Buell introduced their new Lightning Super TT in Milan today, it’s a streetfighter, Supermoto combination which actually looks like it could be a lot of fun. The numbers are 103 horsepower, 84 foot pounds of torque and 400 pounds dry. It’s similar to their other Lightning models but it has the raised front fender in the Supermoto style, plus number plates and either plain white or orange paint which it looks like they intend you to use as sort of a canvas for your custom designs. Pretty neat. Suggested retail is $10,295.
Press release follows:
BUELL LIGHTNING SUPER TT XB12STT UNVEILED AT MILAN SHOW
Buell Delivers Sport Performance with New Urban Supermoto Motorcycle
MILAN — (Tuesday, November 14, 2006) It’s time to take to the street with attitude and style as Buell brings on the new Lightning Super TT XB12STT packed with tenacious performance and distinctive urban character. The Lightning Super TT, launched today at the EICMA 64th Annual International Motorcycle Exhibition in Milan, Italy, is built for battle with characteristic Buell Streetfighter innovation and excitement.
“Buell motorcycles let riders own the corners and have fun, whether it’s the corners on a back highway or corners of a city street,†said Erik Buell, Chairman and Chief Technical Officer, Buell Motorcycle Company. “The Lightning Super TT XB12STT continues that concept by blending street and track performance with plenty of torque and power into a bigger, versatile Supermoto-inspired design.â€
As the latest addition to the Buell Lightning family, the Lightning Super TT combines hard core Streetfighter attitude with the style of Supermoto bikes. The Supermoto (aka SuperMotard or US TT) category refers to an all-around style of motorcycle combining characteristics of road racing, dirt track and motocross bikes. The Lightning Super TT captures a rebellious and aggressive racing spirit. Other models in the Buell Lightning family are the Lightning XB12S, Lightning XB12Scg, Lightning Long XB12Ss and Lightning CityX XB9SX.
The Buell Lightning family is known for its combination of functional rider ergonomics and sporty styling. The Lightning Super TT provides a long, smooth 31.4-inch solo seat height with Supermoto-style, while a passenger seat can be added. 5.63-inches of suspension travel and a 54-inch wheelbase let you take the Lightning Super TT wherever the road leads. A fully adjustable 43mm Showa inverted fork and fully adjustable Showa rear shock add even more versatility.
While the Lightning Super TT has a slick, competition-inspired look with racing-style number plates, white Surlyn flyscreen and minimalist Satin Black tail section, the bike begs riders to show their inspiration for customization as these components can easily be personalized. The white Surlyn flyscreen sits below a wide, flat handlebar with cross brace, instrument panel and deflectors for aggressive street riding. The upper front fender provides debris protection with a Supermoto look.
Primed with 84 ft. lbs. of torque and broad powerband of the Buell Thunderstorm 1203 45-degree engine, the Lightning Super TT is just the bike to attack city streets. On the roads of the urban jungle or in the corners of a long canyon run, the Lightning Super TT is powerful in every gear, rpm and twist of the throttle. The air/oil/fan-cooled V-Twin engine features DDFI II electronic fuel injection and the Buell Interactive Exhaust is tuned for the ultimate in performance and control.
The Buell Trilogy of Technology featuring frame rigidity, mass centralization and low unsprung weight works to provide the Lightning Super TT with superior handling, powerfully smooth acceleration and legendary Buell torque. A lightweight aluminum frame contains the fuel while the swingarm holds oil. The muffler is located below the engine and the Immediate Throttle Response System has a light Goodyear Hibrex final belt drive with Flexten Plus technology to provide what feels like a direct connection between the throttle and the rear wheel for an exhilarating ride in all conditions.
A ZTL (Zero Torsional Load) front braking system, mounted on the wheel perimeter 375mm rotor, is gripped by six-piston caliper allowing for light, six-spoke Designer Black Super TT wheels. Pirelli Scorpion Sync tires on the Lightning Super TT have an aggressive tread pattern to provide better bite on even the nastiest pavement.
The Lightning Super TT features Barricade Orange or Arctic White airbox cover molded in color schemes. U.S. MSRP for the Lightning Super TT will be $10,295, and it will be available at Harley-Davidson/Buell dealerships in mid to late January 2007.
Buell Lightning Super TT XB12STT highlights:
* 1203cc (73.4 cid) Thunderstorm Powertrain:
o 3.500-inch (88.9 mm) bore and 3.812-inch (96.82 mm) stroke
o 10.0:1 compression ratio
o 49 mm down draft DDFI II fuel injection
o Interactive Exhaust with mass-centralized mounting
o 103 peak horsepower @ 6800 rpm (per SAE J607)
o 84 ft. lbs. peak torque @ 6000 rpm (per SAE J607)
* Designer Black 6-Spoke Powdercoat cast aluminum wheels:
o Front: 3.5 inch (89 mm) x 17 inch (432 mm) wheel with 120/70 ZR-17 tire
o Rear: 5.5 inch (140 mm) x 17 inch (432 mm) wheel with 180/55 ZR-17 tire
* Pirelli Scorpion Sync tires
* Buell ZTL front brake
* Front and rear suspension travel of 5.63 inches (143 mm)
* 43 mm Showa fully-adjustable front suspension with inverted forks
* Showa fully-adjustable rear suspension with coil-over monoshock with remote reservoir
* Narrow Supermoto-style solo seat
* Laden seat height 31.4 inches (798 mm)
* Supermoto-inspired upper front fender design
* Racing style white Surlyn flyscreen and tail section number plates that are easily swapped out as a canvas for moto art and self-expression
* 23.1-degree rake and 4.7-inch (119 mm) trail
* Dry weight: 400 pounds (181 kg)
* Wheelbase: 54 inches (1372 mm)
* Graphite Gray frame and swingarm
* Supermoto-style crossbar with deflectors.
Link: Buell Lightning Super TT
F451 says
I’ve always liked Buell, and Erik Buell. It is good to see that the lineup is transforming for the better. I’ve yet to own a Buell, but I keep getting closer with every year.
Brian11 says
If they’d ever build a bike with a 56-57″ wheelbase, I’d buy one. I’d also like to see them rip off Confederate and put the muffler into the swingarm. Actually, I just wish Confederate would sell me a Hellcat for $15k. If I’m dreaming, I may as well go high.
Gary says
wow. looks terrible. proof (as if you needed any more) that Buell doesn’t get it. raised fender is junk. BMW did it right with their HP2 Megamoto. the completely functinless numberplate is silly.
this thing is just two little cosmetic differences from what they already offer. Buell PR department is firing on all cylinders as usual though.
bob says
its good to see buell trying to keep their lineup fresh…but the XB line is just about played out. they need to come out with something new, not a re-done model thats been around, something brand new from the ground up.
Bryan says
I love it, I bought one!! Take the numbet plates off and it looks even better, with the higher style bars it lets you sit upright for long hauls, and yes it looks mean!! oh did I mention it looks great.. its nice to be different from the standard crotch rocket. see you in the corners!!
Jimbob says
Most Buells look so similar that they seem to lose their identity. I guess you could say the same about 600cc sportbikes. With Buell though, it really is the same bike! They just reach in the parts bin, then add a few new plastic bits and Voila!…a new model! I really can’t tell one model Buell from the other. Too bad they don’t offer a different engine configuration (I know about the single-cylinder “Blast” and it’s stupid cartoonic look). They really need to step into the 21st century and offer the public what they want rather than what Buell thinks is best for them. I test rode the Buell line when they came to the Long Beach Cycle show and was not very impressed by the experience. They instrument pod is very corny, as was the see-thru tank. I did wish for one thing though….a quart of paint from home that I was going to use later to paint my window panes. I could have strapped it anywhere on the bike and then skipped the whole paint mixing/stirring thing which I loathe so much. I know it only shakes bad at low speeds and idle, but a lot of my commute is on city streets crawling between cars and waiting at stop lights. That shaking would get to me after a while—there must be a better way to stop the riduculous vibration. I’ll wait for Buell to build a sportbike with the V-Rod engine and a dry weight of 360 pounds…that bike I would test ride!
TWISTED says
All I can say is I bought one of these TT and I have been having a blast. I couldn’t beat the price. I got mine from Calumet Harley and Buell for $9,000 out the door.
I use to ride motor cross and the sitting position is really comfortable for me. The torque out of the bike is what I love the most. And Bryan was right about taking off the side plates it looks great.
Rick_a says
This is my favorite XB to date. All the minor differences add up to a huge difference in ergonomics and feel. The number plates are a bit silly, though.
You can build this bike out of an XB12SS, or even an XB12X, but Buell has done this for you in a new bike at a reasonable price.
There’s a lot of Buell haters out there. Most people are until they ride one then it all makes sense.