Buell Super Tt

Buell Super TT

first rides 2007

Unsprung hero

When you start talking about an American-made motorcycle, some people still tend to think old-school design, iron and steel. But Buell has built and continues to build innovative American sportbikes meant to break that stereotype.

The latest is the XB12STT, otherwise known as the Super TT. As the “12” suggests, power comes from the 1203cc version of the pushrod, air-cooled, 45-degree V-Twin that has provided motivation for the “big” Buells for several years now.

The Super TT’s style is, of course, supermoto inspired.

Numberplates and flyscreen provide space for stickers or custom paint, and additional sets will be available from dealers to change the look at your whim. Ergonomics, too, take inspiration from the supermoto world and as a result are functional and comfortable. The tubular handlebar even includes handguards.

Local road knowledge and lots of recent Buell seat time made the Southern California press introduction a lot of fun. Riding the Super TT is much like the 984cc CityX but with increased torque from the bigger engine. Wide bars provide ample grappling leverage to throw the big Twin around, while major twist from the engine (84 foot-pounds of torque at 6000 rpm) shoots the 400-pounddry machine out of corners. Claimed peak output of 103 horsepower at 6800 revs keeps the fun moving, too. Fuel capacity is 4.4 gallons, good for a 200-mile stretch between fill-ups.

The 54-inch wheelbase is slightly longer than those of the Firebolts/Lightnings and just 0.1 inch shorter than the one on the Ulysses. An inverted 43mm Showa fork and Showa shock with 5.5 inches of travel handle suspension duties.

As we have noted in the past, Pirelli Scorpion Sync tires really work well to greatly reduce the bike’s tendency to stand up while trail-braking. And while the bike is a lot of fun on a backroad, it is at a slower tempo when cruising along in comfort that you remember why the sit-up position is so attractive.

Unsprung hero? As ever, the rim-mounted 375mm brake disc and six-piston caliper deliver ample stopping power and allow a lighter-weight wheel to be used at the front. At the rear, the Goodyear Hibrex final-drive belt is quiet and weighs less than a pound-very light compared to a chain’s typical 4-pound mass, all of this a boon to wheel control and handling.

Available colors are Arctic White and Barricade Orange with an MSRP of $10,295. More than one tester here at CW thinks this is the best Buell yet. -Mark Cernicky