Buell 1190RS: About the machine

After having announced the launch of its first street model in 2011, Erik Buell Racing will be selling a hundred units of its 1190RS street-spec superbike in 2012. There are more street-based models in the pipeline and there will be different versions on sale for racing, street as well as an adventure-riding model. For now let us look at EBR’s only offering, the 1190RS. Based on EBR’s race-spec machine, the 1190RR, the 1190RS is a street-legal machine that shares significant amount of components with its racing counterpart but still tuned and setup for road use.

Powered by a liquid cooled 1190cc Vee-twin engine, the American firm claims a power output of 175PS at 9,400rpm helped by a rather impressive weight of just 176kg, giving it a phenomenal power-to-weight ratio, which is highly critical for a racing motorcycle. Fed by advanced fuel injection, the engine is mated to a 6-speed transmission. The highlights on the motorcycle include lightweight aluminium frame with an integrated reservoir for fuel, eliminating the need for an external fuel tank as well as hugely aiding the handling of the machine with better mass centralization. Holding the rear wheel in place is an aluminium lightweight swingarm helped by a fully adjustable Ohlins damper on the rear while the damping duties on the front are managed by fully adjustable 43mm Ohlins inverted forks.

Based on the 1190RR, which was designed specifically for racing, the 1190RS street machine from Erik Buell Racing is a motorcycle wonder with a number of patents backing its performance credentials. It is hugely admired and appreciated across the motorcycle industry for its performance and handling but the limiting factor is the price-tag of 39,999 USD for the stock machine and another 4,000 USD for the Cardon-fibre package, placing it beyond the reach of many a bikers and racers.