Erik Buell quit his job in Harley Davidson R&D and founded Buell Motorcycle Company in 1983. The first four years of the company were focussed on releasing the RW750. Shortly after launch, the American Motorcycling Association decides to eliminate the class of race, and all of Buells work.
Buell continually focused on creating the highest performing race and street bikes, utilising Harley engines and tweaking and designing everything else. These were great sports bikes and 11 years after the company formed, Harley Davidson invested in the company and own a minority stake.
In subsequent years Buell released — to critical acclaim — the Thunderbolt and the Lightning. By 1998 Buell was the second — to Ducati — highest non Japanese sports motorcycle manufacturer in America.
In 1998 Harley Davidson acquired a majority share of Buell Motorcycles, with the additional resources Buell were able to double down on manufacturing and create engineering marvels:
Buell selected the expensive but effective method of using chrome-moly alloy steel tubing to build a perimeter frame with triangulated sections. Buell calls it a “geodesic perimeter frame.” In the best modern fashion, the engine serves as a stressed member of the frame. The result is an exceptionally light and stiff frame, which improves handling and control. A bike that handles precisely and delivers exceptional control is more fun to ride.
In 2002 Buell released the XB9R Firebolt, with an industry first in frame fuel tank — Buell (both the company and the founder) were engineering geniuses, and pioneered many innovations that are commonplace in the motorcycle world today — such as the aforementioned fuel tank and a redesigned braking system that placed the disc brake on the outer rim of the wheel, rather than in the hub.
By 2009 Harley Davidson were in dire financial straits and decide to shutter the entire Buell division — to rub salt in the wound 2009 was the first year that Buell finally won a world championship in the AMA Daytona Sportbike class. Erik Buell announced the closure on the Buell website with this:
I will always be proud of Americas little sports bike company that took on the world, and with brilliant innovations produced some of the best motorcycles of all time. We proved that a small ground of passionate inspired people can compete against industry giants.
Three years later, Erik bounced back, founding Erik Buell Racing. For the first three years EBR focussed on selling racing motorcycles, in 2011 the 1190RS was released — a limited (100) production motorcycle suitable for road riding.
Erik Buell Racing now has over 100 employees and they just released the 1190RX, a full production super bike.
