of being built to a price point they would see an increase in "street cred". It only takes a "bargain bike" like a motard blasting past you in the tight stuff once to gain a whole new admiration for a bike that looks "weak" on the spec sheet for most people. Kind of like the change in how people look at your Buell if you give them an education in Buell tail light identification on a nice tight road.  | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Zactly! You want a lesson in right tool for the right job. Watch the supermoto bikes running up and down Deal's Gap. It doesn't matter what you are riding, they will pass you like you are sitting still. I have to imagine a Mono GP set-up taking that to the next level. | ||
| Mikef5000 |
Honest question, really not trying to sound like an A-hole: Why would a Mono-GP bike be better at the Dragon than a supermoto? | ||
| Wile_ecoyote |
To quote Danger Dave......depends on who's riding it. I know an old man of 65 that could and does smoke alot of riders on a bagger. Its scary at times, but great fun to watch the bags drag. Helps that he raced flat track for 10 seasons! Think he got a metal plate in his head....and silverware to match. | ||
| Barker |
Why would a Mono-GP bike be better at the Dragon than a supermoto? a few things com to mind: (my guesses) Lower CG more mass-centralazation Less Supermoto "hop" easier too hang-off shorter wheel base more feedback thru seat of pants better areo (marginal gains) Might be lighter too. | ||
| Rick_a |
Exactly, and how many street legal supermoto models are sold in the states? Not a whole ton. A few are offroad models that can be registered for road use in most states. I also don't think most buyers understand the philosophy behind the bikes. A majority of people simply buy the "fastest" bike they can afford. Most people still wouldn't own a Buell even after being whooped by one...they merely respect 'em a little more  and complain about how loud it is | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
Think he got a metal plate in his head....and silverware to match. Are you sure you got that the right way round?  | ||
| Glitch |
BHP: 55 Weight: 88kgs That's a pretty impressive power to weight ratio. I'll also second what Barker said WRT why someone might be faster on a Mono, rather than a Moto. | ||
| Reepicheep |
The last supermoto I saw at a BTrax was a $6000 Honda dirt bike, with like $4000 in suspension work :0 | ||
| Chrisb |
Just read this thread this am. The bike is very cool. However.....If I cant put a tag on the thing and ride it on the street it isnt a bike for me. Would love to ride one though just to see how it would carry my 275lb ogre size around the track. would be fun on the commute..hehehehe | ||
| Wile_ecoyote |
Ogre-size....  I'm livin uhh...large? Know the feelin'. | ||
| Barker |
not to hard to put in a stator and some lights to make it legal. https://www.bajadesigns.com/NET/mainframe2.aspx?co ntent= | ||
| Mikef5000 |
Why would someone want a supermoto? The same driver for it is the same driver for Mono GP. It might just be a fad, but much of what we buy is fad. Exactly, and how many street legal supermoto models are sold in the states? Bingo! I see one supermoto a month. It's just not a big market here... yet. It could become one... but I'd honestly be a bit suprised. Keep in mind, I'm talking on the street. I know Supermoto racing is getting bigger and bigger here. | ||
| Diablobrian |
If it is based on a bike that is street legal in stock config. like the drz450sm etc. it will be a snap to make a bike like this street legal. In some states it would even be possible to get the bike inspected and approved even if it is based on an off-road only machine. That is however getting more and more rare as the laws tighten on such things. In the case of a state where they wouldn't want to approve it via the original title it may be possible to get it through based on the various "special construction" exceptions. | ||
| Ducxl |
 Bimota did it with a 650 BMW engine | ||
| Glitch |
Mikef5000 there are scads of Super Motos here, on the street. You didn't see a bunch during MB-IV? They were out in force Saturday, I have pics somewhere. I'd love to take a DRZ450SM, and build one of these. I'd be a little ripper in the hills! | ||
| Chrisb |
I'm digging thru the republic of Maryland-stan MVA stuff right now trying to find something about street legalizing stuff. | ||
| Mikef5000 |
Glitch, you are correct. The dragon is the only place I've ever seen more than one Supermoto in a day (or week, or month), and there are quiet a few down there. Ohio is a big motorcycle state. I see 10-20 motorcycles in any given nice day, but I'm being completely honest when I say I see one supermoto a month. | ||
| Macbuell |
There's really no point to a Supermoto bike on Ohio. Those bikes are canyon carvers that don't do well on highways and are not comfortable for long distances generally. This conversation brings back a question that has popped in my mind a number of times regarding the two-stroke 250cc FIM class. When will the 250cc two stroke class be changed in favor of larger cc'd four stroke machines like has been done by the AMA in motocross? |
