All posts tagged buell
What Harley kept of Buell: what's in a name?
While not being fully involved in the American motorcycle market, and therefore escaping the deep patriotism that seems to go with that territory, we can’t comment on all the goings-on in the Harley-Davidson/Buell saga. What we can say, from our perspective on how things panned out, is that it seems for some reason Erik Buell was like a thorn in the Harley side and so for whatever reason, perhaps because having a brilliant sidekick is not for everyone, HD got rid of its extra brand.
Or rather, they got rid of the person behind the brand and kept some other tidbits for themselves. On Erik Buell being interviewed by Motorcyclist Magazine, the guys at Kneeslider reveal that Harley Davidson did keep quite a few things from the Buell brand, and a large part of that is the name.
What’s in a name? You might think not a lot if Erik Buell manages to make a new brand and we all know the guy and how good he is, so what’s it matter. But quite a lot really if you consider that Harley Davidson has license to the Buell name, allowing Erik to make and sell race bikes under that brand until December 21st. After which it’s anyone’s guess what will happen with the name.
We don’t think it’s exaggerated to underestimate the importance of this brand and its name - it is, after all, inextricably linked to the man who made it. Erik seems to have the right attitude to moving forward though - he has left behind some honest comments about what happened, but hasn’t dwelt on any hard feelings he might have. But it’s got to be disappointing when your very own name which you gave to your brand, is no longer yours. Harley Davidson also kept other rights to some things from the Buell portfolio, too. More after the jump.
Continue reading: What Harley kept of Buell: what's in a name?
Magpul Ronin: Buell 1125R custom built
The engineering brilliance of Erik Buell has never really been in doubt, but the Buell 1125R was one of the more dubious models produced from a design point of view. This Magpul Ronin take on the 1125R might not be any more convincing than the 1125R, but it certainly makes you stop and think about the possibilities of superbike custom models.
The Magpul Ronin 1125R takes off the original bodywork and adds a girder set-up and integrated subframe, tailpiece and airbox cover. The idea stemmed from the excitement over Buell’s water-cooled superbike and then disappointment at how it turned out. Magpul co-owner, Michael Berry, says: “We liked what Erik Buell was doing - thinking outside of convention - but he was so function driven in his design that it left a lot to be desired from an industrial design standpoint.”
So when Buell was shut down by Harley Davidson, the guys at Magpul got their hands on a few Buell 1125R’s and set to work. Results include a new linkage fork and radiator, Penske monoshock, extra trail on the fork, and plenty of work up front to change what the rider sees at the front of the bike. A new small subframe and cast aluminium tail piece have been added, which contribute to the weight loss in the bike. Check it all out over on Hell For Leather.
Erik Buell racing 1190rr pics
Here’s a look at the Erik Buell Racing model 1190RR, and a lot of online readers are wondering why it was never built with this design in the first place. Hopes are that one day the racing bike will still give birth to a street based model, and with a bit of access to market, maybe we could see Buell bikes back on the roads. Enthusiasm is going rife, and in the last Daytona 200, three Buell bikes made it into the top 20.
The goofy air of the 1125R is still there, but generally speaking the Buell 1190RR has a far more elegant design and seems to indicate an evolution in Erik Buell style. There is still plenty of support out there for Erik and his engineering credentials, and if these bikes get the opportunity they deserve on the track, we could soon see some more developments for the company and the brand, once the Harley Davidson chains have totally been thrown off. For more details, see the Erik Buell Facebook page.
Buell Motorcycles factory liquidation sale
After the news that Buell Racing has sold its first bikes, it’s kind of sad to see Buell Motorcycles starting its liquidation sale. On January 28th, everything will be on sale from machine tools, to motorcycle-specific equipment, to tool boxes themselves. Even the furniture is going. The sale is open to the public, and so if you’re keen you can pop down and check out the Buell factory and the tools behind the bikes.
As the first paragraph of the press release says, this is state-of-the-art stuff and if you know what you’re doing with bikes, it could be a great opportunity to pick up some good equipment and own a little piece of Buell history. More details in the press release below.
East Troy, WI (PRWEB) January 18, 2010 — The Buell Motorcycle Company, a subsidiary of Harley-Davidson, has ceased manufacturing motorcycles. On January 28th, 2010 Liquid Asset Partners, a Michigan liquidation firm, will begin the liquidation sale of vehicles and factory equipment from the State-of-the-Art facility. Over the past 26 years Buell has manufactured over 130,000 motorcycles and created avid fans worldwide. The liquidation sale will be a once in a lifetime opportunity for Buell riders and fans to view the inside of the factory and purchase the equipment used to make the high tech sportbikes.
Continue reading: Buell Motorcycles factory liquidation sale
Erik Buell Racing sells first bikes to Pegasus
Buell’s new-look racing company has sold its first race bikes to the Pegasus Race Team, who will use them in the European Sound of Thunder Series. The two bikes are 1190RR-B European spec superbikes, and will join other bikes, the 1125R and XB, in support classes.
2009 Sound of Thunder champion, Harald Kitsch will ride the new bikes, and Buell is hoping this will be the first success story for the new chapter in the company history. Erik Buell says:
“We are extremely pleased that the Pegasusrace team will be the first team in the world to get the new 1190RR-B. Over the years, I’ve been very impressed with every aspect of their organization and I know they will do well,” said Erik Buell of Erik Buell Racing. “We’ve been working very hard to develop this bike and get our race shop set up and organized as we begin to showcase the finest race parts and technology we can deliver without restriction.”
Source | Motorcyclist
Buell back with Erik Buell Racing
In the news of Harley Davidson killing off Buell, many a comment on the internet was about how fans would love to see Buell get a chance at racing, properly. In a kind of consolation prize from Harley, but one which we hope will kick some dust in their eyes, the Buell name will live on in a racing capacity only, and we won’t be seeing any road bikes.
Erik Buell will head up the new Erik Buell Racing company, to be based at the Buell factory in Wisconsin, which will also retain some of the workers from Buell that were looking at losing their jobs on Harley Davidson closing production. The new Erik Buell Racing company will supply the Buell 1125R to racing teams.
The new business is being supported by Harley Davidson, and hopefully we should see some new racing developments and technology come out of the Erik Buell Racing initiative. The Buell 1125R is homologated for the Pro-Racing circuit and as long as its specifications comply with the rules, it can be used in racing. More details in the press release, and a video, after the jump.
Last Buell 2010 range available: Buell Lightning XB12Scg
The 2010 Buell range is still up for purchase if you want to get your hands on some of the last Buell’s to be made, at least at this stage. While it’s hard to accept that Buell will become another part of motorcycling history, at the moment there are no plans to keep the brand alive or find future alternative strategies.
The Buell Lightning XB12Scg was the last Buell off the production line on October 30. It is equipped with the V-Twin Thunderstorm engine at 1203 cc with 103 hp and about 113 Nm of torque, and a dry weight of 180 kg. It has six-spoke cast alloy wheels, underslung exhaust, alluminium frame and rear swing arm, and Buell Zero Torsional Load brakes with eight-piston caliper.
I’m a little bit cynical about Harley Davidson’s decision to keep the Buell brand but shut down production altogether. The idea is that in doing so, Harley will protect the Buell brand in the long term and give assurances to current and future owners for the next ten years that these people can still get their Buell serviced and get spare parts, too.
Continue reading: Last Buell 2010 range available: Buell Lightning XB12Scg
Erik Buell video thank you
Buell will cease production at the end of this month, and this video is the “thank you” note from the company to its employees, suppliers, distributors and dealership network. October 30 therefore, marks the close of the Buell story, commenced in 1983 and owned by Harley Davidson since 1998. This is an emotional time for the Buell brand, and we would hope still to see them round the traps in the future. For now our congratulations on a good job done, and our commiserations at seeing a great bike exit the stage, go to Erik Buell and his team.
Harley Davidson to sell MV Agusta and discontinue Buell
If you own a Buell you may soon find yourself the proud owner of a piece of history, as Harley Davidson announces a huge reduction in profits and the discontinuation of the Buell line. Sales of Harley Davidson motorcycles were down 21.3 percent in the third quarter of this year, compared to the same quarter last year, which is a futher reduction on the 30 percent decline already experienced in the second quarter.
In efforts to preserve the Harley Davidson brand itself, the company will now sell MV Agusta and discontinue Buell production, laying off a total of about 180 workers. As long as Buell stock remains, sales and warranty agreements will continue, as will service and parts supplies for current owners.
Harley Davidson will now commence the sale of MV Agusta, though it’s too early to tell who potential purchasers might be. In a statement from the company, Keith Wandell CEO says:
Continue reading: Harley Davidson to sell MV Agusta and discontinue Buell
Buell's new logo
Buell has a new logo featuring a Pegasus, winged horse. The logo seems to be part of Harley Davidson’s move to develop the Buell brand, and follows a wider range offering. While the winged horse could be criticised for its un-originality, it wouldn’t surprise me to know that the winged part is supposed to represent Harley Davidson’s end of the bargain.
While it’s perhaps not the best example of brand identity, and probably needs to come with a swathe of marketing explanation and back-up, in my humble opinion, it’s certainly an improvement on the old. Your thoughts?
Source | Cyril Huze Blog
Buell adventure grant to win a Ulysses XB12X
Buell has launched its American adventure grant program, giving away a Ulysses XB12X to the lucky winner, who must submit a 250-word essay on an ultimate adventure dream. With another 2,500 USD thrown in, and 2,500 dollars in credit to spend at a Buell dealership, the idea is that the winner will then achieve his/her dream.
Entries for the competition close on June 23 and entrants must include the following in their essay: contestant’s riding experience, description of the ride including destinations and planned route, reason(s) for going on the trip. We’d love to enter just to write the essay (you can only submit one?!) but unfortunately, we’re not American residents.
We’re not sure which is more exciting - winning the Buell or going on the trip? For details of the Buell Ulysses XB12X, see after the jump.
Continue reading: Buell adventure grant to win a Ulysses XB12X
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