The 2007 Buell XBRR which debuted this week is an interesting bike, no doubt, and signals a serious intent by Buell to become competitive in racing. It is assumed that this long-rumored model will be Buell's entry into the 2006 Formula Extreme class— (it's nearly the biggest rumor in racing that Buell has Jeremy McWilliams, Pascal Picotte and Mike Ciccotto lined up to race this motorcycle in Formula Extreme).

However, the boilerplate attached to the press release announcing the XBRR and the AMA Pro Racing rule book would seem to be at odds.

The 2005 AMA Pro Racing rule book states on page 21 under the heading of Equipment Standards--Formula Xtreme: AMA Formula Xtreme motorcycles are based on production four-stroke street motorcycles.

And, on page 27 of the 2005 AMA Pro Racing rule book it states: Formula Xtreme competition is restricted to motorcycles (engines and frames) produced for US street use and available in the US through retail dealers.

Buell PR says that the XBRR is "a modified XB engine and chassis". There is no such animal as an XBRR streetbike.

Clearly, to race Formula Extreme in 2005, a motorcycle needed to start life as a production street model.

For example, when Jake Zemke's Honda Formula Extreme bike goes to the grid, it is clearly based on the CBR600RR streetbike.

However, on the bottom of the press release announcing the new Buell, the following is stated, "It is illegal for anyone to ride this motorcycle on public roads. The Buell XBRR motorcycle does not meet NHTSA or EPA regulations for on road use. This motorcycle may only be used on closed courses."

The Buell press release infers that this XBRR is a new model, "a limited-edition production racing motorcycle designed exclusively for closed course competition". Using the phrase "designed exclusively" in this context would seem to mean this is not a hopped-up machine based on a production streetbike. Buell PR says that the XBRR is "a modified XB engine and chassis".

There is no such animal as an XBRR streetbike.

Erion Racing's Kevin Erion had a copy of the 2006 AMA Pro Racing rule book and said both passages noted above read virtually the same in the 2006 editon.

Erion, whose two riders, Aaron Gobert and Josh Hayes, will race the Formula Extreme class in 2006, was disturbed that the Buell XBRR may be raced in Formula Extreme, "Based on the language in Buell's press release, their bike is not legal for the Formula Extreme class. The rule book states two times that motorcycles for the FX class are based on production street motorcycles; it's like the first sentence," Erion said.

If the new Buell is legal for Formula Extreme, it may fundamentaly change the class. Previously a Formula Extreme racer had to start life as a production streetbike. Now, if the new Buell is legal, it's a sign to the other manufacturers that they can assemble 50 lot kit bikes—for which there is no clearly discernable production streetbike—to race Formula Xtreme. For example, what's to stop Ducati from building a short production run, "designed exclusively", Franken-racer consistening of a 999R or 749 chassis powered by their 1000cc air-cooled, four-valve engine, to race the Daytona 200 with?

AMA Pro Racing sources said this week that based on the fact that the rules for an air-cooled Twin in Formula Extreme are so wide, and allow for so many modifications, that it is their belief that the XBRR is legal for the Formula Extreme class.