Nov 2010 CW: EBR working on new streetbike

[Jesse]

Inside scoop? The November issue of Cycle World features an article by Steve Anderson in which he states that "Erik Buell Racing is working on a new streetbike....powered by a sixth-generation version of the liquid-cooled V-Twin used to power the production 1125RR and the race-only 1190RR."  

Jesse

[falconati]

lol

[Rogue]

I read the article.   All they had though as an "illustration" but it looks a lot like the Barracuda.

EB sounds very optimistic (as he usually does).  It's obvious, EBR has learned a lot from racing the 1125R.  However, if he's going head to head with the Japanese and Europeans, he had better bring is A-Game and kick some ass with his new bike.  He states that the new streetbike will have a similar marketing nice/structure to Bimota.  If that's the case, you can forget about the normal affordability of past Buells, something the H-D was able to provide.  He also stated that this new streetbike is NOT going to have any restrictions in design and engineering that placed on it by H-D.  If that's the case then it would be a huge, welcome change.  I'm sure EB does not wish to repeat the nightmare that was H-D.  I hope EB also realizes that he can't survive on selling one nich model alone.  He needs a "bread and butter" model that will keep customers flowing.  I wish him lots of success.  

[squeezer]

I think you're right, Rogue, if he plans for his primary revenue stream to come from selling street bikes. Although I have no real clue, I'm guessing that's not really his business model this time. I think what he wants to do -- in fact, what he's always really wanted to do -- is go racing with his own designs. The way the Superbike rules work, though, is that he needs to have a homologated street version of the bike available to the public for his own designs to continue in the racing series. DMG has politely looked the other way while he sets that up, but that can only for so long.

So, although I hope this won't happen, it wouldn't surprise me if his new street bike remains a kind of high end, boutique style of unobtainium. He doesn't have to sell many to keep racing. They just have to be available to somebody, somewhere. Perhaps that's all he's planning. We'll see.

[Rincewind]

Last article I read about it compared the future EBR bikes to Bimota - ie, expensive boutique-type bikes like squeezer said.

[Brad1445]

I think the 1125 showed that Eriks peak was the XB bikes.  The 1225 is an indicator Its time for him to retire.

[Squidbuzz]

I guess next year will tell the tale on this.  He is gearing up for something.  A friend of mine was ther 2 weeks ago and said things are ramping up for something.  A section that he couldn't go into and a room full of motors just waiting.

So, let the new ugly bikes come.  I can't wait.  =)

[Rogue]

Erik is driven and he has always been this way.  What else is he going to do?  His life is his work and it shows in his perseverance and dedication to his bikes and his customers.  The bike that was illustrated by CW is a good looking bike that looks like a much improved 1125R with many design cues that EB has always wanted on the bike but H-D would not allow him to have.  If you remember the CW article, H-D did NOT want Buells to look like sportbikes.  WTF?  I mean really….WTF is wrong with that mentality?  

At the risk of turning this into a H-D bashing thread (they deserve it), I often wonder why H-D hates sportbikes so much.  I liken it to almost being religious zealots.  The H-D corporate mentality is if you are not riding a H-D, you should be.  If you are on a sportbike, they want you to change your ride to a Harley.  If Harley is going to be forced to handle Buell, then Buell had better not be sportbikes.  Amazing!  Just amazing!  Harley and their CEO Wandel gave Triumph, Ducati, Aprilia, & BMW, a gift that will keep on giving.  It’s a great example of American shortsightedness.

[Oilhed]

Too much to ask for the best Buell ever, the Uly!

[naustin]

6th generation of the Rotax engine?  It was a brand new engine when they used it in the 1125R - what exactly are the other 5 generations supposed to be?  
 

[chornbe]

6th generation of the Rotax engine?  It was a brand new engine when they used it in the 1125R - what exactly are the other 5 generations supposed to be?  
 

They're in the same block pile as the Blast.

[Bueller]

6th generation of the Rotax engine?  It was a brand new engine when they used it in the 1125R - what exactly are the other 5 generations supposed to be?  
 

Each year model was a generation - 2010 model was referred to as generation 3.  So maybe the Barracuda - 4, 2010 1190RR -5 and 2011 1190RR is 6.