Beyond the Dyno: Buell’s Super Cruiser Embarks on its Final, Multi-Week Test Trip.
Behind every brilliant machine is a team of dedicated individuals who pour their passion and countless hours into its creation and refinement. For Buell Motorcycle Co., that machine is the Super Cruiser.
For the first time ever, our engineers are embarking on a multi-week, cross-country expedition in a last bid to push Super Cruiser prototypes to their absolute limits – a critical phase that will include tests in hot fuel handling, overheating, and durability under diverse and extreme conditions.
“It’s done. The Super Cruiser is out on the open road, undergoing the last tests before debuting to the market. Our team has poured so much time and attention into developing a motorcycle that’s built with love and tempered by the miles, and we can’t wait to deliver this thrilling machine to the public.“ – Bill Melvin, CEO, Buell Motorcycle Co.
Thanks to all involved, this cross-country testing expedition has been mapped over thousands of miles, covering extreme temperatures, elevation, and terrain from Michigan to the California border and back, with the route taking our Super Cruisers through scapes like Pikes Peak, Death Valley, Mount Charleston, Davis Dam, and more.
The data collected during this cross-country journey will be the final cap on the Super Cruiser’s endurance and specs, ensuring it exceeds expectations upon the final debut day at the end of this year. We can’t wait to see this baby joining the Hammerhead 1190 and 1190SX in local markets, and we can’t wait for you to confirm the capabilities of this bike!
Here’s a breakdown of our engineers’ testing schedule:
- Week 1: Speed, Fuel & Heat in Arizona
The “Send It ‘Til It’s Baked” Test
The Buell team’s first test spot is slotted for the handling course and oval track of the Toyota Proving Grounds. Here, our engineers will assess fuel metering and overall hot fuel performance, including fuel slosh and system performance on the track.
Focus will be prioritized on the intricate stability and control of the Super Cruiser’s fuel system in high-temperature environments.
Altitude testing at varying temperatures will also be made to confirm fuel stability and control.
- Week 2: Pressure & Elevation in Colorado
Attitude and Altitude
Following a handful of days for travel, the Super Cruisers will trade the desert’s embrace for the lung-testing altitudes of Colorado, tackling Pikes Peak, Denver City, Eisenhower Pass, and Silverthorne. Pikes Peak, reaching an altitude of 14,115 feet, will serve as the highest elevation test point for altitude testing, while the Eisenhower Tunnel will allow for high-speed evaluations at altitude.
Denver and Silverthorne will provide the traffic heat and slow crawl city riding necessary for certain altitude simulations, including idle and cold starts. Overall, the focus for this week is on evaluating different fuels and pressure testing.
- Week 3: Urban & Extreme Hot Fuel Endurance along the Nevada Border
Temp, Traffic, Torque, Repeat
The Super Cruisers and their team of engineers will begin this week with multiple ascents of Davis Dam for fuel level evaluation and two-up simulations to maximize load on the Super Cruiser at high temperatures. Davis Dam will also be the preferred location for hot soaks (stopping the bikes at the mountain’s summit, allowing them to thoroughly heat soak before a rigorous restart and run).
The team will then navigate the Las Vegas Strip during rush hour, testing slow-crawl performance in extreme heat, followed right after by high-speed tests on the highway to Mount Charleston, which will provide some of the most extreme heat simulations with multiple runs, different fuel configurations, and two-up simulations.
Later, a pivotal stop in Death Valley will allow for continued elevation testing from sea level to nearly 5,000 feet. A final test on hot fuel with switchbacks, linear inclines, and higher-speed altitude runs will conclude at Palm Springs, concluding Week 3 of the Super Cruiser’s final test run.
- Week 4: Dust Intrusion on the California Border
Optimal Airflow, and Home Again.
The final week of testing will focus on dust intrusion, with the team heading to Lake Havasu and Yucca; here, the Super Cruisers will be ridden hard to validate performance on dusty dirt roads and in long stretches of harsh, often mucky conditions.
Focus for this week will be set on measuring cooling fan limits and ensuring that our carbon canister does not draw dusty air into the filter – a small, but still crucial bit of information for our service manual as we ready this bike for local markets and beyond.
We are closer than ever to delivering this exceptional motorcycle and look forward to publishing the results of the Super Cruiser’s final simulations. Soon, this time-proven machine will emerge to embark on its ultimate adventure: The open road, with you.
Don’t forget our #BITW challenge is still live! Spot our Super Cruisers in the wild, snap a photo, and post it on social media with #BuellInTheWild for your chance to win exclusive merch!
For more information on #BITW, the Super Cruiser Test Expedition, or to get in touch with a member of the Buell team, visit our website at Buellmotorcycle.com.
About Buell Motorcycles:
Buell Motorcycles is an American motorcycle manufacturer known for its distinctive styling and high-performance motorcycles. With a focus on sourcing domestically where possible and delivering an unparalleled riding experience, Buell continues to push the boundaries of motorcycle design and true American manufacturing.
Buell’s team is thoroughly dedicated to the superior care of both the machine and the wild soul that rides it.
Meet the Super Cruiser Test Expedition Team :
Our engineers’ insights, specialties, and relentless commitment are what will deliver the Super Cruiser our community has been waiting for, so of course it is our pleasure to introduce them to you.
Remi Gaubert, Calibration and Test Engineer
Remi has been a constant presence throughout the Super Cruiser’s journey, serving as primary lead and rider on rotation for Week 1 (Speed, Fuel & Heat), Week 2 (Speed & Elevation), and Week 3 (Urban & Extreme Hot Fuel Endurance) tests.
Specialties: Remi’s expertise lies in fine-tuning engine calibration and conducting rigorous performance tests. He’s the guy who understands how every sensor reading translates into real-world rideability, ensuring optimal power delivery and efficiency across the spectrum of operating environments.
“Every mile on these prototypes requires constant attention, and this final trip’s calibration points are about perfecting the relationship between Super Cruiser and rider. It’ll be great to see how these results translate for our riders when the Super Cruiser finally hits markets.”
Emily Reid-Barker, Certification and Validation Engineer
As the Certification and Validation Lead, Emily plays a pivotal support role across all four weeks of the test trip. Emily’s oversight is crucial for documenting data, ensuring testing protocols are met, and confirming that the Super Cruiser exceeds all expectations.
Specialties: Emily’s expertise lies in the meticulous world of regulatory compliance and comprehensive system validation. She’s the guardian of standards, ensuring that every component and system not only performs but also meets the stringent requirements for market readiness. Her work is about translating raw data into certified performance.
“Validation is something we don’t want to cut corners on, ever. It’s why we have brought so many engineers on this test expedition. The Super Cruiser has so much capability, but this expedition is about pushing boundaries safely and responsibly.”
Matt Laurent, Technical Lead Engineer
Matt is a cornerstone of the riding and support team, actively participating in the high-speed maneuverability tests in Week 1, and then continuing his critical riding and support duties through Week 2 (Altitude) and Week 3 (Urban & Extreme Hot Fuel Endurance). His technical leadership has provided invaluable guidance to the team, especially when addressing complex on-road simulations
Specialties: As a Technical Lead, Matt’s expertise spans the breadth of motorcycle engineering, with a particular focus on chassis dynamics, handling, and overall vehicle integration. He’s the team member who can feel the subtle nuances of a bike’s behavior and translate them into actionable engineering adjustments, ensuring a balanced and confidence-inspiring bike.
“In design it is all about making assumptions and not getting lost in all the weeds of complicated physics. Testing is where you see how good your assumptions in design were; motorcycles mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people, and we must try and account for all of that. As an engineering team we are really excited about closing this learning loop and ensuring that the product we are putting out there will perform as intended.”
Nick Kapela, Senior Product Development Engineer
Nick is a support member during Week 1’s intensive high-speed maneuverability and stability tests at the Toyota Proving Grounds. His direct involvement in these early, high-performance evaluations is crucial in setting the baseline for the Super Cruiser’s dynamic capabilities.
Specialties: Nick’s focus as a Product Development Engineer is on bringing concepts to tangible reality, often specializing in component design, integration, and initial performance validation – all instrumental in ensuring that the theoretical design translates into a functional and robust physical product.
“It’s so rewarding to take a design like the Super Cruiser from concept to real-world results. The team is throwing everything into this ride, and it’s amazing seeing the Super Cruiser respond like it has. It’s also been great getting to see how the new Fox Factory suspension system behaves with all the terrain we’ve been covering.”
John Trautmann, Engineer/Technician
John is a dedicated rider and support member, joining the team for Week 2’s demanding altitude tests and continuing through Week 3’s extreme urban and hot fuel endurance challenges. His hands-on technical skills are invaluable for on-the-fly adjustments and data acquisition in challenging environments.
Specialties: Combining engineering knowledge with practical technical skills, John excels at problem-solving in the field. He’s adept at diagnosing issues, performing necessary adjustments, and ensuring the test bikes remain operational and data-logging accurately, even in the most remote or extreme locations.
“There’s so much that’s gone into the Super Cruiser’s development, and diagnostics have been the best way to keep improving on the way to production. This trip is huge, and we’re shoving a lot into the three weeks we have, but the payoff will be so worth the while.”
Sean Eurich, Senior CAD Designer
Sean enters a crucial riding and support position for Week 2’s altitude tests and Week 3’s extreme urban and hot fuel endurance tests. He flips to a primary riding role in Week 4’s dust intrusion testing for a unique perspective from the design side directly into performance validation.
Specialties: As a Senior CAD Designer, Sean’s expertise lies in the intricate world of computer-aided design, translating engineering concepts into precise digital models. His participation in testing provides invaluable feedback for design optimization, especially concerning component fit, airflow, and environmental sealing.
“It’s been great seeing the Super Cruiser perform under such extreme conditions, especially in the heat and altitude. We’re leaving no stone unturned in this final test trip.”
Matthew Carpenter, Product Development Engineer
Matthew joins the team as a rider for Week 4’s critical dust intrusion testing. His fresh perspective and focused expertise as a product development engineer are vital for evaluating how the Super Cruiser’s systems handle pervasive particulate matter in real-world riding conditions.
Specialties: Matthew, as a Product Development Engineer, specializes in the lifecycle of components, from initial concept to manufacturing and testing. His keen eye for material science and environmental resilience is particularly valuable during the dust ingress evaluations.
“One of the best parts about testing a Super Cruiser is that our team really puts the bike through its paces; we won’t pansy around on this expedition, we’re going to try to push the Super Cruiser beyond its limits, and the results will mean a badass bike for the community.”