[pdad13]

This should be a good one. I'm donning my fire-retardant suit already.

Saw on another board; From Motorrad in Germany:

Buell has already sent out invites for a "special presentation" after the races on Sunday. There are two prevailing rumors:

1. A street-going version of the XBRR race bike, air-cooled, making about 120 HP, weighing about 375lbs. dry.

2. And here's the biggie: A new model with a Buell/Rotax-designed 1200cc, 45-degree V-2 (with dual counterbalancers) water-cooled motor, making about 150 HP at 395 lbs.

Motorrad is speculating that at least one bike will be announced for sure with a good chance that both will be introduced, giving Buell air-cooled and water-cooled product lines (like Ducati).

Possible? Sure, now that Buell is tied up with Rotax with their future dirt bikes. Likely? I guess we'll see this weekend, but I wouldn't be surprised to see just the XBRR-derived model unveiled.

Flame throwers on!

 

[schizuki]

A new model with a Buell/Rotax-designed 1200cc, 45-degree V-2 (with dual counterbalancers) water-cooled motor, making about 150 HP at 395 lbs.

I'd be quite surprised if that could have been kept under wraps for so long.

 

[pdad13]

Me too. But you never know. It wouldn't be totally shocking if it flew under the radar, given the big news was the Buell dirt bike project. But a completely developed bike? Mmmmm, not sure that someone, somewhere wouldn't have leaked that one.

It's possible that they might announce the concept with a bike to follow in the future. I mean, if they've got a runner, they must have tested it somewhere where somebody would have seen it.

Still, the possibility of a Buell-Rotax collaboration on a street bike has markedly increased since they announced the relationship with the dirt bikes. It's something I'd have thought unlikely before then, so I'm interested in seeing if there's anything to it at all.

 

[mscuddy]

...yesh, but to even things up, the design department at Buell will DEMAND that the new motor has exposed hair pin valves springs. Or hand pump oiling. A foot clutch?

Can't rush into this techno thing too fast ya know....

 

[seruzawa]

I like your signature. It reminds me of the last time I checked out moveon.org.

 

[schizuki]

Still, the possibility of a Buell-Rotax collaboration on a street bike has markedly increased since they announced the relationship with the dirt bikes. It's something I'd have thought unlikely before then, so I'm interested in seeing if there's anything to it at all.

Agreed, it's probably just a matter of time.

 

[57335]

Rotax good. Mongo wait and see if rumors pan out.

 

[Kenneth_Moore]

Actually Buell is announcing their divestiture from Hardly-Davidson, and their impending purchase of a controlling interest in Honda.

 

[pdad13]

Yahoo, Knucklhead CBRs for everyone!

 

[bbtowns]

This rumor has been out there for a couple of years. A biker I met in on hwy 1 in So. Cal a few years ago told me that Buell would be coming out with a Rotax motor, glad he was right. If they can drop the Tuono motor into a Buell it would be a thing of beauty.

 

[pdad13]

This rumor has been out there for a couple of years. A biker I met in on hwy 1 in So. Cal a few years ago told me that Buell would be coming out with a Rotax motor, glad he was right. If they can drop the Tuono motor into a Buell it would be a thing of beauty.

Well, to say he was right is still a bit of a stretch. It's still a rumor. And the rumor says that it won't be the 60-degree V Tuono engine, but a new 45-degree (my guess is so they have to make as few changes to the chassis as possible). And the rumor also says that the new bikes will have slightly less radical steering geometry.

 

[pdad13]

Hmmnnn, now MCN (UK) is making noise about an exciting new bike--a V-twin Superbike--announcement first thing Monday morning.

To quote (loosely): "Most exciting since Ducati's 1098...looks like nothing else...sounds like a proper V-twin...excellent handling..."

That doesn't sound like a Buell, does it?. Of course, they don't mention any engine details. And please remember, this is MCN (UK).

Please do not let it look like the XBRR...please, Lord.

 

[seruzawa]

Enlighten me please

Hmmnnn, now MCN (UK) is making noise about an exciting new bike--a V-twin Superbike--announcement first thing Monday morning.

To quote (loosely): "Most exciting since Ducati's 1098...looks like nothing else...sounds like a proper V-twin...excellent handling..."

That doesn't sound like a Buell, does it?. Of course, they don't mention any engine details. And please remember, this is MCN (UK).

Please do not let it look like the XBRR...please, Lord.

What the heck is a "proper" V-twin?

 

[mscuddy]

What the heck is a "proper" V-twin?

..I always thought that fell under an early 80's Virago...

 

[pdad13]

Hell if I know. They're British.