| Author | Message | |||
     Lions |
Roehr Motorcycles introduces the V-roehr 1130 superbike, a new generation of American motorcycle. Powered by the Harley-Davidson* Revolution* engine, the V-roehr combines modern state-of-the-art engine technology with a race track inspired chassis design, resulting in a truly modern American sport bike. The design goal for the new superbike was simply to produce the fastest, most powerful, and finest handling machine, using the best American engine available. The Harley-Davidson* Revolution* engine was chosen due to it’s superior power potential, modern high tech design and durable construction, allowing reliable high power output potentials. The engine is housed in a composite CrMo steel and aluminum composite beam frame, consisting of large diameter, internally ribbed steel main beams, bonded and bolted to billet machined aluminum swingarm pivot plates. This design uses these two materials in areas of the frame in which their material characteristics are best suited, yielding a stiff, light weight structure that provides excellent feedback and rider feel. This light, compact frame, combined with ideal chassis geometry and mass centralization provides an exceptionally responsive, stable and balanced handling dynamic. Side mounted radiators provide a forward engine position allowing a suitable wheelbase and ideal weight distribution. The V-roehr is also equipped with the finest chassis components available. Ohlins suspension, Brembo brakes, Marchesini wheels and beautiful bodywork in aerospace quality carbon- fiber. Designed and constructed by company founder Walter Roehrich, the V-roehr delivers the power, performance and beauty unmatched by current American sport bikes. Roehr Motorcycles will also offer a full line of high-performance parts and accessories, with engine kits producing up to 180hp. Production of the first 50 units is scheduled to begin in 2008, with pricing estimated at $39,995.00. Technical Specifications: Engine:Type 2 cylinder, liquid cooled, DOHC, Counterbalanced, 60deg, V-twin Displacement 1130cc Bore X Stroke 100mm X 72mm Compression ratio 11.3 / 1 Transmission 5 speed Clutch Wet, multi-plate, hydraulic actuation HP/Torque 120hp / 75lb/ft Final drive Chain Chassis: Type Steel/aluminum composite beam frame, 4130 steel/ 7075 aluminum Wheelbase 56 inches (1422mm) Rake/trail 23.5deg. / 97mm Seat height 31.5 inches Dry weight 425lbs. (193kg) Front suspension Ohlins 43mm fully adjustable upside-down fork with TiN Rear suspension Ohlins fully adjustable linkless monoshock Front Brakes 2 x 330mm semi-floating discs, radially mounted Brembo monobloc 4 piston calipers. (Production version) Rear brake 245mm single disc, with 2 piston Brembo caliper Frt. Wheel/tire 3.5 x 17 forged aluminum 10 spoke Marchesini, 120/70 ZR17 tire (Production version) Rear wheel/tire 6.0 x 17 forged aluminum 10 spoke Marchesini, 190/55 ZR17 tire (Production version) Fuel tank capacity 3.8 US gallons    | |||
| Ducxl |
scheduled to begin Yeah,right,they've been saying that already for years.But,good engine.I thought they were going to use an engine from Hyosung or Rotax | |||
| Diablobrian |
It has come up many times, but while they keep promising a bike Buell is all set to actually deliver the 1125r to paying customers. I'd like to see them produce the bike, even in limited numbers, because we need more American motorcycle manufacturers.} | |||
| Irideabuell |
I wouldn't say it's competition for Buell at a price of 40K!!! | |||
| Elvis |
"It has come up many times, but while they keep promising a bike Buell is all set to actually deliver the 1125r to paying customers." Isn't it interesting, now that we know the whole story, how Buell has kicked the butts of their potential competitors? For the last several years, we've been hearing about Fischer and Roehr and Motoczysz, and every time we've read those stories, people have been saying: See, Buell? They beat you to it. Talk is cheap. While those companies were out getting press, Buell was actually designing and testing bikes, and now they're rolling them off the production line while those other companies are still . . . talking. I'd bet the 1125R could blow away the best "Moto GP" bike Motoczysz actually has put together (at 1/10th the price), and there's no question it will blow away the Fischer or Roehr(if they ever exist). | |||
| Spiderman |
Welcome to last month+... | |||
| Glitch |
He's changed engines again? | |||
| Jaimec |
I thought Roehr announced they were using the Revolution engine over a year ago. I read about that here. As for Fischer, he's been selling his bike for the past year direct to consumers. He's trying to build a dealership network, but that's hard to do when you only have one model to sell. The base model is actually quite affordable, but you can pimp it up to be as expensive as you like. Again, that bike has been discussed a lot here as well. It is, however, powered by a Korean clone of the Suzuki SV650 engine so really isn't a competitor for either the 1125r or the Roehr. He designed it as an "Entry Level Sportbike." | |||
| Sanchez |
120 hp, 425 lbs dry, $40k?  | |||
| Cataract2 |
I seem to recall Buell's engine spanking the VROD engine at lower CC. | |||
| Swordsman |
I can't help but think this bike is going to be outdated by the time it finally gets built. Roehr is already falling behind the curve with the underseat exhaust. Looks to me like the 1125R already spanks it, and that's before considering the price difference! ~SM (Message edited by Swordsman on October 31, 2007) | |||
| Djkaplan |
Gotta give the guy credit for trying... but, boy did he get trumped. | |||
| Ft_bstrd |
Mr. Roehrich is a top notch, classy guy. I sincerely hope his venture succeeds. I don't see it as a competitor to the Buell any more than a Bi-Moto or MV Augusta is. Why people buy what they do has less to do with spec sheets and more with what they want in a bike. If we only looked at the stats, none of us would own Buells. A person who would buy a Roehr would be interested in a limited production, custom bike whereby they can actually meet the builder, have input on the color, features, accessories, etc. They could have just about any bike they want but chose to buy something a little "different". The target buyer is probably intrigued by the bike being composed of US made components and likes that it's built here. I believe it will provide a singularly unique experience for a buyer who wants something different and is willing to pay a premium to get it. I used to bash Roehr because I though he was "Johnny come lately" on using the V-Rod motor. His congratulatory comments regarding the release of the 1125R and subsequent posts have completely changed my mind. I think there is plenty room for Buell and Roehr. I wish nothing but the best for both of them! | |||
| Unibear12r |
I agree with Ft bstrd on Mr Roehr and wish him success. Definitely a classy guy. But I do think that he's still going to have to pump up the power and drop the price a bit to be successful, exclusive or not. Be a good Duc hunter if he did IMHO. | |||
| Strato9r |
+2 on that. Anyone who can keep focused on everything involved in such an undertaking has earned my respect. As it sits, it is however an expensive exotic, but raw numbers are rarely the primary motivating factor in the purchase of machines in it's category. After riding a V-Rod, I could not help but wonder what that lovely engine would be like in a sport bike. Here's to you, Mr. Roehr, nice work!! | |||
| Ft_bstrd |
I believe Mr. Roehrich said that he has been able to pump the HP up to between 160 and 180 at he crank. That might be fun to see. | |||
| Glitch |
The problem as I see it is the engine. Unless he can strike a deal with H-D (which is doubtful) he'll have to buy the engines at either full retail, or from the likes of e-bay. What he needs is an engine supplier. That's why Fischer went with the Hyosung, it was the really only economically viable engine he could find. H-D isn't going to sell an engine to a competitor, it just ain't gonna happen. | |||
| Jaimec |
Glitch, I don't see a $40K sportbike as a competitor to anything in the Harley catalog, do you? Money is money, and Roehr's money is just as green as anyone else's. | |||
| Ft_bstrd |
My understanding was that there was already an engine sourcing deal struck. Roehr wouldn't go through all the trouble with engine development just to find out that he can's use the engines in the design. You satisfy your parts sourcing first, not last. | |||
| Glitch |
Y'all will have to convince me some other way that H-D licensed Roehr to use their engine. It's not just an engine, it's licensing and warranty as well. Although that very well could be one of the reasons for a $40,000 price tag. Come on prove me wrong. I can take it. | |||
| Jaimec |
Glitch, were you by any chance a political science major? It's pointless to try and prove a negative (but that doesn't stop every talking head on the campaign trail from using that tact anyway)... | |||
| Glitch |
OK, prove yourself right | |||
| Jaimec |
Could always PM Mr. Roerhrich himself since he is a BadWeb user and has posted here already (to congratulate Erik on the 1125r)... | |||
| Glitch |
Y'all will have to convince me some other way that H-D licensed Roehr to use their engine. | |||
| Court |
Y'all will have to convince me some other way that H-D licensed Roehr to use their engine. Put me in that camp. Harley-Davidson will not be selling the motors. By the way . . . how many folks here have paid $40,000 for a motorcycle? I've long maintained that building a motorcycle is the easy part (not easy, but the easy part) and folks like John Britten have done it. Building a motorcycle COMPANY that sells motorcycles is far more difficult. | |||
| Blake |
Would it not be feasible to purchase new V-Rods, sell the all the non-engine related parts, and use the engines for his sport bikes? Isn't that what some custom bike builders are now doing with some Harley-Davidson motorcycles? That way they can keep the EPA compliant emissions performance. Buy a whole bike for $12K, sell parts for $5K, use engine to produce $40K retail motorcycle? They will sell in limited numbers, no doubt. I second that Mr. Roehrich is a class act. I too wish him success.
The comments about the press hype falling to actual production at Buell are valid. Consider though that it's tough to generate investor interest without hyping what you plan to eventually sell. Mr. Czysz also paid us a visit, stopping in here to share his views. | |||
| Court |
>>>I second that Mr. Roehrich is a class act. I too wish him success. I third it. Both Roehrich and Czysz both (I've never met either of them) seem to be wonderful people and I admire their quest, particularly having had some experience with one such adventure. The motors would be tough to pull off. It's not "impossible" to buy VRODs although it might be difficult. In the past when dealers have sold motorcycles for things other than their intended purpose of sales to legit buyers it's evoked response. Granted, at the $40K mark, you'd only have to buy 1 each from a couple dealers and that could keep you under the radar. There is more to circumventing the EPA and DOT regs than simply pulling the motor out and using it. The process relates to the size (low volume) of the maker not just the fact that the engine is already certified. Part of the "getting in business" requires one to find that sweet spot where marginal revenue and marginal costs intersect and determining demand and the associated elasticity of demand. At $40K that point is in rarified air. Buying VROD's and trying to make the economics work makes it tougher. Can you imagine someone walking in and ordering 100 VRODs? . . . that'd be as silly as walking into BMW as order 100 headlights, eh?  | |||
| 46champ |
Mr. Roerich isn't building anything that competes with anything that Harley or Buell currently builds. If he is able to to get 160 to 180 HP, he has provided Harley with an offering to compete with a Hayabusa or ZX 14, yes price would be a problem but it's better than nothing. After all we always compare the 1125 with the liter bikes never the big Kawasaki or Suzuki. | |||
| Oldog |
I think that its beautious, that sled. I am not supprised that HD has no interest. it does not fit the mold, of their current offering. Its great and a change of pace from choppa,choppa,choppa. the guys that can shell +40k out for a sled would buy it for the Vrod engine and "handbuilt" pedigree. To me any way its the topshelf engineering and the matching designer components that appeal & the sexy body work functional or not is also a major factor. I got $40.00 can I sit on it? | |||
| Glitch |
I never cut down Mr Roehrich, nor would I. The problem as I see it is the engine. Unless he can strike a deal with H-D (which is doubtful) he'll have to buy the engines at either full retail, or from the likes of e-bay. What he needs is an engine supplier. That's why Fischer went with the Hyosung, it was the really only economically viable engine he could find. H-D isn't going to sell an engine to a competitor, it just ain't gonna happen. Glitch, I don't see a $40K sportbike as a competitor to anything in the Harley catalog, do you? Money is money, and Roehr's money is just as green as anyone else's. My understanding was that there was already an engine sourcing deal struck. Roehr wouldn't go through all the trouble with engine development just to find out that he can's use the engines in the design. You satisfy your parts sourcing first, not last. Y'all will have to convince me some other way that H-D licensed Roehr to use their engine. It's not just an engine, it's licensing and warranty as well. Although that very well could be one of the reasons for a $40,000 price tag. Come on prove me wrong. I can take it. Then Jaimec wanted me to prove him right by getting in touch with Mr Roehrich. Well, after getting in touch with Mr Roehrich, he proved me right. That's right isn't it Jaimec? Never prove a negative? From Mr Roehrich: Dave, Thanks for the interest and kind words. Roehr Motorcycles does not have an engine supply deal set up with HD. We are purchasing engines through the dealer network just like anybody else can. We are completely independent from HD and have no communications with them. Although a special engine deal with HD would help reduce the cost of the bike, we are not holding our breath. The bottom line is unless you are producing 10's of thousands of units per year, you will be paying top dollar for parts, and to produce that many units requires $10's of million of investment capital. Capital which we don't have and have little hope of getting. As far as the progress of the bike, We will be starting production in July of 2008. The production bike will use the 180hp supercharged 1250cc engine that we have been developing, as well as some minor cosmetic alterations and a new swingarm. We will present the new bike in a press intro some time before it's July release. Kindest Regards, Walter Roehrich Roehr Motorcycles LLC (Message edited by glitch on November 01, 2007) |
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