A Roland Sands-Designed Cruiser Crusher
A couple of years ago we reported on the return of Buell Motorcycle Company, albeit without Erik Buell. Debuting the Hammerhead 1190RX and SX beasts, the reorganized and relaunched brand promised about 10 new models in the years ahead. The’ve been teasing an 1190cc desert/hill climb racer called the Baja DR (Dune Racer) and a soon-to-be revealed adventure tourer, the 1190 SuperTouring, among others. Now, in partnership with Roland Sands Design, Buell has pulled the wraps off a power cruiser concept, dubbed (for now) the Super Cruiser.
Sands and his fire-breathing concept, the Super Cruiser. Photo by Buell.
It looks to us like a stripped-down version of a machine one might find in the MotoAmerica King of the Baggers series, with a set of hard bags attached of course. What a monster. The bike was revealed at the RSD warehouse to a small cadre of local press, with an introduction of “450 pounds of supersport power with easygoing ergonomics for an iconic throwback to stylin’ Sunday afternoons.”
Some interesting bits viewable here. Photo by Buell.
Not many details are readily available on this 2025 concept bike yet, save that water-cooled 1190cc V-Twin mill Buell has created for their Hammerheads which will also power this cruiser crusher, making a reported 175 hp. A signature element from the Buell playbook is their perimeter brake system, mounted on a front 17-in alloy rim, and riding on inverted adjustable GP style front forks. Now that looks cool. The frame, swingarm, exhaust system and single rear monoshock all scream (literally) high-powered performance cruiser, with RSD bits and inspiration throughout.
Front radiator we’re sure will be further refined aesthetically. Photo by Buell.
Claiming inspiration from Harley-Davidson’s beloved FXR, Sands stated, “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.” He added, “When Bill (Melvin, Buell CEO) 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.”
Getting some hooligan on. Photo by Buell.
In a press statement earlier, Buell Motorcycle Company confirmed, “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.” Here’s hoping that youthful crowd will find this bike attractive, with declining numbers of the younger gens taking up motorcycling.
And the customary smoky burnout that 175 hp can easily muster. Photo by Buell.
Of course, it’s too soon to determine any probable price point, but writers at Cycle World guessed it would be somewhere above $20K, which makes sense to us. This looks like an interesting project, and we hope it comes to market when projected. Time will tell. For more info on this concept as well as the others Buell is working on, check them all out here:
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