An interesting Poll. What do you think?

[benprobst]

My 848 has all the good parts in it so it should hold up. I take good care of them. 

Can I ride it?  Ive got a 1000 now all I need is a bike for the 600 classes. Just think, Ducati Omaha, 2010 GP #1 plate holder. 

[Over-ReActor]

The poll could have been good, but was totally stupid. Look at the answer choices. None of them are worth a shit. The guy tries to be too cute on that site. Doesn't he work for Honda?  I thought they were more reserved.

As far as the Buell this is my thought. I think the kid is just fast enough on that bike, not to be passed in a turn. I think the bike has enough grunt, that it leaves better riders behind leaving corners.

Sort of like a track day. The better rider on the SV650 works his butt off to catch a 1000 through the twisty part. Frustrated that the 1000 is just a little too fast to ever pass even though the guy on the powerful 1000 is actually holding him up. Then they hit some straight track and the guy on the 1000 smiles as he opens a gap. He knows in "his" mind he is good.  Then he parks it in the next corner.  I know in my mind I'm better on my SV and  I'm going to throw a tantrum and pound his ass after the session for fucking up my trackday.

Jesus, I just had a flashback.

[GIGOLO]

I think that its nice to see hard work finally pay-off for Buell.  Not to mention a shit-ton of time and money invested into winning.  Im not saying that the big four dont spend time and money, but I think Buell has always been fighting an up-hill battle.  It probably would have been way easier to use a different engine configuration, but they stuck to their guns.  Its an inspirational effort, to say the least.

The only beef I got with Buell racing, is with the 200.  Why in the hell did Eslick have to get off the bike and do it the way it should have been done as soon as he pulled in.  He could have been on a different pit schedule, that might have worked out if they changed tires and added gas while on the stop.  Din't he get in trouble for working on the bike?  Furthermore, the whole time I was watching to see who he hit, to no avail. He didn't hit a damn thing, it just fell off.  Oh well, still got another 4 days before I can watch Fontana

[Over-ReActor]

What hard work, time and money by Buell?  They went to Austria and bought a Rotex motor. A foreign motor. Screw them. If it was really an American sport bike, I'd have one by now. I'm not talking lights or brakes. Damn, the engine has to be American at least. Why didn't they just buy a Yosh bike, hire Mladdin, tattoo him, make him grow a beard, paint the bike orange and black, give him an arrest record, make him ride that fucker with no helmet and an ugly fat bitch on the back and they could call that a road king.

[ktd]

I just had an SV track day flash back too.  How frustrating an SV can be at a track day.

Regarding Buell and racing.  This is my observation.  I think the Buell folks want to go racing and build competitive bikes but are held back by HD and all the baggage that comes with the HD way.  I see so many people who want them to try to do well and build a competitive bike.   They end up having to defend them to stay loyal to the point it starts sounding like some type of brain washing repetitive song.  When I had a Buell I was really into it, but I heard excuse after excuse and all kinds of little sayings to the point it sounded like propaganda. I remember being in a BRAG meeting and listening to people talking about Crotch rockets and Jap bikes and I really just decided this was BS.  Then when they came out with the XBR I gave up on them all together. My bike was falling apart and did not run most of the time.  I just sold it and gave up.   Now they say "it's not about the bike".    Not sure what that one means but it seems to go against their entire previous culture.

[MotoGuy]

When Eslick was on a 600 - a very well prepped and fast 600 did he ever beat Hacking in a straight fight. I don't think so.

Give the kid some credit.

If memory serves, Eslick (on a privateer Suzuki 600) finished on the podium twice last season and beat Tommy Hayden on his factory bike a couple times.

Maybe the kid is a better rider than you think. And maybe he's gelling with the 1125R better than others (Higbee, Barnes).

Seems like DMG got what they wanted. 6 brands in the top 8 and close, exciting racing. I think it's cool.

[xb9racer]

I believe they say the rider comes first, if you're talking about the promotion of the brand. I won't say that Buell is the end all, be all of bikes. I enjoy all 3 of mine, and really don't care what others think. That simple.

[backMARKr]

SPEAR AND MAGIC HELMET!

[Super Dave]

The only beef I got with Buell racing, is with the 200.  Why in the hell did Eslick have to get off the bike and do it the way it should have been done as soon as he pulled in.  He could have been on a different pit schedule, that might have worked out if they changed tires and added gas while on the stop.

It was an aftermarket pod that was coming off.  Have you been to Daytona?  Trap speeds were over 170 for Daytona Sportbike, and body parts flying off are a serious problem.  It was gonna come off and hurt someone or him.  Gotta be fixed.  If not, he was gonna get blackflagged and left in another corner to try and fix the problem before going on by himself.  Get in, see what you can do to loose the least amount of time.  It happens. 

As for the Rotax engine.  Big company.  They don't just have "a motor".  They can do lots of stuff.  Either way, Buell isn't an engine manufacturer.  Rotax is.  And Rotax will build to your specifications.  Buell wanted some specific things that could be built to reduce weight, etc., all at a cost.  So, they have their Buell specified Rotax motor.  Why build your own stuff when you're small?  Bimota, Harris, ROC, Rickman, Spondon, MZ, and others have done these things.  Buell is still a whole lot smaller than Ducati. 

[SnacktimeKC]

I talked with Thermosman man about the Buells and Danny. Pretty much summed it up with those two were made for each other. Look at Danny compared to Michael Barnes, Barney definitely knows how to ride and he seems to be struggling  with the bike. Not to mention I'm no where convinced the the Buell chassis is anywhere as good as the the Japanese I4's.
Also, Grant builds a good bike no doubt but it ain't no factory bike. -Snack

[GIGOLO]

It was gonna come off and hurt someone or him.  Gotta be fixed.  If not, he was gonna get blackflagged and left in another corner to try and fix the problem before going on by himself.  Get in, see what you can do to loose the least amount of time.  It happens. 

I wasn't wondering why he came in, I'm saying I was embarrassed watching that happen.  I felt bad for them, and at the same time pissed.  Duct works okay at a track like BHF, but Daytona must be insane on bodywork.  I heard that radiators always leak there too.  I think I am going to learn a couple of things about Daytona before I get the money to go down there.  Seems like a place that can kill your bank account.  

No Dave I haven't been to Daytona, but next time you go I can hitch a ride with you.  I can tall you about my stamp collection, my time spent living in Arkansas, my shoe size, my favorite food, why I like blue way more than green, how I got herpes, how I almost met wayne brady.   ITS GONNA BE GREAT!!!!!!  

[Super Dave]

LOL! 

Yeah, Daytona can drain your account.  It's a different place.  Run up to Brainerd for a weekend on the long track and you'll get to put your knee down in sixth tapped out.  Will help you appreciate some things. 

Next time I go?  Not sure.  Not this year.  Not in my plan.  I'm old.