The LONG, STRANGE trip for the American Sportbike: All about BUELL!

[@KurtCira]

In 1979 I discovered that a guy named Erik Buell had moved in at the end of my alley in Milwaukee. He and another guy, Fritz Huebner, who was an ex-Yamaha factory race team mechanic for Kenny Roberts, were working on prepping Erik’s TZ-750 for an upcoming AMA race. I stopped and talked to find out who they were and a years long friendship began. I was building custom bicycle frames in my basement but I also road sport bikes. Erik got me out on the racetrack which really improved my riding tremendously and taught me the engineering principles that he later developed into his Buell motorcycles. Fritz happened to be the mechanic that did the chassis work on the TZ-750 flattracker, so I heard lots of details about that strange experiment. I was hanging out with them as they developed and built Erik’s first motorcycle, the RW-750 square four race bike in his garage workshop. It was an experience I haven’t forgotten.

[@blueridgewarden2838]

Finally Buell gets coverage

[@someonethatwatchesyoutube2953]

Thanks to everyone involved in making these wonderfully informative videos and especially to Mark and his patience in allowing Kevin to be the center of attention. Listening to him share his brilliance is truly a joy that I look forward to every Wednesday. Muchas Gracias!

[@ericteunissen1142]

I owned a ‘96 Thunderbolt S2T for 26 years. Rode it from Canmore, Alberta, Canada to Daytona Bike Week in 2000. The high light of the trip was meeting both Erik Buell and Kevin Cameron. Thanks for a wonderful ride, Erik, and for a great synopsis of the Buell history, Kevin and Mark.

[@tzracer5215]

As a former Buell employee (1986 - 1990), this is quite interesting to listen to. Worked at the farm and then the move to Mukwonago (quonset hut based building). In Mukwonago we finally had an assembly line, ISTR 4 stations. FYI there were at least 55 of the RR1000s. Bought all the remaining XR1000 engines, there were more than 50.

[@browngreen933]

I visited the Mukwonago Buell factory during that time frame and photographed you guys working there. I planned to write a magazine article, but it never materialized. It was an interesting visit.

[@KaplanCycles]

I've been studying the history of Buell for quite some time when the Harley-Davidson dealer close the franchise gave me all the Buell signs that I put in the museum I now have about 27 raging from the 1992 RS 1200 to the 2024 would love to get a chance to interview somebody like you that worked at the factory

[@michaeldeliyanis3716]

I wish some former employees would get together and establish a professional specialty Buell repair/restore business. 👍

[@jsr3793]

I always liked Buell motorcycles. The two I owned were the only HD products I ever considered owning.

[@tonyciriello6872]

Thank you Cycle World. In the mid 80's you did a performance upgrade on the XR1000. I followed your upgrades exactly. Branch heads and carbs. Everything you did. I added Storz tank and seat/tail. Stortz rear set controls. Spun aluminum 17 inch wheels. An aluminum braced swing arm made by Calfab. Ceriani forks. Super trap exhaust modification. My intention was to race in the super twin class. Then I got a traveling job and that plan did't happen. I did end up with an awesome XR that was actually fast and handled OK. I still have it and will never sell it. You also picked my entry out of about 70,000 in 1999 and I won a Big Dog motorcycle and a Dodge pick up truck. Thanks for that too !!

[@Motomack1042]

I really enjoyed this Podcast, I have been riding for 45 + year, and started doing track days in 2009 on a 07 XB12R, I believe this was a good bike to learn on, not enough power to get in trouble with, but enough to have fun, and lean how to carry corner speed. Next I jumped up to a 2009 Buell 1125r, one of the best upgrades was a Brembo master cylinder. This bike was a great track bike, good power and handled like a dream. In March of 2014 I purchased an 1190rx, and put it on full time track duty in 2015. This bike had one of the bad rotors as well, EBR sent me a new rotor and hardware once installed that roto lasted me 11000 track and race mile, never warped just wore thin. I upgraded the master cylinder, sbs race pads and the clutch slave cylinder, which made a amazing difference. Only other mods were rear race shock, front springs, ECU, and exhaust. I still run this as my track bike, and I absolutely love this machine, it has never stepped out or done anything unpredictable in all these years. Only issue has been a bad ignition coil. I did have to top end refreshed couple of years ago. I remember and frequently still watch the Cycle World test video between the Ducati and the EBR, one of my favorites. Such a shame Hero did not live up to their end of the bargain, and HD did not see the value in what Erik was doing.

[@krtt750]

I have acquired an 1998 S1 Lightning based racer. It was built as a "Lightning Series" machine and evolved into a "Pro Thunder" jack hammer making nearly 130HP! That engine was grenaded by the now dead owner years ago in Loudon. I will rebuild that "mill" down the road. But in the meantime, I bolted an X1 engine in, converted it back to carburation, and I will compete on this thing here in the USCRA. I have raced a Moto Guzzi now for 23 years. This will be similar but very different! Cover your ears!

[@triumphrider2002]

I owned a 2005 Buell City-X and out of the 70 plus bikes I have owned it will always be in the top five. Nothing else handled like it did. It was just so much fun. I still smile thinking about riding it. If my knees were not worn out I would buy another one. Now i have to ride cruisers. Thanks for discussing the Buells.

[@gasracing5000]

Had the chance to speak with Eric once briefly at laguna. They were forced to add ballast to the bike and had positioned it in two places fore and aft of the motor. I asked why they hadn't added it as near center mass as possible, for him to then explain how important balance was. He also talked about how important test riders were, how different a bike behaved when riden at 98% versus 100%, and the importance of pushing during testing to get good data. Good guy to take the time to talk to a young fan on a race weekend.

[@BallaCorra]

I knew Buell in the mid-late 70s when he was racing a TZ750 in the club races (WERA and CCS). I have two strong memories of him. The first was him stretched out in a "lounge chair" in the pits, between practice sessions, readin his engineering text books. I was in grad school at the time, and I NEVER brought my texybooks to the track. The other was the time the organizers decided to split pratice sessions between "GP bikes" and "non-GP bikes". But a TA125 and a TZ750 have VERY different lines (maximize cornering speed vs. maximizing acceleration out of the corner). In turn 1 at Summit Point, Erik's line (on the TZ750) intersected Gina Bovaird's line (on the TA125). Erik was mortified. Gina and her husband, Tom, were picking carbuerator parts out of the trees.

[@samwalton4598]

Thank you for the education about Mr. Buell. I will never look at one of his bikes the same.

[@josephreisinger33]

Just wanted to tell you gentlemen that I am proud that you have a XR650L behind Mark. I drove 300 miles to get one back in September. I know it's old tech with a carburetor but it's a shit ton of fun riding it around. I'm happy and that's important. Thanks for the way back about Bulle. I 57:39 remember seeing him in 84 at the Pocono race way back when I road there on my 84 RZ350. That was fun to.

[@oddborofiend]

Gosh this makes me happy. He's a phenomenal guy all around. I'm a bit biased towards Buells (I have 4, wife has one, but they're in a stable of 9), but have been on many many other things of all flavors. They're truly incredible machines. IMO, a reasonably good metric to know if someone is a decent rider or not; if they get off of a Buell and say that it handles poorly and feels twitchy and they do not enjoy it, it usually means that they are a fairly straight line or newer rider. An experienced rider or someone that gets into corners in the twisties will get off of a Buell with a sh-eating grin on their face. Love these things with a passion.

[@GS-zv3qn]

Doing podcasts on motorcycle racers, designers, builders, race team managers and owners is always interesting and informative to see how bikes and racing developed over the decades

[@jtnelson89]

I test-rode a Buell S2 in 1995 and now own several. Thanks for your always entertaining and highly informative podcast

[@johnroe412]

The first Buell I rode was a 2002 X1 at a dealer demo. I was not a huge fan of the styling but was shocked by the motor. I bought a 2008 Ulysses and I was sold. Many, many nights, I just stared at the engineering design of the bike. How could this bike be the total package of sight, sound , feel, riding experience, engineering of any bike ever produced. I’m on my second Ulysses, the only bike of many that I bought a second of. Thank You so much Erik Buell for bringing a smile to every time I ride a bike you designed. ❤❤❤

[@hugieflhr03]

Many don’t know how much different the sportster engine is compared to the Thunderstorm Buell engine is. Flywheels were cut down, pistons , cams, heads, intake and so on where all different to almost double the HP and maintain the low end torque.

[@stephencartwright5046]

Thank you both for yet another fascinating and very entertaining podcast. When I finished racing I was bored riding sports bikes on the road. Getting bored with bikes in general. Then one day I went to my local HD dealer to try a Buell as they were promoting a national test ride day in the UK. Unknown to me the dealership was run by Paul (Loopy) Lewis (The Angry Ant) sometime GP racer. After a chat he asked me to take out his tricked out Lightning. The moment I started it up the smile returned, and after test ride around the lanes, roads and dual carriageways around Marlow I was a convert. I thank Erik Buell for saving me. 🙏🙏🙏👍

[@RichardCochran-t6t]

Thanks again for another great episode. I’ve had a 2006 XB12X since 2007 which now has a little over 50 thousand miles. There have been several other bikes in between, but it’s still fun to ride. It always reminds me of Norton Commandos. An ancient engine saved by a modern frame. Like a Norton there is very little vibration once up to speed. It is also a nice touring bike getting nearly the fuel mileage as my 10 year newer R1200RS.

[@markl823]

What a great episode! I enjoyed Buell XB12R ownership from 2009 until 2015. It was my first bike back, after a hiatus of 20-something years from motorcycling. What an outstanding machine, with all it's Erik influenced features, like fuel in the frame, oil in the swingarm, underslung exhaust, rim brake disc, short wheelbase, etc. Truly wish I had been able to hang onto this bike when I moved onto something new, but unfortunately finances didn't allow, plus I was a little nervous of parts supply difficulties in future years, with HD withdrawing the Buell brand. Great memories nonetheless, and thoroughly enjoyed being reminded of those wonderful XB ownership days, with Kevin & Mark's predictably captivating soundtrack! Many thanks.

[@joenoneofyourbusiness6487]

I came from the side that Kevin describes, that of being a harley enthusiast and wanting that sportster-based sportbike. It was just the coolest looking bike period. I eventually bought a 2000 m2 cyclone and had it for 12 years or so. It was very reliable, probably the most reliable of the buells of the era because it had a carburetor. I had a blast on it (no pun intended) and put almost 60k on that bike, with the original belt. I really liked the "tubers", which are the tube frame models made before the xb series. They seemed to fit taller american riders better than most japanese bikes. When the xb's came out, I thought that eric was building bikes for people who didn't like buells. I concur with Eric that he wasn't making bikes for the people who liked his bikes. I don't think he understood his customers very well, as we weren't interested in the fastest, most competitive motorcycle. We just wanted a cool harely sportbike custom that was torquey and reliable and handled well. And american made. And maybe a 50 pounds lighter!

[@JdilpkleRS]

I’ve had three Buells. My first one being a XB12R and then an XB9R and finally a XB9SX, hands down the best handling motorcycles I have ever owned. Once the suspension was set correctly, handling was almost telepathic. Wonderfully quick turn in without being twitchy. The XBs for me were absolutely wonderful. With a drummer muffler, they sounded glorious.

[@marklapirow5473]

Great, just great. Very informative and entertaining with overwhelming credibility.

[@svgs650r]

Ah...the "Handbook" My first Boss out of college pitched me a ball of wisdom many years ago: "I refuse to put to memory anything I can look up" as he fetched "The Handbook" from it permanent position on his desk... that wisdom has never left me

[@jerrylong381]

"I may not know something, but I know where to find it" I got my first "bible" in 1978 when I went to work in a screw machine shop. I have several editions spread around my home and shop now. In the mid 80s I worked in a shop running a large Toyoda cylindrical grinder that required very little attention and to stay awake I read the handbook from cover to cover. Management didn't allow reading on the floor, but they couldn't keep me from reading a reference book. And reading it kept me from falling asleep while grinding 65" rolls that only required me to adjust the machine in .0005" and reverse direction every 30 minutes. I learned trigonometry from the handbook. I believe that "I refuse to memory........" mindset has swung too far in the age of instant access to the accumulated knowledge of mankind. With that access also comes a huge amount of mis and disinformation. And if we don't store enough knowledge internally, we risk not being able to discern truth from fiction. We risk KNOWING nothing. The world wide web and social media are probably the largest boon to mankind and our greatest curse. Cheers

[@kstuber564]

Enjoyed this video about Buel very much. It would have been nice to see some photos pop up regarding what you were referring to. For example, the rim brake and various models of the Buel bikes. Looking forward to your next one.

[@99cyclone05]

Favorite episode yet! I had dreams of racing in the '00s and rebuilt my track bike-slash-ride to work XB12R with take-offs from Walt Sipp's backup bike. Walt was the first to finish the Daytona 200 on a Buell in 2007. As I remember he had a more XB12R based backup bike. Walt's take-offs put my salvage title Buell on the track. The previous owner tried commuting in St Paul in the snow. I did track days until I couldn't afford it, now I don't have (or make?) time. The bike is right here in the garage.

[@39impala]

I always wanted a Ulysses. I thought those bikes were so neat at the time. Never had a chance to ride let alone buy one.

[@wapartist]

Im super happy about Buell being back

[@Beltegoed_]

1125R almost daily driving it, good bike.!

[@mr.m325]

please get Peter Egan on soon !!

[@drgallup]

Erik and I went to the same high school but he was a couple of years ahead of me. We were both dirt bike riders and our paths crossed occasionally down by the RR tracks and on the gas lines. Erik was the better rider and had bigger and faster bikes. When I was in college and started reading Cycle News I followed his road racing exploits at Daytona. A few years later when I was designing fuel injectors and he was building the tube framed Sportster engined bikes our paths crossed again when we got 2 of his development bikes to do the injection system. I was riding an RD350L/C and a VF750F Interceptor at the time and was completely unimpressed by the HD powered bikes. I probably kept trying to rev them too much but they never seemed to make any power anywhere. I seriously considered buying one of his beam framed HD's but bought an '06 1050 Speed Triple instead. After HD pulled the plug on Buell one of my friends bought an 1125R which had significantly more top end than mine but he never passed me in the twisties.

[@normanlastovica7944]

owned an XB12X for quite a while. perhaps the finest handling motorcycle I've owned; right up there with a tz250. brilliant motorcycle with the possible exception of relatively small fuel tant.

[@slartybartfarst9737]

Ran a GSXR 1000 K5 in the Isle of MAN for 10 years. That is a light bike 162Kg 162BHP. The only mods were quick action throttle (your the acceleration limit opening the throttle ) and carbon wheels (Suzuki wheels are very light anyway ). Speeds of up to 120 mph no real difference beyond 120 and up to the limits turning on real roads (cambered and bumps) the carbons were a revelation. Allowed softer suspension so handled the bumps, kept the rear tyre from spinning up, turning so fast, bike so stable, braking and acceleration noticeably way better. Always ran the standard pipe and dynoed at 162 BHP, what a machine 1000 BHP / ton wet.....mental fast.

[@ulyspot]

I have been the owner of two different 2006 Buell Ulysses motorcycles. So versatile , comfortable and FUN ! Exceptional cornering and lightweight bikes. I rode more than 100,000 kilometres between those two bikes. Tough to replace. Currently riding a 2017 VFR1200X Honda with the V4 engine. It has merits too, but lightweight is not one.

[@RandallSoong-pp7ih]

Thanks fellas!

[@ashtonmariefranklin1981]

I love my modified 03 XB9R. It has an ohlins rear shock, Racetech valving and springs in the forks, lsl steering damper, modified swingarm for chain drive conversion, modified EBR1190 idle sprocket for the chain drive tensioner. Heli bar top triple tree, g2 competition throttle tube, Buell DDFI-2B race ecm, Buell Race muffler, ZTL2 front caliper, woodcraft Ceramic wheel bearings, an 03 2 piece throttle body that's been heavily modified from 45mm to 50mm by welding and machining, and ported heads. Future upgrades will be a lightened and balanced crank with Carrillo rods by darkhorse, higher compression pistons, ceramic crank bearings, ceramic and transmission bearings. My goals are to make 100+ rwhp on std bore 984cc with an 8k rpm redline ability.

[@AMomcilo1]

As an ex-Buell owner, this was great to listen to.

[@mikebates7234]

I love my 2000 S3T! Got to talk to Eric as a Harley Davidson hundred anniversary actually rode down to his plant showed the guys my bike. They were all interested but ,Eric wasn’t there. Turns out Eric was at the fairgrounds assisting with the test right so I waiting my turn for my test ride We got to talk for about for 15 or 20 minutes😢 He was very nice waited till my road test was over ,to ask me what I thought about his bike he was very interested. what a guy.

[@magellanicspaceclouds]

I wish there were more American sportbikes than just Buell.

[@vxe6vxe6]

I have to wonder what Erik Buell could have done with the VR1000 engine either in the Harley VR1000 motorcycle or in his own Buell. Mark, Kevin, when does the VR1000 project podcast come out? When I had my KLR650 I used to ride with a couple of guys who had Uly's in the great Pacific North Wet. Those bikes worked really well bombing along fire roads and jeep trails, just as well as the KLR. Thanks for the awesome video/podcast.

[@hugieflhr03]

I still have a 2002 cyclone and a 2009 Ulysses XB12X . The bikes where never screamers but damn good machines

[@seldomseen7835]

Mick Doohan in the early days of carbon disks opted for one steel and one carbon. I think several other riders went this way as well. Wet wether feel and performance especially. I’m juggling with 750 GT Ducati wether to go twin disk and calipers unstrung weight on a motorcycle so light. Original Lockheed master cylinder has a bore too large and always felt like squeezing a brick with little reduction in speed. Triumph T140 and T160 had the same. Wobbels the mad Aussie.

[@mikeskidmore6754]

I heard that the Aluminum Buell Frames that hold gas in the Frame were made in Italy. The wheels are made in China, the Shocks are made in Japana and the Luggage is made in Germany. Also most of the Switch gear is Italian .

[@dogpaw775]

wassat , Machinery's Handbook?. yep, i loved the torquey motor of my X1 around our twisty turney narrow lanes, top Buelligan is Erik.

[@almondsnackbar4969]

Love my S3 Thunderbolt and loved my 07 Ulysses. It's out there somewhere i hope. Black with 09 side scoops, heated grips and airhorn. SN#01230

[@yorkchris10]

I forgot about the design details on the XB. Buell went to Thailand for the frame castings I think. It's the only motorcycle I can think of that had fan cooling. I don't think you could see it on the rear cylinder. H-D used the cone syncro transmission on this bike first I believe. I rode the Ulysses and it felt like riding a dirt bike. I was looking straight down at the front tire. I was expecting more torque and still preferred my GS motor characteristics. Strange Buell skipped the V-Rod engine.

[@presstodelete1165]

Ducati's history jumps along through the bikes they allowed to change what people thought was special to Ducati. A surprisingly low number of miss steps along that path.

[@theshadyeightyshow3355]

I'll never sell my M2 Cyclone, love that bike.

[@robert-wr6md]

Excellent learned a lot.

[@Korndoggy]

As an engineer with a major in Civil and a minor in Mechanical, I find these podcasts fascinating. IMHO, there have been two visionaries in recent times; Buell and Musk.

[@exothermal.sprocket]

I'd like to know what Buell tried that wasn't already historically tried and scrapped for engineering reasons.

[@michaelrubbo7467]

Most engineers keep their favorite version of the Machinery Handbook as well as the CRC handbook! In my mind, Erik Buell's name belongs next to that of William Harley and his revolutionary work on the knucklehead in 1936.

[@mikebates7234]

Well put

[@johnsolimine1164]

Buell's later bikes with the Rotax V-Twin looked good to me. Never got to try one, but the CG & short WB made it an interesting bike to contemplate... drag race out of the hairpin... anyone?

[@NorthViewModelShop]

I have 2 buells. My first bike 500 blast and my main ride now 1125R

[@blipco5]

More Buell 📣

[@ericalger5003]

TGIW!!! BEST EPISODE YET!!!!!!

[@duc06820]

XB12R demo ride at Daytona speedway. 16 bikes 3 factory riders. The fast guys were at the front when we turned back onto ISB. I'm #2. I see the 1st guy setting up for a wheelie. 3 of us in Blue Angels formation wheelied past the factory rider... I'm still laughing.

[@TomStratis]

While I have never been a truly "fast" rider I usually was able to keep fast guys in sight during group rides and occasionally pushing the pace. The highest pace I was ever able to keep up on the Smokey Mountains rides was on my XB12X Ulysses. Not nearly as focused up speed as the ZX9/R1/GSXR /Tuono bikes I have taken there this proved to me that street bike handling had nothing to do with the racetrack. I probably would have kept that bike longer if only that motor had another 3000 RPM!!

[@mikeskidmore6754]

The Remington 700 Bolt action rifle had a small spring in the trigger that was not reliable . I would have cost Remington like 11 cents per spring more to make them safe. There were issues of accidental discharge that killed a few people over the years.

[@mikebates7234]

I heard through the grapevine that it was a rich daddy and his son bought the name and building fuel bikes now although there are nothing like Eric‘s bikes

[@mikeskidmore6754]

The Buell Factory did some Engineering and Skunk works for HD and others. I don't know if Buell Bikes were costing HD Money to produce and sell. I do know that Livewire HD's loose $100 Million per year.

[@hddynaroy1111]

Thanks

[@paulblouin6955]

Didn't they have a subframe similar to a Norton Commando with the engine and swing arm tied together and attached to the frame with vibration isolation? Rods and rose joints for the alignment rather than shims like a Commando?

[@SSV-i-c-e]

Hi yep the first thing i noticed when i got my s2t in 96 was how much it felt like my old commando’s but better handling and more powerful

[@engranger]

Love Buell and my 2006 Uly!

[@redrider-m8p]

Like kids, I love all my Buell's... I can ride a different one each day of the week! 😂 My goal... to ride a different one each day of the Mounth 😊 Eric made sooooo many improvements over the years.

[@dougiequick1]

Poor Eric was wasted by Harley....wasted the best of his years SADDLED with "powered by Harley" I mean the stinkin company would not even simply lend their NAME to his bikes because they have no balls and never HAVE had them since

[@mauriceoconnor6246]

I can't think why oil in the swing arm is not increasing unsprung weight, it's mass that will resist movement.

[@ericalger5003]

I worked for HD in the engineering department from 96 to 2010 and was pretty deeply involved with Buell from the tube frame S series to the XB's to the Rotax 1125s. Buells always handled great. I LOVED the 1125CR.

[@Beltegoed_]

Buell !!

[@wildbillslickdog]

I don't remember micqonago,,at all. Just the East Troy plant,for production of the new 1125r and later the 1125cr,,,and the sporster engine models.which Harley didn't discounted them,but dropped the price like 50% on all the 1125...I paid 10,500 for my new 1125r, and 4,000 for a demo 1125r

[@stewart8127]

The Rotax was racing the 600s and crushed them . Don't remember the push rod 1200s racing the 600s . One thing is certain they don't want the Buell super chopper in the king of baggers. 172 HP.stock

[@highwayman1218]

Ive been a daily street rider here in So Cal since late 80s. On sportbikes the large majority of time and I finally got some HDs in the mix of bikes about 8 years ago (performance built Streetglide and Dyna LRS) and still have them. I had interest in buying a Buell back then when the XBs came along. I thought they were cool and ready to buy one. Unfortunately every HD dealer treated you like a leper looking to buy one and not a bagger. I split and bought another sportbike.

[@stewart8127]

Kaplan America is now a Buell dealer

[@RedBud315]

I picked up a Black and Gold '05 XB12SCG after seeing one on display in the airport in Vegas and I agree that my H-D dealer had no interest in selling the Buell's. Mine was $10,495 + the license and fees and I compared what I got on the bike(factory oil cooler, steel braided brake lines and floating disc) to what they put stock on their other bikes for $16K + and it made me wonder why all their other bikes cost so much. I did add the factory ECM and pipe and that made a big difference. I could do a burn out starting in 5th gear with all that torque and the big front brake.

[@jiyushugi1085]

Way back when, when I was living in Japan and working for Yamaha (via Dentsu, their ad agency), three of or four of us were invited to Hamamatsu for a group ride through the Izu Peninsula. Yamaha provided us with an eclectic selection of bikes: medium- and large-displacement Warrior V-Twin, a big Virago and a mildly hot-rodded Buell. We switched bikes during the ride then stopped for lunch and shared our opinions with the senior Yamaha guy who was our guide. Not surprisingly most of us spoke very highly of the Buell. Shortly thereafter we learned that Yamaha was planning to build a big V-Twin sport bike (the MT-01) and the purpose of our ride was to get some ideas on what direction to go with the new bike. Unfortunately, YMUS declined to import the 'Buell-inspired' MT-01 but it did pretty well in other markets.

[@mikeskidmore6754]

Too Bad the Electric Bicycle / Motorcycle CO that he was working with Fuel just filed Bankruptcy. Bultaco started in a Barn. Buell was going to put the 500 CC Two Stroke in his s. Then they race Leage made new Rules to allow 1,000 CC 4 strokes to run in the same class as 500 CC Two Strokes. Harley Davidson spent $116 Million to shut down the New Buell Factory around Jan 2009 in East Troy WI The Buell Track bikes used two external Rotors on the front wheel.

[@stewart8127]

I kinda like the Ronin Buell on jay leno

[@mikebates7234]

Eric’s claim the fame is he’s a brilliant engineer he’s not an accountant. If somebody ran the business he would make beautiful bikes plus he’s a nice guy.

[@mikebates7234]

I see that Buell bikes are back on the market. They are wild ! So I asked is Eric involved? The answer was he has retired….. the bike looks like he was involved….

[@truantray]

He sold his name after the bankruptcy of EBR, he then went on to grift Fuell ebikes and went bankrupt again.

[@exothermal.sprocket]

Liquid Asset Partners owns the name now, and not exactly a company in the business of guaranteeing a successful manufacturing company. _"We partner with clients to tailor a recovery plan for their needs using our primary services of Appraisals, Liquidations, Auctions and Finance"_

[@stewart8127]

Does anyone have a photo of the square four two stroke bike?

[@d.vanwinkle9482]

The Milwaukee H.D. people hated Buell. Always complained that they didn’t make money not realizing that the V-Rod engine development costs were piled on to Buell. Even though they couldn’t use that engine. Too big. Too heavy.

[@mikeskidmore6754]

Bultaco started in a small barn .

[@mr.m325]

Ducati started making small Radios

[@mikeskidmore6754]

@@mr.m325 Aeramacchi made airplanes. Not much demand for airplanes after WWII as so much of Italy had been blown up.

[@bananabrooks3836]

...and finished in a bigger barn.

[@kencreten7308]

When I think about Buell... it's difficult. Why didn't Harley let him use the Porsche twin? Are my timelines off. But those.. klunky twins... I wonder what he could have done with the v-rod engine.

[@hully88]

That engine was actually being developed by Buell in collaboration with Porsche. "The loki 1 project" harley corporate started sniffing around and Buffaloed the project until they completely ruined Buells design and he could no longer use it in a faired sportbike like the plan was. One of the many times harley fd Buell along the way.

[@WaldoHiding]

Rock on Might a

[@oldretireddude]

You don't want to be an early adopter of a new design, but you do want to get one before the cost reduction team starts modifying the design.

[@redrider-m8p]

Why no mention of Danny winning the title... in 2008 i believe. For first year with new motor, not a bad accomplishment! So is that front brake realistically that bad, in race conditions? Bike is in Barber for all to see!

[@stewart8127]

I wish Buell would use normal breaks and make 4 cylinders .

[@mikebates7234]

Same works for farmers!

[@gasracing5000]

Buell. The American sport bike.

[@Emily-ou6lq]

Why dot5 though?

[@stewart8127]

Harley legacy

[@Emily-ou6lq]

@@stewart8127 What's the technical reason?

[@stewart8127]

@Emily-ou6lq back the olden days they would sell parts for Harleys at gas stations . And the stuff for cars vs bikes was supposed to look different. Anyway you can run 4 in a 5 system or 5 in a 4 system. But you need to flush it usually with mineral spirits . 5 is silicone based . I used redline 4 with 625 degree boiling point.

[@Emily-ou6lq]

@@stewart8127 I heard a reason is that it lets you space out the fluid changes since it doesn't absorb water....I use Motul RBF660 (617 degree F) in my setups. No Redline in europe.

[@stewart8127]

@Emily-ou6lq no it's so you have to go to the bike shop to buy it from them because it's not at most Auto parts store .

[@dasboototto]

Don't think Buell was much happy with the Blast.

[@SRJCUSSEN]

🙏🙏

[@stewart8127]

Engine is 100% in house.

[@bananabrooks3836]

Rotax

[@stewart8127]

@bananabrooks3836 not anymore

[@bananabrooks3836]

@@stewart8127 Like Enfield then?

[@stewart8127]

@bananabrooks3836 no

[@stewart8127]

Under seat exhaust is the best!!! better aero less buns when you're pinned under the bike .

[@ianjones4071]

Hi I have lernd something today😂

[@jerryandnancywertzbaugher7778]

Trying to make a Sport Bike from Harley hardware is like trying to make a silk pures from a sow's ear. 🤔🤨😬🤗

[@dukecraig2402]

My XB9 eats my CBR929RR alive in the twisting mountain roads where I live, it's not even a close competition between the two. You really should try getting some actual experience on more than just the couple bikes you've owned before you try acting like you know what you're talking about.

[@mikebates7234]

Trying to make your dreams work, is almost impossible, unless you’re born with $$$$$$!

[@kenbowlus2995]

The way to make a small fortune in the motorcycle business is to start with a large fortune.

[@larrynorsworthy8582]

Team obsolete? Beno?

[@exothermal.sprocket]

One of the things I have rarely, if at all, heard from journalism or podcasts speaking about Erik Buell's history of crashing and restarting and crashing again, is whether or not the man can be held accountable for his business decisions as owner of the company. He's made some strong statements about innovations and technology over the years, which, when you analyze them at face value they don't hold up in the sense of motorcycle design history around the world. But, even if you have talented engineers, they have blind spots, and engineers are not necessary adept at solving (or allowing) a viable business model to function or even develop. I've worked in manufacturing engineering teams and have observed the controversy in companies between engineering and sales and marketing. I've seen what hubris can do at various levels. It's not pretty. Yet there seems to be a universal cheering for Buell and his courage, while ignoring whether or not he lacked the ability to operate a business or whether hubris prevented investment money to be used wisely.

[@truantray]

Sorry, but I find it amazing at how Eric Buell fails upward. His first bikes all had to be recalled because of major frame design defects. He was throttled by Harley, but he also designed arguably the worse motorcycle ever made, the Blast. He had some bad ideas sold as innovation, like wrapping an aluminum fuel tank around and air cooled motor. His bikes had bizarre ergonomics designed for non humanoids. Everyone blamed the outdated motors. Rim brakes, so great an idea no one ever used it decades off patent. Then EBR was a fail with Rotax, then sold he sold off his name. He then went bankrupt AGAIN with FUELL. What is incredible is how investors seem to appear to always lose money with him.

[@stephenkramme7063]

⁠@@highwayman1218You might want to do some web research on the RADD Yamaha. I believe that was a different unrelated engineer who came up with that design.

[@highwayman1218]

@stephenkramme7063 You are correct. It was Parker. 👍

[@stewart8127]

Harley should have merged Buell with MV Augusta. When they owned them both Maybe them we could have an American bike in WSBK .