2025 Buell Super Cruiser First Look

[Hugh Janus]

Buell has teamed up with Roland Sands to introduce the Super Cruiser (in concept form). (Buell Motorcycle/)

When the reconstituted Buell Motorcycle Company told us back in 2021 that they would be launching 10 new models by 2024, we were curious to see which designs would come down the pipeline first. The Hammerhead 1190RX and SX street models were confirmed at the time—no surprise there—as was a touring bike and a hillclimber, but now the brand has just revealed it’s teaming up with Roland Sands to develop a cruiser. Yep, you heard that right.

The Buell Super Cruiser aims to mash superbike-level power and FXR-like handling together in a club-style cruiser package. (Buell Motorcycle/)

Buell’s latest model will be a high-performance streetbike called the Buell Super Cruiser, and it’s being designed and built in collaboration with Roland Sands Design. In fact, Sands himself revealed the physical proof of concept machine at his RSD warehouse late last week to an assorted press corps. The bike is being billed as “450 lbs of supersport power [merged] with easy-going ergonomics for an iconic throw-back to stylin’ Sunday afternoons.”

There were a few numbers thrown out in the release, but because this is a concept bike, most of the specifics are vague. We do know that Sands was tasked with “using as much of the standard Buell rolling kit,” on the design, according to both Sands and Buell Motorcycle CEO Bill Melvin. That means everything from the fork to the lightweight 17-inch alloy wheels (with signature perimeter braking system up front), down to the master cylinders and switchgear found its way onto the Super Cruiser concept; of course, you also have that 175 hp, 1190cc liquid-cooled Buell V-twin (an evolution of the Rotax Helicon mill) shoehorned into Sands’ one-off steel tube frame and taking center stage.

Given the Super Cruiser’s claimed 450 lb weight and prodigious power, Sands had to engineer his chassis design to work with the swingarm, fork, original wheels, and brake system. “Ground clearance, bar position, and comfortable seating and foot positions are key to getting the cruiser look with sportbike handling,” said Sands.

Related: Buell Motorcycles Is Back

Buell’s liquid-cooled 1190cc ET-V2 V-twin (presumably detuned) slots into the RSD-designed steel chassis on the concept. (Buell Motorcycle/)

If some of the other details are deliberately fuzzy, what’s not up for debate is the bike’s styling and inspiration; from the tank to the mini fairing to the tall bars, the silhouette screams Harley-Davidson FXR, and Sands for his part, makes no bones about that. He says, “I was deeply inspired by Harley’s FXR…and the handling of it. Erik Buell was involved with…getting the FXR to be what it was. Which turned it into…potentially one of the best handling Harley-Davidsons that’s ever been built (from a cruiser perspective). We wanted to take advantage of that heritage and connection with Buell.”

“I’ve been working on projects like this for 20-plus years, and this is the first time we’ve been able to build a performance cruiser without the typical V-twin performance compromises of weight and motor width and length,” said Sands.

“When Bill first approached us about building a cruiser using the Buell motor, it was as if the bike designed itself. Considering the history of Buell and the market’s need for a truly high-performance cruiser, the project was a natural fit. “It’s a superbike-power high-performance club bike.”

Premium components include the signature perimeter braking system mounted on a 17 inch alloy wheel and adjustable GP front suspension. (Buell Motorcycle/)

For its part, Buell is counting on the Super Cruiser to attract a younger crowd to its products as well. The release states, “Buell is Back and building more than sportbikes. Out of the gate, this cruiser will lead performance in the category. It’s light, nimble, and high torque, incorporating all the main points that connect the rider to the ground, and it’s cracking open another part of the market–a younger crowd craving speed and performance in a cruiser.”

Italian-designed SC Project titanium pipe on the concept bike; no word on whether it will make it onto the production model. (Buell Motorcycle/)

No pricing has yet been announced for the Super Cruiser, but we’d expect it to be somewhere well north of $20,000; more details and pre-order info can be found on buellmotorcycle.com for now. The new cruiser will join the already-announced sport, naked, touring, and racing models in the Buell lineup, and we’re curious to see what other new designs the company will come up with over the next two years.

You can make out the Super Cruiser’s structural swingarm through the burning rubber. (Buell Motorcycle/)

Source

[Pedro]

Buell used to be one world wide special brand, building inspiring motorcycles. Now they are a marketing exercise along with trying ti design people movers.

[Catteeclan]

That radiator.

[Buckster]

I like the radial front brake, not sure how vulnerable the discs will be though. Radiator is shite. Overall look is generic Harley. 

[Fred Average]

Oh ….

and yet again…..

THEY just are n o t “getting it”!