Not that I race light weight but I watched some light weight races and was suprised to see Buell XB12 in the light weight class. How is it that a 385lbs bike with 103hp and 84ft.lbs is a lightweight? Sounds alot closer to a middleweight too me! Just out of curiousity I thought I would ask " why is the Buell XB12 consittered a lightweight?"
Jeff
You can race a XB12R in three classes that exclude TZ 250's. So a 1200 is considered "lighter" than a 250.
Probably because its a sportster based motor, aircooled and a middle weight bike will leave it behind on teh straights.
1 All engines have the same air fuel ratio for optimum performance.
2 A 1200 that redlines at 6500 will use the same amount of air and fuel as a 600 that redlines at 13,000
3 That 103hp is crank hp, actual rear wheel hp is in the mid 80's with the race kit
With loose tolerances for being aircooled, 2 valve heads, and being a twin. What class should they be in? Trust me, until you get into them, the SV's power right along side or can even walk away.
On a side note, the big time FUSA bikes DO put down 600cc hp numbers, but it doesn't come cheap and really couldn't be used as a standard.
Like I tell the HOG crowd... Your fastest Harley model competes against Jap bikes half it's size and still gets beat! ;D
"What, Ice Pick? They roadrace V Rods?" "I dunno, Killer. But I don't like this guy's tone. Let's waste him." "We probably shouldn't. I have a breakfast meeting at the office tomorrow." "Yeah, come to think of it, I have to drop off the wife's Navigator at the dealership early. Let's just call this guy Jap Crap Rider until he gets uncomfortable and leaves." "Hey, look! Viper just rode in!" "Viper?" "Yeah! You know! Tom from Accounting!" "Oh! Hey, Viper! Get over here and have a beer with us, Bro!"
I love my V-twins, but on the motorcycle race scene it's basically stone-age technolgy. Some, like Mike Barne's crew, have tweeked out the XB-12 so that it can competitive with the water cooled 4's and 2's in Formula Extreme. But for the club racing they are best matched with the lightweights. If I had the cash I would be racing my Buell, but for now its gotta be the Gixxer.
If i recall, Michael Barnes didnt race a Buell at daytona. Instead he jumped on an old ass Honda F2 and SMOKED the Buells
You know Quicktoy, I've been a little confused about that myself, I watched him tear it up at Daytona on the Prieto bike, but have only seen the Buell since then. I just figured it was a sponsorship issue.
QuoteLike I tell the HOG crowd... Your fastest Harley model competes against Jap bikes half it's size and still gets beat! ;D
"What, Ice Pick? They roadrace V Rods?" "I dunno, Killer. But I don't like this guy's tone. Let's waste him." "We probably shouldn't. I have a breakfast meeting at the office tomorrow." "Yeah, come to think of it, I have to drop off the wife's Navigator at the dealership early. Let's just call this guy Jap Crap Rider until he gets uncomfortable and leaves." "Hey, look! Viper just rode in!" "Viper?" "Yeah! You know! Tom from Accounting!" "Oh! Hey, Viper! Get over here and have a beer with us, Bro!"
[In my best Larry the cable guy voice]
Now I don't care who you are, dat rite deres funny.
Barnes still rides his R6 i believe his 5th in supersport points right now. He does both buell and the R6 during the AMA weekends only riding the buell in Formula Extreme and the R6 in supersport. He throws in a few FormulaUsa rounds for extra cash on the R6. You can throw barney on anything and he will ride the wheels off of it!!
its also legal for ultra light weight.
QuoteYou can throw barney on anything and he will ride the wheels off of it!!
I'm the proud owner of one of his 02 Hooter's Suzuki bikes ;D, luckily he left enough wheel on that one. If he keep going at his rate, maybe it will be a collectable. ;)
Stinger, I have Barneys old tube frame "B" bike. It's how I learned how much 100hp cost to keep it at 100hp :'(. I love it anyway and someday it'll be a badass barhopper.
Sweet, if it wern't for upcoming rider's leftovers, some of us wouldn't be racing today :)