ROEHR 1250 (2009 - on) Review

The Roehr is a very exclusive, hand-built, all-American sports bike using a supercharged Harley Davidson 1250cc V-twin stolen from a V-Rod. The frame was designed by Walter Roehr himself. It’s not just a gimmick either, it works and, considering the weight of the Harley engine, handles far better than you’d think.

Considering the weight and size of the mighty V-twin which has been shoe horned into a very special CroMolly steel and aluminium frame it handles far better than you’d expect. The Roehr’s wheel base is very similar to a Ducati 1198. Ohlins suspension controls both front and rear and is fully adjustable. On standard settings it’s slightly on the soft side, more for the road than track, more catered for the US market.

Currently the most powerful production bike in the USA putting out more power than even a Ducati 1098R or KTM RC8R. The already over-engineered Harley engine receives a huge dollop of extra power thanks to a light weight supercharger. Claimed power is 180bhp with an arm-ripping 115ftlb of torque, all through a five-speed gearbox.   

Impossible to judge reliability yet as this is a one off and all hand-built. However, the Harley Davidson V-Rod engine is bullet-proof and was designed in partnership with Porsche and even with the added boost in power should prove 100% reliable. The level of finish and quality components is also high.

The Roehr is one of the most expensive bikes on the road at the moment alongside Ducati’s GP-inspired Desmo. At £36,500 it’s only a dream bike for many. But it’s currently the most powerful American production bike, is hand made and is very, very special. As only a handful have been built it’s arguably the most exotic and rare production bike in the world currently.

As you would expect from a £35,000 plus bike the level of craftsmanship and quality components is very high. The Marchesini, forged, lightweight wheels are very trick and the single sided swing-arm is very MV-like. Huge 320 semi-floating front discs are gripped by radial-mounted, four-piston calipers. Then there’s the unusual parts like a full race exhaust which is half Vance and Hines and half Akrapovic – or a filler cap, which is where there pillion would sit as the fuel is under the race hump, sub frame and under the rider’s seat. Compare and buy parts for the Roehr 1250 in the MCN Shop.