Buell’s Grand Rapids open house on July 19, 2025, showcased Riders and enthusiasts a suite of groundbreaking innovations—fuel stored in the frame, rim-mounted brake rotors, fully adjustable Fox suspension, and a proprietary Bluetooth tuning app—underscoring Buell’s return as America’s most inventive superbike maker.
Buell’s “Homecoming” event celebrated the company’s 2022 relaunch and its mission to blend classic American cruiser style with superbike performance.
1. Fuel-in-Frame Chassis
Buell’s patented Fuel-in-Frame design replaces a conventional tank with hollow aluminum frame rails that carry up to 3.8 gallons of gasoline. By integrating fuel storage into the frame, Buell centralizes weight and lowers the center of gravity, yielding sharper handling, greater lean angles, and reduced unsprung mass—transforming cornering dynamics for both street and track use.
2. Perimeter Brake Rotor & Brembo Calipers
The hallmark rim-mounted rotor spans 375 mm, turning the wheel rim into a giant brake disc. This architecture increases cooling surface, boosts braking torque, and slashes roughly 7 lbs of unsprung weight compared to dual-disc setups. Paired with Brembo four-piston monobloc calipers, the system delivers fade-free stopping power, as stunt riders confirmed during on-floor demos.
3. Integrated Fox Suspension & Quick-Adjust Tech
Buell’s advanced suspension package features an inverted front fork and a fully adjustable Fox rear shock with external compression and rebound dials. Riders can fine-tune damping on the fly—tailoring setup for street cruising, track blasts, or stunt riding—without tools or pit stops, a capability that impressed factory‐tour attendees.
4. Proprietary Bluetooth Tuning App
The Buell Connect app leverages a small, water-sealed ECM interface—“BUELLtooth”—to wirelessly link Android devices to the motorcycle’s ECU via Bluetooth. Users can swap fuel and ignition maps, view real-time diagnostics, download over-the-air updates, and log ride data without dealer visits. This democratizes tuning and empowers owners to customize performance modes—from “Sport” to “Touring”—with just a smartphone.
5. Modular Customization Platform
Buell’s new subframe features plug-and-play wiring harnesses for quick accessory swaps—enabling riders to switch between cruiser, flat-track, or touring configurations in under an hour. An expanding ecosystem of carbon-fiber fairings, quick-shift kits, and luggage modules promises endless personalization and aftermarket support.
Industry Impact & Riders Buzz
In six months, Buell amassed over $120 million in preorders for its Super Cruiser 1190, a testament to rider enthusiasm and market demand for high-performance American V-Twins.
CEO Bill Melvin noted, “Americans love style, muscle, and performance. The Super Cruiser breaks the mold for all three, and the response shows Buell simply nailed it.” The open house marked Buell’s largest event yet, reinforcing its trajectory toward expanded production, supplier partnerships, and nationwide brand visibility.
Conclusion
Buell’s innovation suite—Fuel-in-Frame, perimeter rotors, quick-adjust Fox suspension, and Bluetooth tuning—cements its reputation as a tech-driven rival to legacy superbike brands.
Riders eager for a firsthand experience can download the Buell Connect app, follow Buell’s social channels for exclusive content, and subscribe for invitations to future factory tours. Buell isn’t just back; it’s redefining American superbike engineering.
