Jeremy McWilliams

The only way I see Buell/HD in MotoGP is if they did the same the did last time, that is, pay some external company with the required technology to build the bikes and then brand them HD/Buell (in the 70's they were competitive in 350cc world championship)

Though right now I think the return of Aprilia Racing could be first possibility, they are a racing bike manufacturers and sooner or later the 2 strokes will be finally murdered and they'll have no other option than to build 4 stroke GP bikes or disappear.

Also it will be interesting to see of any of the new emerging Asian companies (Chinese and Korean) have interest in racing.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (teomolca @ Apr 6 2007, 10:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Though right now I think the return of Aprilia Racing could be first possibility, they are a racing bike manufacturers and sooner or later the 2 strokes will be finally murdered and they'll have no other option than to build 4 stroke GP bikes or disappear.

I recently read in MCN (so it could be a lie) that Aprilia are building a 1000cc v four to race world superbikes with. If this is true its great news, but would a 1200cc rule make them re-consider.

Ducati should take a leaf out of this Honda/aprilia book, when it is obvious your engine layout is ...., either make a new bike or lose, don't ..... untill they change the rules.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (teomolca @ Apr 6 2007, 11:55 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>The only way I see Buell/HD in MotoGP is if they did the same the did last time, that is, pay some external company with the required technology to build the bikes and then brand them HD/Buell (in the 70's they were competitive in 350cc world championship)

Though right now I think the return of Aprilia Racing could be first possibility, they are a racing bike manufacturers and sooner or later the 2 strokes will be finally murdered and they'll have no other option than to build 4 stroke GP bikes or disappear.

Also it will be interesting to see of any of the new emerging Asian companies (Chinese and Korean) have interest in racing.

Something will replace the 125/250s and aprilia has a good headstart on that with their V-Twin 450/550 used in their off road and Super Moto.
I had a hard look at the bikes and the engine on a motor show a month ago, and you wouldn't belive how compact and small that engine is. You have to look twice to even notice it's a 4 stroke as the sylinders, including heads, are so low.
They are competing with these machines allready and people has been beging them to put that engine into a reviced RS250 frame as a new small bore street bike. No luck so far but I bet it will come with changes in the support classes. That is Aprilia's first option.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Babelfish @ Apr 6 2007, 07:57 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><div class='quotemain'>Something will replace the 125/250s and aprilia has a good headstart on that with their V-Twin 450/550 used in their off road and Super Moto.
I had a hard look at the bikes and the engine on a motor show a month ago, and you wouldn't belive how compact and small that engine is. You have to look twice to even notice it's a 4 stroke as the sylinders, including heads, are so low.
They are competing with these machines allready and people has been beging them to put that engine into a reviced RS250 frame as a new small bore street bike. No luck so far but I bet it will come with changes in the support classes. That is Aprilia's first option.

Kinda like this? -> http://www.rsvr.net/shop/custom.asp?recid=11

Buell in MotoGP?

Maybe if they lease an engine from Honda, a frame from KR and borrow $60 million to enter a sport that the majority of HD and Buell executives, share holders and riders, know little about.

Motorcycle companies race to sell motorcycles – if your customers care little for racing and gp wins don’t mean more people in the show room then there’s a cost/benefit that makes racing prohibitive.

Even if BMW has very deep pockets