- Custom build showcased in Daytona
- Aesthetic with the 173bhp V-Twin engine
- Will not be a production model
Buell has showcased a radical new interpretation of its Super Cruiser, unveiling a one-off café racer concept that blends the company’s signature engineering with classic race-inspired styling. While the machine has generated plenty of excitement among enthusiasts, there are currently no plans to put it into production.
The custom build transforms the muscular Super Cruiser platform into a more focused and aggressive café racer. Retaining the standard model’s 173bhp V-twin engine, frame and swingarm, the concept adopts a markedly different riding position and visual identity thanks to extensive modifications.
One of the most noticeable changes is the switch from the Super Cruiser’s tall ape-hanger handlebars to a set of low-mounted clubman-style bars. The revised setup shifts the rider further forward, creating a sportier riding posture while placing additional weight over the front wheel to enhance front-end feel.
Despite the dramatic styling overhaul, the concept retains one of Buell’s most distinctive technical features: its perimeter front brake system. Instead of using a conventional hub-mounted brake rotor, the oversized disc is mounted around the outer circumference of the wheel. Buell has long argued that the design improves braking rigidity while helping reduce unsprung mass compared with traditional arrangements.
The chassis has also received significant upgrades. Race-specification Öhlins suspension components have been fitted front and rear, with revised settings and reduced travel to suit the café racer’s more performance-oriented character. Extensive carbon-fibre bodywork further contributes to the machine’s lightweight appearance while giving it a more premium and purposeful aesthetic.
Another notable engineering change involves the cooling system. To accommodate the redesigned front end and tighter packaging requirements, Buell has adopted a side-mounted radiator arrangement similar to the setup used on the Hammerhead 1190. The relocation frees up space around the nose of the motorcycle while maintaining cooling efficiency.
Although Buell has not indicated that the concept will enter production, the project serves as an intriguing demonstration of the flexibility of the Super Cruiser platform. Combining modern American V-twin performance with classic café racer proportions, the one-off machine offers a glimpse at what could be possible should Buell decide to expand the Super Cruiser family in the future.
