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?

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