I'm just curious, perhaps someone could explain. Yamaha and Honda were mad that Buell was allowed to use the new XB-RR for the FX class. But why? What advantage are they supposed to have?
Modern Jap I-4's have always proven reliable and fast, whether in 600, 750, or 1000cc displacements. Most hot-rodded Buell/Harleys are not exactly bulletproof. Advantage: Honda/Yamaha.
They make about the same power levels, so unless the Buell is significantly more efficient, fuel mileage will be about the same. Tires should be equal (or in Japan's favor). Aren't tires the real limiting factor which determines pit stops in the 200, correct?
Weight, aerodynamics, pit support, suspension, rider talent...all of these things should either wash or be in the Japanese factories' favor.
The only thing I can think of that the XB-RR might have an advantage is maybe rear tire wear. While they are not as fast in a single lap, over the course of 15 or 16 laps the rear does not go off as fast as on a 600. That is just a guess. They are currently about 3 seconds off the pace, so the tires for DiSalvo, Zemke, and the rest would really have to fall off in order for the Buell to be competitive.
I'm just curious, perhaps someone could explain. Yamaha and Honda were mad that Buell was allowed to use the new XB-RR for the FX class. But why? What advantage are they supposed to have?
Modern Jap I-4's have always proven reliable and fast, whether in 600, 750, or 1000cc displacements. Most hot-rodded Buell/Harleys are not exactly bulletproof. Advantage: Honda/Yamaha.
They make about the same power levels, so unless the Buell is significantly more efficient, fuel mileage will be about the same. Tires should be equal (or in Japan's favor). Aren't tires the real limiting factor which determines pit stops in the 200, correct?
Weight, aerodynamics, pit support, suspension, rider talent...all of these things should either wash or be in the Japanese factories' favor.
The only thing I can think of that the XB-RR might have an advantage is maybe rear tire wear. While they are not as fast in a single lap, over the course of 15 or 16 laps the rear does not go off as fast as on a 600. That is just a guess. They are currently about 3 seconds off the pace, so the tires for DiSalvo, Zemke, and the rest would really have to fall off in order for the Buell to be competitive.
Any thoughts?
If the Universe were truly infinite, then Buell could win, because in a world of infinite possibilities, anything can (and will) happen. Not that I'm an astro physicist or anything. But the Universe if finite, right? Ever expanding, but finite. So forget it.
Actually, regarding the infinite universe theory, I believe Steven Hawking had a footnote in his famous book "A Brief History Of The Universe", that said, and I may be paraphrasing here - "even in a universe of infinite possibility, the Buell is going to get it's monkey ass spanked in Formula Extreme"
Perhaps if they were allowed to blow past the chicane on every lap they would have a chance. Ciccotto was up to fourth on the time sheets this morning, but his best legal lap was something like 19th. Oh well, might as well try!
Ciccotto was listed as first for quite a while. Was wrong.
This is an endurance race. Go, set a good qualifyer for a good grid. Then work. Go like hell on good tires, coast when they go off and get to your pit window.
I think a Buell will finish in the top ten. But what can you expect? They, Buell, don't have the money, resources, or testing opportunities that any Japanese manufacturer has.
Reliable sources inside Buell American Motorcycles have said that there will be no competing with the company in the FX Championship next year.
"We figured, what have we got to loose?" said a source close to The Rocket Report. "So we asked the AMA to allow a pushrod / air cooled bike up to 1700 cc's for the '07 season. They agreed, so we thought we'd push our luck a little more, and asked if motorcycles with the letters B U E and two L's painted on the side could be FX legal with a solid rocket booster assisted 20,000lb thrust Jet Turbine powerplant. The AMA said, "Sure, why the hell not!?" So this is what we've developed for the '07 season. It's a spy photo I snapped with my camera phone, so it's a little fuzzy. But you get the idea:
"We're pretty sure it'll make up in the straights what it looses in the turns. It goes 700mph." Eric Bu...er...our source said.
this is the only way the buells have a chance. the jap companies protest and decide last minute to pull out of race. just like mich did at usgp. there is only one problem the buells may leak all their oil out, so they may have to pushed by riders the last couple of laps
FWIW i read an article last year in a Brit mag about the best cornering bikes on the planet. they did a series of tests on the road and track and explained their rules and the buell beet the Aprilia 250 LOL as the best cornering machine on the planet now only if it could go straight without falling apart
"Exercise restraint and discipline, only responding to posts from legit customers and those with constructive positive intent, you will find that the handgrenades explode harmlessly. You have many satisfied customers who are happy to have the parts you've made. My suggestion to you is keep making good parts, keep getting more customers, take care of them and let them speak for you."
I think a Buell will finish in the top ten. But what can you expect? They, Buell, don't have the money, resources, or testing opportunities that any Japanese manufacturer has.
Don't have the money/resources? Gimme a break. Dude - they're owned by HARLEY DAVIDSON. Their pockets are just as deep as HD wants them to be. This is not a "privateer" effort - hence hiring Jeremy McWilliams to ride the bike.
We're not talking Britten here (certainly not - the Britten actually won a serious race or two......)
I think a Buell will finish in the top ten. But what can you expect? They, Buell, don't have the money, resources, or testing opportunities that any Japanese manufacturer has.
I have it from reliable sources that Buell pit stops include a beer and a smoke.....
-Rocky-
PS. Next year Buell wants to rename the race "the Daytona Poker Run 200"
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ROCKYMT
Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat."
Buells are a joke. My tech Matt beat all of the "Factory" Buells in CCS Thunderbike Daytona this year on a 1998 748, not an R, not an RS....a 748 with cams and high comp pistons, with bone stock forks, shock, swingarm, etc. Matt also weighs 200lbs!
They don't stand a chance against the "real" racebikes.
Quite honestly it doesnt matter if the Buell wins the race or not. Apparently Harley? has posted a $10k prize for the highest finishing Buell. Just what I heard.
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Give a pig a fish and he'll eat for a day, give a pig bacon and his relatives arent safe.
it's great that there is a Frankenstein bike in Formula Extreme that brings it back to the original, animal format that the FX class was created to be. The $350 Grand factory 600s are a total bore, and aren't really fair if you think about it. Let the factories blow their huge wads in Superbike and bring back the monster bikes to FX. It's a joke that the Japanese manufacturers bzitch about a 30 grand race bike when they run bikes in the class that cost 10 times that.
That said - its a total joke that the AMA said the Buell is legal. That Vanderslice guy must have either wanted a discount on a Harley, or he's a total putz, not sure which.......
What's it gonna take for Buell to win?
now only if it could go straight without falling apart
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