Update: This bike is now on auction
In spite of the Porsche affiliations and all the traditional sportbike accoutrements: actual dual overhead cam architecture [sorry Twin Cam aficionados], four valve heads, and liquid cooling, light weight was never really a design priority for Harley’s Revolution v-twin, so the engine didn’t really lend itself to superbike applications. And, let’s face it, Harley was never going to build one. So, in spite of the engine’s sporty character and rev-happy nature, it seemed doomed to languish, trapped in a surprisingly competent musclebike largely overlooked by Harley’s customer base. Luckily, others with a bit more vision stepped in to fill the void, and today’s Featured Listing Roehr 1250SC was born.
Entrepreneur and engineer Walter Roehrich had started his company attempting to build a big, fuel-injected two-stroke v-twin motorcycle in the mid-1990s but ultimately had no luck with the design and turned towards adapting Harley-Davidson’s then-new Revolution v-twin for use in a sportbike instead of a cruiser. The engine was heavier than was ideal for a sportbike application, so he decided to increase the power output to compensate via the addition of a Rotrex centrifugal supercharger huffing 8psi into the already powerful motor. The result was a very heady 168hp and a frankly shocking 100 lb-ft of torque claimed at the rear wheel.
The rest of the bike was high quality as well: Öhlins suspension, Marchesini wheels, Akrapovic exhaust, Brembo brakes, and stylish bodywork with stacked headlamps that would remind an onlooker of the Mondial Piega, if said onlooker happened to be familiar with Mondial. Interestingly, both Roehr and the Mondial also shared their side-mounted Honda RC51 radiators. All-in, the bike weighed a claimed 425lbs dry, thanks to a lightweight chromoly steel/aluminum hybrid frame. Unfortunately, the Roehr’s asking price was correspondingly high, $50,000 in 2009 money, and although he’d hoped to sell 50 bikes, production coincided with poor financial times in the US, and demand tanked. Deposits were cancelled and the bike was ultimately a failure, with very few units built or sold.
SELLER
2009 Roehr SC1250
VIN 1r9sf280x9g649002Rotrex supercharged Vrod in a specialty aluminum and steel composite frame all made in Chicago USA. Ohlins suspension, Braking wave rotors, Marchesini forged wheels, Yoshimura exhaust.
This was Walter Roehrich’s demo track bike of which only 9 were built and shipped. Purportedly this is the only one not shipped out of country. Upgrades include Screaming Eagle performance ECU, dyno tuned by Irish Mike in Las Vegas and I installed Trask high flow injectors.
Carbon fiber hood scoop bring cool air in directly to intake. Carbon fiber vacuum scoop louvers for dual side radiators. Several gauges added including vacuum boost. Luimoto custom seat. Billet levers and cleat pegs.
Comes with original certificate of origin from Roehr with less than 3000 miles on the clock. Bike has had fuel and battery removed so is ready to ship out of St George Utah. Guaranteed to run strong with nothing needed except the rear shock mount on the swingarm needs repair.
I am available by phone or email with any questions or concerns
Richard: richardtonymain [at] gmail.com
Production numbers were extremely low, and any that reached customers were basically hand-built, meaning this Roehr 1250SC represents a very rare opportunity to own a bit of American sportbike maverick history. There’s really very little information out there about the 1250SC: I remember articles teasing them when they were in development, but I don’t believe that any completed bikes were ever tested by the motorcycle press, so it’s hard to get a sense of the finished product. Basically, it makes big power, has the weight and wheelbase of a Ducati 1098, has no rider aids, and may or may not try to kill you when you whack the throttle open. You’ll certainly never see another one like it at your local bike night!
-tad
