1980's Buell Retro Motorcycles - RW750, RR1000, RR1200
The Buell motorcycle was the ultimate American dream. Erik Buell, creator, founder and President of Buell motorcycles, had the vision and determination to launch his American sports bike. As a race race competitor, Buell first built a competitive motorcycle, the RW750, a 4-stroke, which he sold in 1985.
BUELL RW750 ROAD WARRIOR
BUELL RR1000 BATTLETWIN
To acquire the capital needed to pursue his plans, he took a stake in his employer Harley-Davidson and received 50 XR1000 engines that eventually built the Startzahlinder RR1000, his first road bike built around an engine Harley-Davidson was. Buell complained that most of his RR1000 were ripped off by collectors instead of errands, so the next Buell was derived from the 1200 Harley-Davidson engine. The result was the RR1200, a legal motorcycle entirely built in the street that exploits the aerodynamics of the old machine.
The RR1200 has used the new Harley-Davidson evolution 1, 203cc engine. The lessons of the RR1000 project have improved the new bike. The frame was slightly heavier, but eventually much stronger and it was still dressed in the fully enclosed coating of the RR1000. The coating was finished in the flashy livery, however, as the target market was the road runner looking for the ultimate American motorcycle.
The new Buell made 68 horsepower at 6 000 U/Min and at 440lbs significantly less than the Harley Sportster. The aerodynamics was not lost on the rivals and a RR1200 set a record of land speed at Bonneville, the triggering time lighting at 190, 796km/h in 1990.