It's about time harley pulled out. The machine was not competitive, but continued to race. To me, this is not what racing is about (which is why i hate nascar). Hopefully they don't have the rescources becuase they are starting from scratch for a GP team. I think harley should continue roadracing, but realize that they have next to no current products on the street that will directly benefit in terms of image. Maybe a GP bike under the Buell moniker?
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Yes, i agree with you, somewhat. I think the 996 and the firebolt will be polar opposites in the handling department. The 996 being linear and stable, and the firebolt being lightning quick in turning, and much more tossable. Either way, i think they are going to amazing handling.
In England alone honda sells about 6,000 F4i's every year. I would guess honda sells about 20,000 F4i's worldwide. When you add in the 929, VFR, RC51, 1100XX, i would guess honda probably sells upwards of 50,000 sportbikes every year.
yeah, every time i think about the "hardcore" RUB's on harleys bashing the "ricers", i cant help but think what the "real" bluecollar americans who work in the Goldwing plant would say to the yuppies.
Sorry, yes in a race there are lapped Duc's, Hondas, Kawasaki's, etc, but there is also one on the podium every race. When you brag about *finally* getting an 8th place finish after 9 years.....that is not competitive.
can you say it with me SUZUKA. 8 hour endurance race? yeah, thats about 500 miles.....sheesh. i guess some people just don't ever really live.
can you say it with me SUZUKA. 8 hour endurance race? yeah, thats about 500 miles.....sheesh. i guess some people just don't ever really live.
I wasnt implying anything in my post.....it was just numbers. I was just trying to throw some ballpark figures out there. those were just the english bikes. I am sure when you count all of them, inc. goldwing and in the US, honda might sellcloser to 100,000 FI bikes a year. As harley has more and more initiative to go to FI b/c of emmisions/performance, i am sure they will sell more FI bikes than honda.
Re: An analogy
A one legged man playing hockey?
A one legged man playing hockey?
I know what you are saying, with the make it what you want it bit, but i read every issue of Hot Bike, American Iron, and Cruiser magazine, in addition to PB, Bike, Superbike, Motorcyclist, Sportrider, CycleWorld.
It seems to me the cruiser world is getting stale. Smae thing, different paint. Maybe a few different lines, but cookie cutter bikes none-the-less. I do notice the details on the cruisers (i think the european customs are the only innovative ones), but they do not seem to raise any kind of bar, performance wise, value wise, or visually. I think everything that can be built, has been built. Why else would people like Arlen Ness turn an eye towards sportbikes? Because they offer the chance to make something actually different. What you get is pretty much what you pay for. You dont need to upgrade the motor, suspension, brakes, and chassis to make a well balanced motorcycle. A few cosmetic bits and you are there. Likewise, the ability to do extreme stuff is there, as well. To me, sportbikes just offer more diversity than cruisers.
It seems to me the cruiser world is getting stale. Smae thing, different paint. Maybe a few different lines, but cookie cutter bikes none-the-less. I do notice the details on the cruisers (i think the european customs are the only innovative ones), but they do not seem to raise any kind of bar, performance wise, value wise, or visually. I think everything that can be built, has been built. Why else would people like Arlen Ness turn an eye towards sportbikes? Because they offer the chance to make something actually different. What you get is pretty much what you pay for. You dont need to upgrade the motor, suspension, brakes, and chassis to make a well balanced motorcycle. A few cosmetic bits and you are there. Likewise, the ability to do extreme stuff is there, as well. To me, sportbikes just offer more diversity than cruisers.
Re: Too Bad, I hope they come back soon............
The VR 1000 is/was liquid cooled, i think.
The VR 1000 is/was liquid cooled, i think.
I never mentioned a specific engine. Tell me this: how many Harley/Cruieser Custom bike shows have there been compared to other makes? Who has the largest aftermarket? i think the answer to both has been Harley, hands down. My only point is that an entire clone industry has been built up around the harleys. Can you say the same about triumph, indian (the new ones dont count, they are really harley clones), vincent, or norton? I know they replicate some of the vincents and nortons but not nearly on the same scale.
People are beginning to diversify because there has been such a strong concentration on the harleys, and it is getting to the end of its rope. It is getting very hard for anyone to raise the bar and not look like a rip-off of somebody else's bike. i think the custom places are going to start looking for new platforms. As you said, thats the beauty of mechanics. Most mechanics (esp. custom builders) i know like to be innovative and provocative, and that is becoming very hard to do on the same old FXD/FXST based frames. maybe we will start seeing some crazy sportbikes that have more than just paint thrown on them.
People are beginning to diversify because there has been such a strong concentration on the harleys, and it is getting to the end of its rope. It is getting very hard for anyone to raise the bar and not look like a rip-off of somebody else's bike. i think the custom places are going to start looking for new platforms. As you said, thats the beauty of mechanics. Most mechanics (esp. custom builders) i know like to be innovative and provocative, and that is becoming very hard to do on the same old FXD/FXST based frames. maybe we will start seeing some crazy sportbikes that have more than just paint thrown on them.
sorry gixxer, i misread who you were responding to and answered a question that was never asked. sorry!
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