Speed UTV

Sean@Weddle said:
I grew up as the only kid in a school that didn't care for typical stick and ball sports. My interest was NASCAR and any type of racing. Needless to say, I was not popular, nor did I care to be.

Being a diehard NASCAR fan as a kid, Robby was not my favorite driver, by a long shot. Even to the point of hating him along with Tony Stewart and later on the Busch brothers.

As I grew a bit older in my teens and 20's, my "hatred" for drivers turned more into dislike as I realized there was no point in hating anyone simply for how they drive a car on a race track, or what I saw of them in TV interviews after a rough race.

Within my first 6-months here at Weddle, Robby was preparing to race the Parker 425 with the Albins ST6 trans in his trophy truck for the first time. Ron had taken me out there to help with contingency setup and start learning the ropes (was my first time attending an off-road race of that magnitude, as a racing fanboy all my life, it was an experience of a lifetime).

On the way to Parker Wednesday night, Ron said we might have to stop over at Robby's place to check up on the trans and make sure everything was looking good. I have to admit that I was a little excited just to be around someone of that magnitude in the racing world, even if I didn't care for him. That night I worked on a $35k gearbox with Bob Gordon (very nice guy, had no idea who he was) in Robby Gordon's garage next to a full blown trophy truck.

Fast forward to today, Robby has my cell number and I am telling him and his guys what needs to be done to their gearboxes to make them right. 

I have to say that being around Robby for the past 9 years, I have not seen too many other major racing personalities be as open and accessible as Robby is. He will stop and take a picture with anyone that asks him. He signs endless autographs for the kids. He completely changed my perception from what I thought I knew of him 20 years ago. Of course everyone changes, and I think he has as well with age, as I did with learning to stop wasting my energy on "hating" for no good reason other than what I saw on TV. 

I get that he has burned a few bridges in our small off-road racing world, but because it's such a small world, you will always hear about the bad interactions, gossip, and rumors before you have a chance to make your own decisions based on actual interactions with anyone. 

Regardless of what anyone thinks about Robby, I have to say that so far, I am thoroughly impressed with the effort and quality that is going into these Speed UTV units. Yes, what you are seeing now can be hard to look at and digest as we see the first "production" parts come off the line. But this is also something that you would never have seen any other manufacture show, ever! And they have certainly had to deal the same type of growing pains that Speed UTV is currently dealing with. The quality of these cars will be "good" at the very least once the kinks get ironed out of the production procedures. 

Just my opinion as a fringe insider.
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How cool is it that RG now looks to you for advise.  

 
Punchdrunk Monkey said:
I disagree. I am neither a fanboy or hater. I have a SpeedSxS on order because it checked all the boxes for me. I knew it would take longer than originally stated. I am ready for these things to be done and built, but I am not mad or bitching because they are not. I don't plan on having mine this season (#745). I am not sweating the money I have out there. If I couldn't afford it, I wouldn't of spent it. I have all the cash sitting in an account waiting for delivery. Actually the longer it takes to get built the more money my investment is making, the less cash the Speed is going to cost me. My money is working. 

The building is just like everything else. RG gets excited and and starts talking about stuff (sometimes too early). I know no facts about his building but I am in the construction business. Planning and Permits take time. So he parked his truck in front of the building.....who cares. They have started demo, that was shown on of the episodes. 

RG sometimes reminds me of Trump. Sometimes you just need to keep your month shut. But keeping their mouth shut isn't what got them to where they are now. For some, all press is good press. Not my style and I am good at ignoring the BS. 
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I agree would say 100% but I do not have one on order yet. Still gonna use what I have for now. Said it before will say it again if and when I go to the SXS world the only one I would buy is the Speed Diablo. Razors need soo much aftermarket parts to make them hold up to average abuse. Canam seems better but still not even close to the speed units as they are currently being designed. I am thinking the same way put 10k in stocks and seen it go too 19k. Trying to do my best to get to 30ish. Maybe that will coincide with with when they reach delivery. If not no sweat. For 1500 down on a stock DiabIo I could do it today just really don't have any more room in the garage. First priority is where can I keep it or what will I get rid of, infact as crazy it may sound I would be happy to put down the deposit at the set cost today to lock in but not even take delivery until just before deez season in 2023. 

 
Yeah, I was speaking to some 'senior' (as far as how many rides they've owned) Glamis/off-road folks who frequent this site, some that don't... and we mostly all agreed that you pretty much don't want Gen 1 of any new ride. I think a patient approach might be better.. ride our massively upgraded (and costly) RZRs and Can Hams... for now,. .then see how these SPEED perform over a season or 2, and then make the move if the promise becomes reality. 

I don't have any issue with those that have put faith in RG to build the best out of the box SXS and laid down a deposit. He's not a Ponzi schemer and is really trying to accomplish this. I think him waiting until it's completely dialed before deriving an 'unfinished or not fully tested' product is the right way to go.. one n done... no recalls, etc.

The supply chain factor issues are HUGE.. I know.. I'm in it (for semiconductors),.. just bad timing for him. I'll be surprised if they're not top notch out of the gate once released.

Speaking of shortages, I'll be running a 1/2 built deal on my new RZR, but at least I have a cage. All the other items can wait.

SOOOO ready to take off some time from the keyboard/screen and romp!

Best,

abc

 
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Sand Shark said:
How cool is it that RG now looks to you for advise.  
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Yeah. That really points out what an arsehole RG is, huh? All of the people who hate on him and trash talk his efforts because - you know the drill. I've met him 3 times in Glamis and he was very friendly, very down to earth. I suppose there are people who have stories to tell that might not be so flattering, but I don't judge people by rumors, I watch what they actually do. 

Ever heard of Polaris, CanAm or any of the other UTV mfrs reaching out to Weddle or Albins for advice while designing their drive trains? I haven't. They just slap together POSs, shove them out the door and their customers end up dealing with the poor designs and crappy cheap bearings.

I think a lot of people are hating on the wrong guy, they should turn their hate toward the companies cranking out lousy vehicles for max. profit.

 
Lord of the Dunes said:
Yeah. That really points out what an arsehole RG is, huh? All of the people who hate on him and trash talk his efforts because - you know the drill. I've met him 3 times in Glamis and he was very friendly, very down to earth. I suppose there are people who have stories to tell that might not be so flattering, but I don't judge people by rumors, I watch what they actually do. 

Ever heard of Polaris, CanAm or any of the other UTV mfrs reaching out to Weddle or Albins for advice while designing their drive trains? I haven't. They just slap together POSs, shove them out the door and their customers end up dealing with the poor designs and crappy cheap bearings.

I think a lot of people are hating on the wrong guy, they should turn their hate toward the companies cranking out lousy vehicles for max. profit.
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I've known him from Baja and Glamis for over 20 years.  Last season, he needed tools to fix his UTV.  He had someone else come ask us if we had tools.  I lent him some.  When his guy took them back over to RG, RG said, is this all they have? in a shitty tone.  Oh I'm sorry...

So yeah, I'll stick by my statement. Not a fan.

 
Lord of the Dunes said:
Yeah. That really points out what an arsehole RG is, huh? All of the people who hate on him and trash talk his efforts because - you know the drill. I've met him 3 times in Glamis and he was very friendly, very down to earth. I suppose there are people who have stories to tell that might not be so flattering, but I don't judge people by rumors, I watch what they actually do. 

Ever heard of Polaris, CanAm or any of the other UTV mfrs reaching out to Weddle or Albins for advice while designing their drive trains? I haven't. They just slap together POSs, shove them out the door and their customers end up dealing with the poor designs and crappy cheap bearings.

I think a lot of people are hating on the wrong guy, they should turn their hate toward the companies cranking out lousy vehicles for max. profit.
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Who knows maybe they did reach out and made him sign a non-disclosure agreement.  

I think RG  brings some of the hate on himself as he dances the fine line of being confident and being arrogant.  Can't make everyone happy. 

In your mind is everything that is not Speed UTV a POS UTV?   

 
Sand Shark said:
Who knows maybe they did reach out and made him sign a non-disclosure agreement.  

I think RG  brings some of the hate on himself as he dances the fine line of being confident and being arrogant.  Can't make everyone happy. 

In your mind is everything that is not Speed UTV a POS UTV?   
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If any of them had gotten design help from Weddle/Albins, they'd be using that as a major advertising bullet point.

In previous years, yes. But nothing to do with Speed, just looking at their lack of cages, chassis weekness, etc - a million things. My frame of reference is sand rails. I know it's not fair to compare those 2, but I feel my life and those who ride with me should be safe in case of an accident.

Over the last few yrs, they've gotten better, but still not great. I'm not joking about how many CanAms lost their front suspension at the ball joints this weekend. One guy did a video and he only had 139 mi on it. Yes he hit a lip at the bottom of a small downhill section, but IMHO, a well made vehicle should have been able to drive through that without ripping off both front spindles.

I know most people don't expect them to be as strong as I do, but anybody who disagrees with safer is better isn't thinking straight. I also think all of the sketchy looking home made old skool rails out there aren't strong enough either. I wouldn't drive one, but to each his own.

 
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Lord of the Dunes said:
Yeah. That really points out what an arsehole RG is, huh? All of the people who hate on him and trash talk his efforts because - you know the drill. I've met him 3 times in Glamis and he was very friendly, very down to earth. I suppose there are people who have stories to tell that might not be so flattering, but I don't judge people by rumors, I watch what they actually do. 

Ever heard of Polaris, CanAm or any of the other UTV mfrs reaching out to Weddle or Albins for advice while designing their drive trains? I haven't. They just slap together POSs, shove them out the door and their customers end up dealing with the poor designs and crappy cheap bearings.

I think a lot of people are hating on the wrong guy, they should turn their hate toward the companies cranking out lousy vehicles for max. profit.
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I have never seen someone so proud of something he doesn't have. You are just like RG, every episode or like you every post is something negative about other manufacturers, if your product is that good you don't have to do that.

 
DOGGY said:
I have never seen someone so proud of something he doesn't have. You are just like RG, every episode or like you every post is something negative about other manufacturers, if your product is that good you don't have to do that.
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So it's OK for all of the haters and chit talkers to come in here and talk all of the crap they want...

but there's something wrong with me pointing out when the wheels fall of the CanAms.

Did I get that right?

 
MWB said:
Yep, because just like Robbie Gordon most people think of you as a arrogant prick who is never wrong :lol:  

Just remember by putting this :lol:  its just a joke right :lol:  
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You should hear what everyone thinks of you.

Oh, almost forgot. No smiley face. 

 
Lord of the Dunes said:
If any of them had gotten design help from Weddle/Albins, they'd be using that as a major advertising bullet point.

In previous years, yes. But nothing to do with Speed, just looking at their lack of cages, chassis weekness, etc - a million things. My frame of reference is sand rails. I know it's not fair to compare those 2, but I feel my life and those who ride with me should be safe in case of an accident.

Over the last few yrs, they've gotten better, but still not great. I'm not joking about how many CanAms lost their front suspension at the ball joints this weekend. One guy did a video and he only had 139 mi on it. Yes he hit a lip at the bottom of a small downhill section, but IMHO, a well made vehicle should have been able to drive through that without ripping off both front spindles.

I know most people don't expect them to be as strong as I do, but anybody who disagrees with safer is better isn't thinking straight. I also think all of the sketchy looking home made old skool rails out there aren't strong enough either. I wouldn't drive one, but to each his own.
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I saw a video of a dude driving a 4 seater and did not see a nice drop off you could see coming in the video.  He lawn darted his Can Am doing over 30mph off what was probably a 5'-6" drop.  That the video you talking about?  I like how you equate peoples stupid driving mistakes to the car they are driving is a POS.  If that were the case a Pirus is the biggest POS ever made. 

I am sure every other example you have from this weekend is someone that hit a witches eye.  It takes a significant force to snap a ball joint.  Have you ever looked a stock Can Am or Polaris ball joint?

How many sandrails are at Joe Fab because they rip an arm off or spindle?  His instagram page was full of them. 

 
I'll stand by my previous statement that SXSs, like Sand Cars in 06-08.. and trophy trucks recently with AWD .. or Ultra 4 cars with IFS.. have maxed out.. a decently built SXS (you have to aftermarket a RZR or Canned Ham to make them decent) will be right there with the SPEED... it's NOT a game changer once you have built up machines.. it will be down to the driver.

We'll see when my buddy finally gets his SPEED. .. with the key he might toast me in a hill climb or drag race, but I'll bet we'll be equal duning, desert, rock, etc.

abc

If it's after marketed.. it's ...

DRIVER

DRIVER

DRIVER

SXSs are 'maxed out.'.. get a buggy and be a man.. or drive a good caged/suspension SXS and run a rainbow flag.. (like I will)...

 
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michael.gonzalez said:
How many class 1 buggies are at Joe Fab? (Desert v. Sand built toys are very different)
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I don't see many Class 1 cars in Glamis.   Some rail manufactures advertise their cars as dual sports.  LOL!!

LOTD reference sand rails.  Desert race cars are on another level of build.  

 
ANGRYBUTTCRACK said:
I'll stand by my previous statement that SXSs, like Sand Cars in 06-08.. and trophy trucks recently with AWD .. or Ultra 4 cars with IFS.. have maxed out.. a decently built SXS (you have to aftermarket a RZR or Canned Ham to make them decent) will be right there with the SPEED... it's NOT a game changer once you have built up machines.. it will be down to the driver.

We'll see when my buddy finally gets his SPEED. .. with the key he might toast me in a hill climb or drag race, but I'll bet we'll be equal duning, desert, rock, etc.

abc

If it's after marketed.. it's ...

DRIVER

DRIVER

DRIVER

SXSs are 'maxed out.'.. get a buggy and be a man.. or drive a good caged/suspension SXS and run a rainbow flag.. (like I will)...
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I miss your videos and stories of you driving your rail.  LOL!

 
Sand Shark said:
I saw a video of a dude driving a 4 seater and did not see a nice drop off you could see coming in the video.  He lawn darted his Can Am doing over 30mph off what was probably a 5'-6" drop.  That the video you talking about?  I like how you equate peoples stupid driving mistakes to the car they are driving is a POS.  If that were the case a Pirus is the biggest POS ever made. 

I am sure every other example you have from this weekend is someone that hit a witches eye.  It takes a significant force to snap a ball joint.  Have you ever looked a stock Can Am or Polaris ball joint?

How many sandrails are at Joe Fab because they rip an arm off or spindle?  His instagram page was full of them. 
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Not to stick up for poor driving, one thing about a lot of those buggies, some are 20 years old and most haven't been updated at all.  Joe Fab is making a killing off those peeps..............

 
Cookie said:
Not to stick up for poor driving, one thing about a lot of those buggies, some are 20 years old and most haven't been updated at all.  Joe Fab is making a killing off those peeps..............
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True.  I mean if it were not for those older rails what would Joe do with that stock pile of angle iron?  LMAO!!!

I love Joe and that he is in Glamis.  He has helped out several times. 

 
Sand Shark said:
LOTD reference sand rails.  Desert race cars are on another level of build.  
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Exactly, everyone is comparing this to other sand toys like the sand-built UTV's we all see at the dunes.

Analogy

Sand Rails : Desert Buggies

Other UTV's : Speed UTV

 
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