1190RS Motorcyclist First Ride

[Tpoppa]

Good article and a VERY positive review.

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/firstrides/122_1109_2012_erik_buell_racing_1190rs/index.html

Erik Buell is right: Everything would have been different if Buell Motorcycles had built this bike first, as he intended, instead of the quirky 1125R that parent company Harley-Davidson demanded in 2007. Motor Company management feared competing with Japanese and European manufacturers head-on, so rather than green-light a pure superbike they commissioned the offbeat 1125R...

...Until then, Erik Buell is happy just to be building this bike. "I've taken a lot of blame over the years for Buell motorcycles, often for decisions that had nothing to do with me," he says. "Not this time. This is exactly what I wanted to build!"

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Doesn't that pretty much agree with speculation of everyone on this site...well everyone except Brad

[st2sam]

It's pretty much what I suspected, you can't upset the old time faithfull.
Most successful start out racing, Eric has a long road ahead, wish him the best.  

[Tpoppa]

I suspect most of the 100 1190RS' will go to serious race teams and collectors.

However, I'll bet the 1190RX is just around the corner, and much more affordable.  Probably Showa instead of Ohlin, aluminum instead of magnesium, etc.   And I suspect that many RS upgrades will bolt right onto the RX, which is good for business.

[falconati]

I hope the street bikes translate well.  I'd love to see his venture do well, because he definitely has a passion for motorcycles.

[tankhead]

I suspect most of the 100 1190RS' will go to serious race teams and collectors.

However, I'll bet the 1190RX is just around the corner, and much more affordable.  Probably Showa instead of Ohlin, aluminum instead of magnesium, etc.   And I suspect that many RS upgrades will bolt right onto the RX, which is good for business.

All that +1

[tankhead]

Oh, and Brad, I quess there is nothing more to say....... Though I know you will.    JK

[Tpoppa]

This makes the 1125R look like more of a sport tourer.  That's pretty much what I bought it for anyway.

America SHOULD be a player in the sportbike market.

[Roadscum]

Then there's the question of a dealer network.... With out a support system what good is it??

Regards, Paul

[veefer800canuck]

Pretty much confirms what I already suspected.
Take off the HD handcuffs and turn the boy loose. I have no idea why HD was scared of this. I mean, how would the 1190 scare people away from buying a Fat Boy?

Although there is the VR1000 debacle to overcome.

[Schneegz]

It's good to see Buell hasn't given up on under-engine mufflers.





The one above is an accessory, so the big stock muffler must be necessary to meet EPA regs.

[Tpoppa]

Although there is the VR1000 debacle to overcome.

 
Ah yes...who can forget the VR1000  http://www.superbikeplanet.com/vr1000_obit.htm

Many of the people involved with the VR1000 racing program are still at the MoCo & weren't exactly happy that the 1125R won the DSB Championship on about 1/10 the budget of the VR1000 race team.   Hmmm.

[Tpoppa]

The 1190RS is making it's race debut at Mid Ohio this weekend.  So is the KTM RCB 1190 Race Spec.  From the spec, sheet the EBR and KTM seem evenly matched...we'll see.

Either way, it's good to see a couple new V2s in Superbike.

[Rogue]

Pretty much confirms what I already suspected.
Take off the HD handcuffs and turn the boy loose. I have no idea why HD was scared of this. I mean, how would the 1190 scare people away from buying a Fat Boy?

Although there is the VR1000 debacle to overcome.

I also read the Cycle World test and the article was flowing with massive praise for the 1190RS.  I also hope it translates to a full on production version that is more affordable.  If anyone deserves success its EB and his team.

HD and their series of "sporty" motorcycle debacle after debacle.  Basically, HD is NOT CAPABLE of building a high performance bike because they don't have the talent, and they HATE the idea.  How many attempts have they made?  Every single one is based on a dressed up version of their Sportster, and/or, required governing bodies to cut them a break.  The VR1000 is a perfect example.  Does anybody actually own one?  Maybe if you lived in Transylvannia or somewhere that they "homologated" the thing?  Whatever HD.  Good riddance.  

It's ironic that the biggest obstacle that stands in the way of a successful high performance motorcycle company in the USA is the biggest motorcycle manufacturer in the USA:  Harley-Davidson! They may as well put a line under their name:  "We are against high peformance and we don't care what the rest of the world is building".  HD is a dinasour.  Go EBR!  

[atadaskew]

I heard that Harley is so impressed by Buell's new bike they are having second thoughts and are trying to buy him back.





On condition that he puts some apes on it.

[falconati]

carbon fiber apes  

[Brad1445]

I heard that Harley is so impressed by Buell's new bike they are having second thoughts and are trying to buy him back.

If I was harley I would hire him back.  Lock Erik in a room with Ducati's, Aprilia, BMW's, and Triumph Superbikes for two weeks.   Then fire him again.

[jfusaro]

it has a chain

[atadaskew]

it has a chain

That's a good way to keep you from losing your wallet.  Very popular with Harley riders.

[Kootenanny]

It's good to see Buell hasn't given up on under-engine mufflers.

Well, seeing as Erik holds a patent on the concept (AFAIK), it stands to reason he'd continue using it, right?

[Schneegz]

Well, seeing as Erik holds a patent on the concept (AFAIK), it stands to reason he'd continue using it, right?

Yes, but I was commenting on the new stinger-type exhaust that the 1190RS street bike features.  



I'd read rumors that it was necessary to pass EPA regs and would be easily removable or replaceable with an EBR race exhaust, and those rumors appear to be correct.