The Motor Company
#2
#3
"When will the Motor Company have an answer?"
Halbert
Vanderkooi
Add in the problem that Indian opened up the $$$$ vault and hired the BEST three dirt trackers racing today....Jared Mees, Brad Baker (who unfortunately suffered a broken back in a racing accident and is currently paralyzed), and Bryan Smith. Bryan Smith went back to Kawasaki, and Brad Baker is no longer racing, so the 2019 Indian team is current champion Jared Mees, and the Bauman brothers, Bronson and Briar.
As far as the Honda comment, other than the under card 450 DTX class, where several privateers race converted Honda motocross bikes, Honda has no involvement in GNC racing. They have NO twin class racing program, haven't had since the mid-80's when Bubba Shobert was winning championships on a factory Honda RS 750, so that comment was apparently made by someone with no knowledge of current flat track racing.
Last edited by hd4evr2008; 02-06-2019 at 08:43 AM.
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#4
As far as the Honda comment, other than the under card 450 DTX class, where several privateers race converted Honda motocross bikes, Honda has no involvement in GNC racing. They have NO twin class racing program, haven't had since the mid-80's when Bubba Shobert was winning championships on a factory Honda RS 750, so that comment was apparently made by someone with no knowledge of current flat track racing.
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GREENOHAWK69 (02-06-2019)
#5
#6
But for HD to really succeed they need some ground up changes. #1 being the heavy cradle frame design. That is way outdated and needs revised to a trellis design for weight distribution. They also have a new production class this year, which HD has a great shot at taking with the 750 street platform. And the rule changes should help them some in the Pro-Class.
#7
Who Cares?
Genuine question: What difference does it make? My decision to buy a HD wasn't even slightly influenced by flat track racing success and I can't imagine anyone else's is either. Do they actually learn anything worthwhile to apply to the design of production bikes? Or is racing really just someone's vanity project?
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#8
Well, growing up in the 1950's with uncles who raced flat track on WR Harley Davidsons, then racing some flat track myself, plus being involved in the sport since I was a little boy, just planted the love of Harley Davidsons DEEP in my psyche. So, in my case.....Harleys and flat track definitely influenced my decision to buy and ride Harley Davidson motorcycles.
#9
Genuine question: What difference does it make? My decision to buy a HD wasn't even slightly influenced by flat track racing success and I can't imagine anyone else's is either. Do they actually learn anything worthwhile to apply to the design of production bikes? Or is racing really just someone's vanity project?
Some of Indian's recent success on the track created an interest in a street version of their bike, which then became the FTR1200 prototype, and now will be released to the streets as the FTR1200. And due to what they learned with the race motor the top end of the street motor is magnesium, the crank has been shaved down for better roll on power and several other things. The first American performance bike to wear an American name on the tank in decades. And that is pretty f..ing cool.And likely a 750 will follow.
...
What HD learns in the Street Class this year with the 750 Street on the track will influence that line of street bike eventually or will let them know what to change, etc. etc. etc.
Not to mention, Flattrack is experiencing a renaissance right now, which will influence younger riders thanks to improved attendance and televised races along with live streaming. And with younger riders in the singles competition and some new arrivals on the scene in the twins class more interest there too.
And look what Roland Sands has been doing creating interest with his touring Hooligan racing series. More influence there. Ducati with the Desert Sled's huge success influenced Triumph to build their old school scrambler. And on and on.
Competition and engineering advancements are the keys to the motorcycle's future for all brands...
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#10
Genuine question: What difference does it make? My decision to buy a HD wasn't even slightly influenced by flat track racing success and I can't imagine anyone else's is either. Do they actually learn anything worthwhile to apply to the design of production bikes? Or is racing really just someone's vanity project?