Posted on Monday, July 09, 2007 - 09:41 am:

THE EVOLUTION OF A MAVERICK: 25 YEARS OF BUELL MOTORCYCLES
Erik Buell & Team Create a New American Performance Motorcycle in 2008

MILWAUKEE (July 8, 2007) – Erik Buell started in 1983 with a simple dream: To build a great American sport motorcycle, one that could compete on the race track against the most sophisticated import competition. After many twists, turns and the complete evolution of that initial concept over the last 25 years, Buell and company launch the Buell 1125R in 2008, a high-performance superbike that's as original as the man himself.

For a quarter-century, Erik Buell and the Buell Motorcycle Company have been devoted to the idea of building the world's best-handling motorcycles. Never one to pay much attention to convention, Buell let his engineering intuition guide him down the path of innovation with attitude. For Buell, it's always been about creating motorcycles that enhance the riding experience, because it starts from the rider down.

"Everyone at Buell has worked hard and pushed forward for 25 years," said Erik Buell, Chairman and Chief Technical Officer of Buell Motorcycle Company. "The Buell way has not always been the easy way, or the conventional way. We have always followed our intuition and stayed focused on the rider and the experience."

Erik Buell had motorcycle racing in his blood since an early age, as he competed on various motocross and road racing circuits, rising to Expert level status in AMA professional racing. After graduating University of Pittsburgh with a degree in mechanical engineering, he worked for four years at Harley-Davidson in ever-increasing roles of responsibility. In 1983, Buell left Harley-Davidson to pursue his dream to design and build his first motorcycle, the RW750. This 750cc, square-four two-stroke, rotary valve racing bike was expected to compete in the AMA Formula One road racing class. When the AMA announced the end of Formula One racing in 1985, effectively eliminating the market for the RW750, Erik dug in and went back to work on a new bike.

Buell blazed its own technological trail with the design of the RR1000 motorcycle, which was produced as the first true American sportbike under the name of Buell Motor Company in 1987-88. The RR1000 utilized a Harley-Davidson XR1000 engine mounted with Buell's patented Uniplanar Isolation system as a fully stressed member of the frame. and with the rear suspension mounted beneath the motor and a shock operating in reverse of conventional practice. This was Buell's first application of the engineering principles later known as the Buell Trilogy of Technology: Mass Centralization, Chassis Rigidity and Low Unsprung Weight.

Erik continued to refine his motorcycles with updates to the RR, RS and RSS series from 1988 to 1993 with new transmission, chassis, inverted front forks, stainless steel braided lines and a six-piston front brake caliper. In 1993, Harley-Davidson, Inc. acquired 49 percent of what became known as the Buell Motorcycle Company.

Buell innovations and milestones during the last 25 years also include the following:

Buell introduced the S2 Thunderbolt model in 1994 with fluid design and lines, followed by the sport-touring S2T model in 1995.

The all-new S1 Lightning motorcycle was introduced in 1996 as the original "streetfighter" hooligan motorcycle with minimal bodywork, exposed frame, racing styled seat. The S3 and S3T Thunderbolt models were also introduced.

In 1997, Buell introduced the M2 Cyclone with a relaxed seating design. The 101-hp Thunderstorm engine was introduced in 1998 on the S1W Lightning model, which also featured a carbon fiber rear fender and bold colors. Thunderbolt models also received the new engine with Thunderstorm heads. In 1998, Harley-Davidson acquired another 49 percent of Buell Motorcycle Company.

Buell dedicated its 42,000-square-foot Research and Development Center in East Troy in 1999, while also redesigning its Lightning models with new bodies, frames, suspension, colors and seats.

The 492cc air-cooled, single-cylinder Buell Blast was launched in the 2000 model year as a versatile, economical and eye-catching model. The Blast is a high-quality, durable sport motorcycle that is easy to learn and practical for everyday use.

In 2003, Buell launched the revolutionary Firebolt XB9R highlighting the Trilogy of Technology, with fuel in the frame, oil in the swing arm, and premium components like ZTL brakes, minimalist styling and agile handling. Other XB models followed, including the Lightning XB9S, Firebolt XB12R, Lightning XB12S and Lightning XB9SX CityX. Harley-Davidson also acquired the final two percent of Buell Motorcycle Company.

The Ulysses XB12X adventure sportbike with long-travel suspension, aggressive tires and the Thunderstorm engine, was introduced in 2005, followed by the Lightning XB12STT Super TT model in 2006.

Over the years, Buell motorcycles have won numerous awards for innovation, design and handling, including Bike magazine's "Best Cornering Bike" of all-time for the Firebolt XB12R in 2005 and Popular Science magazine's "Best of What's New" award in 2002 for the Firebolt XB9R.

Buell produced its 100,000th motorcycle, a Ulysses XB12X model, at its East Troy facility in November 2006, and will be celebrating its 25th Anniversary with its riders at various events and activities in 2008.