EBR Planning a 250cc Street Bike?

[Cricket1]

That same mentality considers an 883 Sportster as barely acceptable for street duty.

If Erik Buell can build a bike priced competitive with Honda or Kawasaki on the low end or a high spec bike 250cc performance bike, more power to him. It would be a great bike as he builds bikes that are fun to ride. I just don't see it happening. I'd have no problem being proved wrong. It happens all the time.  

I agree, it would be great if Buell made a 250cc or so bike. Probably some Blast owners would consider it.  The other positive would be to show N. American riders that you do NOT need 1100cc to have fun, and be able to actually go places. 

Your comment on the 883, or skirtster as it is mockingly called, is very true. Part of the reason is because of how under powered it really is for its displacement. Lots of Harley guys think a 250cc bike must top out at about 50 mph and be completely useless for any state hwy, etc.  Most would be amazed at the performance of either the Ninja 250 or new CBR 250. The fact these bikes can do 80-85 mph, lots don't believe.

[Kootenanny]

See, I'm thinking of something along the lines of a CBR250R, with a Rotax engine (maybe 350cc?) that'd handle like a Buell and look kinda like a little 1190...then, a bigger version, maybe around 750, to slot in the middle...that'd be a good lineup!  Of course, price points and dealer network might be a killer...but, Buell does have a history of partnering (which is how he got involved with H-D in the first place...hmmm...maybe he doesn't wanna go there...).

[Schneegz]

I'd rather see a line-up of 500cc single-cylinder bikes: a sportbike, a streetfighter and a lightweight adventure bike, all under 400lb ready to ride.  I'd like the adventure bike.  Unfortunately, there's probably very little market for any of them.  Well, maybe the adventure bike.

[xcsp]

Interesting to see what the future models will be from Buell.

On his site: http://www.erikbuellracing.com/        

Click on "motorcycles" and it lists some future model letter designations.

[JTM]

Yeah, I know I'm dragging something up that will probably never happen; but when you think about this and the partnership with Hero. Unique Design and Engineering + Hero's factories + what name recognition Buell has. An ERB250 might be Hero's doorway to selling bikes in the US or just a way to liven up their product lines overseas for yet another bike that doesn't make it to our shores.

[bomber]

any affordable beginner bike can only be justified by very healthy sales numbers . . . of either the beginner bike itself, or as a loss leader, supported by healthy sales of the rest of the line up . . . . .

limited dealer network = limited sales . . . .

EBR has planned multiple models all along, ever since this incarnation of his business  . . . . it'd be aces to seem those plans come to fruition . . . .

although the luxury auto market is thriving in this economy, I don't know if there is an analogous luxury-priced motorcycle market (that isn't a chopper concern {which, mercifully, seems to be shrinking}).