| Author | Message | ||
     Rsh |
Buell is Back according to an article on Roadracing World www.roadracingworld.com/news/buell-is-back | ||
| Nvbuell |
https://www.buellmotorcycle.com/ | ||
| Johndd |
They just updated their Facebook page. They posted earlier hints about the name change with retro Buell Logo. | ||
| Scottykrein |
https://www.revzilla.com/common-tread/buell-is-bac k-in-business-and-planning-an-adventure-touring-mo torcycle | ||
| Hughlysses |
Melvin said by the time the promised 10 models are introduced, there will be four different engines in production, including a small off-road motorcycle. I hope he’s not blowing smoke. | ||
| Redridergr |
I believe Melvin as much as I believe Biden! Both can kiss my ass! | ||
| Ridetillidie1983 |
Love that HammerHead!! Hope the 10 models look as good. Deff hope a reiteration of the XB is brought back....we will see. | ||
| Court |
Zoom . . . zoom . . zoom Name falls into the hands of the local junk man and this is what we get?  | ||
| Mnscrounger |
A cut and paste from my post on Buell's FB page: I know many here have mixed feelings about using the Buell name, or for that matter even making EBR/ Buell motorcycles without Erik at the helm, (or even in the building). But I don't see how this is any different than a resurrected Triumph name, or the revival of the Indian brand. Liquid Asset Partners saw value in the designs. They could have sold off everything and moved on. To be fair they did sell off as much as they could, but they kept the core business on life support. They didn't kill it. They retained the employees they needed to continue supporting the existing bikes, and profitably manufacture a limited number of bikes to meet a very small market demand. Neither of those things were required, but were done because LAP saw value in them. These new changes suggest a growing investment by LAP in the brand. Whether you agree with the name change, I personally am rooting for any AMERICAN company that is trying to grow motorcycle manufacturing beyond the 800 lb cruisers America is known for. I root for good old fashioned American blue collar jobs to be returned and expanded. I root for any company that tries to be "fiercely independent". Whether or not Erik is involved with the company any more, the bike, and his vision of the brand, is still there. I wish them all, the success. | ||
| Hughlysses |
^ Nicely put.  | ||
| Raceautobody |
I was fortunate enough to meet Erik years ago at a dealer demo ride event. In conversation he said he had a 200 year plan for Buell at that time. I don't think it has gone as planned but I am sure he didn't think he was going to be at the company with his namesake for his planned 200 years. The company he created grew to become bigger than one man, also morphed into different companies. I for one am excited there is still fire burning at Buell, EBR even if the "local junk man" is pushing it forward. This is from someone who has 2 EBRs and 3 Buells. And if Bill is successful I may buy one of his creations | ||
| Blake |
How long until Harley swoops in to partner, and Erik rejoins? I'm only rooting for one of the above.  | ||
| Josequinones |
Step 1: Erik will buy up the remaining inventory of the XG-750 motors and create a...... RW750......um....wait...we know how this movie ends..... (Message edited by josequinones on February 20, 2021) | ||
| Josequinones |
If you hold on to your clothes long enough they become fashionable again. | ||
| Josequinones |
Kidding aside, I wish them success and completely ditto Mnscrounger's comments. (Message edited by josequinones on February 20, 2021) | ||
| Blake |
Same here! And to be clear, I hope that Erik will have a key role at some point. He is the engine that drives the innovation that we all appreciate so much. It's a very rare ability ability to have, to be able to not just envision innovation, but to follow through and implement it. | ||
| Blake |
And if this means that parts will remain available for all the EBR bikes, how awesome is that? | ||
| Jaguarxk |
I've already sign-in to the sight and pre-purchased 2 shirts. I sure hope they restart the annual ride-in to the factory! | ||
| Redridergr |
Well if someone posted to fakebook it must be true... They have FACT checkers, to protect...Me and you? To be "fiercely independent", but dependent on Eric & the elf's work & ingenuity is a scam! Can't even think of an original statement, let alone technology! Point out one part that Melvin has engineered, patent, or raced himself? The name buell may be back, But, must i support plagiarism? Why not name the bike Melvin? B.M.R! Bill Melvin Racing? Could it be that Billy boy never raced? Don't have a following, so he is depending on Eric's accomplishments to make money? If not for Daddy's money, what dose he bring to the table? He is your HERO correct? Or, is he king of pawn shop? Capitalizing on others experience, ingenuity, skill and experience? If one wishes to support Blue collar workers.... none better than in East Troy! I see the traders in Michigan, trying to capitalize on past knowledge gained on BUELL AVE, East Troy, Wisconsin. Discusting to me! The name Buell may be back, to me, it never left! But I don't back liquid pawn shop Melvin!! | ||
| Emufriedchicken |
I wonder if we will see the elusive 1190AX come to fruition now? I wonder how much they will update the current basic designs. The frames and swing arms are XB 1125 era. The 1190 is a evolution of the 1125. I am no engineer but can someone tell me is this design at its maximum potential or should there be a fresh new engine designed and sold? Just thinking out loud to see what this company can bring to the table with other brands that it competes with that have fresher designs. | ||
| Hughlysses |
I wonder if we will see the elusive 1190AX come to fruition now? Apparently so, as they’re showing this computer rendering in their info:  It’s worth noting though that EBR apparently scrapped plans to build an “1190” AX early on, and intended to build an adventure bike based off a different platform, like the middleweight twin they were working on when they went into receivership. It’ll be interesting what the new “Buell” comes up with. | ||
| Mnscrounger |
Redridgerider: you seem enraged at the prospect of revival of a uniquely American brand, and you raised some very valid questions. "Point out one part that Melvin has engineered, patent, or raced himself?" I can't and don't know if any exist. That can also be taken to mean that any newly introduced designs are actually still genuine, (by your measure) Buell and EBR designs. "The name buell may be back,But, must i support plagiarism?" Your decision to buy or not buy is entirely up to you. Smith and Wesson, Jeep, Indian, and Harley Davidson have all been bankrupted, sold and resurrected over the years, They are all strong American brands under the new owners. I don't see how this would be any different. "Why not name the bike Melvin? B.M.R! Bill Melvin Racing?" For the very same reason Polaris scuttled the Victory brand, once launching the new Indian was complete.(A brand they spent 20 years, and hundreds of millions developing.) Brand identity and industry product recognition worldwide. that helps any new product. "Could it be that Billy boy never raced? Don't have a following, so he is depending on Eric's accomplishments to make money?" In a word, Yes. But he could have moved on without spending a nickel. After the liquidation, LAP bought the company time. After all the hits the company has taken through the years, it will take lots of money and lots of work to bring it back. The fact that he's willing to invest in it suggests Bill Melvin is as big a believer in Buell's as we are, he just has more money to spare on the venture. If he went public with the company in future, do YOU have enough faith to invest your earned wages? "If not for Daddy's money, what dose he bring to the table?" According to Erik in many interviews, money was always the biggest hurdle. What else does Bill Melvin bring? Most importantly a vision for the future of the brand, while many wish to shovel dirt over it. "He is your HERO correct?" If you're referrring to Erik, emphatically YES. I didn't own a Buell until 2010and so came late to the party, but the man I met is an absolutely genuine believer in American manufacturing and the skilled worker, in addition to being a very gifted engineer/ designer/ team leader. Nearly every former Buell/EBR employee I have had the pleasure of speaking to at homecomings have said something to the effect of if Erik called them tomorrow they would quit their jobs and go back to work for him That's a character trait not taught in engineering classes. I have only been in the same room with Bill Melvin at one occasion, the 2017 homecoming. We never were formally introduced. I don't personally consider him a "hero" just yet, but he has my respect for what he's trying to do, If he succeeds in an industry filled with so much risk and criticism, he may earn the title. "Or, is he king of pawn shop? Capitalizing on others experience, ingenuity, skill and experience?" In the business world, those people are called CEOs, and they HIRE people so... If one wishes to support Blue collar workers.... none better than in East Troy! Agreed, but the owners of the company get to pick where the assembly point is. I'm not sure I would ever consider Grand Rapids a destination for a "Homecoming", but I would welcome a 2022 model at a gathering in E. Troy as progeny of the original. "I see the traders in Michigan, trying to capitalize on past knowledge gained on BUELL AVE, East Troy, Wisconsin." Yes, that's what businesses do when they buy the assets. But instead of selling the parts for scrap value, they are trying to build back the entire brand. "Discusting to me!" You may have inside historic knowledge I don't driving your opinions. I'm still rooting for American manufacturing, and American Jobs, be they in East Troy, Grand Rapids, or Tulsa. (Message edited by mnscrounger on February 21, 2021) (Message edited by mnscrounger on February 21, 2021) | ||
| Shoggin |
Offended that Erik isn't at the helm? How is resurrecting the Buell name different from Triumph? Norton? MV Agusta?, Indian? | ||
| Court |
Interesting discussion | ||
| Bluell |
Well said Mnscrounger! I’m wishing them the best. The Buell brand and Erik’s philosophy is what got me into motorcycles in 2004. Absolutely no disrespect to Erik but ultimately the company failed under his management. I know Harley pulled the plug and then Hero pulled out but you have to live with others decisions once you put the control in their hands. I hope Bill’s pockets are deep because it’s going to take a lot to rebuild an entire brand. I would still love to see Erik somehow involved in Motorcycles again. I’m still riding my Uly and love having one of my sons on the back! There can never be too many motorcycles so good luck to Buell, whoever owns it. | ||
| Nvbuell |
Eriks own comments on Linkedin "At the end of the day, it’s just a brand name. At one time it stood for innovation, but it was parked by H-D for 12 years. Time will tell what becomes of it next. In the big picture what has always driven me is getting American disruptive and diverse thinking into the global motorcycle world. It’s most important to do this with electric now, which is where invention and radical thinking is most needed. I’ve never been nostalgic...the future is where engineers should live!" | ||
| Stevel |
I have no interest in any electric vehicles. It is no great feat or great innovation to either design or build one. This technology has been around for a very long time. Also there is no question on whether an electric vehicle is better than a piston driven one. That too is no contest. What is a great issue now and will be well into the future is the practicality, safety and energy density of batteries. Until the batteries of tomorrow reach the safe levels of cost, energy density, weight and safety of oil, electric vehicles will not get off the ground, no matter who builds them. | ||
| Mnscrounger |
Stevel: If you look back at the history of Buell EBR design, Erik seems to always have had his head 5-10 years into the future. The Ulysses was the vision into the modern adventure bike market BMW seemed to find a foothold in first. The fuel in frame concept he pioneered is adopted commonly now. There are other examples, and if you look at the declining rider numbers and the demographics of whose left, and whose coming in. His prediction of electrics is probably spot on too. Rising fuel costs, government emissions requirements, city congestion, and the expectations of the next generation of new riders will probably be quite different from ours. E bikes may not inspire the same imagery of riding we all have, but that doesn't make it a bad prediction. | ||
| Twirlin |
Well said Mnscrounger. One doesn't have to like something for it to be true. It's just convenient if it aligns with our beliefs. | ||
| Jaimec |
I would be nice to see an American-made superbike on the grid again at MotoAmerica. Wonder if Tim would consider putting Max back on an 1190RX? |
