Buell 2025 RSD Super Cruiser preview.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,636
Likes: 1,207
From: Ohio
The only reason Harley quit making the FXR was that the frame cost too much to build. That's why the dyna showed up. Even with the performance of the Pan Am....sales have dropped, for many reasons. Personally I think we are a long way off with Harley doing anything besides what they are building currently with the Rev Max. I don't see Harley making the investment in a new Buell killer at all.
You put your $50 down…lets see if you actually buy one. I am going to go out on a limb here and say when the final specs and pricing are determined, you will not buy one. Maybe I will be wrong…wouldn’t be the first time.
But one has to wonder, how much testing are these bikes really going to get? We see the problems HD has when releasing new models, is Buell exempt from having problems? Are they resourced sufficiently to do thorough and proper testing? I don’t know but I would in no way want to be an early adopter.
Last edited by stratplexi; Mar 13, 2024 at 02:26 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 986
From:
Still a nice looking bike to dream about owning one day. Gotta' hand it to 'em for not going with the manga origami nip look. I wish 'em luck.
ETA: I havent seached; is the Buell motor a domestic product or Chicom/Thai/India?
Last edited by panheadache; Mar 13, 2024 at 02:41 PM.
Supporter
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 2,480
Likes: 3,693
From: Mid Con USA
As stated, I am purely speculating about them building a new FXR type cruiser with the Rev Max engine. The heavy investment is done
namely the engine and frame. Other things such as brakes, suspension, wheels, electronics are largely done. Investment in fenders and fuel tank is minimal and I am betting they already have plenty of footpegs, controls and handlebars that will easily work. I am sure they have most of the lighting. They dont need a lot of investment to pull it together. Probably the biggest reason to not build it is it could dilute sales from the Low Rider S. Of course, they may not foresee the bike selling in quantities that make it worthwhile. Buells version may not sell either. There might be some pent up demand that drives sales for one or two years and then it may flop. How many old dudes that miss the FXR will really pony up $30K plus fees, taxes, etc. for a niche bike that has little to no dealer support? Sure, a few will have money to burn. But sustained sales
.doubtful. At $20K it had a better chance than $30K with mediocre suspension and a choked down EPA tune.
You put your $50 down lets see if you actually buy one. I am going to go out on a limb here and say when the final specs and pricing are determined, you will not buy one. Maybe I will be wrong wouldnt be the first time.
But one has to wonder, how much testing are these bikes really going to get? We see the problems HD has when releasing new models, is Buell exempt from having problems? Are they resourced sufficiently to do thorough and proper testing? I dont know but I would in no way want to be an early adopter.
You put your $50 down lets see if you actually buy one. I am going to go out on a limb here and say when the final specs and pricing are determined, you will not buy one. Maybe I will be wrong wouldnt be the first time.
But one has to wonder, how much testing are these bikes really going to get? We see the problems HD has when releasing new models, is Buell exempt from having problems? Are they resourced sufficiently to do thorough and proper testing? I dont know but I would in no way want to be an early adopter.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 928
Likes: 589
From: Connecticut
I can't see HD re-producing the FXR. I also think $30K is too low an estimate for the Buell - they are going to be a LOT more expensive than that. This is a low number boutique motorcycle like the Confed/Curtis/Arch/Motus. Also, the hp numbers will have to be lower once they de-tune and quiet the bike down for passing all the DOT stuff. Wt will prob rise, too.
Still a nice looking bike to dream about owning one day. Gotta' hand it to 'em for not going with the manga origami nip look. I wish 'em luck.
ETA: I havent seached; is the Buell motor a domestic product or Chicom/Thai/India?
Still a nice looking bike to dream about owning one day. Gotta' hand it to 'em for not going with the manga origami nip look. I wish 'em luck.
ETA: I havent seached; is the Buell motor a domestic product or Chicom/Thai/India?
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,636
Likes: 1,207
From: Ohio
I wonder what Buell is actually going to make in house? I seriously doubt there going to make the lighting, electronics, wheels, suspension, brakes, seat, etc. in house. They aren’t making the engine. Perhaps they are going to make the frame pieces, risers and handlebars, bodywork??? I doubt they will paint in house with the environmental hazards and EPA issues surrounding painting.
The more we learn about this project, the more I think this is going to be a very limited niche bike with very low sales. Can they actually sell 100 of these/year? Even with RSD pushing and marketing this bike, I am not sure. He will probably get it in the Moto America Hooligan series of racing and that may help. Now that I think about it, that is probably the plan.
The more we learn about this project, the more I think this is going to be a very limited niche bike with very low sales. Can they actually sell 100 of these/year? Even with RSD pushing and marketing this bike, I am not sure. He will probably get it in the Moto America Hooligan series of racing and that may help. Now that I think about it, that is probably the plan.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 635
Likes: 388
From: Philadelphia Northeast
They said they got $120M value on pre-orders which means around 5000 units if we take a median of 20-30k unit price. I don't believe them and still don't see anything really awesome about this bike.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,809
Likes: 4,127
From: NC
More details. MSRP $25,900, 175HP, No SC Project exhaust, no Ohlins, available Fall 2025. I was excited when I saw the prototype at Daytona in '23. I'm losing some enthusiasm as I see the production bike evolve. I'll take the FXLRS with a performance cam. I'm giving up 50HP but getting H-D style, sound, feel, and saving a few bucks. Nonetheless, I'm glad the Super Cruiser is happening.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 928
Likes: 589
From: Connecticut
I wouldn't be first in line for any 'NEW" Buell product, but I would own one later; after it's shaken out.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 4,250
Likes: 3,130
From: Texas
Even so, this is a totally different Buell. This Buell is to the old Buell as Polaris's Indian is to the original Indian. Nothing to do with the prior company, nothing to do with Erik Buell, they just bought the name.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 546
Likes: 606
From: Out West
The $50.00 refundable isn't much of a commitment. The only one that interests me is the crotch rocket version, but not enough to make it happen.
The deposit is to procure loans to actually produce the bike. It's symbolic in "demand" but we all know that maybe 1 out of 20 guys will actually go through with it, and even that is probably optimistic.
The deposit is to procure loans to actually produce the bike. It's symbolic in "demand" but we all know that maybe 1 out of 20 guys will actually go through with it, and even that is probably optimistic.