Roehr Motorcycle Company, which we mentioned way back in November of 2004, is still working on a new sportbike, now powered by the water cooled Harley Davidson Revolution engine. The motorcycle was originally designed for a 936cc V-Twin from Highland motorcycles but it looks like plans have changed. Images on their website have not changed so it isn’t clear whether the bike being announced is that bike or a new redesign, which would seem logical with the new engine. Release of the bike, according to the press release, is also dependent on securing funding.
I wonder how this will stack up against that other Harley Davidson powered sportbike made in Wisconsin?
Press release follows:
Roehr Motorcycle Company to debut Revolution engined superbike.
The Roehr Motorcycle Company is nearing completion of their new superbike prototype. The new Roehr superbike will be powered by the Harley-Davidson Revolution engine.
“We are very excited about this spectacular engine powering our new superbike” says company founder Walter Roehrich, “Our goal is to produce an American sportbike that can compete with the worlds best in street bike performance. This engine provides us a modern American made engine platform offering impeccable reliability with high power output.”
Roehr Motorcycles plans to debut the prototype by the end of the year, with production planned to begin in 2007, provided funding can be secured.
In addition, a race only “R” version is planned for later production, featuring a highly tuned 1200cc version with larger bore and shorter stroke dimensions allowing higher RPM capabilities and 180+ hp potential.
The new Roehr superbike features a composite CrMo steel/aluminum frame with top quality cycle parts from Marchesini , Brembo, and Ohlins, with all new body work in carbon fiber.
Specifications :
Wheelbase: 56 inches
Rake/Trail 24deg./ 97mm
Dry weight 435lbs
Seat height 31.5 inches
The new Roehr superbike will be available in limited quantities, pricing has not yet been established. Further details and pictures will be released later this year.
The Roehr Motorcycle Company is a small volume manufacturer of high quality sports and racing motorcycles, made in the USA.
Gerhard says
I love new ideas. Although the Confederate range is not exactly my taste, the company seems to have a vision of what they manufacture. Ditto MotoCzysz.
But if the Roehr goes into production looking like the bike currently on their website, I have my doubts of its success. The look is severely dated. So much so (in my opinion of course), that I think, no matter the power output, or all the trick components, sales will be slow, if existent at all.
Their slogan says that it’s the bike America has been waiting for, but given strong sales of the big four, along with booming sales of Ducati’s, not only will it have to be American made, with American power train. It will have to kick Kawasaki et al’s butts, in order for people to find it an attractive buy.
Big four, and Italian brethren have been at the game for a long time. I’m not suggesting it’ll be a flop, but I think their focus is skewed. Confederate, for example, doesn’t go up against them others. They create a little niche of their own. And that, perhaps, is what Roehr should be looking at. It took Triumph some thinking out of the box, to become a sales success again, and that with decades of history.