| Author | Message | ||
     Mario1125 |
Speedtv has an excellent interview with Mr. Edmondson. He directly addresses the Sportbike series. http://moto-racing.speedtv.com/article/ama-sbk-int erview-roger-edmondson//P1/ | ||
| Dentguy |
So if Eslick slows down and doesn't get too far out front, the other Buells don't finish on the box and the bike is built to the rules, things will not change during the season. (Message edited by dentguy on April 02, 2009) | ||
| Aeholton |
Nice interview. However, I did see one bit of misinformation by Roger when he said: "By requiring people to race what they sell and requiring the availability of everything to ever other competitor, what we have on the track now is truly representative of what the street guy can go out and buy." I don't believe 1125r owners are privileged enough to buy most of the allowable parts that can be added or changed without a race license. | ||
| Slaughter |
Again - the ONLY stuff you can't buy is what violates EPA and DOT rules. Same across the board regardless of make. Don't complain to Buell - write Congress. They DO have these restrictions on ALL manufacturers. The homologation of hardware IS a good thing. We need to end this fetish about HP and engine mods being the ONLY way to make a bike go fast. TOO many people try to work on the engine before they've worked out their suspension, brakes, and tire selection/pressures and temperatures. I guess it takes less thought to just BUY MORE MOTOR than it does to sort out and setup a bikes handling. I guess there's no glamor in having a notebook and pencil for use as THE primary tools for use in performance improvement. (sorry about the rant but I hear so many people complaining about the lack of engine stuff when they haven't yet maxed the performance of their motorcycle so that they actually can use or actually NEED more power) | ||
| P_squared |
Thank the EPA, not Roger or Buell. Is it really such a terrible thing to require a race license for items that really are for the track?  Other than the exhaust & ecm, I'm pretty sure you can buy just about everything else via your local Buell dealer without a race license. | ||
| Aeholton |
Wasn't complaining about it. Just stating that Roger wasn't being factual in his statement. | ||
| Sd26 |
Ok, yeah, if you're stating that you can't get it unless you have a race license, yes. I agree. I know some of the Yamaha kit parts are only available during certain windows too. So, yeah, there are availability "issues", but it's not like HRC black boxes and cams or Showa fork internals that cannot be bought for no amount of money. In the end, if you're racing in the AMA Pro program, one can buy what you need. Even Mladin's bike can be bought outright for about half the cost for a set of his previous season's superbike forks, that no one could buy anyway. | ||
| Anonymous |
Adrian -- the only two parts you can't buy without proof of a race license are the race ECU and the exhaust, both of which would violate federal laws if used on a streetbike. The mag wheels, contrary to a mistake in the current Buell P&A catalog, are available to anyone. | ||
| Court |
Buell parts are WIDELY available. Michael Jordan was not able to get parts for his IL4 with a million dollars. One way to look at it as you can buy from your Buell dealer ANY BUELL RACE PART you would ever want to run on the street. There is no way you'd want the race exhaust or ECU for street use. | ||
| Drummer |
I'm glad he mentioned Maladin. Bottom line it's been a Suzuki/Maladin/Spies deal in Superbike for the last three years...making for incredibly boring viewing. If one guy is winning just because he is better than the rest...so be it. But unless you were on a Gixxer 1000 you really didn't have a chance to get on the box. I hope they find a fair, equitable way to let talent shine and not let one brand dominate completely. The NFL, MLB and yes NASCAR understand the importance of competition and parity. | ||
| Drummer |
I'm glad he mentioned Maladin. Bottom line it's been a Suzuki/Maladin/Spies deal in Superbike for the last three years...making for incredibly boring viewing. If one guy is winning just because he is better than the rest...so be it. But unless you were on a Gixxer 1000 you really didn't have a chance to get on the box. I hope they find a fair, equitable way to let talent shine and not let one brand dominate completely. The NFL, MLB and yes NASCAR understand the importance of competition and parity. | ||
| Dentguy |
Again - the ONLY stuff you can't buy is what violates EPA and DOT rules. Same across the board regardless of make. Don't complain to Buell - write Congress. They DO have these restrictions on ALL manufacturers. Are you sure? I can go buy race exhaust/ ECU for a Ducati | ||
| Anonymous |
The Ducati system is sold as "race only", and governments are beginning to crack down on blatant disregard for the real usage of such things. Ducati may think wink-wink, nudge-nudge works, but it hasn't for everyone. Just ask Dynojet. | ||
| Dentguy |
I understand what you are saying. Just replying to a statement that was posted above about restrictions on ALL manufacturers and not being able to buy. I am aware it's "race only". That's why I said race exhaust. But, I can go buy it. That was my point. | ||
| Court |
>>>I can go buy race exhaust/ ECU for a Ducati You can now. You won't likely be able to in a year. Buell, as a division of Harley-Davidson, had a LOT at stake and was therefore compelled to comply with the law without delay. Ducati has nearly a negative net worth . . . . i.e. if you sued them for "everything they've got" your prize would be a huge tax debt to the Italian government. Not intending to diss on them but frankly . . HD (and Buell) could not afford to play shell games with the feds. | ||
| Davegess |
Edmunson's statement is correct. You can buy it. two things are needed money and a license. For most stuff you you only need money. Ducati will get busted eventually. the feds are climbing all over this stuff as well they should | ||
| Bads1 |
If Ducati will get busted then so will Yamaha then to right??? They have been doing this for the last 3 years only. This is Graves racing performance item's that you buy right through Yamaha. http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/accessories/acsu bcontaineritems/5/6/183/2025/all/1.aspx | ||
| Slaughter |
Ask Powercommander about selling "Race Only" modules and whether losing the $2.6 million in CA alone was worth it? | ||
| Dentguy |
Didn't mean to get into a right or wrong, Ducati this, Ducati that thing. Just stating a fact. Can anyone still buy a RACE ECM for an 04-07 XB12 ? Looks like it. Except in CA. It's right on the Buell site. (Message edited by dentguy on April 02, 2009) | ||
| Slaughter |
You can buy old dealer stock (if the Dealer lives in a region that allows) I think the Federal fine is $10,000 per violation and most dealers dont' risk it. Doing it through a 3rd party such as Graves might make the factory immune from such fines and suits. | ||
| Slaughter |
Graves is Yamaha as Ferracci was Ducati. | ||
| Bads1 |
Yeah but Steve that link I posted is Yamaha's site not graves. | ||
| Bads1 |
Also that year I flew out the wife to see the races at Laguna Yamaha had them or some of them on display. | ||
| Slaughter |
That IS Yamah's site but the Graves Motorsports provides the team management and performance parts that are NOT provided by Yamaha... I'm just thinking that might be a way around it... dunno. Knowing how expensive a dyno tune-up is in CA with a $10K per violation, it could easily be a $40K tuneup - $10 for ECU, $10 for exhaust, $10 for intake, $10 for the dyno tuning... start adding cams, pistons, rods, valves... and at $10K each, it gets pricey... but that's here in CA. I know people who do get away with it but I also know people who have had their bikes impounded when pulled over for traffic violations. Why don't people run slicks on the street? They can buy them (most cases) without a racing license and even buy them used at the race track CHEAP! (Message edited by slaughter on April 02, 2009) | ||
| Aeholton |
Edmunson's statement is correct. You can buy it. two things are needed money and a license. For most stuff you you only need money. Read his statement again. He said "...what we have on the track now is truly representative of what the street guy can go out and buy." All I'm saying is "Street guy" doesn't have a racing license. (Message edited by aeholton on April 02, 2009) | ||
| Bads1 |
I alway's wondered how Yamaha was doing this. BTW Steve I have SV questions. I'm kinda doing a bit of work on one for a customer. I'll be PMing you. Simple stuff that I know you'll be able to answer for me. | ||
| Slaughter |
Sure... also there's a TON of SV-specific help on our local http://www.socalsvriders.com board if I come up short... there's also a good SV section on the Gixxer board: http://www.gixxer.com (Message edited by slaughter on April 02, 2009) (Message edited by slaughter on April 02, 2009) | ||
| Court |
We're now reduced to playing with semantics . . . the "is it Graves or is it Yamaha". The feds, who I confess are otherwise busy at the moment redistributing wealth, will look past all the chicanery when/if they bring enforcement action. Fact is . . . ANYBODY can buy ALL the Buell parts. Yes, for two of them (and there will likely be more) you need a race license. This is a damn low hurdle (I got my race license for $245) and one, as mentioned, that is outside Buell's control. The parts one most the other bikes in the series can not only not be bought by "civilians". . . they can't be bought by rich race teams unless they are factory sponsored or backed. Edmunson's statement, ergo, is spot on. | ||
| Aeholton |
We're now reduced to playing with semantics... That was EXACTLY my point to begin with. I'm very happy to see Buell and Aprilia in this series. I would love to see BMW also fielding bikes. I like all the different bikes. I think the racing has been more exciting than any other year. I'm sure there are parts on the other bikes that "Street Guy" can't buy either. I'm not kidding myself. I wish something could be done to the Superbike class to make it as competitive. However, until Mladin retires, I don't think it is possible. It will continue to be a race for 2nd on back. | ||
| Patrickmitchell |
Edmondson actually answered most of my questions about the direction that DMG is headed... pretty good interview and he comes off as a reasonable guy with a plan. Key points for me: 1. An honest attempt is being made to make manufacturers race what they sell. This is going to be tough but should level the playing field. 2. Live TV was lost because of poor ratings and lack of advertising money. 3. DMG is trying to improve the show to get the live coverage back. 4. The safety car is better than a red flag. I don't agree, but his logic is sound. 5. The series is a work in progress (I guess that is always true). Lets hope DMG succeeds. |
