400bhp Buell Leviathan Falls Short of 250mph Bonneville Target

Buell's ambitious Project Leviathan has made its debut at the Bonneville Speed Week, but unfortunately, it fell short of its 250mph target.

The 400bhp Buell, which combines the Super Cruiser chassis with Hammerhead and 1190RS bodywork, FOX suspension, forged aluminium wheels, and custom sprocket hubs designed for a claimed 300mph mechanical limit, recorded a best speed of 178.531mph.

This is some way short of the headline target, but the circumstances around Leviathan's first attempt at Bonneville aren't clear-cut. The bike and its rider, Jacob Stark, had never competed at Bonneville before, and the Speed Week outing was the first time Leviathan had moved under its own power outside of testing and dyno work.

The team had to work through the Bonneville licensing process, which requires riders to demonstrate that they can control their machines at increasing speeds. The first run was deliberately straightforward, as Stark needed to maintain more than 125mph to secure a 'D' licence.

However, things became complicated once third gear was introduced, and the team faced a series of technical challenges and corrections over the following days as it worked to get the bike ready for higher speeds. Fourth gear was the next hurdle, as selecting it resulted in rear-wheel speeds of more than 200mph, even though the bike itself was travelling considerably slower.

Stark had to learn how to control Leviathan while effectively performing a rolling burnout at more than 175mph. The team eventually secured the 'B' licence required to qualify for the Long Course, giving them five miles in which to accelerate rather than the shorter two- and two-and-a-quarter-mile distances used during the earlier stages.

The team then recorded its best speed of the event at 178.531mph. While this is a respectable achievement, it's clear that there is still a long way to go before Leviathan can reach its full potential.

The team's experience at Bonneville Speed Week 2026 has been as much about learning what Leviathan can actually do as setting a headline-grabbing top speed. Buell's CEO, Bill Melvin, gave Stark 'carte blanche' to unleash the 1190 platform, and the resulting machine has proved to be a challenging but rewarding project.

The real question now isn't whether a 400bhp Buell can do 250mph on paper. It's whether Buell can turn all that dyno horsepower into forward motion before the salt runs out.

## Technical Specifications

| Feature | Specification | | --- | --- | | Engine | Turbocharged 1190 platform | | Power | More than 401bhp at the rear wheel | | Torque | More than 215lb-ft | | Chassis | Super Cruiser | | Bodywork | Hammerhead and 1190RS | | Suspension | FOX | | Wheels | Forged aluminium | | Sprocket Hubs | Custom, designed for a claimed 300mph mechanical limit |