2014 Erik Buell Racing 1190 RX First Look ReviewOne of the highlights of the inaugural American International Motorcycle Expo (AIMExpo) was the unveiling of the newest Erik Buell Racing (EBR) sportbike – the 2014 1190 RX.
The EBR 1190 RX is driven by basic philosophies of high-performance – less weight and more power.How much power? The EV-V2 1190cc V-Twin produces 185 horsepower at 10,600 rpm, and, more importantly, 102 ft. lbs. of torque at 8200 rpm. This torque is spread out on a long and linear curve, which allows the 2014 EBR 1190 RX to produce optimal power in every gear. Regardless of high horsepower, EBR, which will enter World Superbike in 2014, reports that the 1190 RX gets 52 mpg; with the 4.5-gallon tank, the new sportbike can get 234 miles per tank.This power/mpg combo is possible due to a redesigned combustion chamber that features Controlled Swirl Induction – something not found on EBR last generation sportbike, the 1190 RS. This design, along with electronic fuel injection system that features two port injectors and two showerhead injectors, allows the 1190 V-Twin to optimally burn fuel.The new RX also features a less-restrictive exhaust design that features a second resonator, and a newly designed, large-volume airbox.All this power is harnessed in a lightweight overall motorcycle, the 1190 RX having a curb weight of 419 lbs – one of the lightest of the open class sportbikes. This lightness arrives from an extremely light frame, which also holds the fuel. The frame itself weighs only 23 lbs. As for the magnesium subframe, it weighs a mere 2 lbs. Also adding to this weight reduction are hubless, aluminum wheels, which are shod in Pirelli Rosso Corsa tires (120/17 ZR-17 front; 190/17 ZR-17 rear).Suspension duties are handled by a Showa Big Piston Fork up front, and a Showa single shock without linkage out back.In the slim electronic-aid department – no ABS or electronic suspension on this race-breed machine – the Buell 1190 RX features a traction-control system that utilizes 21 settings, allowing riders to customize the amount of TC based on “rider skill and operating environment.”The 1190 RX’s unique brake system was developed through EBR’s experience in AMA Superbike racing. And to stop a bike with a top speed of 186 mph, EBR uses a 386mm Single-perimeter rotor up front, which is squeezed by an 8-piston inside-out caliper. Out back, a single 220mm disc is squeezed by a 2-piston Hayes Performance Brakes caliper.Styling is typical of Erik Buell Racing, from the LED headlight that occupies the vertical center strip of the front fairing, to the “intentional vanishing point,” which follows the smooth fairing layout towards the small tail section.EBR also designed a brand new digital gauge cluster, which features easily adjustable parameters such as traction control. The cluster also has information regarding track-performance data, service intervals and system diagnostics.The 2014 Buell 1190 RX will be available in three colors – Racing Red, Strike Yellow and Galactic Black. And the thing the EBR staff is most proud of? The 1190 RX’s MSRP – $18,995.2014 Buell 1190 RX Specs:Engine:
Type: ET-V2 V-Twin, Four-stroke
Bore x Stroke: 106mm x 67.5mm
Displacement: 72.6 cu in. (1190cc)
Compression Ratio: 13.4:1
Fuel Delivery: Electronic Fuel Injection with 2 port injectors and 2 showerhead injectors
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This week, in the first segment Editor Don Williams talks to us about the new Kawasaki Versys 650 LT. It’s the middleweight ADV style machine that uses the same 650 parallel twin motor as the Ninja 650, so it’s an excellent performer in a user-friendly, good looking package.
In the second segment, I chat with one of my dearest industry friends—now retired Honda PR executive, Jon Seidel. Jon’s fascinating career spans some 30 years with Big Red, and gave him some great experiences with some incredible machines. I was fortunate enough to be invited on many of the press launches that he organized. His new project is documenting and saving many of the old archives from years gone by—and incidentally, if you have anything that may be of value to the project, please contact us by email at producer@ultimatemotorcycling.com and we’ll pass it all on to Jon.
So on that note, from all of us here at Ultimate Motorcycling, we hope you enjoy this episode!
