At Sturgis, we got together with our friend Alec Owens at Buell Motorcycles to learn a bit more about this American-made line of Superbikes. These guys are shaking up the motorcycle industry with their innovative Super Cruiser model.
Buell Motorcycles is based out of Grand Rapids, Michigan. It was founded in 1983 by an Ex-Harley-Davidson engineer, Erik Buell. The company disappeared for a few years, but as of February 2021, THEY ARE BACK AND READY TO CONQUER THE SCENE IN 2025!
An Interview with Alec Owens of Buell Motorcycles
Derek: So, you guys just rode 1200 miles on these prototype Super Cruisers from Michigan to Sturgis? That's insane!
Alec: Yeah, man! It was an epic journey. The bikes handled amazing, and we couldn't be happier with how they performed. We've been riding them all week here in Sturgis, showing them off and getting feedback from the fans.
Derek: Tell us about the Super Cruiser concept. Where did it come from?
Alec: The Super Cruiser started with a design by Roland Sands. He created an incredible concept bike that really took off. We reverse engineered his performance parts and turned them into a mass-produced motorcycle. It's got a 175 horsepower, 100 lb-ft torque engine, and weighs in at just 475 pounds. We took our sport bike performance and wrapped it in a cruiser package.
Derek: That's impressive! So, you offer different models based on this platform?
Alec: Absolutely. We have the touring model with hardbags, this Harley FXR-style cruiser, and even a sport bike version. All of them share the same powerful engine, but we've tuned it differently for each model.
Derek: Can you talk a bit about the engine and its development?
Alec: Sure. The engine was originally developed for our racing program. We've adapted it for street use by adding liquid cooling and other refinements. It's a balance of performance and reliability. You get that superbike power with the durability you need for everyday riding.
Derek: Well, it definitely sounds like you guys are onto something special. These bikes look incredible, and the performance specs are mind-blowing. Excited to see where Buell Motorcycles goes from here.
The Future of Buell Motorcycles
With a rich history and a clear vision for the future, Buell Motorcycles is poised to make a significant impact on the motorcycle industry. The Super Cruiser is just the beginning of what promises to be an exciting lineup of bikes. Their focus on performance, innovation, and American manufacturing is a breath of fresh air. We can't wait to see what Buell has in store for us in 2025 and beyond.
