just when we thought it was safe ... - Ducati.ms

johnchypermotard · Nov 20th, 2009, 5:09 pm

Milwaukee, Wis. (November 20, 2009) - Harley-Davidson, Inc. (NYSE:HOG) announced today that following the company's recent decision to discontinue the Buell motorcycle product line, Erik Buell, Chairman and Chief Technical Officer of Buell Motorcycle Company, will leave the company to establish Erik Buell Racing, an independent motorcycle race shop.

Erik Buell Racing will specialize in the supply of race-use-only Buell motorcycle parts and race preparation services for engines and motorcycles, and the building and sale of Buell® 1125R-based race-use-only motorcycles under license from Harley-Davidson, as well as providing technical support to racers of Buell motorcycles.

"I'm looking forward to helping Buell racers keep their bikes flying," said Erik Buell. "We've got some exciting race development projects in the works and it will mean a lot to me personally to see Buell racers competing for wins and championships in the 2010 season and beyond."

"I'm pleased that Harley-Davidson is assisting Erik in establishing this business to continue supporting the racing efforts he has had so much passion for over the years," said Buell President and COO Jon Flickinger. "Harley-Davidson and the Buell Motorcycle Company will always be proud of their affiliation with Erik, and we wish him well in this new endeavor to support Buell racers."

Erik Buell Racing will be based in East Troy, Wisconsin and will be staffed by Erik Buell and a veteran team of personnel.

p.s.: it's GOT to be real ... they have an intrawebz site: http://www.erikbuellracing.com/

dukepilot · Nov 20th, 2009, 5:42 pm

Can't keep a good man down. Good news!

m900 · Nov 20th, 2009, 6:11 pm

I guess the overpriced "free Eric Buell" shirts are out;

AXE · Nov 20th, 2009, 11:22 pm

Erik Buell has nuts the size of muskmellons. It's good to see him heading back in the right direction. I hope he succeeds. Didn't a couple of Buells duel it out for a championship in one of the bike series this year?

Out!

**Da_Bull** · Nov 20th, 2009, 11:48 pm

Yeah, Axe. The 1200cc Buells duked it out with a fleet of 600s.

I have a soft spot for Buells, but I don't see this project going anywhere, either. If I were running things, which I'm not, I'd have put substantial effort into making the VRod motor a more viable option for a sportbike chassis. That would have been the move...

richmeyer · Nov 21st, 2009, 12:42 am

So Erik is going to be building race bikes on his own under license from Harley? Is it just me, or does that sound exactly like what he was doing before he was bought by Harley.?

Oh, and the V-rod motor is way too heavy for a sportbike chassis.

ilsrwy27 · Nov 21st, 2009, 4:11 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnchypermotard

Erik Buell Racing will specialize in the supply of race-use-only Buell motorcycle parts and race preparation services for engines and motorcycles, and the building and sale of Buell® 1125R-based race-use-only motorcycles under license from Harley-Davidson, as well as providing technical support to racers of Buell motorcycles.

"I'm looking forward to helping Buell racers keep their bikes flying," said Erik Buell. "We've got some exciting race development projects in the works and it will mean a lot to me personally to see Buell racers competing for wins and championships in the 2010 season and beyond."

I'm sure their phones are already ringing off the hook...

stryder · Nov 21st, 2009, 7:43 am

I hope "street kits" become available, that'll make the 1125r end up looking like the shelved "Barracuda" Buell was working on.

**desmoworks** · Nov 21st, 2009, 8:03 am

I'm glad he's still going - I'd love to see what he'd do if he were totally free to do as he pleases (with a good budget). In interviews he's said that Harley had his hands tied on many things including using their tractor motors.

Revelstoker · Nov 21st, 2009, 8:05 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Da_Bull

Yeah, Axe. The 1200cc Buells duked it out with a fleet of 600s.

I have a soft spot for Buells, but I don't see this project going anywhere, either. If I were running things, which I'm not, I'd have put substantial effort into making the VRod motor a more viable option for a sportbike chassis. That would have been the move...

You seen the size of that thing? No way is that going into a sportbike. Guess the drag guys like it. IMO, the future of sport and street bike is a return to the 2cycle motor - direct injection this time around.