Almost exactly four years after Harley-Davidson pulled the plug on its Buell sports-bike division, Erik Buell is back - with a limited-edition, barely street-legal V-twin, built at the East Troy, Wisconsin workshops of Erik Buell Racing.
And since the Motor Company still owns the commercial rights to his surname, it's called the EBR 1190RX.
It has an updated, upsized, in-house development of the Rotax 72-degree V-twin that debuted in the very last Buells, now running at 106 x 67.5mm bore and stroke for 1190cc and a 13.4:1 compression ratio for a claimed 136kW at a howling 10 600 revs and 138Nm at 8200rpm.
SCARY FAST
Wet weight is listed at 190kg without fuel; tank capacity is 17.1 litres, which means that the 1190RX will clock in at about 205kg with a full tank - in plain English, that translates to 'scary fast'.
The running gear follows the proven Buell formula with the fuel inside the aluminium box frame, and an eight-pot inside-out calliper gripping a single 386mm rim-mounted front disc brake. However, since Buell no longer relies on Harley-Davidson for motorvation, the 1190RX has a 520 chain, rather than belt final drive.
Suspension is by Showa, with 43mm big-piston upside-downies in front and a straight monoshock set-up at the rear.
Full-scale production of the EBR 1190RX, is scheduled to start in December 2013, at $18 995 (R187 300) each.
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine:1190cc liquid-cooled four-stroke V-twin.
Bore x stroke:106 x 67.5mm.
Compression ratio:13.4:1.
Valvegear: DOHC with four overhead valves per cylinder.
Power:136kW at 10 600rpm.
Torque:137.8Nm at 8200rpm.
Induction: Electronic Fuel injection with dual 61mm throttle bodies, two port injectors and two showerhead injectors.
Ignition: Computer-controlled digital transistorised with electronic advance.
Starting: Electric.
Clutch: Hydraulically actuated, vacuum-assisted wet multiplate slipper clutch.
Transmission: Six-speed constant-mesh gearbox with final drive by 520 chain.
Front Suspension:43mm Showa inverted big piston forks, adjustable for preload, compression and rebound damping.
Rear suspension: Hydraulic Showa monoshock, adjustable for preload, compression and rebound damping.
Front brake:386mm rim-mounted disc with eight-piston inside-out calliper.
Rear brake:220mm petal disc with dual-piston calliper.
Front tyre:120/70 - 17 tubeless.
Rear tyre:190/55 - 17 tubeless.
Seat height:826mm.
Wet weight(without fuel) : 190kg.
Fuel tank:17.1 litres.
Price:$18 995.