There really isn’t a way to describe quite how sad it is that Buell went the way of the dinosaur, but here we sit, with just a few examples of some truly American, truly brawny world-beating machines kicking around the Internet to remind of what once was. The wild, slightly redneck, fully awesome creations of an enterprising Harley-Davidson engineer, the bikes proved that there is life beyond cruiser for American muscle, wrapping taught frames around torquey, big-inch mills from Milwaukee. They were grassroots two-wheeled hot rods with factory backing. As American as burnouts and illicit Saturday night drags.
2012 Erik Buell Racing 1190RS for sale on eBay
The bikes may have had a rep thanks to their roots, but they turned and stopped with the best of them, and were prized for walking the walk as well as looking the part. Sadly, the company closed its doors in 2009, when Harley backed out of its 51 percent ownership stake. Shortly thereafter, Buell reformed into Erik Buell Racing, which kicked out the epic machine you see today. The 2012 EBR 1190RS was the carbon fiber-decked track-focused update of the 1125R, the company’s comeback bike.
They made just 100 of the 1190RS, which could be had with a race exhaust system and ECU that dropped its weight to just 397 pounds with a full tank of gas. That mass was propelled by an absolutely maniacal 1190cc v-twin that made 175 horsepower. When tested by CycleWorld, the street legal 1190RS outpaced the 1125R that the company had been campaigning in AMA Superbike.
The example you see here is, as you might imagine, flawless, and has covered less than 25 miles. As much fun as it would be to crack down a backroad with the big twin at full chat, this bike probably belongs in a museum or a quiet private collection.
From the eBay listing:
Beautiful 2012 EBR 1190RS Vin 0051. One of less than 100 made! This bike was a factory race bike, straight out of the crate race ready. Carbon Fiber, Ohlins Forks.
This Erik Buell Racing EBR 1190 RS motorcycle is sold with a title.
NEW! Local pickup in Grand Rapids, MI 49525.
Or shipping can be arranged for an additional $500-$600 in the US.
Despite the scant description, the bike is a collector’s dream that ought not be missed.
these are nice and I would love to add a buell to my collection but the price is still to high. I will probably be kicking myself down the road though considering that Buell #1 was bid up to 110,000 last year
https://www.mecum.com/lots/LV0118-315566/1984-buell-production-no-1-rw-750/
Rare? Yes. Desirable? Doubtful. Up until a few months ago AF1 racing still had new 2012 Buells in stock. Not sure what the target audience for this bike was/is. Not really exotic, doesn’t due anything better than an any number of Ducatiis or V2 Aprilias, not a lot of character. Where are going to get it serviced? and parts?
The seller certainly makes a less than compelling case in his description. I suspect he bought it expecting ti to skyrocket in value. oops
I certainly looks cool and the performance must certainly be acceptable. I hear that comment about repairability.
I’over streetbike and only ride on the track. My tackbike approach is to keep it stock for reliability and just ride and maintain it. 1000 mile of redline riding each year is tough on the hardware for sure. I’d hope its built to at least last 10 years. Change the oil, add gas, and keep up on the consumables (tires, chains, brakes). If done right I’d hope that no major repairs would be needed.
But track tools of course are prone to unscheduled repairs. So I see that track bodywork and engine cover protectors are available. All said I don’t think I’d be feel overly anxious about flogging it.
So question to those with experience: is there merit to my theory or dos experience suggest it’s folly?
How are these as a rider’s motorcycle? I have always hesitated due to the inherent defects of the Harley motor. Would it be similar to a Aprilia RSV experience?
To Robert’s questioning where it fits…Harley’s entire business model is based on being a made in America loud and shaky bike. Harley’s are, for the most part, very old and defective engineering. Let me know how the sales numbers have been the last few decades for that business model.
I remember seeing one in Pro Italia on their show room floor. Just one giant rolling ball of carbon and the price was either $40 or $50k, can’t remember that far back. Being that its a 21 mile bike with an original retail almost twice of the asking price, I would think its priced rather fairly, but have to agree with a lot of what is said about, this bike is not for me either. Its really a collector piece for an Americana museum or someone who collects all things cool American. Perhaps ER will become as strongly regarded as Magni but looking at the Buell market compared anything Magni, he has ways to go.
Yeah, I know that I can buy a very cool bike for almost half this scratch, blah blah blah but it so happens that I’m looking at the picture of the 2007 MV F4 Senna while typing this….
I assume you guys know this has a Rotax engine, not a Harley.
It always boggles my mind the people who bring up the “but where will i get my bike serviced?” question, especially in this day and age. A monkey (who can read) can work on any bike with a service manual….don’t care if it’s Bimota, Buell, or Benelli. Motorcycle mechanicals aren’t rocket science.
Yes, it is a Rotax engine so it should be straightforward to work on but what about EBR parts? When it falls over in your driveway how are you going to replace the CF.
Just because it can be fixed doesn’t mean mechanics will work on it. I have been told “no Aprilias” many times when trying to get my 2002 Falco serviced
This bike is an EBR, built several years after Harley kicked Bell to the curb. Rotax motor, not Harley.
Imagine what EB could have done with 1\2 of the R&D budget big red spent on the Grom.