[WetShrub]

Big discussions on BARF about this race. The top 3 guys were all on totally different machines but the race was SO close. Some are saying the new comer to the class, the XB12 has too much power for the other bikes. You be the judge. The camera isn't so great as it was taken from the scoring tower but the racing is phenomenal. Thunderhill Raceway, CA.

The question is, was the Buell drafting to the line or did he power to the line?

BTW, I am in there somewhere but you can't make out my number or anything. I can see myself at the start but the rest of the time I have no clue.

http://www.visionwells.com/afmracing.../FormulaIV.zip

Brian Long - SV650
Michael Lohmeyer - VFR400
Shawn Reilly - Buell XB12

All of these guys are totally amazing racers.

-Shrub

[knip]

Disgusting.

I'm going to go throw up now.

A. because a Harley won a race
B. because I had to load Quicktime on my machine to watch that thing win.

[G-Force Junkie]

Originally Posted by knip

Disgusting.

I'm going to go throw up now.

A. because a Harley won a race

But it took 3x the displacement...

[WetShrub]

But it's also an aircooled pushrod twin with an engine that is 100 years old.

Oh, and if anyone is familiar with the track, they were turning 1:59's on bikes with around 80 horsepower. Set a new lap record for that race class.

[tigerblade]

Yeah, I had to race against a lot of Buells last year. They definitely have more squirt than the SV.

[WetShrub]

It's hard to tell whether he drafted that much extra speed to the line or if he carried more momentum out of the last turn or if he just had the extra power to get there first. Maybe a combination of all of those. I guess we will find out next month if he is able to ride away from the competition with a better grid position. Either way, many SV riders and VFR riders are up in a stink about it because they think it has too much HP. I'm no where near the top so it doesn't bother me. The other thing is whether that built Buell engine can go a whole season or does it grenade during a race?

[CBRVFR]

Originally Posted by WetShrub

Either way, many SV riders and VFR riders are up in a stink about it because they think it has too much HP.

Now they know how the 650 Hawk guys felt when the SV began kicking it all over the grid.

[tigerblade]

Originally Posted by CBRVFR

Now they know how the 650 Hawk guys felt when the SV began kicking it all over the grid.

And I still can't fathom why Honda didn't counterstrike with a new Hawk. They'd sell like hotcakes!

[WetShrub]

Totally! I agree, the SV is a great street bike. They didn't expect to sell as many as they have and for what they put into this bike, it's been a cash cow. I have considered getting one as a street bike because they are so versatile....plus I'd have a backup bike for parts.

Can't say the same for the Buell.

[knip]

Originally Posted by WetShrub

But it's also an aircooled pushrod twin with an engine that is 100 years old.

Oh, and if anyone is familiar with the track, they were turning 1:59's on bikes with around 80 horsepower. Set a new lap record for that race class.

That thing is pushing more than 80HP

[Kuss929]

I have not seen drafting work like that in such a short distance with the exception of indy cars on ovals.

[dB]

Shrub, what are the basic rules for Formula IV?

[ND4SPD]

The 1200 is probably pushing around 120hp or so IIRC. Normally I'd say that's a disadvantage....but it's a Buell

[WetShrub]

Formula IV rules? Meaning what type of bikes can enter?

Straight from the rule book:

Formula IV , allows four-stroke twins to be from 251 to 650cc, four-stroke multi-cylinder engines from 400 to 550cc, street-based two-stroke twin engines from 201 to 250cc, four-stroke single cylinder engines from 251 to Open cc, 4-stroke, 2-valve, air-cooled twins from 251 to 810cc and push-rod, air-cooled twins from 251 to 1210cc. It was created at the request of enthusiastic riders who specifically wanted to create a class which should give close competition between a wide variety of bike types.

Generally this means a majority of SV650s with Aprilia RS250's, 2 Buell XB12's, a host of 400cc bikes (grey market and otherwise). It's actually a REALLY fun race because of the variety. There is so much strategy going into it because the SV's have more power than the smaller bikes but can't corner as well. There is a kid on a 450 Honda Motard that was turning the same lap times as me! Sliding the rear tire through the turns with his leg out! Totally impressive.

[WetShrub]

The other point I made was,

How come the VFR400 was unable to draft pass the Buell in the laps previous? But as soon as the Buell gets in the draft, he flies by! Hmmm...

[Echothunder00]

Well a number of factors come into play...
To answer before mentioned points... the power and torque of the Buell is officially stated at 103 peak horsepower and 84 ft. lbs. torque. Combine that with the primary drive ratio is lowered from 1.68:1 to 1.50:1 giving the Buell a long gear to build up speed in. Now compare the weight Dry Weight 395 lbs. (179 kg).

Not sure what year the VFR400 was but from what I could find on the net they were boasting just over 61hp at 12krpm, and didnt even list the torque ratings.
Weight. 164 kg (dry), 182 kg (wet)

As for the SV650 I found posted Claimed Peak Horsepower @ rpm70 hp (51,5 kW)/ 9.000 rpmClaimed Peak Torque @ rpm62 Nm/ 7.500 rpm/45.72 Ft-Lb.
Primary Drive Gear Teeth (Ratio)71/ 34 (2.088:1)
Dry weight:165 kg (364 lbs)

That being said the Buell has more hp and more torque though it weighs 30lbs more then the SV.

all in all great race... but there are some definate spec differences between these bikes.

If posting similiar track times makes the bikes an even match then from the looks of the race it was fairly even matched.

Head to head spec to spec, the Buell just has more go. Though the shorter rpm band could come into play, just as having 85% of the torque available at 2500rpm could as well.