Buell is on a mission. Scorching on the heels of the discharge of their Roland Sands-designed Tremendous Cruiser idea, the American firm has simply thrown the wraps off the most recent iteration of the upcoming Buell SuperTouring 1190. And we’ve got questions.
First teased a yr in the past, the SuperTouring was initially pitched as a high-speed tourer. However Buell has refined and developed the idea since, and it’s now being touted as a ‘modular superbike’—or an ‘adaptive bike.’
In plain English, that signifies that all of the bits that make the SuperTouring a tourer, are designed to bolt on and off in minutes. The thought, in keeping with Buell, is to construct a motorcycle that may go from street-legal to trace prepared in lower than an hour. Which, though not fully groundbreaking, is kind of intelligent.
Motorcycling within the US is extra about leisure than transport. So a motorcycle that may do a number of issues—like hit the open street one weekend, and the observe the subsequent, whereas additionally possibly commuting—is a nifty proposition.
On the floor, the SuperTouring seems like a revival of the Buell XB12XT Ulysses. Which is unavoidable, actually, given the marque’s inherent design language, and the touring underpinnings of each bikes. On nearer inspection although, it’s extra akin to a bulked-up 1190SX.
It was designed in collaboration with J. Ruiter—an award-winning industrial designer with a knack for creating left-field bike ideas. You’ve in all probability seen his blocky, utilitarian Moto Undone and Snoped ideas.
The variations are simple to identify. The SuperTouring incorporates a sturdier subframe, little doubt to help baggage and passengers. It additionally sports activities a comfier-looking two-up seat, and detachable passenger pegs, baggage racks and laborious panniers.
Sitting up entrance is a pair of LED headlights (a basic Buell contact), wrapped in a modular fairing with various display screen heights on provide. The fake tank covers and facet panels look to be largely carried over from the 1190SX—and like on the SX, they’re all constituted of carbon fiber.
Buell haven’t launched too many particulars but, however they’ve confirmed that the SuperTouring’s chassis and engine are the identical as these on the 1190SX and Hammerhead 1190. And that tells us a number of issues.
The 1,190 cc V-twin engine within the 1190SX is sweet for 185 hp and 137.8 Nm. And whereas the SuperTouring is prone to function its personal engine tune, we are able to in all probability anticipate numbers in the identical ballpark. Examine the SuperTouring to the 1190SX and Hammerhead 1190, and also you’ll additionally spot the identical swingarm, wheels, and Buell’s signature perimeter disc brakes.
We are able to additionally anticipate the SuperTouring’s fuel-in-frame chassis to carry the identical quantity of petrol as its two stablemates; 17 l [4.5 gallons]. That leaves it with barely shorter legs than a few of its opponents, just like the Harley-Davidson Pan America (5.6 gal) and the Ducati Multistrada V4 (5.8 gal).
You possibly can’t blame Buell for utilizing a longtime platform although. They’re nonetheless a comparatively small firm—and creating a brand new kinds of bikes on an current platform is way inexpensive than constructing every thing from scratch. However the SuperTouring will in all probability want a number of extra tweaks to really shine.
Given the modular idea at play right here, will Buell provide some kind of auxiliary gas cell to assist the SuperTouring go additional? And can components just like the foot pegs be adjustable, in order that riders can optimize the bike for every using state of affairs? Solely time will inform.
One factor’s for positive although—Buell is listening. The SuperTouring is simply slated for manufacturing in 2025, however Buell are exhibiting it off at Daytona Bike Week proper now, as a result of they need to know what folks consider it. The corporate’s CEO, Invoice Melvin, has acknowledged that buyer suggestions is central to Buell’s growth course of.
So if in case you have an opinion on the SuperTouring, let ’em have it.
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