H-D Flat Track Racing Performance Concern
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 406
Likes: 181
From: xyzzy
American Flat Track race #3, a half mile event, is in the books. Good news (sorta). Indian didn't win 1-2-3. Just 1-2. Apparently Indian #3 had an electrical failure and was a DNF. H-D XR750's (the "old" air cooled machines) came in 3rd and 4th. Unfortunately, the H-D factory bikes (the "new" water cooled XG750's) only managed 6th, 9th and 11th.
There is now a five week break until the next race. That is a mile event in Arizona. Hopefully the down time will give the H-D boys time to find some horsepower. At a mile track they're gonna need it.
There is now a five week break until the next race. That is a mile event in Arizona. Hopefully the down time will give the H-D boys time to find some horsepower. At a mile track they're gonna need it.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,518
Likes: 57,069
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
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.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
It is good for both H-D and Indian. Flat track lost it's audience to the high flying motocross racing. So the talent followed the money to riding motocross.
The two companies are trying to bring flat track back. But it will take promoters willing to pay bigger purses to attract talent.
I like flat track but I don't see how it can ever return to the former glory it had. Just not as exciting as bikes and riders flying through the air.
The two companies are trying to bring flat track back. But it will take promoters willing to pay bigger purses to attract talent.
I like flat track but I don't see how it can ever return to the former glory it had. Just not as exciting as bikes and riders flying through the air.
I'd say Harley has been stagnant for a few years in Flat track. The Kaw 650's were giving them pretty good battles at the mile tracks & the Factory XG750 was run by Davis Fisher last year with less than stellar results. It doesn't control my shopping dollars, (No way I'd buy that Kaw Dresser) but it is interesting to see who's engine technology is improving. I'm from the Springfield Mile area so Flat track's always been on my radar, moreso than NHRA. I'm more impressed by HD's police bikes than racers when it comes to putting the green backs down.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 387
Likes: 173
From: Big Lake in the Middle
Rather interesting comparison on Indian vs Harley and their flat track motors here -
Motor builds
They are not competing on the same footing when it comes to the engine and how they decided to go about it.
Motor builds
They are not competing on the same footing when it comes to the engine and how they decided to go about it.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 3,983
Likes: 2,144
From: Ohio
Flat track racing is an unforgiving sport. Sadly this young man was killed in a crash at Charlotte Saturday night.
Jamison Minor........21 years old.
Jamison Minor........21 years old.
Last edited by hd4evr2008; Apr 3, 2017 at 08:48 AM.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 669
Likes: 71
From: Tennessee
Wow. I have tried to overlook this stuff because of my interest in the sport, but I don't know how much more of this I can take. This is right on the heels of losing two young riders, 17 and 20, on the same day at Sonoma County last September. Heartbreaking.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 3,983
Likes: 2,144
From: Ohio
Yes, I love this sport, but sometimes I hate this sport. I've been following flat track since the late 1950's, and I've seen way too many lose their lives to it. Even some friends I've known.
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