Gino wrote:> ephilride@... writes: > > Gino! > >>
a> Well, Knot, there you go again. The Boxer twin that will win Dakar in > 2001will most likely only official BMW roundels. HPN will have to > completely > rebuild everything BMW managed screw up in the process of trying to build
I am not so sure that BMW will win. With Roma and Sainct trading places who knows. But I do know that the premier class is the Super Production class and the winner is always on a "Works Bike". So what if HPN builds the bike or the Richard S. shop. The fact is that BMW is back at Dakar and it is great for the sport. When the BMW's went tick-tick-boom in 1998 everybody wrote them off (me included). Now that they are the favored team......somehow they (BMW) aren't seen as fair competitors and are just buying the win with a mega bucks effort (let no one kid you, BMW has spent $$$$$$$ on a successful Dakar program). But, the fact is that KTM has spent more than any factory in the history of Dakar and NEVER won the race. Sainct vs. Roma and BMW vs. KTM. Roma proved to be the quicker rider through 13 stages this year. BMW proved to be the better bike in the long run. The quickest rider on the "best" bike.......is it Roma/BMW or Sainct/KTM? KTM builds high performance bikes that you and I can buy (and race if so desired). BMW builds "gentlemen's motorcycles" that let you fantasize about racing. In the market place, actual racing and "fantasizing" about racing are both successful. So, what does this have to do with the BMW you can go buy off the floor at your local dealer. Well, almost nothing.......except that you can get a 2001 F650GS/PD replica with "Race Graphics" (that look very similar to a KLR in NM). And the proud owner can explain what "PD" means to an interested third party - Paris Dakar! This creates interest and sells bikes! Then again, what has Kawasaki done to advance the state of the art in the Dual Sport area? They have certainly held the price line and to many the KLR represents the "best value" and for that matter, the "Best Dual Sport" of all time. But some riders want more (or different) and there are many choices including BMW. This is good. BMW's "Funduro" concept is moving forward, Kawasaki's KLR is not. Some are happy with old, reliable, and cheap.....some are not. This is not a slam.......its just that the KLR is the KLR....tried, true and very OLD.....but still loved. Some would argue that the Dual Sport market is dead in America. Where are the new bikes.....all in Europe, that is where. Three cheers for BMW for bringing the F650GS and PD to the USA! Come on Kawasaki - build us a new KLR. But who will buy one? And at what price? And who needs a state-of-the-art Dual Sport anyway? Deep, deep, down inside we all want something else from time to time from ride to ride. Our favorite DS bike is always lacking in one area or the other. "I need more luggage capacity, I want to ride 2-up, I need more ground clearance, I need more suspension travel, I need a lower seat height....and lighter weight is always good!" Heck, the ol' KLR aint such a dog after all......the perfect do nothing great - do many thangs well bike. Gino, you were right all along. Just took me awhile to come to my senses. Enough of this idle chatter......Let the race begin. I may be pulling for the ultimate underdog - KTM's first year effort in the bi-cylinder class (a V-twin?). KTM has been building and racing singles for years and they all blew up (or crashed) at Dakar. Now they are going after BMW in the bi-cylinder class.....just who do those spunky little bicycle makers think they are? ;~) Knot - up early to re-write the "Truth"> motorcycle.
>
> can anyone here give me any info and time estimate for healing? i
> know its a general ? , i'm just trying to get a rough estimate.
>
> please email me direct at kawklr@...
>
> tia,
> ej
>
>
>
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