H-D Flat Track Racing Performance Concern
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 805
From: Washington
Flat Track Racing Results Are a Problem
I think these flat track results are a real problem, what with Indian kicking azz. Here is a quick solution for Harley - offer a touring bike with better suspension, improved braking feel, less drive-train lash, and 20% more hp with the same look and feel of a 45 degree Vtwin - holding the price constant. Racing is supposed to improve the breed, so let's get with it. Unless of course Harley engineers have short dycks and can't compete. Tom
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 21,769
Likes: 22,993
From: North Carolina
I hope the HD team is working hard to make the changes necessary to get in the winners circle.
Racing separates the men from the boys. HD dominated a long time. With that comes a target on your back. Competition is stiff. I am glad to see them involved and racing. I had hoped to see the race down at Daytona but could not make it in time.
Racing separates the men from the boys. HD dominated a long time. With that comes a target on your back. Competition is stiff. I am glad to see them involved and racing. I had hoped to see the race down at Daytona but could not make it in time.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,142
Likes: 124
Harley's last racing failures were the VRs that were made for racing and turned into Vrods.Now they take a complicated fragile street bike motor made in India and try to race it.At least one early race lead to engine failure,probably more....
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 410
From: Puyallup, WA
I heard Harley had so many crank failures, they ran out of replacement cranks for the new motors at one particular race.
Indian designed and built a bike just for flat rack. Harley needs step up.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 669
Likes: 71
From: Tennessee
I went to the race last night. Awesome twin feature. Sammy Halbert (Harley) led most of the race and then got into a back and forth battle with Mees (Indian). They were putting slide jobs on each other in every turn. Good show. It would have been a toss up who won if they hadn't gotten together and Halbert ended up in the dirt. Indian is pouring a ton of money into flat track.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 5,763
Likes: 371
From: North of Hell, South of Heaven
I went to the race last night. Awesome twin feature. Sammy Halbert (Harley) led most of the race and then got into a back and forth battle with Mees (Indian). They were putting slide jobs on each other in every turn. Good show. It would have been a toss up who won if they hadn't gotten together and Halbert ended up in the dirt. Indian is pouring a ton of money into flat track.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,165
Likes: 33
From: Acworth
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cousy View Post
I went to the race last night. Awesome twin feature. Sammy Halbert (Harley) led most of the race and then got into a back and forth battle with Mees (Indian). They were putting slide jobs on each other in every turn. Good show. It would have been a toss up who won if they hadn't gotten together and Halbert ended up in the dirt. Indian is pouring a ton of money into flat track.
HD is not that far off.
Today 03:01 AM
I was there too and Halbert and Mess had pulled away from 3rd place, GREAT Battle right up to where Sammy went down... Restarted in the last spot and still finished 6th I believe. Bad news for HD is, Sammy was riding an XR750 not the new XG 750.
Originally Posted by Cousy View Post
I went to the race last night. Awesome twin feature. Sammy Halbert (Harley) led most of the race and then got into a back and forth battle with Mees (Indian). They were putting slide jobs on each other in every turn. Good show. It would have been a toss up who won if they hadn't gotten together and Halbert ended up in the dirt. Indian is pouring a ton of money into flat track.
HD is not that far off.
Today 03:01 AM
I was there too and Halbert and Mess had pulled away from 3rd place, GREAT Battle right up to where Sammy went down... Restarted in the last spot and still finished 6th I believe. Bad news for HD is, Sammy was riding an XR750 not the new XG 750.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 17,625
Likes: 1,665
From: Blairsville GA
It's been a while since Harley had the "win on Sunday, sell on Monday" attitude. The Japs may still try it with the 600 class, but flat racing doesn't do much to sell Harley's. Or Indians I would imagine.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,610
Likes: 243
From: Oklahoma
I don't need the forum to tell me what I already know. People don't buy Harleys if they want a good motorcycle, they buy a harley if they want a harley. Most harley riders I can't even consider "motorcyclists" because they bought their bike to look cool on when going 30 under the speed limit around a turn with their feet dragging.
And no, if you have a souped up Chevy or ford then you should be watching NASCAR hahaha. **** if your an American male and don't watch any sort of racing that involves a motor, please turn your ***** in to your nearest doctor.
And no, if you have a souped up Chevy or ford then you should be watching NASCAR hahaha. **** if your an American male and don't watch any sort of racing that involves a motor, please turn your ***** in to your nearest doctor.
Racing has never played a part in my decision to buy any vehicle, especially a Harley. If Polaris Indian thinks this will sell bikes they are in for a rude awakening.