Last Great American Hero: 2012 EBR 1190RS Carbon Edition

Before it was clear that Erik Buell's attempts at a comeback after a messy divorce from Harley Davidson would come to naught, he gave the world a string of wild, no-holds-barred open-class sportbikes that only he could have dreamed up.

2012 EBR 1190RS Carbon Edition for sale on eBay

Bucking convention as was his way, Buell stuck with the v-twin engines that had defined his work under the umbrella of Harley, only on the remix he used Rotax mills that proved to be better at making big power than the heavy-but-torquey plants that came from Milwaukee.

The 2012 EBR 1190RS Carbon Edition was the apex of the brand's technological arc, a moonshot for a company that was rapidly passing the point of no return. It was in the days before AMA SuperBike gave way to MotoAmerica, and EBR was still able to field a racing effort.

Instead of building a homologation bike with racing graphics and a few key inferior parts, Buell built 44 units of the road-going 1190RS with thicker base gaskets, a street-friendly muffler and ECU and retarded the cam timing. That was it. The result was a 175-horsepower road bike that weighed well under 400 pounds without gas.

If you were brave, you could opt for the cacophonous track muffler, which meant the bike tipped the scales at just 397 pounds. With a full tank of gas. And a full charging system. And a license plate.

The 1190 RS Carbon Fiber Edition you see here, the 26th bike in the run of 44, spent its life in a dealership, and the seller alludes to some degree of well-documented intrigue surrounding its story, though provides nothing to back it up.

Whatever the case, it has covered a scant 89 miles over the last five years, and it shows. A video is included in the full description from the eBay listing:

Ride it like you stole it! #26

Rare opportunity awaits to purchase one of the finest crafted American sportbike ever engineered. Simply put, 1190RS Carbon Edition motorcycle is Erik Buell’s masterpiece. Of of 44 Carbon Editions built, this #26 collectors bike stands out amongst the crowd. EBR spared no expensive designing this work of art, which was hand-built with the finest components. While the 1190RS is already one of the finest superbikes ever built, this particular bike is truly one of a kind, crafted with the utmost attention to detail including the lightest magnesium wheels in the world and Track-Day exhaust option, both upgrades on the original design. Eric felt such pride in this bike, it adorns his golden signature.

Not only is the EBR 1190RS Carbon Edition rare, but #26 has a colorful story to tell, one of embezzlement, lies, and a lavish lifestyle of rare motor vehicles. #26 was a show room model at Reno Powersports KC and it still maintains its original shine and luster and sits pretty with only 89 total odometer miles.

-Less than 100 1190RS bikes ever made (even less with the carbon edition (44))

-Only EBR 1190 RS Carbon with a rich history and documents to support it.

-ORIGINAL factory Magnesium wheels (lightest in the world) to minimize unsprung weight.

-ORIGINAL Track-Day exhaust (Buell claims curb weight is 384 lbs. with the street-legal, dual-chamber exhaust. With the optional track-day exhaust shown here, it's said to weigh just 369 lbs. motorcyclistonline.com, By Aaron Frank, June 16, 2011)
-Authentic Signature on the tail of the bike by Eric Buell himself (Only a couple I know have this)

With upgrades, the bike totaled over $50,000 MSRP. Clean title.

Buyer is responsible for arranging shipment from Portland, OR.

Specs:

Engine: 1191 CC four stroke, 72 degree V twin with DOHC, capable of producing 146 HP to 175 HP @ optimum RPM ranges. Liquid Cooled

Frame: Aluminum with integral fuel reservoir and aluminum rear swing-arms. Front Suspension uses Ohlins inverted fork. Front brake is a 03.75mm finned rotor with eight pistons and has a cooling duct.

Rear brake uses a 240mm disc with a two piston floating caliper. Front tire Pirelli Diablo Super Corsa 120/70ZRx17”, rear tire 120/70ZRx17”. Rims are light weight spoke alloys and the transmission is a 6 speed and is chain driven.

Controls: Black Accossoto with black rubber grips, digital instrument package.

Exterior: Factory front faring with racing windscreen and tail that are fabricated and unpainted carbon fiber. The tail section has Erik Buell’s signature. Turn signals and taillights utilize LED’s the dual headlights are HID. Black, foam rubber seat.

Video of bike running:

Specs from erikbuellracing.com:

Engine

Type

Liquid cooled V twin

Bore X Stroke

4.17 x 2.66 (106 x 67.5 mm)

Displacement

72.6 cu 1190 CC

Compression Ratio

13.6 :1

Fuel Delivery

Dual 61mm throttle bodies

Exhaust

Primary + Secondary

Peak Torque

97 ft-lbs @ 9400 rpm

Peak Horsepower

175 hp @ 9750 rpm
Drivetrain

Primary Drive

Gear, 36/65

Final Drive

520 Chain, 16/41

Clutch

Wet multi-plate, slipper

Transmission Ratios:

1st

2.46

2nd

1.75

3rd

1.38

4th

1.17

5th

1.04

6th

0.96

Dimensions

Seat Height

30.5″ (775 mm)

Rake

22

Trail

3.4″ (86 mm)

Lean Angle

55

Front Tire

120/70R- 17

Rear Tire

190/55R-17

Fuel Capacity

4.5 gal (17.1 L)

Wet Weight (No Fuel)

389 lbs (176 kg)
Chassis

Frame

Aluminum frame with integral fuel reservoir

Swingarm

Optimized stiffness aluminum

Front Suspension

43 mm Öhlins inverted fork, adjustable compression damping, rebound damping adjustable spring preload

Rear Suspension

Öhlins fully adjustable TTX coil over monoshock with remote reservoir

Front Wheel

3.5″ x 17″ aluminum

Rear Wheel

6.0″ x 17″ aluminum

Front Brake

ISO finned rotor, 8 piston caliper with cooling duct

It isn't exactly a Britten V1000 in terms of rarity or panache, but it represents the apex and the downfall of one of the only true American sportbike manufacturers. With a week left and a Buy-It-Now set well under the $40,000 MSRP, for the right well-heeled collector this could be a serious score.