BUELL INTRODUCES XBRR PRODUCTION RACING MOTORCYCLE

Race-use-only bike brings Buell full circle

EAST TROY, Wis. -- (Monday, January 23, 2006) Erik Buell and company come full circle with the introduction of the 2007 Buell XBRR, a limited-edition production racing motorcycle designed exclusively for closed course competition. A spiritual successor to Buell’s first motorcycle, the 1983 RW750, the XBRR is poised to change the face of privateer racing with a professional-level, race-ready, production-based platform featuring top-shelf racing technology and typical Buell innovation.

“The XBRR combines the current culmination of Buell’s leading edge chassis technology and Harley-Davidson’s air-cooled V-Twin powertrain development in a platform designed by and developed for dedicated racers,” said Erik Buell, Chairman and Chief Technical Officer, Buell Motorcycle Company.

For Erik Buell, the XBRR marks a return to his racing roots. As a successful privateer road racer early in his career, Buell eventually built his own race bikes for the AMA's then-premier Formula 1 class. The RW750 was a hand-built race bike, and it became the first official Buell motorcycle. Two were produced before the AMA discontinued the class after 1985. Buell then translated his race-bred design principles into a line of successful street bikes leading up to the current XB platform.

The Buell XBRR features a modified XB Thunderstorm 1339cc (103.6mm bore x 79.4mm stroke) air/oil-cooled V-Twin motor rated at 150-hp (measured at the crankshaft). The engine is fed by a dual-downdraft 62mm throttle-body electronic fuel injection system and a ram-air intake system integrated with a new wind-tunnel developed carbon fiber fairing.

The XBRR is the first production Buell since the 1988-89 RR1200 to feature a full fairing. Its lightweight carbon design integrates ducts for cooling of the engine and oil cooler. The fairing was extensively wind tunnel tested to improve aerodynamics and reduce drag.

The XBRR chassis is the revolutionary XB design with fuel-in-the-frame and oil-in-the-swingarm, modified with a billet axle adjustment system and chain-drive to allow gearing changes for different race tracks. Suspension travel is managed by fully adjustable Ohlins units, with 43mm front forks and a remote-reservoir rear shock.

A new ZTL2 (Zero Torsional Load) eight-piston front caliper grabs a standard XB front rotor providing outstanding braking performance, but with less weight than conventional designs. New XBRR six-spoke magnesium wheels weigh 33 percent less than standard XB wheels.

Instruments include tachometer, indicator lamps for shift, power on and low oil pressure. The XBRR features a unique Buell Racing paint scheme.

Buell XBRR features:

* 1339cc (81.7 cid) Thunderstorm Powertrain:
o 4.080 inch (103.6 mm) bore and 3.125 inch (79.4mm) stroke
o 12.5:1 compression ratio
o Dual 62 mm down-draft fuel-injection throttle bodies
o WAVE-analyzed header and mass-centralized muffler
o 150+ peak engine horsepower at 8000 rpm (per SAE J607)
o 100 ft. lbs. peak engine torque at 6500 rpm (per SAE J607)
* Black 6-Spoke Cast Magnesium Racing wheels:
o Front: 3.5 inch (88.9mm) x 17 inch (431.8mm) wheel with 120/70R-17 tire
o Rear: 5.5 inch (139.7mm) x 17 inch (431.8mm) wheel with 190/55R-17 tire
* Buell ZTL2reversed rotor front brake with eight-piston Nissin caliper
* Ram Air system integrated with full racing fairing
* Carbon fiber bodywork
* 43mm Ohlins adjustable front suspension with inverted forks
* Ohlins fully-adjustable rear suspension with coil-over monoshock with remote reservoir
* 55-degree lean angle (hard contact)
* 30.5-inch (775 mm) seat height
* 21-degree rake and 3.4-inch (86 mm) trail
* Cast-aluminum swingarm with billet axle adjustment system
o Center position wheelbase 52.8 inches (1341 mm)
o Range wheelbase 51.8 - 53.8 inches (1315 mm - 1367 mm)
* Buell Racing paint scheme
* To accommodate eligibility in a wide variety of racing classes, an engine modification kit will be available to help conform the XBRR to a wide range of class regulations.

Buell will produce 50 XBRR motorcycles with a short initial run in late February and the balance made in April. U.S. MSRP is $30,995.

It is illegal for anyone to ride this motorcycle on public roads. The Buell XBRR motorcycle does not meet NHTSA or EPA regulations for on road use. This motorcycle may only be used on closed courses. We reserve the right to discontinue models or change specifications at any time without incurring obligations. Vehicle and accessory specifications may vary from country to country depending on local laws. Some features and accessories are not available in certain countries. Be aware that many countries prohibit the importation, registration and/or use of vehicles and accessories not built to their countries specifications. Check with your local dealer for details.

Buell Motorcycle Company, a subsidiary of Harley-Davidson, Inc., produces sport motorcycles, motorcycle parts, accessories and apparel. To learn more about Buell motorcycles, visit your local Buell dealer today and experience the pure streetfighter attitude, style and performance only found on board a Buell. Pull into www.buell.com for the Buell dealer nearest you.

Here's the good specs: (Click on specs)

http://www.buell.com/en_us/mania/racing/xbrr.asp

A sample of the specs...it didn't copy over worth a darn:

Theoretical Speed In Gears At Redline
5th 154 mph
4th 131 mph
3rd 111 mph
2nd 89 mph
1st 71 mph

http://a1276.g.akamai.net/7/1276/1354/8bbc35d9f3f936/www.buell.com/en_us/images/bikes_gear/specs/header_xbrr.jpg

A 362 lb bike with 150+ hp and 100 lb-ft of torque :wonderlan . That is one bad Buell!

I want one.....

Also, using the short 3.125" stroke of the XB9, that should be one rev-happy V-twin. I want that motor on an XB! C'mon Eric, how bout an XB13?

Damn that sounds sweet :banana

http://www.photopile.com/photos/warchild/Stuff2/238030.jpg


Bart

Pretty cool, but a little ugly, i didnt know you could get that kind of power out of these motors, now i just need to wait for someone to crash one and get it cheap.:laugh comon it could happen:p

Wow, that ain't no Sporty motor, that's a BIG TWIN!

Oh man, that sounds bitchin :smoke With the lighter wheels than stock Buell wheels (which are already light) the front end on that thing would never stay down!!:D

* To accommodate eligibility in a wide variety of racing classes, an engine modification kit will be available to help conform the XBRR to a wide range of class regulations.


This is the part that really intrigues me. I'm certainly not up on all the different classes by a long shot, but I do know the two major classes are limited to 750cc and 1000cc bikes.

THIS IS PURE SPECULATION: I reckon the limitations of the 45 degree V are holding Buell out of competing with the racing heavy weights. I'm guessing the 45 doesn't allow for the high hp output at high RPMs like other designs(?). Obviously the fours are a different animal but Duc's L-twin can get near 10k.

And I wonder why he decided not to go with a sixth gear. Just a curiousity thing. I would have thought it would relieve some stress. But then that can be as much a factor in the targeted racing style/tracks as mechanical design.

150hp at the crank and 154mph certainly is impressive for the bike's design. But in the race world it certainly isn't Earth shattering.

Cool bike for sure and not meaning this to sound like I'm getting down on it by no means. In fact I'm really meaning this more as a "question" type post. Rambling thoughts of things I don't fully understand but want to.

I hope that this thing is illegal to use on the streets in the same way that SEII's and such are illegal to use on the streets :p

Anybody have $30,000.00 I can borrow!!!!!:D

Pretty cool, but a little ugly, i didnt know you could get that kind of power out of these motors, now i just need to wait for someone to crash one and get it cheap.:laugh comon it could happen:p


if there only making 50 you wont find one!!

What if you just put the 30k into your sporty?
build the same motor?

Have we just seen the future powerplant for our beloved Sportsters? :clap

Have we just seen the future powerplant for our beloved Sportsters? :clap


This is a completely new engine, case and everything. Since it is a race only bike, it doesn't have to meet EPA regs and therefore most likely does not come with a registerable title and thus would be difficult to license for street use. At least that is how I read it.

Also I have to agree with GOTWA, the specs are not that impressive compared to it's potential competition....say a Hyabusa?

All in all though it is impressive to see them stretching the V-Twin (somewhat Sportster EVO based) to bigger cubes. The shorther stroke and slightly over 4 inch bore would have potential to make a good powerband, but still not like the 4 cylinders. 150 hp at the crank is probably going ot translate into 130 to 135 at the rear wheel. It's be fun to ride one, but I know there isn't a shot in hell that my butt will ever feel one of those seats.

This is the part that really intrigues me. I'm certainly not up on all the different classes by a long shot, but I do know the two major classes are limited to 750cc and 1000cc bikes.

THIS IS PURE SPECULATION: I reckon the limitations of the 45 degree V are holding Buell out of competing with the racing heavy weights. I'm guessing the 45 doesn't allow for the high hp output at high RPMs like other designs(?). Obviously the fours are a different animal but Duc's L-twin can get near 10k.

And I wonder why he decided not to go with a sixth gear. Just a curiousity thing. I would have thought it would relieve some stress. But then that can be as much a factor in the targeted racing style/tracks as mechanical design.

150hp at the crank and 154mph certainly is impressive for the bike's design. But in the race world it certainly isn't Earth shattering.

Cool bike for sure and not meaning this to sound like I'm getting down on it by no means. In fact I'm really meaning this more as a "question" type post. Rambling thoughts of things I don't fully understand but want to.


750's don't run anymore in the AMA. The only company still making a full-on 750cc 4 cylinder bike is Suzuki--it's a "heritage" thing. AMA Superbike changed their formula from 750cc 4's and 1,000cc twins a few years ago--now the displacement limit is 1,000cc regardless of number of cylinders. In the rest of the world, the Ducati 748/749 runs in the 600 SuperSport class, but not over here--probably the AMA kowtowing to the Big 4. :frownthre

The Buell is built to compete in Formula Extreme.

The rules:

450-600cc liquid-cooled multis
595-750cc liquid-cooled twins
850-1350cc air-cooled twins

air-cooled twins: engine mods unlimited
water-pumpers: aftermarket ignition, headwork, re-lined cylinders, longer-duration cams, undercut gears.

Hopefully, the Buell will win the Daytona 200 this year.

This is a completely new engine, case and everything. Since it is a race only bike, it doesn't have to meet EPA regs and therefore most likely does not come with a registerable title and thus would be difficult to license for street use. At least that is how I read it.

Also I have to agree with GOTWA, the specs are not that impressive compared to it's potential competition....say a Hyabusa?

All in all though it is impressive to see them stretching the V-Twin (somewhat Sportster EVO based) to bigger cubes. The shorther stroke and slightly over 4 inch bore would have potential to make a good powerband, but still not like the 4 cylinders. 150 hp at the crank is probably going ot translate into 130 to 135 at the rear wheel. It's be fun to ride one, but I know there isn't a shot in hell that my butt will ever feel one of those seats.

The 'Busa is a heavy pig that would get its ass handed to it on a road-racing circuit. LSR & 1/4 mile are its strong suits.

A full-on Superbike makes 200+rwhp. The Buell is going to run against mostly superbike-kitted 600's, and maybe a Duc 749. It is actually not down on power compared to its competition.

If it is anything like last year, Honda will be the one to beat. Too bad FX is the only class where Big Red wins anymore...

I bet you that that Buell can be tagged in Arizona. I've seen tagged KX500's, and tagged Aprilia RS250's. As long as the bike has a headlight, tail light, and the 4-strokes put out less than 5%CO at idle, you can tag anything you like out here. Freedom is nice, aint it? :banana

Thanks AZ. I'm just starting to get into "street" bike racing. We're finally getting some decent coverage of it around here.

This past year was the first that I really started watching it and I didn't really do any research. Often found myself getting confused between the classes and the different sanctioning bodies.

Stevo turned me on to a couple cools sites though so I'm gradually educating myself before the start of the season.

I think its real stupid to make a bike that you cant ride on the street.

With enough money you can ride anything on the street.

I think its real stupid to make a bike that you cant ride on the street.

Yeah, who'd ever thought of riding a bike on the dirt, or as some type of athletic pursuit? What a bunch of weirdos...:roflblack

Hey 82nd, ever heard of observed trials? land speed record? MotoGP? Supercross? World SuperBike? Lisbon-Dakar? Baja 500 & 1000? ISDE? Super Motard? Speedway? You think any of the purpose-built bikes competing in these events could be ridden on the street?

You think you can ride an XR750 in full dirt track race-prep on the street? That motor ain't gonna live very long (in street terms) and you got NO FRONT BRAKE. Not ideal for even mildly spirited riding, and you're going to have to hook up some kind of charging system, as I'm fairly sure that the bikes that run the Sringfield Mile run either a magneto or total-loss charging system.

There's a whole other motorcycling world out there 82nd. You should get out there and check it out sometime, you might just learn somethin.

Thanks AZ. I'm just starting to get into "street" bike racing. We're finally getting some decent coverage of it around here.

This past year was the first that I really started watching it and I didn't really do any research. Often found myself getting confused between the classes and the different sanctioning bodies.

Stevo turned me on to a couple cools sites though so I'm gradually educating myself before the start of the season.

Here's a quick rundown:

World SuperBike: 1000cc 4-strokes, both twins & 4 cyls.--Ducati used to won this class, but when they lost the displacement advantage, now not so much. Bikes are **based** on production models.

World SuperSport: 600cc 4cyls, 750cc twins, pretty much stock except for a few racing tweaks. Feeder class for WSB.


MotoGP: Full-on Prototype racing. Displacement limit 1000cc's, but I think it's being lowered to bring the speeds down.:frownone Ultimate hi-tech sportbikes. These bikes are 4-strokes. Fastest roadracing on the planet. The teams are real coy about HP, but I think the front runners have around 250 going to the back wheel.

250GP: Feeder class for MotoGP. The top GP class used to be 500cc 2-strokes making around 200rwhp. These bikes put down around a hundred and sound like a pack of angry bees. The bikes are 250cc 2-stroke twins.

125GP: Feeder class for 250GP. Bikes make around 50hp, weigh 125lbs, IIRC. Some really good racing too. Sometimes going into the corners SIX WIDE. Lots of fun to watch.

AMA Pro Racing: Superbike is similar to WSB. Mat Mladin rules with an iron fist. American Honda muddles around without factory support. :doh

SuperStock: Basically stock 1000cc bikes like the R1, GSXR1000, CBR1000RR, ZX-10.

SuperSport: Basically stock 600cc bikes, mostly Japanese, with usually one stubborn SOB running in the back of the pack on a Triumph.

Formula Xtreme: Modified 600's, 750cc water-pumper twins, and heavily modified Buells. HOORAY FOR SPORTSTERS!! Most diversity of any AMA class.

Isle of Man Tourist Trophy: Single most INCREDIBLE roadrace weekend on Earth. Period. Crazier than the Daytona 200. 37.74 miles, over 200 turns, ON PUBLIC ROADS, like a proper ROAD race should be. Wonderful, beautiful, utter insanity. Like Sturgis for sportbikes, except the IOMTT has been around longer.

If you want to see what racing is all about, see if there is some sort of club racing in your area. Admission is cheap, probably $10, and you can chat with the racers and see some cool bikes. Your area probably has either CCS or WERA. You want to be careful though. I quit going to races because I'm saving to buy a house, and having a big chunk of money isn't a good thing when I start thinking about buying a beat-up SV650, some leathers, and a trailer. Ya just might get hooked.

Often found myself getting confused between the classes and the different sanctioning bodies.

It is confusing as hell! I don't follow it closely, but I'll watch racing on speed vision when I catch it.

82ndjumper, racing is what gives us a lot of tecnology for our street legal machines. Maybe not so much for our beloved sporties, but it can't hurt for the Buell guys building an insane motor originally based on a sportster v-twin:smoke

Cool.

We have track days here at local track but it is just for guys to go out riding and sideline bets (for experienced, long time track users). My BIL knows a guy who runs a Duc 996 out there and I might try and tag along with him this year.

As for actual pavement racing, I don't think we have any close by with the exception of drags. I'm sure they do on the west side of the state but not over here (right next to Idaho).

Okay, so I'll toss out two more questions:

1) Why are the Buells allowed into the FX class despite being beyond the cc limits? Is it because of the limitations on the v-twin keeping it equal with smaller displacements of other design? I know Buell has it's own racing gig going as well.

2) How "popular" is the FX class? Is it just an off-shoot class or are there some factory riders in it? I'm guessing more to the former. Reckon it would make a fine testing ground for equipment if nothing else.

Here's a quick rundown:

World SuperBike: 1000cc 4-strokes, both twins & 4 cyls.--Ducati used to won this class, but when they lost the displacement advantage, now not so much. Bikes are **based** on production models.

World SuperSport: 600cc 4cyls, 750cc twins, pretty much stock except for a few racing tweaks. Feeder class for WSB.


MotoGP: Full-on Prototype racing. Displacement limit 1000cc's, but I think it's being lowered to bring the speeds down.:frownone Ultimate hi-tech sportbikes. These bikes are 4-strokes. Fastest roadracing on the planet. The teams are real coy about HP, but I think the front runners have around 250 going to the back wheel.

250GP: Feeder class for MotoGP. The top GP class used to be 500cc 2-strokes making around 200rwhp. These bikes put down around a hundred and sound like a pack of angry bees. The bikes are 250cc 2-stroke twins.

125GP: Feeder class for 250GP. Bikes make around 50hp, weigh 125lbs, IIRC. Some really good racing too. Sometimes going into the corners SIX WIDE. Lots of fun to watch.

AMA Pro Racing: Superbike is similar to WSB. Mat Mladin rules with an iron fist. American Honda muddles around without factory support. :doh

SuperStock: Basically stock 1000cc bikes like the R1, GSXR1000, CBR1000RR, ZX-10.

SuperSport: Basically stock 600cc bikes, mostly Japanese, with usually one stubborn SOB running in the back of the pack on a Triumph.

Formula Xtreme: Modified 600's, 750cc water-pumper twins, and heavily modified Buells. HOORAY FOR SPORTSTERS!! Most diversity of any AMA class.

Isle of Man Tourist Trophy: Single most INCREDIBLE roadrace weekend on Earth. Period. Crazier than the Daytona 200. 37.74 miles, over 200 turns, ON PUBLIC ROADS, like a proper ROAD race should be. Wonderful, beautiful, utter insanity. Like Sturgis for sportbikes, except the IOMTT has been around longer.

If you want to see what racing is all about, see if there is some sort of club racing in your area. Admission is cheap, probably $10, and you can chat with the racers and see some cool bikes. Your area probably has either CCS or WERA. You want to be careful though. I quit going to races because I'm saving to buy a house, and having a big chunk of money isn't a good thing when I start thinking about buying a beat-up SV650, some leathers, and a trailer. Ya just might get hooked.

Holy crap :wonderlan I was doing good about half way down, thinking ok, this makes sense. Than it got all crayz! :smoke

Thanks for the rundown, I'll try to pay more attention to the different classes. I wish we had some racing around here. We just have drag racing and dirt.

I think its real stupid to make a bike that you cant ride on the street.

Gonna have to agree with AZBiker on this one. Every single mod we do to exhaust, carbs, engine, etc. violates epa standards and is advertised as "off road use only". I "think its real stupid" to believe that any of us rides a truly street legal bike. Check your facts before you make comments like this.

cheers,
Luke

It's an insane motor on an insane Motorcycle and I love it. But it is also way more than I need. It would be cool to ride on though. I would like to ride everything once.

Cool.

We have track days here at local track but it is just for guys to go out riding and sideline bets (for experienced, long time track users). My BIL knows a guy who runs a Duc 996 out there and I might try and tag along with him this year.

As for actual pavement racing, I don't think we have any close by with the exception of drags. I'm sure they do on the west side of the state but not over here (right next to Idaho).

Okay, so I'll toss out two more questions:

1) Why are the Buells allowed into the FX class despite being beyond the cc limits? Is it because of the limitations on the v-twin keeping it equal with smaller displacements of other design? I know Buell has it's own racing gig going as well.

2) How "popular" is the FX class? Is it just an off-shoot class or are there some factory riders in it? I'm guessing more to the former. Reckon it would make a fine testing ground for equipment if nothing else.

You might want to go in person and check out a track day, just to make sure.

www.wmrra.com is the web address for Washington State's roadracing association. There are 8 race weekends between April and October. Are you anywhere near Spokane Raceway Park or Pacific Raceway?

FX is an outgrowth of the AMA's now defunct Pro Thunder class. They want to keep HP kinda similar. Kinda like the Island of Misfit Toys, it's where all the "other" bikes end up. As such, it's one of my fav classes but doesn't receive a lot of coverage on Speed. The H-D's (and Guzzis, if they wanted to run) receive the displacement concession to make them competitive. The AMA would LOVE for H-D to get back into roadracing.

FX is the class that now runs the most prestigious roadrace in the US, the Daytona 200. The Superbikes no longer run the long race, the AMA is too scared of one of the factory boys dying--none of the tire manufacturers have come up with a tire that can stand up to superbike-type HP on the high banks for the long race.

AFAIK, the only team to provide quasi-factory support in FX is American Honda, and the victories they score bear that out. Miguel DuHamel won it last year on the 600RR. He is the winningest rider in the AMA, but Mladin will probably eventually surpass his win records, especially if American Honda doesn't get their act together and the Honda factory keeps ignoring the CBR1000RR.

Man, I hope the Buell kicks some ass this year.

I'm just down the road from SRP. That's where they have the track days I mentioned. Had no idea they actually ran a couple race weekends there as well. Reckon I'll have to try and get out there this year.

:tour

Lots of manufacturers make bikes (and cars) you can't run on the street. Buell does, HD does, and you can bet your ass every super bike maker has a similar program to Buells, as well as all of the big auto makers. The race market is a seperate thing than the street market. On that note, why sell parts (like wheely bars or anyother drag-only part) that you can't run the street? It's just a different market.

That is a sweet looking bike, and the specs make it sound mean as hell

It is for amature racing mostly. buell is expanding their contingency program. and privateers in formula xtreme .

Two quick comments,

1) I like the short stroke big bore idea, go ahead and put this engine into the 50th annie XL.
(with the right pipes, of course, maybe some kinda v-rod setup so not TOO much power would be lost.)

2) I WANT THAT FUEL INJECTION - I WANT IT! I WANT IT! I WANT IT!

Actually, I'd rather see a torque monster 88 incher in the 50th edition, with FI, and every kind of electronic engine control you could throw into it.

This is great news, I was hoping for a long time now Buell would build something like this, I really thought that H-D buying out Buell would hurt this product... really happy to see this happen. I also think/bet this new engine could even make 200hp.

200 is probably a stretch but 180 is very possible at the crank.

I agree, when I was reading a bit more on the engine specs,design (bore, valve, stroke) it made me think of old S/G (super gas) style stroked Ford Boss 302 engines (I am big into the boss type engines), they could spin as much as 10.000rpm and make as much as 100hp per piston. This is a VERY! trick Buell push rod engine, hope it makes its way into Buell street bikes. I am very interested to see what the head port/design looks like.