EBR 1190RX dominates Phillip Island
The EBR 1190RX made its Australian racing debut with a clean sweep of all four races in the National BEARS class for the Pirelli Race Series at Phillip Island.
Two weeks ago, EBR Australia took ASBK racer Chas Hern to Broadford for a video shoot with the new EBR 1190RX. Expecting nothing more than some great footage, the team was surprised to see Hern making 60 second laps on a completely stock bike with road tyres.
The decision was made to enter Chas and the 1190RX into the National BEARS class for round three of the Pirelli Race Series at Phillip Island – this time, with only Pirelli race rubber and fibreglass fairings. The bike ran a standard exhaust, no quickshifter, no engine modifications, and standard street gearing, which is a little high for the Phillip Island.
Competing against a field of race prepared motorcycles that included Aprilia RSV4s, Ducati Panigales, KTM RC8 1190s and BMW S1000RRs, Chas and the EBR 1190RX took pole position in qualifying, and won all four races over the weekend, with a fastest lap of 1:38.065 in race 3.
After race 1, Hern said “I’m very impressed to say the least. It handles like a 600 – and the standard suspension package is fantastic. The bike is just so nimble on changes of direction – and even though we’re a little overgeared with the factory sprockets, the monster torque of the American 1190 engine gives me plenty of drive out of turns.
“The ergonomics are absolutely ideal for a race package. I hope I’m given the opportunity to continue developing the bike at the next round, where we might see a race system, quickshifter and different gearing fitted. But in the corners, it’s absolutely unbelievable!”
EBR Australia’s Joseph Elasmar was delighted with the results: “This is a testament to what the 1190RX is capable of right out of the crate. We all knew Erik Buell’s credentials when it comes to road bikes, this shows what his outside the box thinking can achieve on a racetrack. Frankly, we’re stoked. This is the beginning of EBR racing in Australia, and Chas was running a fairly consistent half second faster than the rest of the field.
“We’ll be back, I don’t think we can really turn up to our first race with a stock bike, win 4 of 4 races and then give it all up.”