| Author | Message | ||
     Rodrob |
Hiyah Rob! How yah been? If my old memory serves me, it was a sad day. Sucked the exhaust valves? I can only say that in spite of the technical difficulties that we had it was a fantastic experience that I would have never had without the 1190RS. I still marvel at the generous support that the BadWeb community contributed and the amazing group of guys that showed up on their own dime to be part of the team. Of all the things I have done, one of things that I still have a hard time believing, is that I fielded an AMA race team in 2012. Prior to 2009, I never even owned a motorcycle. Life is weird. Someday the whole story will be told... perhaps. | ||
| Smoke |
See you in a couple weeks at Austin Rob? Tim | ||
| Rodrob |
See you in a couple weeks at Austin Rob? I wish Tim. The TMR Carbon Fiber Moto2 bike https://youtu.be/AVvK_XwisW4 with Shawn Higbee riding, received a wild card entry for Moto2 at Austin contingent on Shawn posting a competitive time, which we were confident he would do. Unfortunately, Moto America refused our request to participate in their test at COTA, so we were unable to demonstrate that time. Very disappointing. One would think Moto America would want to help foster American motorcycle innovation. So now we are shooting for Indy. There are enough races between now and then on former AMA tracks, that we hope to be able to provide Moto2 with the time reference they need. | ||
| Vagelis46 |
Exactly what Canepa said : We have to wait till Assen and Imola...... Then we will have a better picture .... | ||
| Classax |
I have to admit this is not a good look for EBR at all. https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak- xpa1/v/t1.0-9/11079632_835251823213291_48276408242 25724388_n.jpg?oh=85913f20598bc1a71aa2b39861a5468b &oe=55B1BC37&__gda__=1436899727_c41be4940222de4815 a60696111cac06 | ||
| Hughlysses |
^ That's a spy shot of the secret 2-stroke powered bike EBR has been working on.  | ||
| Classax |
That or a new top secret race line defense counter measure....  | ||
| Bob_thompson |
It seems that the inline 4's have a distinct advantage in H.P. in most road racing venues and many here agree, but seeing two Ducs in 1st and 4th qualifying the last WSB race all EBR's would need is desmo valve operation, a shorter stroke engine, better head flow and a better crank condition, with tongue in cheek, but that would seem to be a whole new V-twin engine configuration and I'm a true Buell/EBR believer, but realistic also. RPM's is one of the two basic ingredients of the H.P. formula and I think the Ducati's can go to 18K in a pinch and run a whole race touching 16K in the straits. A v-twin like the Duc's in an EBR chassis would seem to be unbeatable. It would be nice to know where Erik will go next, and I'm sure he's thinking about it, to win races (he is a true racer at heart) or just be content with having the best street Superbike available, (proven in China with Cory West), and merely compete. Am I reading this wrongly? Bob | ||
| Reepicheep |
They limit displacement by the rules to try and keep things fair, why don't they limit peak RPM? Or not limit anything? It's a long standing bias that hurts twins. The fact that Ducatti has been able to overcome it from time to time doesn't mean the deck isn't stacked against the twins. It's smoking while running, so it at least looks like a top end failure, instead of a bottom end failure, and the top end issues are likely easier to fix. | ||
| Hughlysses |
It's smoking while running, so it at least looks like a top end failure, instead of a bottom end failure, and the top end issues are likely easier to fix. I wonder if that's really true though. How much can they do to improve the maximum RPM capability of a OHC engine with finger follower actuated valves? I guess they may be able to lose an ounce here or there in the individual components, and develop even better valve springs, but I'm wondering if they haven't already come very close to maxing out what the physics allow given the required valve sizes for a twin. Any drastic changes would seem to require a new engine and re-homolgation. | ||
| Classax |
Valid points all. The Panigale is doing what it does by using very short stroke, which on in 1199 form isn't suited for street duty as well as the 1190. They solve this by out Buelling EBR with a race class be darned 1299 big bore model much like what the 1125r did back in its day. I'd rather have a v4 than a twin that thinks its and I4 on the track but even more so on the street. I think we may be seeing the end of the big bore V2 superbike era. Its sad too because BMC wanted to build these bikes back in 2006 and could have delivered it in 2011 at nearly the same level of performance and perhaps seen it near the front back in the days when the mechanical parts mattered more than the electronics.  Down on power and RPM is not a good mix( although I note they were running the ZTL2 's at this really quick track. | ||
| Henshao |
Down on rpms and power is not a good mix, but if it makes you feel any better "down on power" is basically the same as "down on rpm" as far as racing motors go. I know you know that, I'm just grasping for straws. I don't know if we should get too too too down on EBR's struggles against the half-million dollar alienware they're up against, "nobody makes their first jump." I mean, EBR ran these motors across all the drawing boards they could but nothing beats actual field testing. No other way to figure out where and why these motors grenade when you push them. So why not field test them up against the best competition imaginable, the heavily entrenched big dollar players of the world? They had to know they were going to get their asses kicked but clearly EBR thought these 1190's they designed were capable of doing something. It's a shame too, because at their best they're not that far from the middle of the pack. If/when they can stop grenading. In a way though, in a way, grenading the motor in a race that you were doing alright in has its appeal. Sort of like trying to bench press a new maximum and needing a spot. You failed but you get stronger from it. (Message edited by henshao on March 25, 2015) | ||
| Bob_thompson |
Classax: "I'd rather have a v4 than a twin that thinks its and I4 on the track but even more so on the street. I think we may be seeing the end of the big bore V2 superbike era." Quite possibly. By my count there are 5 major motorcycle companies making V-4 bikes, two of which are racing them; Ducati's Desmosedici RR & Aprilia's RSV4 which are seeing pretty good success for relatively new race bikes. Honda is reportedly working on a project superbike right now. Yamaha, Suzuki & Honda have had V-4 bikes for some time but not as racers. Yamahas V-Max bikes were making outstanding H.P. 15 years ago or more and with their V-4 outboard motors have a lot of knowledge in this area. It does seem to be a good way to go but the racing inline 4's will be around for a long time with the kind of racing success and experience they have had. They just plain work very well. Which brings us around to EBR. Two big questions remain. Does Erik, and Hero want to win enough to develop a new engine (big money), as I've asked before, and how long will it take to do just that.(years maybe). I believe Erik wants to always win in racing but Hero "probably" just wants to sell a lot of bikes. And the world turns in racing and nothing ever stands still. To project years ahead, to be competitive is the hardest thing to ever do. And then some racing groups just adapt proven technology and win races. That in itself can sell a lot of bikes. Bob | ||
| Hughlysses |
Video interview with Nic Canepa after Thailand races: http://www.sportreview.it/motociclismo/hero-canepa -tra-le-insidie-tailandesi Hopefully someone can translate for the non-multi-lingual among us. Here's a google translation of the text accompanying the video:
You know, as bad as two DNF's (and two DNS's?) were, Canepa made superpole AGAIN, and qualified 18th, on what's apparently a very fast race course. Yea, they've still got a long ways to go, but even a miserable weekend like that is better than they did last year on fast courses. | ||
| Classax |
Making Superpole each round is critical! The additional coverage and seat time for set up is invaluable. | ||
| Henshao |
Can someone explain superpole to me. What is the process of qualifying in WSBK | ||
| 46champ |
I will give a try at explaining WSB qualifying. The first 3 sessions of timed practice sets the field for super pole. The #1 thru #10 qualifiers go directly to Super Pole 2. Super Pole 1 is made up of qualifiers #11 thru #20. Qualifiers #21 and above start each race in the order they qualified at the end of practice session 3. The results of Super Pole 1 dictates the start positions #11 thru #20 except riders in positions #11 and #12 get to ride in Super Pole #2. The results of Super Pole 2 is what is used to grid the field for positions #1 thru #12. Practice session 4 only counts for practice and has no bearing on qualifying or grid placement. | ||
| Henshao |
So do they use the fastest lap from practice or what? | ||
| 46champ |
Fastest lap from practice is only used to set the field for the 2 super pole sessions. Except those whose practice times were #21 or slower then that is there qualifying time. | ||
| Fast1075 |
The entrants for SS-1000 were just announced. No EBR. Boooooooo!!!!! Could be a winning class too. | ||
| Buellhusker |
Harley Davidson has announced they will return to Super Bike racing and are resurrecting the VR 1000 program. Milwaukee, Wisconsin was the site of today's announcement. On hand were Harley Davidson's legends Wille G. Davidson, Chris Carr, and Jay Springsteen. From Harley Davidson: "We wanted to return to our racing roots. We compete in AMA Grand National Flat Track, NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle, and now we want to compete on the world stage. In order to do that we had to build a bike that can not only compete but also win in WSBK." | ||
| Buellhusker |
"It has been a challenge to reengineer the motor; it was overbuilt for longevity and torque for use in the V-Rod. Now we need to keep that same reliability but also maximize it for more power and lighter weight. Cost has been a real factor as materials have changed from steel to titanium and significantly more aluminum components." Harley Davidson Resurrects VR 1000 Courtesy HD As of this writing, very few details have been offered about what the chassis design will look like. Whether it will be a frameless like Ducati, a traditional twin spar, or some other design is a complete mystery. "We have worked for a long time internally to convince management we needed this kind of bike. We thought we had done it with Buell, and then again when MV Agusta was purchased. Unfortunately both experiments did not pan out due to lack of support." We aren't sure what makes this endeavor different from H-D's other attempts to build a sport bike, but the show of executives and large scale announcement puts the right foot forward... | ||
| Mog |
Could be April's fools again.  | ||
| Ljm |
On Yahoo Sport and Rideapart. Gotta be a joke doesn't it? | ||
| Henshao |
Might as well throw in that they are expecting to dominate the EBR 1190, you know, for good measure. | ||
| Ffbuell1 |
Waiting for the so called motor company to do that (bring back the VR1000) or something equivalent is like leaving the porch light on for Jimmie Hoffa, It ain't gonna happen! | ||
| Bigblock |
Yeah, they're gonna buy the rights from yamaha for the five valver so they can build the VR1000 like it was designed to be built. Yup. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
HD sucks. The douche that killed Buell just retired. (Message edited by fresnobuell on April 03, 2015) | ||
| Stevel |
A great deal of money was spent in the VR1000 effort. It was wasted. HD sought the advice of engine folks whose reputations were based on efforts on 50 year old designs. Failure was assured. The design philosophy required to perform in WSB is not common in the USA. In the USA, it appears that it is all about circle track and drag racing. If a mod works there, it must work everywhere. There is absolutely no reason to believe that with HD's corporate philosophy that a resurrected VR1000 could ever be competitive in WSB. | ||
| Henshao |
How long til the next race? I am down for some Harley failure discussions for the next two weeks. Let's talk about the VR1000. -only 50 units ever homologated, all of which were for sale in Poland only for 50k each -1990 technology introduced in 1994 -trap speeds slower than the XR1000 -sadly, EBR mirrors some traits of the VR1000 program in the constantly constantly constantly searching for more power, extremely strong handling due to brick-shithouse overengineered frame, and temptation to use key foreign components |
