“You’ve got all these bad ass cars, why don’t we have cool bikes?” Well, Erik Buell is here to fix that conundrum with his EBR 1190RS. We realised we skipped the Buell “Made in America” episode three video from the EBR Nation series, so that’s above, and after the jump is a close look at the bike itself and what it’s like to ride.

Described as looking like an “exotic, high performance machine” on the aesthetic front the EBR 1190RS is up there with some of the best bikes on the market and we’d agree. The great thing about this particular motorcycle is that Erik Buell has made it specifically with racing in mind - it’s about competing and that’s the driving notion behind this bike.

Aside from the technical aspects of the bike and what it’s like to ride, Erik Buell says something very pointed in the video above and that’s about innovation in America. Rather than sitting around “waiting for someone to take care of you”, he and his team have gotten on with the job, being “pioneering” and “willing”, and have produced a great bike doing so. It’s something to be noted in our world of economic downturn and presumptions over job guarantees, and proves that innovation in the 21st century is just as important as it was 100 years ago.

Continue reading: Erik Buell Made in America and 1190RS We Are Here videos

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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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Another motorcycle brand jumping on the teaser video band wagon (we don’t mind for the moment but how long will this go on for?) is Erik Buell Racing, who has produced this video of its first street-legal bike, the 1190RS. It’s based on the 1190RR track-only bike and should be available from February next year in the US.

The racing bike was originally based on the Buell Barracuda 2 which never made it to production before Harley-Davidson shut down Buell operations, but the new 1190RS will be equipped with a v-twin engine. We’re expecting more videos to come but so far the Americans are not happy with the marketing efforts, saying that this world class, high end bike comes across as a red-neck barn build (from HFL).

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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.

Continue reading: Magpul Ronin: Buell 1125R custom built

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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.”

Buell 1125R

Source | Motorcyclist

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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.

Buell 1125R

Continue reading: Buell back with Erik Buell Racing

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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.

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Here’s the new, amazing Buell 1125 CR, twin cylinder weapon from Erik Buell, defined as the “the vision of a cafè racer of the 21st century”.

It is equipped with a Helicon V 72° engine, with 164 hp at 9,800 revs/min and 11Nm of torque. It weighs 170 kg, with a wheel base of 1389 mm, longer fork and shortened six speed transmission. Electronic ignition guarantees greater response in acceleration, clutch and the pressured 12 litre airbox. Available in two stand-out colours including red and black, the Buell sells for around 12,190 euros.

In addition to improvements in the engine, the 2009 1125 R should also see some new design, in Arctic White with lovely blue wheels and plexiglass.

Continue reading: 2009 Buell 1125 CR

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