2010 Buell 1125RR Introduced

The 1125RR is designed to give privateer racers a turn-key machine to compete in the American Superbike class in AMA Pro Racing, said Buell, the Chairman and Chief Technical Officer of Buell Motorcycle Company. We want to build on our program that has proven so successful for privateers in the Daytona SportBike class.

The Buell 1125RR uses some race components already used on 1125R that has taken victories in the Daytona SportBike class, such as a billet axle-adjustment system for the aluminum swingarm that incorporates chain drive for simpler gearing changes. In the axles center position, the double-R has a 55.5-inch wheelbase, up nearly an inch from the streetbikes 54.6 inches. The chassis itself is unchanged from the standard 1125Rs twin-beam aluminum frame that doubles as the bikes fuel tank.

Buell has made several modifications to the 1125cc Helicon engine, although its a bit surprising to see its displacement unchanged (the class allows twin-cylinder motors to be up to 1200cc). Engineers concentrated mostly on improved breathing for the 72-degree V-Twin, gaining a larger airbox and intake manifold and a titanium exhaust system. Inside youll find revised valves and camshafts, a higher compression ratio, and other weight-reduced components.

Suspension is from Showa, like the 1125R streetbike, but the 1125RR gets Showas new Big Piston Fork with race-kit internals and an upgraded remote-reservoir race shock. Braking is via Buells ZTL2 (Zero Torsional Load) system that uses a single perimeter-mounted rotor (modified for race use) and the massive eight-piston front caliper. The use of lightweight magnesium wheels improves suspension performance and handling but adds a big chunk o change to the RRs spendy $39,995 list price.

Now, $40K may sound like a lot of money, but its a relative bargain in the world of Superbike racing. It will be interesting to see how Buell rider Taylor Knapp performs on it this weekend at the Mid-Ohio races and for the rest of the AMA Pro Superbike season.

But perhaps the most significant aspect to the announcement of the 1125RR is what it may mean for Buells production streetbikes. If Erik Buell is involved in racing, hes going to want to put the most competitive bike on the grid. In Superbike, this means having a full 1200cc of displacement. Thus, we speculate that we may see a Buell 1200R streetbike in 2011.

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Buell 1125RR in AMA American Superbike