| Author | Message | ||
     Hughlysses |
Great article: http://www.crash.net/wsbk/interview/204134/1/geoff -may-erik-buell-racing-qa.html | ||
| Reepicheep |
That is a great read! | ||
| Court |
That is an amazing interview. Win, loose or draw . . . ERB could not be more capably nor more professionally represented than by Geoff May. The guy, in addition to being a world class racer is a great person, husband, father and ambassador. I am so thrilled to see him in this role. Like Erik . . . .Geoff R#EALLY cares and is committed to excellence. If there is a "take away" line in the entire interview . . . it's
Miss or discount that at your peril. Very cool. | ||
| Stevel |
This is very good interview. I commend Geoff on his enthusiasm and dedication to the task at hand. He has more than enough talent to run at the top. It is also clear the 1190 has the handling like all of Eric's designs before this. It is also just as clear that the Helicon is not up to the task and it's not just the ECU. There is a very serious lack of power. If the bike had 200hp it would be able to run mid-pack. It is down at least 25hp and that is being generous. It's probably closer to 40hp. The motor needs serious help. Those changes are painfully slow. If every design change they make is in the positive direction and they won't be, it will take at least a year to achieve the correct power level and reliability. I wish them luck. They are going to need it. | ||
| Hughlysses |
It is also just as clear that the Helicon is not up to the task and it's not just the ECU. There is a very serious lack of power. If the bike had 200hp it would be able to run mid-pack. It is down at least 25hp and that is being generous. It's probably closer to 40hp. Steve- stock 1190RX's have been dyno'ed at ~165 RWHP which means the advertised 185 crankshaft HP (stock) is accurate. I'm pretty certain the Helicon is capable of making over 200 HP in race trim; I just don't think it's doing it in WSBK trim. The AMA Superbike 1190RS has consistently achieved top speeds at least 10-15 MPH faster than the WSBK 1190RX has achieved. Something's not right. Some of the basic limitations of the Helicon may be a problem, but they haven't gotten close to that point yet. Something else has got to be holding them back. When they figure it out, I think they'll drop several seconds a lap immediately. | ||
| Trojan |
Erik seems to have like a five-year plan. He's looking five years down the road. He also says they are at year 4 now  | ||
| Reepicheep |
And they are at an amazing place from 4 years ago. And they are no doubt looking 5 years down the road from today. At least his 5 year plan isn't to criticize people. | ||
| Trojan |
At least his 5 year plan isn't to criticize people Even I couldn't keep this up for 5 years! Life is much too short. Mine is strictly a one year plan  By the way, that isn't a criticism, but what Geoff said in the interview. (Message edited by trojan on May 09, 2014) | ||
| Court |
Kitchen table in 2010 WSBK in 2014. 1st year = 2014 Amazing | ||
| Stevel |
Hughlysses, The advertised HP of the 1125 was 147. Reality showed between 125 and 130. Your numbers: Rx 185 vs 165 realized....and the difference is? You speak about race trim, what is race trim? What are the race parts? Nobody knows. Are there race parts? I'm building a 200hp Helicon. I've made serious improvements, but I'm a looong way short of 200hp. I know the changes I want to make to achieve the 200 number. They will be difficult and expensive in time to accomplish. I wish EBR well. I commend your faith. I hope you're correct. My bet is next year may get them off last. Time will tell. | ||
| Wymaen |
^^146hp claimed, but whatever, I guess. At 125rwhp, it's 15% loss. At 130rwhp, it's 11% loss. The 1190RX is the same 11% driveline loss. What's your point? You speak about race trim, what is race trim? What are the race parts? Are there race parts? That's the real question, which you've already answered- nobody knows. The thing is, why would any of us know? We aren't privy to the rider or mechanic logs, we don't get input from the team manager; hell, we don't even know what EBR's goal is this year, other than what has been stated by Erik, which is that they don't expect wins. Sooo much speculation here, but it's all pie-in-the sky. My opinion is that we should all just sit back, have some chips and dip, and see what happens rather than speculating on what we think EBR should be/is doing. This thread has been entertaining and informative for me, but sometimes it's also as frustrating as reading Blake's ZTL thread from ought-six  | ||
| Fast1075 |
 My okra is faster, tastier, and better than your okra. | ||
| Hootowl |
Them's fightin' words. | ||
| Reepicheep |
I ate my okra. I like okra. Is that wrong? | ||
| Mog |
Could be the engine's breathing....  The breathing capabilities of the system are almost double that of a poppet valve. For instance: a static test of a five-litre poppet valve engine on an airflow machine produced a reading of 133 cubic feet per minute (CFM) with valve fully opened. The five-litre Coates Spherical Rotary Valve Engine on the same machine, however, produced a reading of 319 CFMs fully opened; a colossal advantage in airflow comparison.  | ||
| Classax |
I don't know about any of that, what I do know is its a friggen BLAST to ride! 165rwhp, a tight track, and tall gearing equal ENTERTAINMENT!  I had never been to this track before. 16 turns in 1.3 miles. Even in the novice group it was hard to learn becuase the bike is so nonchalant about building speed, and turns in so quickly, it took all day to really get into a groove. Down the little pit strait I blew past an S1KRR at 130 without really trying hard, only to have to slam on the brakes to set up for the slow 45mph right hander. Didn't feel like I was picking up that much speed but I was. Even down on power Geoff and Aaron must be having a devil of a time trying to come to grips with it without overriding themselves. (Message edited by Classax on May 13, 2014) | ||
| Mog |
The 1190RX looks and feels great. I would like to see this valve train replace the current poppet.... listen closely to the video. The breathing is so full that the engine sounds like the venting of an air compressor tank.... no power pulses until the engine slows down. It is insane power delivery. http://www.coatesengine.com/files/theme/media_9.ht ml The sound would actually not be much different on a two cylinder at about 15,000 rpm (if the bottom end holds together). You can only appreciate this when you have opened the throttle in person.  | ||
| Classax |
I would LOVE to see a high performance narrow angle V2 with Spherical Rotating Valves. It would be a game changer. The 1190RX chassis and geometry to a large extent was dictated by the engine. The engine is near the peak of its design efficiency as a concept IMHO, Something that would allow the same torque characteristics but allow it to rev higher even 1K for a reliable 13k redline would make a world of difference. | ||
| Mog |
This May (pun intended) appear in other threads, I am sure. Thought y'all might scroll down the Melling article to see Geoff's picture in the WSB group, replete with two EBR cuties at the forefront.  http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/922/18543/Motorcycle-Article/Donington-World-Superbike-Insider.aspx  |
