B2 - Barracuda
Making 11bhp more and weighing a full 20 pounds less, this fully-faired superbike was intended to replace the Buell 1125R for the 2011 model year. Other advantages? Chain drive, Showa BPFforks and forward-facing, side-mounted radiators that draw air through the front fairing opening before exhausting it through slats on the sides, eliminating the awkward radiator cowls and running more efficiently. Inside the 1125cc Rotax v-twin bore is down, stroke is up, valves are titanium and the compression ratio is increased to 12.8:1 resulting in identical peak torque delivered in a flatter curve.
The Buell Barracuda 2 was supposed to be the Buell that
we'd finally not have to make excuses for. Dropping the
weight to 355lbs (161kg) dry would have made it about
22lbs lighter than the Ducati 1198, making up for the power
deficit: 157bhp and 82lb-ft would have seen it down 13bhp
and 9lb/ft. The chain drive, decreased unsprung weight
(.75lbs front/3lbs rear) and high-quality suspension could
have combined with the hugely stiff frame to finally deliver
the handling the Buell's spec sheet always promised,
but the bike's reality never delivered.
The Barracuda 2 would have been a looker too, adapting
the 1125R's awkwardness into a purposeful angularity that
better compliments the huge mechanical elements of the
fuel-filled frame and heavily braced swingarm. Sadly,
Cycle World, which grabbed an exclusive last ride,didn't
bother publishing any photo angles aside from these two or any information aside from the above.
