A friend mentioned to me this past weekend that Harley is planning on building a new Buell due out in 2006 that will be powered by the V-Rod or VR1000 engine. Has anyone else heard anything like this? Is it true or just rumors? That would be pretty bad ass if its true, a much better use of those motors than the V-Rod. God those are Fugly bikes.

I thought the vr was an 1100cc , are they making a smaller one?

The original VR1000 race engine was 1000cc. The Revolution varient in the VRSC bikes are slightly larger, I think 1130cc???

Oops, believe you're right, I stand corrected. Thanks.

Do you think they'll put a heavy liquid-cooled motor in the Buell? I always thought one of their main objectives with the Buell was to keep it light and nimble for super handling...

The 1200 Buell (fuel injected) makes 103 HP. The V-Rod motor makes 115. Is the difference in power worth the extra weight?

Good point, but the potential to go even further than 115 is there. With the 1200, thats about as much as you can get before reliability starts to suffer. (in terms of reliability on a production motor that they have to warranty.) I figure they could go to 135 and still be reliable with the VR. I think the original VR1000 made 150. By the way how much more does it weigh? Its just what I was told anyway, not fact, but I like the idea.

Not sure on the weight difference. It might be published somewhere. It would probably become a moot point anyhow, if the can get 135 HP from it in the Buell chassis. I'm sure it would have a more efficient exhaust system on it, just like the 1200 does compared to our Sportsters.

I don't know what the 1203 weighs in at, but after taking it out and putting it back in my build for about the umpteenth time, it has got to be like 200 lbs!

If you're interested in upping the performance of a Buell, or any HD 45 degree twin for that matter, try this site that features four valve hemi heads for HD.

http://www.maxtengines.com/pages/437698/index.htm

These were, I believe, a design of the late Jim Feuling, and although I have no personal knowledge of these products, it might be worth a look to see if it's something you might find helpful.

I intend to persue this further, for my Sportster, and probably ask some questions on the appropriate forum about this, and see if anyone has personal experience with Max T.

I checked in one of my MoCo books last night - the original VR1000 weighed in at 375 pounds. That's about what the XB series does. It might be that a new XBVR might be a slightly larger bike than the XB series (since you now need a radiator and it's a 60 deg twin, rather than a 45), which I personally (being 6'4") would like to see again. I liked the Ergos of the M2 and S1 much better than the XBR, the XBS is pretty comfy, but I look silly on it.

I wouldn't write this rumor off yet!!!
Speedy

The XB12S weighs something like 395lbs. Not much more than the VR1000. But the VR1000 was definatley a longer machine. I could easily see a 1130cc VR twin being stock yuned up to 150-160hp without a problem, but a new chassis my be nesseary in order to fir it and everything that goes with it.

Check out the new V-Rod 'R' model. It puts out 120hp, but I'm sure you can easily get way more with pipes and stage 1 kit. It also addresses a lot of the 'ugly' issues of the other V-rods. Personally, I love it- it's high-tech cafe style.

What would be interesting about a Buell VR engine is how it would fit into the whole Harley/Buell product line. The VRSCA and VRSCB were birds of a different color - power cruisers & do that well. The VRSCR really bridges the gap so closely I could see some huge arguments in some meetings between Buell & Harley - Apart from the weight - it really is a sport bike, in that it's built for speed & handling.

If Buell did release one, it probably won't be a naked bike - probably fully-faired & will knock your socks off - bring in the Gixxer riders & R1'er crowd while they're young, keep them in that "Harley" world when they're older and get them on a Fat Boy.

All I'm saying is that Buell can do it, but I would be interested to see how. The fact that they can do what they do with a Sportster engine at Daytona would mean they could rock the world with the VR engine if they brought that level of expertise over. A few first place runs might get enough people heading to Buell Dealerships to get the "next best thing".

Speedy

I've been told by a certain, well connected Buellophile that Eric doesn't want to use the watercooled engine. That was a few years ago. I'd still love to see one.

Aged thread, but still. Here's my 2 cents.

Buell has put a lot of engineering into the current buell engine. I believe it has been mentioned that the current engine exceeds even the strictest environmental laws for 2006. I don't think they are going to throw that overboard after 2 years by incorporating a vrod engine.

Next to that, a watercooled engine will be at least a few kilo's heavier than the current air/oil cooled engine. Buell has put a lot of effort into weight reduction (ztl/front end, frame, exhaust).

I sincerely hope Buell will NOT put a watercooled engine in a Buell until 2008 or later. I strongly believe that Buell has the ability to fulfill current wishes of a stronger engine in line with the "Buell vision"; air and oil cooled 45 degree twin within future environmental laws.

Last but not least, I am not at all impressed with the vrod performance, nor with the street rod engine (if there is a difference). They claim 120hp (at the crank), but look at real world dyno's, your friggin' lucky if you make it past 100hp. A stock XB12 makes 96rwhp. The extra weight will only make it slower. Think about it. Erik really is a smart guy ;) .

I'm of the opinion that ya wont see a water cooled motor on a Buell for many many years yet.

It goes against almost everything the Eric has been spruking and working towards for years...

But "have ya heard any good rumours lately"??????? No????? "OK, let's start some then"

That's the bin I'd be putting it in......al things are possible, but that one's not plausable for quite some time yet...if it goes water cooled it's heads up with Cagiva, Bennelli, Triumph etc