Joe you are a perfect example... You set records you consider soft... as the Guy in the trenches and knowing what you struggled against to do it, you have the right to say Soft... By you considering them that way it makes me think you feel with a bit more work and trial and error you could go faster. I hope to see it! I love seeing people and machines grow! As an on looker though, I can't say honestly your records are soft, I never went Head to head with that record... So because I don't know what exactly it takes to do what you do And how you do...I honestly would just be bar stool Racing if I said I considered your records to be soft... I've never done it, so what right do I have....
I know other racers with Stout, as you put it, records in other classes... They themselves will tell you, after tons of time and money you can't go much faster in that class with that Fuel unless you get perfect conditions and put someone the size of an 8 year old on it... Again because they have fought their way to that point, and I have not, I'd have to say knowing what's in the bike that yeah they are on the ragged edge of being forced into another class already and that may be the only way to see more speed.
So really only the ones who actually do, can say what is or is not solid. You say your records are soft, to you yes they are... To me they are a mountain I've not attempted to climb. I say mine are soft, but it's because I know the mistakes I made and after running over and over see where I may have gone wrong.
I could never look at another record and say it's weak cause I thought I'd go a lot faster based on my concrete riding experience.... Then again vets of salt sidecars said they expected it to be slower... Guess at the end of the day, the great white Dyno makes that call... Soft stout, no, just respect for anyone doing it is my call... And I'm not going to say who is weak or strong, everyone makes a great effort no matter how fast they run.