| Author | Message | ||
     Nurider |
I have been doing a lot of reading on motorcycles lately from internet sources periodicals and tv. This weekend through I found a rather interesting find in a magazine. The current issue of rider magazine contains an article titled the top 10 bikes of 2011. And amidst all of the ducati's, bmw's, and honda's a familiar name called out. The #1 superbike for 2011 rider magazine was no other than an Erik Buell race bike. And sifting through the short text of the article there was a blip about Buell's part from HD and Erik continuing to make race bikes under the Buell name. Also after that part there was a line that said Buell had plans of making his own production line available to the public apart from HD to be street legal V-Twin Sportbikes. The first bike being a $20K high performance machine. But I was wondering if anyone else has heard anything like this and if maybe there are plans to come out with Buell production bikes similar to the Lightnings or firebolts? | ||
| Ezblast |
HD will make sure it has lots of pretty chrome! - lol - expect nothing good from HD. EZ | ||
| Ezblast |
Expect Erik Buell Racing to make performance bikes. EZ | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Concur!!! The only bike Ulyesque I could see would be a motard and not a converted dirtbike either! After 25 years of Buell success, the AMA championship, the ottomanizing of the Blast, the ejection from HD, I think EB will focus on his original dream. I cant see him compromising and nor do I wish him to and I think a whole mc industry is behind him (except HD). Thats just my opinion and I still hold out hope for a performance single or a very competitive small bore (600cc or less) motorcycle. When the "Big Four" copy you, you must be doing something right! | ||
| Nurider |
I can see that.. all the reading i have done has pointed to Erik Buell making performance race bikes. And no I dont really expect anything sporty to come from HD. The sportster to me is just a stripped cruiser... and if your looking for a sport bike it really doesnt fit the bill. The Buell line opened up HD to a whole new world of customers. It offered a sport bike that didnt sound or look like anything else out there. Im still holding out for EB production street bikes. But i agree no one should sacrifice thier dreams to satisfy the public. I wonder how long its going to take HD to start kicking themselves in the teeth for dropping buell? Anyway enough ramble for now lol... (Message edited by nurider on August 02, 2011) | ||
| Swampy |
When you think Erik Buell Racing, do not think of H-D(spit) Erik Buell is making street bikes! Not again, but all new, nothing to do with H-D(spit) Their own dealer network, their own paarts supply, their own bike, full fledge, no holds barred Erik Buell Sport bike. | ||
| Robertl |
They have a Facebook page and just posted pictures of 2 brand new 1190RS "non-carbon fiber" models for customers. The first bikes are in the $40k range but as production ramps up they are hoping to target the $20k range. | ||
| Court |
Where did you get the $20K? | ||
| Ezblast |
Had it buried in the back yard - lol EZ | ||
| Packnrat |
if he wants to sell bikes he needs to cut that $20K in half. sure there is a following that will bend over and pay $20K, but not enough to keep any shop open. for buell to even have a go at it he needs to put out a good line of sub $10K bikes. sometimes one must sell quality as well as selling many of them. | ||
| Nurider |
I got the $20K from the artical in rider magazine. And yes I think to be sucessful the prices will have to come down but maybe not sub 10K. If you look at european proformance bikes such as ducatis, bmws, and some of the 1000+ cc aisans they are all between 10K and 20K so theres enough of a market in that range I think to be successful. And half the problem with HD(spit)...lol, Swampy, was that they did sacrifice that quality to make a sub 10K bike in the masses IE our blasts... Swampy your post should be the new advertisement for EB racing (as if it needs advertising) lol.... | ||
| Robertl |
You are forgetting the goal of Erik Buell Racing. They designed and built a superbike, that just so happens to be street legal. The 1190RS is a direct competitor against the best superbikes in the world. Those bikes, such as Ducati, MV Agusta, and Aprila are all in the $20k range. May stated the 1190RS street bike with a race muffler and ecm program was faster than his 1125R race bike. Do not know if I will ever have the pleasure of owning one but do hope some generous person at least lets me take a spin on his...lol. Maybe in a few years production will ramp up and they will introduce a less expensive model. | ||
| Court |
Not able to reply on phone at moment ...... But nearly everything on this page is inaccurate. We'll talk soon.. | ||
| Swampy |
Again, I am giddy that Court is monitoring the Thumper Forum! So lets get this right, Erik Buell Racing is a new start up, Racer turned street bike builder? The next generation of Erik Buell Racing bikes are going to cost what? They are not locked into the H-D experiment... Ok, I was speculating that parts would not be handled by H-D(spit) dealers...(no more funny looks when you ask for Erik Buell Racing parts) Erik Buell Racing will coordinate their own dealer network, not limited to H-D(spit)dealers. Look, I realize H-D was a good thing for Erik Buell at the time, sort of like a Calvinist saying "I'm glad that is over with" while he is sitting in the hospital with a broken leg. But I have heard some of the H-D restrictions that were imposed on Buell American Motorcycles.(according to the motorcycle articles) I so want in...what can I do to help? | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
Suhweet! We patiently wait Courts attendance. (though speculation is so much more fun than truth) | ||
| Nurider |
I'll second that! Erik | ||
| Nurider |
CORRECTION: I was mistaken on the name of the motorcycle magazine that I had found the artical in. It is CycleWorld not Rider. I appologize for the false information | ||
| Ezblast |
I see the article where the Erik Buell Racing bike won motorcycle of the year! What page was the other speculation on? EZ | ||
| Nurider |
It was in the Ten Best bikes of 2011 it is the fold out section in the middle of the magazine. Also MotorCyclist has a really good article on the Erik Buell Racing 1190RS. They couldnt find one bad thing to say about it. They also hinted at a production bike with a lower price tag than 40K but did not specify the lower price. They said "Erik Buell Racing plans to have a limited run of around 100 bikes as a design statement and will then introduce a second model similar in concept but 'decontented' for higher production volume and lower cost" I pulled that right from the article. It goes on to say hes faced a lot of crap for the HD Buell line and that now he is finally happy that he can build what he wants. | ||
| Ezblast |
Yes - and be recognized as the best sport-bike of the year is a fair slap on HD's blunder, and for Erik's genius in design and engineering a near perfect bike, raising the bar in precision handling, power, and braking and looking hot while doing it - a svelte 385lbs - remove the 20lb weight and then go to a Ti racing exhaust - this bike could get even lighter quick - lol EZ | ||
| Packnrat |
but if he does go back into selling "buell" bikes...will he support the older ones? or will we be left to h/d to work with? | ||
| Court |
Anyone who has copies of these articles and can scan them . . . I'd love to get copies. Court daht canfield ahet gmale daht com | ||
| Ezblast |
Packnrat - HD is your friend! - lol EZ  | ||
| Nurider |
Yes he will if you look on his website Erik Buell Racing. Theres a spot for HD/Buell parts at the Erik Buell Racing Store page. The models included are XB9, XB12, 1125R, and 1125CR. But as for the blast and other models. Ebay and Badweb. Or I GUESS HD is an option.  | ||
| Swampy |
There is not a whole boat load of parts to a Blast. I would love to be the enterprising young lad to source Blast parts through.... The section of the factory that assembled the Blast was amazingly small! But listen....things are moving forward, I hope that someday that 500-650 single or twin in a XB style frame might be made.... Who would have thought Erik would be this far along in less than two years? | ||
| Nurider |
Motorcyclist of the year Erik Buell Racing MotorCyclist http://motorcyclist.automotive.com/166651/122-1109 -erik-buell-2011-motorcyclist-of-the-year/index.ht ml Erik Buell Racing Erik Buell Racing 1190RS - First Look CycleWorld http://www.cycleworld.com/motorcycle_news/first_lo oks_articles/11q1/erik_buell_racing_ebr_1190rs_-_f irst_look Erik Buell Racing 1190RS - Exclusive First Ride CycleWorld http://www.cycleworld.com/motorcycle_roadtest/firs t_rides_articles/11q2/erik_buell_racing_1190rs_-_e xclusive_first_ride Best Superbike 2011 CycleWorld http://www.cycleworld.com/motorcycle_roadtest/ten_ best_bikes_2011/best_superbike_ebr_1190rs Court those are for you | ||
| Court |
Thank you very much. I really appreciate the help. Shoot me a PM with your address so I can send you an Erik Buell Racing key chain. Court | ||
| Nurider |
I started my MSF class tonight and got into a conversation with one of the instructors who is appearently a harley guy. I told him what I knew about Erik Buell Racing and his plans to make production bikes. He went on to say some choice(but not explicit) things about Erik Buell. Saying that his arrogence and attitude was the reason that got him into the ordeal that lead up to him leaving HD. And that he violated his contract and cannot make production bikes under his name without HD stepping in and stripping him of his dignity, bikes, and money. Im not sure weather this has any truth or if it was just a bullheaded harley guy... Im am open to anyhing said and dont try to step on toes but given that Im only 22, I sometimes get the look like "kid you dont know what the hell your talking bout". I am well educated and have a set of highly technical skills so sometimes it can be offensive. Anyway thats not what this is about. Is there any truth to what the instructor said and does anyone have any insite on the matter. | ||
| Flat_tire |
Hi Nurider, My question to the instructor would be does he have a copy of or has he seen a copy of Eric Buell's contract. If not then he would not have any idea of what it says.  . My guess is that the contract does have some type of no completion clause in it. However since the company is no longer in business this would be null and void. I could be wrong on this idea.  | ||
| Gearheaderiko |
I cant speak to the facts, but "Harley guys" in general didnt/dont like Buells. It comes from a long misguided error in thinking and prejudice. Buell is the stepchild, Blast is the redheaded stepchild. Buells (and certainly the Blast) took the heat off of Sportster riders which has long been considered a "girls bike" by 'traditional' "Harley guys". See again misguided thinking and prejudice. If you ever owned a Sportster you heard at least (at least) once "when are you gonna get a real Harley"? Buells (especially the Blast) did more for Sportster sales than anything I can think off. Buell also did a lot for Sportster performance An unbiased factual account of Buell couldnt have been given to you by a more unreliable source. | ||
| Court |
>>>Is there any truth to what the instructor said? No | ||
| Nurider |
Thats kind of what my thinking was on the whole thing that he just didnt know what he was talking about but I didn't wanna get into it with him due to the instructor/student situation. I hope that this thread stays active and up to date on what Erik Buell is doing with the progress of making a production bikes and what the future will/might hold. PS: I passed the MSF class today so I am now a fully licenced motorcyclist. I also was valadictorian of my class only having 4 deduction points on the skills examination.  | ||
| Reepicheep |
Wow, most MSF instructors are a lot better than that. Even if they thought it was true they should have known better then to say it. He must have been having a bad day.... | ||
| Rainman |
People have to attack things that don't fit their view of the world. Being open to new ideas, an XB9R that I didn't want to ride because it wasn't a Sportster, turned me from a Harley guy to the world of sport touring and standards with great handling. Waiting for the new Erik Buell Racing Sport-touring bike. |
