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Eric Buell

DukeofCornwall

DukeofCornwall

2014-07-08 10:04:00 UTC

Saw the WSB and they said that Eric Buell Racing had tried normal brakes instead of the oe rim brakes in a recent test. Embarrassingly they were 3 seconds a lap quicker. Me thinks rim brakes might be a thing of the past soon.

Ducati Pete

Ducati Pete

2014-07-08 10:50:00 UTC

Or they could put a second rim mounted disc on?

QuietRider

QuietRider

2014-07-08 12:27:00 UTC

Post missing.

SDNerd

SDNerd

2014-07-08 16:28:00 UTC

I think his superbike sales would improve with standard brakes because I suspect a lot of potential buyers feel a bit nervous about rim brakes.

Ducati Pete

Ducati Pete

2014-07-08 17:23:00 UTC

What you all refer to as "rim brakes" are an ancient idea on motorcycles. Mr. Buell didn't invent them - this happened before he, or anyone on this forum was born. The so-called "Zero Torsional Load" brakes suck IMO. Only one of many reasons people are leery of Buell's current offerings.

For the record, Buell hasn't always used them for racing - his AMA efforts (pre-Rotax-engine bikes) in past used conventional brakes, when the team discovered they were putting themselves at significant (greater) disadvantage in using the ridiculous ZTL. What's amusing about the SBK testing posted here - is that EBR already knew there were better answers.

ZTL is strictly another "quirk" maintained by Mr. Buell's overlarge ego. No matter how inferior an idea it is - one thing is for sure - Erik won't come to terms with it easily. Even if they change to a more conventional braking system for SBK, I wouldn't expect that change to happen any time soon for the "production" bikes.

Shiroyu

Shiroyu

2014-07-08 22:23:00 UTC

Post missing.

SDNerd

SDNerd

2014-07-09 06:25:00 UTC

I agree those brakes suck just rode an xb9 or whatever and the brake felt spongy and under powered compared to my sd. I guess it is cool looking but I dont like anything single sided up front

DribbleDuke

DribbleDuke

2014-07-09 16:37:00 UTC

Post missing.

SDNerd

SDNerd

2014-07-09 21:03:00 UTC

Here ya go, dual calipers on a ZTL rotor set onehundredeightydegrees apart.
The problem as I see it is the bikes are not competitive, the riders are middle of the road and the bike looks like shit. No doubt they will sell but homologation goes to 500 next year and I just do not see the possibility of that many sells. If memory serves me Eric Buell is a connected cousin of Harley or Davidson and with this familiarity comes stocks of previously and or aforementioned, well kind of, company. He has a deep pocket and a need to prove he can do it better. As if that would take a great leap. His company and his name come up far too often in conversations about motorcycles, I wish the crusher used on the Blast had the 501C4 LLC documents crushed along with the aforementioned or previously mentioned Blast.
Now enough said about impertinent bikes and "race?" teams.
PS I like Aaron Yates and Geoff May, I'm glad they are getting a pay check.