Buell Motorcycles isn't what it once was. The brand, made famous by Erik Buell and his relationship with Harley-Davidson, is a shadow of its former self. But the small team that has emerged from that nameplate continues on, and continues a legacy of performance motorcycles that are truly unique.
And talking about unique, Buell has a custom motorcycle in its warehouse, something it built a handful of months ago that quasi went under the radar, that the brand refuses to build, one that takes the insanity of the brand's 173-horsepower V-twin Super Cruiser, slaps some clip-ons onto it, and calls it a "cafe racer." I'm not sure the ton would be a good enough measurement for this motorcycle with that performance.
Unfortunately for all of us, Buell says it won't build it. I say, "Do it."
Remembered as a thing by our friends at Visordown, the motorcycle was built off the brand's Super Cruiser platform, and using parts from its other models, including the Hammerhead 1190, as well as bespoke parts, the Super Cruiser Cafe Racer follows the form and function of cafe racers of old. The flow of the bike is hunched over the bars, knees bent, and pushing faster and faster "'till the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death," to paraphrase my man Hunter S. Thompson.
The Cafe Racer concept swaps the Super Cruiser's mini Apes for clubman-style handlebars that blend the new and old schools, with all the same controls you'd get from the standard motorcycle. There's also a new front fairing for that vintage look, and new rear controls that allow the rider to sit on the bike like any old cafe racer around. But in terms of performance and parts, you're not really changing out all that much to get this motorcycle from Super Cruiser to Super Cafe.
About the only mechanical difference, apart from the revised Ohlins suspension, is swapping the Super Cruiser's radiator setup for the one used by Buell in the Hammerhead 1190. So, theoretically, Buell could build this motorcycle, no problem, as it looks production-ready as is. But it won't, and isn't, and that's a damn shame.
Well, sorta.
According to Visordown's reporting, which talked to a Buell representative, this motorcycle is part of Buell's custom program, as in a customer can ask Buell real nicely, and pay the company a metric ton of money, to build a motorcycle of their dreams. This particular bike was built to showcase that concept, and will be on display at a dealership in Daytona, Florida. But come on, Buell. This is a slam dunk, and one that screams production series. Just do it.
