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Aug. 11, 2008 – Buell’s new model: ‘Part superbike, part streetfighter’

Buell’s 2009 lineup will include a new model dubbed as “part superbike and part streetfighter” and another introduction aimed at the government sector.
Nine models make up the new-year lineup, which Harley-Davidson recently unveiled.
Undoubtedly the highlight was the new superbike, the 1125CR and its liquid-cooled V-twin engine.
Erik Buell, chairman and chief technical officer at Buell Motorcycle Co., said in a press release the introduction “is my vision of a 21st century café racer.
“It’s got Clubman-style bars and a flyscreen instead of a fairing,” he said. “Then we geared it down to optimize acceleration.”
Harley says the new 1125CR, at a dry weight of 375 pounds, is the lightest bike of its segment on the market. The company also says its low weight and 146 hp provides the best weight-to-hp ratio in that category. MSRP is $11,695.
Aiming at an entirely different market, Buell is producing a new police model. The Ulysses Police XB12XP is designed for use by government agencies in situations requiring travel on paved and unpaved roads. The adventure sport model is equipped with police-specific lighting, a larger top case and more-compact side cases, and other special equipment.
Other changes to the Buell 2009 lineup include:

  • The XB Lightning Streetfighters get a new look thanks to a blacked-out frame, forks, engine and other components. Lightning models powered by the Thunderstorm 1203 engine upgrade to the Buell ZTL2 front brake with four-pad, eight-piston caliper, a design that debuted on the 1125R in 2008. The XB12Ss gets fitted with the same supermoto-inspired suspension as the 2008 XB12STT, and the new seat on the 2009 XB9SX lowers the seat height by 1.3 inches to 30.1 inches.
  • The Buell 1125R, powered by the 146-hp, liquid-cooled Buell Helicon 1125cc V-Twin engine, is available in new body and wheel colors and with tinted windscreens for 2009. Also new for 2009 on the 1125R and 1125CR models are targeted fuel injectors, relocated O2 sensors and updated engine spark and fuel map. The updated engine spark and fuel maps also will be made available for 2008 1125R models.
  • The sport-touring Buell Ulysses XB12XT (MSRP: $12,995), introduced mid-year 2008, joins the all-road Ulysses XB12X ($11,495) in the 2009 Buell adventure sport bike category. Both models feature new aluminum footpegs with a “sawtooth” pattern.
  • All 2009 XB models will be fitted with a new, more durable Veyance Hibrex drive belt with Flexten Plus technology, the same belt technology that was originally developed for the Buell 1125R.
    Harley-Davidson noted the Buell Lightning XB12S and Lightning Super TT XB12STT will not be produced for 2009. psb

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