This 175-HP American Cruiser Is Coming For Every Harley-Davidson On The Road
Harley-Davidsons are more than just Motorcycles . They are a culture, a tight-knit community, a feeling, and a dream (for those of us who don’t have one). The company goes back almost 125 years and in that time they have come to represent expression and rebellion in America, whether it is a new model straight out of the showroom, or a customized chopper that has changed, evolved and been improved over the years. Few bikes have such presence and heritage quite like a Harley. But there is a new American bike in town, or rather it is new compared to Harley, that wants a slice of the two-wheeled apple pie. But it’s doing things its own way…
Cruisers Have One Job To Do
Cruisers are very much an American bike. Rivals Harley-Davidson and Indian Motorcycle pioneered the segment, recognizing the need to chomp up big miles across the continent with comfort and a decent slug of power. Cruisers traditionally had a big V-twin, a long design, and a relaxed riding position. These motorcycles today hark back to the decades between the 1930s and 1960s, when a more laid-back approach to riding was preferable to hunched up sporty dynamics and face-melting performance.
Harley-Davidson is a company that has moved with the times, these days selling the Sportster and gamechanging Nightster for those who want to be more focused, but it still uses the cruiser as its bedrock. The company’s 2026 cruiser range is a joy for anyone looking for this kind of motorcycle, with myriad colors and styles. You can get anything from a relatively contemporary-looking Low Rider S, to a full-on Easy Rider-esque Super glide with vintage tank graphics pulled straight from the original 1971 FX playbook. But there is another American motorcycle company over in Grand Rapids, Michigan, that has just created a new cruiser that dares to be different…
The Buell Super Cruiser Flips The Script
Buell motorcycles was founded in 1983 by ex-Harley-Davidson engineer Erik Buell. The company was so successful that Harley reportedly bought a stake, before buying it completely by 2003. Sadly, likely not helped by the global financial situation of the time, Buell shut down in 2009. But that wasn’t the end of the story. In 2021, the company was back, with Bill Melvin at the helm. This independent firm assembles bikes by hand at its factory in Grand Rapids. All models feature the Buell 1190cc V-Twin engine, which is also made in house. This leads us up to the Buell Super Cruiser, the latest addition to the line-up. The Super Cruiser 1190 is a different kind of cruiser because it blends a muscular old-school chopper charm with a superbike-derived engine and chassis combo. Buyers can enjoy a fairly relaxed driving position with a far more sporty focus than some other cruisers.
The Super Cruiser Is A Sports Bike In Disguise
At the heart of the new Super Cruiser is an evolved 1,190cc version of Buell’s liquid-cooled 72-degree V-twin producing 175 hp and 94 lb-ft of torque. Developed in collaboration with iconic motorcycle designer, Roland Sands Design, the bike is designed to be balanced, aggressive, and confidence inspiring. Bill Melvin, CEO of Buell, said confidently: “Americans love style, muscle, and performance. The Super Cruiser breaks the mold for all three, and the response shows that Buell simply nailed it. This is utterly unheard of for an American V-Twin.” The Super Cruiser is covered with purpose-built performance parts, including a Fox suspension package, Brembo dual-disc brake system, and Dunlop SportMax Q5A tires.
The Super Cruiser Is Designed To Be Agile
Most of the underpinnings on the Super Cruiser are said to be shared with the incredible Buell Hammerhead 1190, including apparently some suspension parts and the lightweight alloy wheels. Speaking of weight, the Super Cruiser is a fairly light 485 lbs wet without fuel, which compares to 419 lbs for the carbon fiber-adorned Hammerhead sports bike.
Sands’ chassis geometry is designed to give road-friendly handling that can also be taken to the track. Sands designed the chassis design to work with the swingarm, forks, original 17″ wheels, and brake system. “Ground clearance, bar position, and comfortable seating and foot positions are key to getting the cruiser look with sport bike handling,” said Sands. The bike also features a Penske rear shock built and tuned by GP suspension, Saddleman custom seat, a Memphis Shades front fairing, and a 5.5” LED headlight.
The Super Cruiser Has Harley In Its Sights
The Super Cruiser is a statement of intent from Buell, showing that the company is serious about getting a foothold in the established American bike market. Buell said that there has been a huge amount of interest in the Super Cruiser. In just six months, the company says that it amassed over $120 million in preorders for the Super Cruiser 1190 Roland Sands. Buell says that it is laying a solid foundation to go ahead with significant long-term growth, which suggests there may be more new models in the pipeline. Buell says it is committed to a measured approach of ethical scaling, however, rather than trying to flood the market. This will lead to product integrity and long-term sustainability for the brand and its community, it adds. With Harley being one of the world leaders in cruiser bikes, it’s hard not to think that Buell will be hoping to tempt a few of the brand’s loyal fans with the Super Cruiser.
Buying A Buell Super Cruiser
The Super Cruiser went into production last year, having been first unveiled in February 2023. The company was proud to announce that VIN 0001 was completed on September 26, 2025. That first bike went on public display in October 2025 at the Barber Motorsports Museum during Barber Vintage Festival. Buell said that upon final federal certifications, VIN 0001 would be formally dedicated and delivered to the museum.
For anyone wanting to get their hands on the production Super Cruiser, the wait is over. The company has started producing the bike, and each example costs from $25,900. That’s not cheap, admittedly, but Buell is more of a boutique manufacturer than a big multinational. The Buell Super Cruiser costs more than all of the dedicated Harley cruiser line-up, which is topped by the $23,999 Low Rider ST. A new Harley Low Rider S starts at $18,999 and is fitted with a Milwaukee-Eight 117 High Output. This means the Low Rider S packs 114 hp and 128 lb-ft of torque — the hp down on the Super Cruiser, but with more torque. Ultimately, it will be a matter of personal taste. The Super Cruiser is a refreshing take on the cruiser theme, and being an American company, we wish it well with its growing future.
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