Erik Buell Racing EBR 1190RS - First Look

[ducatiz]

yup.. iirc, it's a bored out 1125.

ahhh.. i thought the 1125 was a parallel twin

funny that they are using the old Morini style offset

[Speedbag]

I'm glad Buell is no longer with HD. He makes too fine of a product to be associated with HD and their 1920's technology.

Actually, it's 1930s technology. Their first volume production OHV twin was a 1936 model. 

[Veloce-Fino]

Actually, it's 1930s technology. Their first volume production OHV twin was a 1936 model. 

[kopfjäger]

Erik has been using a Rotax engine in the big bikes since 08, IIRC.

08 Engine



Engine    Liquid-cooled 1125cc Helicon® V-Twin
Valve Train    DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder, finger follower design & shimming
Bore x Stroke:    
Bore    4.055 in.
Stroke    2.658 in.
Displacement    68.7 cu. in.
Compression Ratio    12.3:1

[ducatiz]

I thought Harley copied Indian anyhow.

[Speedbag]

Erik has been using a Rotax engine in the big bikes since 08, IIRC.

08 Engine



Engine    Liquid-cooled 1125cc Helicon® V-Twin
Valve Train    DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder, finger follower design & shimming
Bore x Stroke:    
Bore    4.055 in.
Stroke    2.658 in.
Displacement    68.7 cu. in.
Compression Ratio    12.3:1

+1

Ugly or no (they're better in person than in pics), I've been pondering finding a nice, low-mile '09 1125CR since they're dirt cheap.

[NorDog]

I thought Harley copied Indian anyhow.

Yes and no.  The Indians were flatheads.  I don't think they ever had a popular production machine that had an OHV engine.  They may have made an OHV bike somewhere along the line, but I don't know what it was if they did.

The irony is that since at least the early '80s H-D has used all kinds of technology the keep the 1936 technology in production.  I wonder what they could have done these past 30 years if they had used that financial and engineering capital to produce a current motorcycle instead of the retro V-Twins to which they're dedicated.

Eric Buell was trying to show them the way.

[ducatiz]

Yes and no.  The Indians were flatheads.  I don't think they ever had a popular production machine that had an OHV engine.  They may have made an OHV bike somewhere along the line, but I don't know what it was if they did.

The irony is that since at least the early '80s H-D has used all kinds of technology the keep the 1936 technology in production.  I wonder what they could have done these past 30 years if they had used that financial and engineering capital to produce a current motorcycle instead of the retro V-Twins to which they're dedicated.

Eric Buell was trying to show them the way.

Harley sells nostalgia.  I had a '61 XL almost 20 years ago which was fun as a second bike -- no battery, no starter, no belt drive, and no friggin mufflers.  i had some beat up denim jacket i'd wear with it and a construction hat for a helmet.  i can remember people keeping a block away from me on the road, probably assuming i could kill them with my magical biker abilities. 

it was fun. 

[thought]

Harley sells nostalgia.  I had a '61 XL almost 20 years ago which was fun as a second bike -- no battery, no starter, no belt drive, and no friggin mufflers.  i had some beat up denim jacket i'd wear with it and a construction hat for a helmet.  i can remember people keeping a block away from me on the road, probably assuming i could kill them with my magical biker abilities. 

it was fun. 

so 20 years ago... ducatiz =



 

[ducatiz]

so 20 years ago... ducatiz =



 

pretty much


baked like a cake

[DucSeason]

The irony is that since at least the early '80s H-D has used all kinds of technology the keep the 1936 technology in production.  I wonder what they could have done these past 30 years if they had used that financial and engineering capital to produce a current motorcycle instead of the retro V-Twins to which they're dedicated.

Eric Buell was trying to show them the way.

I don't think HD's business model has exactly been a failure. They have the lion's share of the motorcycle market, even though their machines have tended to be more pricey than the average. I agree it would have been nice to see them diversify, and Eric Buell will certainly be seen by motorcycle historians as a major opportunity squandered, but they've done pretty well offering what the American public obviously wants in spades. The average cruiser enthusiast rides for different reasons than most Monster owners, but I think it's all good.

[NorDog]

I don't think HD's business model has exactly been a failure. They have the lion's share of the motorcycle market, even though their machines have tended to be more pricey than the average. I agree it would have been nice to see them diversify, and Eric Buell will certainly be seen by motorcycle historians as a major opportunity squandered, but they've done pretty well offering what the American public obviously wants in spades. The average cruiser enthusiast rides for different reasons than most Monster owners, but I think it's all good.

Oh sure, the business model has been a great success.  But H-D hasn't been offering the American public what it wants so much as it has offered aging baby boomers what they want: an iconic image.

It will be interesting to see how well the Motor Company navigates the current generational shift from the boomers to the younger (and smaller) generational demographic.  A demographic that didn't grow up on the biker flicks of the '50s and '60s.

The two valve air cooled single crank pin v-twin ain't gonna cut the grade forever for H-D.

[DucSeason]

I don't know. Riding a large displacement v-twin is just a really different approach to riding IMHO. I also own a Victory Kingpin, and I love riding the thing, but for different reasons than I love riding a Monster. The Victory is beautiful to look at, comfortable, has some great torque, sounds good, and is really enjoyable for cruising along the beach or through some empty country highways.  It isn't the tool for carving corners, but it is great to cruise around on with the wife riding pillion, is more comfortable for a long ride, and has some serious storage space. I really don't care whether the technology is cutting edge. I just really enjoy the pleasant ride. I don't know that these bikes will always continue to enjoy their present popularity, but as long as some of us enjoy that kind of ride, HD will keep making money on them.

BTW, I didn't grow up on old bike movies. YMMV.

[thought]

holy crap... i just got back from the bike show and this thing is incredible when you sit on it.  if you're attending the nyc one, go and make sure you sit on it.  it's amazing how light this bike is... it is hands down the lightest bike i have ever felt.

[Travman]

I sat on it at the D.C. and it was very light. I could lean it over pretty far without any worries.  I could tell if it was any lighter than the Triumph 675 or MV Agusta F3 675. All three of those bikes felt extremely light.