At last weekend 2011 Indianapolis Dealer Expo, Erik Buell had a booth to introduce his new Sportbike prototype model to US dealers.
Erik was not handing out any documentation or tech sheet about it, probably because several changes will be made before production, especially regarding engine. Asked about horsepower, he simply replied…that it will be adequate.
At least, you can see a first picture of the motorcycle marking the return of Buell to the retail market after the split from Harley-Davidson
WOW…… I like
Nothing gets the old passions flowing like “adequate.”
i would ride the adequate out of that
Sex On Wheels!!
What’s even better? It’s American!!
Oh the Japanese & European manufacturers are gonna get worried now,
as America has their own contender for the podium. ‘Adequate’ will keep
them scratching their heads.
This is gonna change everything!!
Erik, you got what, 500 million people under the Red-White & Blue
banner behind you!
Good Luck & God Bless ERB!!
Good luck to Eric! I’m not a sport/racing/rocket rider but appreciate his contribution to that genre in the US. We need a domestic builder to compete against the rest of the world to capyure a chunck of that business. I visited his plant abour 3 years ago and was very impressed. Nice plant, good people.
I’d love to know what “adequate” is too 😉 Seriously, it was a big deal to a lot of folks I knew that passed on early Buells because even though they were cool bikes, they were underpowered compared to much cheaper sport bikes with similar CCs. They were great competition for each other, but the Sporty based engine was a hard sell against big inline 4s and even other twins. Nothing against Buell as I hope sales go through the roof, I just remember too many folks passing on the first ones.
Go man go! Love it. Show those dick heads at the blo-co how it’s done!!
couldn’t they place the tail light farther under the seat or make it flatter so it doesn’t look like a bulls nut sac hanging down???
anyone venture a guess whose powerplant it may be ?
or is it a given that it’s still h-d ?
oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, oh please, be a Sporty motor or similiar!
Maybe an S&S X-Wedge….. ohhh baby!
I am in!
People expect so much from Erik Buell. Hope that he will not disappoint with the final product. Always a risk when bikers expect the best..
I am very excited… always been a fan of Buell, and I really hope for a world class American sportbike!
Pipe Di ” seam small for sporty motor?????
The engine is based on the Rotax engine the Buell 1125R used. Cycleworld’s webiste has some tech info on it.
as much as some people hate motorcycles with V-twins or chrome, I hate motorcycles covered in plastic!
If it performs half as well as it looks, Eric could have a winner here! Congrats on your launch Eric and we are wishing you the best of luck down here in So Cal! Looking forward to seeing your bikes on the showroom floor, and riding one on the Ortega Highway! MADE IN THE USA! Now thats what I’m talkin about!
I’ve never ridden a sport bike… it’s taken everything I’ have not to get a ZX14 or Hayabusa …. but… man, this has my attention (!!!) … Makes you want to bring it along with the cruiser for those locations with twisties 🙂
When / if .. they hit full production , and priced accordingly , could be VERY tempting (!!) …..
BEAUTIFUL Machine 🙂
MADE IN THE USA ! . If one has to explain it I wouldn’t understand, I guess. Austrian engine.
Sure is confusing. I guess when very little is built in the USA anymore we attach ourselves to the moniker of built in the USA for the sake of pride. I don’t like where we are headed but it sure is confusing when so many do a 180 degree turn in their thinking.
Ok, just received a call from some Buell guy explaining how it qualifies as American made.
Suppose your American girl friend needed an emergency heart transplant because the old one was inadequate [Harley V Twin] but the donor match was an Austrian girl {Rotax V Twin ] meaner ,leaner and more efficient.
Because the recipient is “American” she will be considered as such regardless of her Austrian heart.
Now I understand. Maybe ! LOL
I’m interested in the frame on this machine. Appears like a trellis type frame?
I’ve always known in my heart, Eric and his team of engineers would “make it” without HD.
The Rotex Engine is what he has always wanted for his bikes, but when in business, one has to make concessions for the advancement of the dream. Buell is now back with his primary engine, one that will beat the pants off the competition on the track and on the road.
Go TEAM BUELL!
This is what you can expect from the Buell engine….
While I don’t know for sure…I’d bet the street version is not too far off from this…
Engine Rotax Helicon: liquid-cooled 72° V-twin, 1,124.9 cc (68.65 cu in), DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder, Finger followers, shims, DDFI III fuel injection, 6-hole-injectors, Dual 61 mm (2.4 in) down draft throttle bodies, pressurized RAM Air intake, dry-sump lubrication
Bore / Stroke 103.0 × 67.5 mm (4.06 × 2.66 in)
Compression ratio 12.3:1
Power 146 hp (109 kW) @ 9,800 rpm
Torque 82 ft·lbf (111 N·m) @ 8,000 rpm
Personally a Buell is WAAAAAAY more fun to ride than the ‘typical’ sport bike. I will take torque over 12000 rpm ANY day! peace
Saw the bike at Indy, Frame is the usual fuel in the frame, oil in the swingarm Buell deal. Engine is an 1190 version of the 1125, based closely on what is in the race bike, Ohlins front and rear. very trick under the nose air intake and overall just very very cool. Erik said 40k to take one home. When I asked him about the styling, he simply stated “No more styling by committee.” Good stuff, I’d like to have one.
MADE IN THE USA ! . If one has to explain it I wouldn’t understand, I guess. Austrian engine.
Sure is confusing. I guess when very little is built in the USA anymore we attach ourselves to the moniker of built in the USA for the sake of pride. I don’t like where we are headed but it sure is confusing when so many do a 180 degree turn in their thinking.
Ok, just received a call from some Buell guy explaining how it qualifies as American made.
Suppose your American girl friend needed an emergency heart transplant because the old one was inadequate [Harley V Twin] but the donor match was an Austrian girl {Rotax V Twin ] meaner ,leaner and more efficient.
Because the recipient is “American” she will be considered as such regardless of her Austrian heart.
Now I understand. Maybe ! LOL
Chessie
You speak of the 1125 version race bike, CC and HP value and the ability to beat the pants off of the competition.
If I’m not mistaken the 1125 cc Buell competes with 600 cc bikes in the Daytona 200,
Unless the rules have changed, How is this justifiable ?
Then In Super bike the 1190 would compete with 1000 cc bikes. Fair enough.
Are the rules here different than what I mentioned.
If not something is very lopsided.
By the way I’m a Rotax fan of many years especially the Ron Woods flat track bikes.
Wonder why he never got all this recognition for building great handling bikes and he is American. LOL
I hear ya juji. Loved the Rotax mill in my SeaDoo XP jetski back in the day. Made in Canadavaria 😉
Everyone has an opinion. Guess the real test is how many $40K bikes he can move in stay in business. Best of luck to him.