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Buell recently stole headlines with the announcement of a specially modified 1125R joining AMA Pro Racing's American Superbike class. The 1125RR is a purpose-built racebike (not legal for the street), and its introduction has created waves in the Superbike paddock for the bike's mid-year arrival and for not meeting the usual homologation requirements.

But the armchair crew chiefs aren't taking into account that the RR racebike isn't much changed from the modestly powerful 121-horse R streetbike, itself deemed legal for AMA Pro's Daytona SportBike class racing against four-cylinder 600s.

And that's where current events converge with this story, as we recently had the opportunity to sample a race-prepped Buell 1125R in the same configuration as used by Danny Eslick to win five Daytona SportBike races thus far this season. The main difference between 'Slick's Rossmeyer GEICO Powersports RMR bike and the 1125RR is with the engine internals.

More: 2009 Buell 1125R Daytona SportBike Review (http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/buell/2009-buell-1125r-daytona-sportbike-review-88605.html) on Motorcycle.com

Buell founder and leader, Erik Buell, is an avid racing enthusiast, and in the 1125R he finally has a potent race-worthy machine. Entering the Daytona SportBike class was the first step, followed by the recent announcement of the hot-rodded version called the 1125RR which will be entered in the American Superbike class for the remainder of the season with rider Taylor Knapp. Knapp raced to 12th and 10th places during the recent Superbike races at Mid-Ohio.

Although the 1125R was developed for street riding, it’s also quite capable on the track, as we found out in our Oddball Literbike Shootout. While its 72-degree V-Twin motor won’t run with a Ducati 1098/1198, its robust spread of power makes it easy to maximize acceleration. A stiff aluminum-beam chassis ably handles racetrack-level loads.

The 1125R’s transformation to Daytona SportBike racer is actually quite mild except for one major item. The streetbike uses a belt to drive the rear wheel, which is a clean and efficient power-transfer system, but this presents problems on the track by complicating gearing changes required to suit each track. Buell has met this challenge by providing a chain-conversion kit swingarm. It’s pricey ($1,779), but it includes quick-change equipment for the wheel, footpegs, brackets and billet swingarm ends with a massive 2.5 inches of adjustment range to juggle the bike’s wheelbase.

Buell founder and leader, Erik Buell, is an avid racing enthusiast, and in the 1125R he finally has a potent race-worthy machine. It is really amazing superbike.

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dashing capture...........good