[RC51DRAG]

Haga "should" win the title this year. Haga consistently is a slow tester but suddenly picks up his game when the race is on. He's come from a grid position out of the top ten to be leading a race within the first 2-3 corners. Ben Spies to me seems the second most likely contender; only lack of track knowledge will hold him back. I expect the BMWs to do well and make the top ten with a podium or two, possibly even a win or two as the season winds down, as the S1000RR is more developed, and as other teams have to go into points mode while contending for the title.

As much of a WSB fan I am I could care less how they do; I'll probably still buy one.

This is a good move for BMW; it's a win - win anyway you look at it. Triumph did well with the 675 despite not racing it internationally so racing isn't the end-all-be-all it seems to be. And WSC, BMW does not need to win on the track to win in terms of sales. Suzuki's GSXR750 is the most successful superbike, in terms of sales, to come out of WSC but it never won a title. As long as BMW prices the S1000RR to be competitive with the Japanese it will sell. Initially to BMW fans like myself but over time they will expand their market just as the 675 and other superbikes have taken a piece of the Japanese pie. BMW isn't looking for Honda like sales, they don't need to.

I wonder if there is a price adjustment in the works for the RC8 from KTM. Right now in Canada it's priced at $20K for the base model and $25K for the R or S model. If BMW comes out at $18K - $20K with a 3 year warranty why would you buy anything else without a comparable deal, other than personal preference.