Buell CEO Bill Melvin’s Personal FXRT-Style Super Cruiser Is the Club Bike We Want to Ride
The beauty of the Buell Super Cruiser platform is its versatility. While the production version already delivers serious American V-twin performance with unmistakable styling, it also serves as the perfect canvas for personalization. No one demonstrates that better than Buell CEO Bill Melvin, whose own Super Cruiser showcases what happens when modern performance meets classic club-style inspiration.
Rather than creating an over-the-top showpiece destined to spend its life behind velvet ropes, Melvin built a motorcycle that reflects how he actually rides. The result is an FXRT-inspired Super Cruiser that looks every bit as aggressive as it performs while remaining comfortable enough to rack up serious highway miles.


The first thing that grabs attention is the iconic Warrior fairing, a staple of today's performance bagger and club-style scene. The fairing gives the Super Cruiser an unmistakable silhouette while adding real-world wind protection for longer rides. Paired with a set of JD Custom FXRT slim bags, the bike gains practical storage without sacrificing the lean, athletic proportions that make the Super Cruiser so appealing.

Supporting the performance side of the equation is a premium Öhlins suspension package. Already known for its sharp chassis and responsive handling, the Super Cruiser benefits even further from the Swedish suspension specialist's ability to improve ride quality and cornering confidence. Whether carving mountain roads or covering hundreds of interstate miles, the upgraded suspension reinforces the motorcycle's dual personality as both canyon weapon and capable sport tourer.


Visually, Melvin's bike refuses to blend into the crowd. Finished in a deep custom red-and-gold paint scheme created by a Tennessee-based painter, the motorcycle balances classic American muscle with modern custom craftsmanship. The rich metallic finish highlights the Super Cruiser's muscular lines while giving the bike an unmistakably premium presence.

What makes this motorcycle especially interesting isn't simply the list of aftermarket components—it's the philosophy behind the build.


Melvin says the bike delivers genuine long-distance comfort without giving up the blistering acceleration and razor-sharp handling that define the Super Cruiser platform. That's an impressive combination, especially for riders who want one motorcycle capable of weekday commuting, weekend canyon runs, and multi-state road trips.

The FXRT influence is unmistakable, but this isn't a nostalgic recreation of a decades-old Harley-Davidson. Instead, it represents what an American performance club bike can become when modern engineering, premium suspension, lightweight design, and practical touring accessories come together on one platform.


For riders who have been wondering how far the Super Cruiser platform can be customized, Bill Melvin's personal motorcycle offers a compelling answer. It embraces the timeless styling cues that have made FXRT-inspired builds so popular while showcasing the performance potential Buell has engineered into its newest V-twin.

It's proof that the Super Cruiser isn't just another production motorcycle—it's the beginning of a platform that invites riders to build something uniquely their own. If this is any indication of what's possible, expect to see many more personalized Super Cruisers appearing at rallies, bike nights, and canyon roads across the country.


