Update 11.3.2014: Back on ebay, confirmation that this was the first bike produced by Dan Fischer – MJG
Every few years or so there seems to be an effort to launch an all-american sportbike, one that will compete with the Japanese and European bikes. The bikes can range from cool advanced techno concepts that sadly never see the inside of a dealership (such as the Motoczysz) to a few actual bikes being produced for sale to the public (such as the Roehr Supercharged Harley sportbike). A very few make it all the way to dealership floors, but even then the chances of long term success are iffy at best. Heck, even Buell got shut down by Harley Davidson, although now he is back in business and his EBR bikes are getting really good reviews.
2007 Fischer MRX 650 for sale on eBay
Here we have a early edition Fischer MRX650. For those of you unfamiliar with these bikes, the Fischer MRX650 was the brainchild of Dan Fischer, an AMA roadracer and former Aprilia Cup competitor based in Chicago. The American-made Fischer MRX was an attempt to launch production of a proper American superbike that “could kick ass with the big boys from Asia and Europe”. The frame was done by the same team that did the frame for the HD VR1000 and the styling was done by noted designer Glenn Kerr, apparently with a nod to the KTM RC8 and the underseat exhausts that were all the rage at the time.
A good explanation of the development and production saga of the bike is available on oddbike but to put it simply, the effort was hamstrung by two major things:
- Rotax reneging on their agreement to provide engines which forced Fischer to use Hyosung and reduce displacement from 990cc to 650cc which meant it was going up against the Suzuki SV650
- the Fischer brand was launched in very depths of the “great recession”.
Fischer tried to soldier on for a few years making small improvements along the way and the bike got decent reviews from major publications such as Motorcyclist but as with so many small makes, after the fizz died off the brand struggled and within a few years it was gone.
So is this a rare sport bike? Well estimates are that less than 50 units were produced so yes its rare but this same low production number and single model means that there is very limited information about how good of a sport bike it is. It has some advanced tech in the tellispar frame but reviews of the Hyosung 650 engine have been mixed and the seller indicates a few issues with some of the ancillary electrics. The point is that since the brand is now discontinued, it would be up to the buyer to resolve these and any future issues without factory support.
So is it a curiosity or a collector? Personally I think this is one that deserves to be tucked away in a garage for a bit or for a mechanic to play around with a bit and improve. Either way, chances are certainly very high you wont see one at your local bike night.
Marty/Dallaslavowner
Note: Since last listed I have reached out to Dan Fischer and he has confirmed that based on the Vin# this is indeed bike #1.
Humph, never heard of this brand before, thanks RSPFS!
Note: Dan Fischer has confirmed that this is bike #1….maybe it should go to the solvang museum in California or the barber museum in Alabama.
Oh my god, who did design for this bike???
link to review of the bike
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEKrlVMqNnY
Eek! Korean!
Looks like a practice session for a 9th grade drafting class
Fischer engineer:
“Hey, Dan! I know it only needs an 18″ rear brake line, but there is this seller on EBay that will sell us 50, 30″ hoses for only $3. Free shipping too. What do you say.”
When you look at the lines, you are drawn in. Very nice to look at. But one has to say, as a male, who is the tank made to impale our anotomy ?? Love it, but would seriously need a tank pad…and a half!
Loved this bike since I first saw it on the cover of motorcyclist magazine. I’m apparently about a week late because I’m looking to buy one. Guess I’ll have to keep my eyes open for one and wait..