Combining the performance of a sports bike with the laid back nature of a cruiser Buell is grabbing attention with its Super Cruiser. It is a motorcycle model designed in collaboration with legendary motorcycle designer Roland Sands.
Buell started taking pre-orders soon after they first unveiled the bike in February 2023. Not only has it received a tremendous demand but they got an “unprecedented support” for this new model.
Six months after opening pre-orders for the Super Cruiser, Buell already amassed a whopping $120 million in pre-orders. This goes to show that neither motorcycling nor interest in the brand has waned over the years. Harley-Davidson must be restless, having sold this wonderful brand, trying to diminish its value.
According to Bill Melvin, the CEO of Buell, the demand for the new model marks a first for American V-Twins, “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.”
Once the bike enters production in 2025, it’s anticipated to carry a retail price in the $20,000 to $30,000 range.
About the specs– running on a 1,190cc, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected V-twin engine with a maximum power output of 175 horsepower and 101 pound-feet of torque — it rides on 17-inch wheels with fully adjustable suspension, and even adjustable handlebars and footpegs for any rider to tailor the ergonomics exactly to their liking. With a dry-weight of 450 pounds, it is surprisingly light for its power class, as an American V-twin.
In a press release by the company, Bill Melvin highlighted the huge potential Buell holds in the market, “Now, the overwhelming demand for the Super Cruiser puts Buell on a trajectory for significant long-term growth. This ramp-up will be nothing short of exhilarating. Anyone interested in joining us for this exciting ride – in any capacity – should reach out now. We want to work with you.”
Landspeed Racing Icon & Record-holder Immortalized for Lifetime Achievements
An innovator, daredevil, and one of motorcycling’s greatest legends, Burt Munro is getting his respects from the Sturgis Museum Hall of Fame.
Indian Motorcycle, the first motorcycle company in America, is commemorating the induction of Burt Munro into the prestigious Sturgis Motorcycle Museum Hall of Fame. Revered as an icon in motorcycle racing and a holder of land speed records, Munro’s unyielding determination to etch his name into the record books has left an indelible mark on successive generations of riders.
Aaron Jax, Vice President of Indian Motorcycle, emphasized that the history of motorcycles would be incomplete without the mention of Burt Munro. His narratives have influenced the identity of Indian Motorcycle, as it persistently emulates Burt’s spirit by pushing boundaries, fostering innovation, and paving novel pathways.
Originally from Invercargill, New Zealand, Munro developed an insatiable appetite for speed, encapsulated in his famous saying, “You live more in five minutes on a bike like this going flat out than some people live in a lifetime.” Over the course of decades, Munro dedicated himself to restoring and fine-tuning his 1920 Indian Scout within the confines of his garage. His relentless efforts culminated in setting three world records at the iconic Bonneville Salt Flats. An astonishing feat came in 1967, when Munro, at the age of 68, established a record of 184.087 mph for under-1,000cc motorcycles—a record that remains unbroken to this day.
Gary Gray, Vice President of Racing, Technology, and Service at Indian Motorcycle, says of Munro, “Burt is a legend. His accomplishments, through trials and tribulations, inspire our racing efforts today.” While it may be overdue, it’s quite an achievement for Burt to be enshrined into the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum Hall of Fame, and we’re incredibly proud and grateful to celebrate Burt Munro not just today, but everyday.”
The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame pays tribute to exceptional individuals who have made enduring contributions to the motorcycle community. This Hall of Fame celebrates forward-thinking pioneers, showcasing their remarkable achievements and unwavering ardor.
Among the esteemed inductees for the class of 2023 are the 1981 Des Nations Team USA, Burt Munro, Chris Callen, Jay Allen, Roland Sands, Russel Radke, and Scott Jacobs. Further information can be found at SturgisMuseum.com.
The inaugural Moto Beach Classic started out as a wild idea from Roland Sands and crew in 2017 and has developed into a Southern California motorcycle cultural explosion. From massive concerts to short track racing on the sand in Huntington Beach, the Moto Beach Classic has always delivered the unexpected in the heart of Southern California surf culture.
This year’s event takes place on October 15, 2022 and brings a massive new partnership with Red Bull and their iconic Red Bull Straight Rhythm Race, for a one-day, jam-packed, moto-centric event with a projected attendance of 20,000 moto fans, at Huntington State Beach.
The Moto Beach Classic will anchor the cultural side of the day with Super Hooligan National Championship racing and over 100 riders doing battle on a dirt short track built on the sand. Key attractions also include a custom bike show, vendors, art, food, and drinks, all moto centric and all Surfside.
This one-day event will include the best motocross riders on the planet, battling side by side for Straight Rhythm glory on a specially-built dirt motocross track featuring full-size supercross jumps and no turns, parallel to Pacific Coast Highway, alongside the hospitality and perks expected of Red Bull signature events.
Roland Sands Design is still currently taking submissions to the Moto Classic Bike Show. Please email motorcycle description, images and builder info to info@rolandsands.com.
The vendor village at Moto Beach is a great way to see and experience products from some your favorite brands. Whether you’re into motorcycles, e-Bikes, hand crafted art, riding gear, sunglasses, leather goods or jewelry, there is something for everyone. Past vendors included Roland Sands Design, Deus ex Machina, Vans, Indian Motorcycle, Moto Doffo Winery, Stellar Moto, BMW Motorcycles, Dunlop Tires, GEICO, Saddleman Seats, Royal Enfield, KROQ, ASV, MoonEyes, Black Fly’s, Super73, STACYC, HD LiveWire, Russ Brown Attorneys, Vance & Hines, Hurley, Inked Iron, We Big, K&N Filters, Yamaha.
Architects of Inspiration Art Show
The Architects of Inspiration will be a centerpiece of the Moto Beach Classic event. A curated collection of unique installations inspired by moto and surf culture. Initially structured to solely be an art collective, the Architects of Inspiration has grown to be a larger platform that included more creatives, such as live muralist painters and local music gurus. This year, the Architects of Inspiration Art Show will take place on the sand between the Super Hooligan Dirt Track and the Moto Classic Custom Bike Show.
Super Hooligan Flat Track Racing
As with any RSD event, the main focus is on motorcycle racing. The Moto Beach Classic serves as the season finale for AMA Super Hooligan National Championship and also offers anyone a chance to race on the short track built on the sand. Past classes include Run What Ya Brung, Desert MX Open, Vintage Air Cooled, Mad Dog Mini and more, offering a ton of fun, regardless of which side of the handlebars you are on.
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‘Nitro Circus’ star, ex-motorcycle racer team up to open creative business campus in Zaferia
A gearhead and an adrenaline junkie meet at a trade show. There is no punchline.
Andy Bell and Roland Sands hit it off immediately nearly 20 years ago and have been friends ever since. The two went on to create separate businesses—Roland Sands Design and Sweatpants Media—and, after years of operating out of their respective headquarters, have come together to create a joint home base in Long Beach’s Zaferia neighborhood.
The companies together purchased a multi-building property at 1365 Obispo Ave. with a vision for a creative campus. Along with their firms, the graphics company Spin Imaging and Moxi Roller Skates also will call the campus home in a building separate from Sands’ and Bell’s space.
“We just wanted like-minded but different companies here to fuel a vibe of people that are stoked and doing rad stuff,” Bell said.
“People we can hang out with,” Sands added. “Fabrication, 3D fabrication, film, photography, graphics, printing—it’s all here. Almost any project is possible here, and that’s a pretty special thing.”
The friends almost missed out on the space, Sands said. The building was listed in 2018, but he was not in a position to take on the project by himself—and Bell was not ready to jump into such a massive undertaking. But when another buyer went into escrow on the site, the pair said they instantly knew they made a mistake.
“This place was built in the ’40s, and it’s gorgeous,” Sands said.
After months in escrow, the deal fell through, and Bell and Sands pounced. They bought the property for about $3 million in July 2019.
The Roland Sands Design custom motorcycle shop inside the company’s new Long Beach headquarters
The tenant had a few months left on their lease, so the roughly $2.5 million buildout did not get underway until just before the pandemic, which slowed progress on the rehab. But after nearly two years, the companies are celebrating their grand opening Saturday.
The space features a retail store (open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.), a screening theater, 3D and other fabrication facilities, a wood-working space, a motorcycle garage, design rooms and a slew of offices. It also includes a bar, a two-chair barbershop for special events for clients that could also be utilized by a tattoo artist, and dozens of motorcycles and helmets on display.
A third building is currently set up as a jam space for musician friends of Bell and Sands. The room has a stage and is full of vintage and modern musical equipment. The two said they have toyed with the idea of turning it into a legitimate music venue, but that won’t happen until well into the future, if at all.
Bell and Sands each had a career riding motorcycles—the latter racing on the roads of the U.S., the former flying through the air in freestyle motocross—before they met each other in the early 2000s at a motorcycle trade show in Indianapolis.
Sands, a Long Beach native, grew up around motorcycles.
“I was fully immersed in the culture because my dad was in the motorcycle industry,” Sands said, adding that he would work in his dad’s shop as a kid.
In 2005, after a racing career that included winning the 1998 American Motorcyclist Association 250cc Grand Prix Championship, Sands turned his success—and name—into a brand. The firm specializes in creating custom bikes and parts (some of which are 3D-printed). The company has grown to include a clothing and apparel line as well as a racing team.
Bell, meanwhile, was not so much into the technical side of the sport.
“I’m more of an adrenaline junkie,” Bell said, sitting in his new office complete with a beer tap. “I never liked building and working on the s—, I liked riding and jumping them.”
After his professional freestyle motocross career, Bell went on to become a stuntman, appearing on numerous TV shows and films, including “Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory” and “Jackass 3D.” Most notably, Bell starred in the “Nitro Circus” films and MTV series alongside Travis Pastrana and a host of other extreme-sport athletes.
Bell founded Sweatpants Media in 2012.
“I needed a change from getting hurt for a living and all the crap we used to do,” Bell said. “I didn’t know anything about production, but I’d been around it as talent. I’ve never owned a real business before and a decade later, here we are.”
Today, Sweatpants has numerous high-end clients, including Toyota, Red Bull, Mercedes, Lexus and Japanese powertool manufacturer Makita. With over 15 million views on YouTube, Sweatpants’ “The Pitch” for Toyota was the most widely viewed commercial in the U.S. in the third quarter, Bell said.
“The Pitch” – 2022 Toyota GR Supra Commercial by Sweatpants Media (15 million+ views since June 2021)
Bell and Sands try to utilize each other and their respective businesses as much as possible. The companies have teamed up on projects, including creating a custom bike for BMW with an accompanying video. After the premiere, the pair and their wives rode BMW bikes around Italy’s Lake Como.
On another project, Sweatpants flew three Toyota trucks into Vietnam and then drove them across the country. Sands and Bell were two of the three drivers who made the trek.
“We don’t like to fake s—,” Bell said. “Instead of pretending we were in Vietnam and pretending we flew trucks under helicopters, we actually did it. There is a tinge of adventure in everything we do.”
“We like to combine work and play,” Sands added.
Sands convinced Bell to move into a house around the corner from his on Naples Island in 2010. The best friends were neighbors for years before Sands moved to Park Estates.
For the last 12 years, Los Alamitos was home to Sands’ business, but he said he has always wanted to open a space in his hometown, closer to where he lives. For nearly nine years, Sweatpants operated out of the historic Villa Riviera in Downtown. But the two are looking forward to the quasi-business merger.
“We’re stoked. It’s fun being best friends and business partners,” Bell said. “There’s a little bit of yelling and a lot of hugging; a lot of wanting to punch each other and then a lot of wanting to drink beers together.”
“Thankfully for us,” Sands added, “we want to drink with each other more than we want to fight.”
The Roland Sands Design retail space at the company’s new joint headquarters with Sweatpants Media
One thing’s for sure; the pros over at Roland Sands Design a no strangers to the two-wheeler realm. Besides crafting some seriously rad custom motorcycles, the California-based company also specializes in designing casual apparel and riding gear, as well as manufacturing aftermarket modules that’ll have your machine looking the part.
In the past, we’ve examined an array of ambitious exploits from RSD, such as a feral BMW R18 behemoth and one gorgeous MV Agusta Dragster 800RR, to name a couple. Let me tell you, there’s no shortage of breathtaking goodness in their spectacular portfolio. As you browse through, you’ll run into virtually countless awe-inspiring works of two-wheeled art that guarantee to soothe each and every last corner of your moto-loving soul.
As such, it goes without saying these folks aren’t playing around. RSD’s outstanding ventures earned them a reputation as a force to be reckoned with, an accomplishment that led to a great deal of successful (and often unexpected) collaborations. For a clear demonstration of their abilities, let’s take a closer look at one such exploit, shall we?
The project in question was commissioned by none other than Technics, a revered producer of audio equipment. They requested that Roland Sands converts Harley Davidson’s ferocious 883 Sportster into a tribute to their iconic DJing gadgets. While that may sound a little odd to some, the team gladly accepted.
To give you a better idea as to how far their undertaking has come, we’ll start by reminding ourselves of the donor’s main characteristics. The 883 Sportster is powered by a brutal Evolution V-twin engine, with two valves per cylinder and a humungous displacement of 883cc. At 6,000 rpm, this nasty piece of air-cooled machinery is capable of generating up to 51 hp, along with 54 pound-feet (73 Nm) of feral torque output at approximately 3,750 revs. The leviathan’s force travels to a belt final drive by means of a five-speed gearbox.
Suspension duties are handled by a pair of 39 mm (1.54 inches) telescopic forks up front, joined by fully-adjustable dual shocks on the opposite end. Braking power is supplied by a 300 mm (11.81 inches) disc and a two-piston caliper at the front, coupled with a 260 mm (10.24 inches) rotor and a two-piston caliper at the rear.
When one such monstrosity landed on RSD’s doorstep, the crew kicked things off by selecting several components from their own inventory to replace the stock units. These include a malicious two-into-one exhaust system, new foot pegs and a set of clip-on handlebars, besides fresh lighting kits on both ends.
To go the extra mile, they fabricated a slim custom fuel tank and upholstered a neat saddle that keeps things looking classy. Additionally, the moto wizards drew inspiration from Technics’ turntable layout to create a couple of juicy wheel covers, which complement the chosen theme.
The finishing touches consisted of installing top-grade Champion Deluxe tires from Firestone and longer shock absorbers to alter the bike’s stance. Last but not least, the 883 Sportster received an elegant black paintwork, accompanied by silver accents.
Right, now that we’ve wrapped his up, I’ll be heading to Roland Sands Design’s Instagram and Facebook profiles to drool over the remainder of their unique creatures. I’d strongly encourage that you do the same!
