H-D Flat Track Racing Performance Concern
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,012
Likes: 298
From: Central Fl
The new HD engine is just that. It may take a season or two to run a street engine with one built specifically for racing. On the other hand the new engine may just be eternally a piece of **** in race trim.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,053
Likes: 12,327
From: Arkansas
Being a recent convert to Indian, I am course happy that the Tribe is doing well. I would however love to see a little more competition this season. Indian finishing in 5 the top 6 slots in the first two races of the season is a little more lopsided than I care for.
I have tickets to the Arizona mile and the race at the Buffalo chip in Sturgis on August 6th. It's hardly going to be worth the trip if Harley doesn't get with it and start at least getting up to podium occasionally.
As is the Indian. They didn't even start racing it until the last race of last season and it made a very impressive showing then, even against the XR's.
I have tickets to the Arizona mile and the race at the Buffalo chip in Sturgis on August 6th. It's hardly going to be worth the trip if Harley doesn't get with it and start at least getting up to podium occasionally.
As is the Indian. They didn't even start racing it until the last race of last season and it made a very impressive showing then, even against the XR's.
Last edited by ChickinOnaChain; Aug 21, 2017 at 01:16 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 5,763
Likes: 371
From: North of Hell, South of Heaven
[QUOTE=Mikey 1450;16074801]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.[/QUOTE]
I thought that HD was racing the XG exclusively this season? If they broke out the XR and still struggled, then yes, it's not a good sign.
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.[/QUOTE]
I thought that HD was racing the XG exclusively this season? If they broke out the XR and still struggled, then yes, it's not a good sign.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 669
Likes: 71
From: Tennessee
I'm not a flat track expert, but I believe Harley has its "factory riders" (maybe 3?) and then there are private teams that can run whatever they want within the rules. Halbert races for a private team.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 3,983
Likes: 2,144
From: Ohio
Yes......Sammy Halbert is a "privateer" and can ride whatever he wants. Depending on the track, he switches between the XR750 and a Kawasaki. Harley "factory team" consists of Kenny Coolbeth, Jake Johnson, and Brandon Robinson. They are all riding the XG750, and floundering.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
H-D and Polaris are about equal in size. Both have annual sales of around 4 billion.
H-D knows they are short on power. They are at about 90 and the Indian which is the 1133 Scout motor with a thick sleeve to put it at 750.
The Indian is about 110 to 120 hp and along with Vance and Hines that is the goal with the H-D development.
It takes time to develop a racing motor. Give them time. The Scout was around 5 years already. In its 1133 configuration it was 100hp.
H-D knows they are short on power. They are at about 90 and the Indian which is the 1133 Scout motor with a thick sleeve to put it at 750.
The Indian is about 110 to 120 hp and along with Vance and Hines that is the goal with the H-D development.
It takes time to develop a racing motor. Give them time. The Scout was around 5 years already. In its 1133 configuration it was 100hp.
Last edited by lh4x4; Mar 28, 2017 at 11:30 PM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,193
Likes: 494
From: Richmond, VA
I'm stunned people are upset about this.
I mean, this whole thing of Harley racing Indian is freaking awesome! I missed the whole golden age of flat track by...... almost 100 years, and here it is playing out again, right in front of us. Just a couple years ago, Colonial Downs hosted a sanctioned flat track event, and you can bet I was there cheering on Harley. Sadly, the crowd was not so huge. I hope to heck this Indian stuff shoots the sport into the limelight. I just love it, and if it takes Indian beating up on Harley to reignite passions for the sport....... let them rock!
I mean, this whole thing of Harley racing Indian is freaking awesome! I missed the whole golden age of flat track by...... almost 100 years, and here it is playing out again, right in front of us. Just a couple years ago, Colonial Downs hosted a sanctioned flat track event, and you can bet I was there cheering on Harley. Sadly, the crowd was not so huge. I hope to heck this Indian stuff shoots the sport into the limelight. I just love it, and if it takes Indian beating up on Harley to reignite passions for the sport....... let them rock!
Novice
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 23
Likes: 2
From: Tampa Bay area
Agree on all points made above, but having spent the week in Daytona I was shocked at how heavily Indian is investing at taking Harley customers.
HUGE display at the Speedway (HD didn't even open until Sat)
BIG display on Main St - 2 blocks off Atlantic. (No sign of HD, well, other than the 25,000 bikes cruising)
OWNED the Hilton on Atlantic. Bikes, parties, non-stop.
Indians BACK on Flat Track, and simply dominated.
Perhaps since Polaris killed off Victory they're doubling down on the Indian brand. It's woking....
Frankly, if not for the new Milwaukee 8 engine, I <might> have bought the Springfield instead of the RK. 'prolly not...
HUGE display at the Speedway (HD didn't even open until Sat)
BIG display on Main St - 2 blocks off Atlantic. (No sign of HD, well, other than the 25,000 bikes cruising)
OWNED the Hilton on Atlantic. Bikes, parties, non-stop.
Indians BACK on Flat Track, and simply dominated.
Perhaps since Polaris killed off Victory they're doubling down on the Indian brand. It's woking....
Frankly, if not for the new Milwaukee 8 engine, I <might> have bought the Springfield instead of the RK. 'prolly not...
Last edited by von Strabenkönig; Mar 29, 2017 at 10:22 AM.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 9,511
Likes: 13,826
From: Pa.
I can't imagine replacing the XR750 with the XG750 (to me it's just not a Harley).
Haven't really followed the flat trackers recently, but used to love going to Hagerstown Raceway for the battle of the Twins in the 80's. Parking lot was nothing but Harleys as far as you could see. Seeing Springer and Parker coming out of the 4th turn for the first time made my hair stand on end.
Haven't really followed the flat trackers recently, but used to love going to Hagerstown Raceway for the battle of the Twins in the 80's. Parking lot was nothing but Harleys as far as you could see. Seeing Springer and Parker coming out of the 4th turn for the first time made my hair stand on end.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 5,763
Likes: 371
From: North of Hell, South of Heaven
I can't imagine replacing the XR750 with the XG750 (to me it's just not a Harley).
Haven't really followed the flat trackers recently, but used to love going to Hagerstown Raceway for the battle of the Twins in the 80's. Parking lot was nothing but Harleys as far as you could see. Seeing Springer and Parker coming out of the 4th turn for the first time made my hair stand on end.
Haven't really followed the flat trackers recently, but used to love going to Hagerstown Raceway for the battle of the Twins in the 80's. Parking lot was nothing but Harleys as far as you could see. Seeing Springer and Parker coming out of the 4th turn for the first time made my hair stand on end.