Moto-Brian

Aprilia's dealer network is really bad actually. They sell maybe 4k units a year. Worldwide. BMW, Triumph and Ducati are about 2% each of the motorcycles sold in this country. They sell about 10-12k a year EACH. We almost hit 11k in 2012. Aprilia? Well... At 4k world wide... you can figure it out... EBR will be facing the likes of these three Euro brands rather than the Japanese brands and HD. They will have a tough battle. At the price point and the small network, it will be a tough set of years, but the Hero branded stuff may help out in putting a foot in the door. But to sell cheaper scooters in the US alongside the numerous brands that already exist and then ask to do a $19k motorcycle is going to be a tough sell in point. I think they should have waited only but a little. In order to get the other two models out. Release a set of 4 machines as a model year vs. a single unit plus an exotic like the RS.

No anger here. Cool the PM that you sent saying ho many people think it is great when you give me a hard time. The funny part is that we might be saying similar things. Maybe... In the end, I was simply stating that the internal engine components are that of what a top spec race bike would incorporate. The RX is developed upon that R&D that they've done. The components within the RX are simply more resilient to wear and tear and can still produce the same or more hp as the racer. Think about anything. The previous generation "racebike" may have had components such as race type rods, crank, cams, pistons, and other assorted exotic components, but the resulting production bike has much less exotic materials and yet more power and performance. It is evolution. And that is what maybe you are saying... And if so, I guess you are right. But again... The RX will have those exotic type components internally as a racebike. It will have race type suspenders as in WSBK, they do not use the OEM style suspenders. They will be using high level Ohlins stuff. They very well may use the RX platform, but the results will still incorporate the unobtainable and exotice race components that are normally found on bikes. I was saying the RS has components that are better. That produce better returns on performance. At a cost and thus the reason for the price differences between the two. Again, I think we are saying somewhat the same things. But the changes are a lot to do with rider thoughts as a street bike rather than racing. They will not be using the OEM TC as a base for either WSBK (especially) or even AMA... The stuff they use for those series are so much outside what you can imagine... The TC on the RX is for a street guy. Not a racer. The RS didn't need it and they actually refused to use TC as the cost was too much at the time. Now, they will incorporate the TC needed and even if they did on the RS, because it didn't have it made no difference. As a race team is concerned, no matter what the bike comes with, they pitch it anyways. So, why add that cost to production if not needed? The RS would have cost much more if that was there...

I stated that as to let you know that I saw the motors being assembled and was walked through the specs of the bikes at the time. I also was told the plan or thought towards the RX that was to be forth coming. Whatever, man. You know it all. His idea was to use the RX as a platform for electronics. He didn't do the RS with electronics due to the sheer costs, etc... By the way, you were interviewed as a possible employee in Japan for the R&D department at Toyota in their skunk works? Wow... Or did you interview for a position running a screw gun at the assembly plant in IN that YOU would consider the "headquarters"? I also think your signature is cute. Can I brag about all the shit piles I've owned? Purdy please? Toolbox. Guess you know more than I do. The RS is a shit motor, the RX is a race built motor and I don't know shit. You win. Yippie on you. Will you add it to your list of sweet whips? I cannot wait and will keep an eye peeled on the list in anticipation of it growing.

I enjoy the smart ass and all knowing. Run with what you think you know and I'll just sit back and watch. Yes, it has TC. Yes, it has TFT. But the internals are NOT the same. They are mass production parts and not the one off and hand built motors they had in the RS. Believe what you want, kind sir. I guess you put Magnesium wheels, full trick Ohlins front and back, and more race components on the inferior bike, huh? The RX is a MORE streetable machine for the masses. Yes, it has the TC, it has the TFT display and yes, it has component differences than that of the RS. But the RS is a bike that has a motor that is containing components found on a fully race spec'd bike. The rods, the crank, the matching the heads, etc. All race oriented. And if you think that they are going to race the RX in WSBK, you're right as they need to produce a set amount before they can. The RS will not fit that bill due to the amount of work each unit takes and the cost. Like Ducati in WSBK, they had to produce a set number of the bikes to meet rules. If you think the 1199 RS13 is a production racer, you are mistaken. It is the work of Corse and taking an 1199R and building it to be a WSBK machine. Same will happen with the RX. They will use the production of that bike to meet rules. The bike they will race will be as far from the showroom version as Earth is to Mars. Same with AMA. The interesting component will be the forks on the RX for AMA use. But again, they had produced enough units for AMA rules and I suspect that they will actually use the RS platform still unless they have been working on the RX motor and being able to use it as a platform much like Yamaha is with their R1. Meaning, the newer motor does have more claimed HP and even though lower compression, they very well could have developed parts that even in production based products will be sound as a race platform. Cams, cranks, etc are going to have to be production based according to rules. Again, the years they've been racing the RS has allowed them to develop a motor that very well could be what the RX is. Very possible. But I can tell you from first hand experience that the motors in the RS version are as trick as you will see in a "production" unit. It has pure race components inside and thus, the reason for the short intervals for maintenance. The RX will have a LOT longer service interval than that of the RS and that is for obvious reasons that you don't seem to be understanding from what I am saying. I think it is great that you are an enthusiast for the Buell product. Again, I was brought up to see the factory and interviewed for a position there. I think Erik is awesome and I love his passion. But the bikes are very different. I also think that the price point is crazy. It's too much. There isn't the heritage and network that Ducati for example has. over 150 dealers US wide for Ducati and a parts fill rate of 98%+ on parts. I think that EBR will fight the price issue. It certainly will be a decent performance bike and will tug at the heart strings of the fans that have stuck by Erik all these years. It will be cool to watch and how it pans out and I will be rooting for them. But your tone is laughable...

Uh, name them. The internal components of the RX are lower end than the RS. The suspension isn't Ohlins like the RS. Please elaborate.Oh, and they will have to race the RX due to rules. They need 500 and then 2000. So, they have to race it. But they will have the hand assembled components found on the RS like the way they am.chine the heads and the rods they use, etc. they will also use the Ohlins components. Also, the RS has magnesium alloy components not found on the RX. Etc., etc...

I got to admit I am kinda bummed. When I was told about the details of this bike over a year ago, target price point was $16k-ish. At the asking price, the bike is $1k more than the 1199, weighs 40 lbs more, 10 hp less and has lower end components. I almost took a job with EBR so, this isn't a deal where I am promoting Ducati. All I am saying is that EBR has a tough road ahead. They are competing with brands that have a much higher recognition rate and are making bikes that are higher performance. We will see in the tests that come out, but KTM will be updating their RC8 also and I fear that EBR will be dumped into the deep end of the pool with the sharks. Versus the dealer networks and supply chains of the OEMs that it will face, it's going to be hard... Bike looks great as expected. I am sure it is a great handling bike also. It's just a couple years behind what is current and will be a tough sale at $19k...

Again, the RS has race spec engine internals. This is more production type stuff. The price tag on the RS makes sense. There are no improvements over the RS in the new RX...

If you all are going, consider bringing your bike and doing the Ducati Indy track day the monday after. Pretty great way to end an epic weekend!

I'll shoot ya a PM once I get my schedule figured out.

Bump... Still have this and everything to go with it. Thought we'd keep it for the next little guy, but it would sit and sit... Looking for a XR/CRF100 if interested in a trade plus my cash. Asking $700.

Hey man, I cannot seem to find out if my stand will work. I think it will, but having a tough time finding one to experiment. Are you going to be up at the track Tuesday? I'd make an offer of $40, but hate to lowball. I will be through Columbus Monday also...

Whoa.

Yup!

It's looking better in terms of weather. OSU - I will have those tires. The track will be slippery at the start. Once we get some sun like it is supposed to do, it will come in. Mid 50s isn't the best, but it'll be just fine.

You're right. You're a genius. Carry on. I gotta go to the internet and find out what else in the world is true. Thanks for pointing that out. I never realized Marketing controlled service issues. That's interesting. Screw Kawasaki. Those ignorant, sneaky, liars. Man, if an OEM was hiding stuff, lying through their teeth and allowing marketing to control their good name, I'd sell that pile and mayb find an OEM that doesn't do that. You might wanna consider buying a Wammmmbulance and cruise around town to the local Rally's with a giant cardboard sign saying OEMs are the devil and Obama is Hitler. By the way, I like Kawasaki. I was with them for a few years with Team Green and feel they are one of the best smaller Japanese brands. I think what you think is totally ludicrous. But, read the internet, check the forums and let me know what is going on. Oh, and by the way, if you go to a dealership and they run a diagnostic test and find the ECU is at fault, they will replace it under warranty. Stalling could also be cam timing also... It could be a slew of things. Yes, it can be the ECU. It could be a bunch of things. Surfing the internet for an answer isn't the same as having a qualified tech run tests and finding out what it really is. Whatever, man. Your show, your thread. I'll sit back and watch the genius at work.

You do understand that the US models very well could have a different map than what is found on the Euro bikes, right? Just because in Peru they have a recall, doesn't mean the US bikes are having the same issue. All US bikes come with what they call CA specs and can be different... There was a recall on the voltage regulators for 09-12s I remember, but nothing on ECUs... And trust me, Kawasaki USA isn't oblivious. You make it sound like Kaw USA is in the dark. Silly...

What quality is Med Res? i haven't seen guys doing different scaled prices on pics... Is that new?

WERA GNF. I also got invited, but have work... Again...

Everything except the windscreen and rearsets are on your R now...

He does. I stayed until 10:30 Friday and he and Chad were there until after midnight getting the S setup. He was railing the thing and learning the new Carbon wheels. He said it turned in so fast and it took some time to adjust, but he was fucking flying like normal. He's heading to Barber next. Wish I was able to attend...

I think we are having a healthy discussion... Are we beating it to death?

Marty- What is the price per print if emailed or digitally sent? I am interested in 3-4 of them. What's a CD price again?

You should've seen me at the race practice for Moto Series Saturday! Holy shit!! We changed gearing and matt and I were on the rear wheels all the time. In some cases where I squared up turn 10, I'd get the wheel down at about the start/finish! I had Tommy excited. I passed him in a wheelie and it made him all excited like I am sure you are aware. Kid has so much passion for this stuff...

Congrats man!! You deserve to make a hoot over this! You're definitely one of the best dudes shooting pics! They are always amazing quality and from some pretty cool angles and spots. Good job! Who's that asshole on the Pani? ;P