Buell is Back!

There aren’t many American-made sportbikes these days. So, if you’ve been looking for one, you’re in luck! 

After a 10-year hiatus, Buell is finally back! The company officially announced its return on February 18th, 2021.

For insight on the brand and its upcoming lineup, continue reading below! 

Buell’s Beginnings 

The company was founded in 1983 by Erik Buell. In his youth, he was a motocross racer. And, in 1979, he became an engineer for Harley-Davidson. After a few years at H-D, he left to pursue his own passions.

In the mid-80s to early 90s, Erik ran a race parts business and was an engineering consultant for companies such as Schwinn and Yamaha. He also built a range of street-sport motorcycles using H-D engines. 

Buell’s first motorcycle was the RW750. Its sole purpose was to be ridden in AMA (American Motorcyclist Association) Formula 1 class races. However, that racing class was eliminated in 1986. Consequently, only two made it to production. 

Nevertheless, Erik’s innovation and success drew the attention of Harley-Davidson. And, in 1993, H-D acquired a major stake in Buell Motorcycles.

By 2003, the company was entirely owned by Harley-Davidson. It became part of their sport and adventure lineup. 

In 2009, Buell Motorcycles went out of business and was succeeded by an entirely new company, Erik Buell Racing (EBR), established by Erik Buel himself. This new company had no affiliation with Harley-Davidson. 

The Comeback 

And, now, Buell is back! However, this time around, neither Erik Buell nor Harley-Davidson is involved.

We can expect the new lineup to feature some of the fastest American-made motorcycles! 

After over a decade-long hiatus, they plan to release 10 new models by 2024. These bikes will be hand-built in America. 

Future lineups will include cruiser, touring, dirt and dual-sport bikes. 

And, now, Buell is exploring electric options. The company stated that they have even considered partnering with other brands to create a high-performance electric model. 

Future Models 

Get a sneak peek of what to expect from Buell’s upcoming models below! 

2021 Hammerhead 1190RX

The 1190RX is available in two paint schemes, Buell Heritage and Carbon Fiber. It features their ET-V2 engine, which is 72.6 cubic inches, liquid-cooled and has a peak horsepower of 185 at 10,600 rpm. 

The Hammerhead is also 80.3 inches long, has a seat height of 32.5 inches and weighs 419 pounds. 

2021 1190SX

Buell describes this sport-tourer as a “true high-performance motorcycle with racing heritage.” The 1090SX comes in two colors, Carbon Fiber and Black Mamba. It will also feature the ET-V2 engine. 

The 1190SX is 80.3 inches long, has a seat height of 32.5 inches and weighs 414 pounds (similar to the Hammerhead 1190RX). 

This bike was designed for open roads and tight city streets. So, it’s perfect if you want the best of both worlds. 

2021 1190HCR 

This will be Buell’s first dirt bike. Racer Logan Cipala actually won the 2020 AMA National Championship on this model! 

The 1190HCR is 100 inches long, has a seat height of 38 inches and weighs 355 pounds. And, it also features the ET-V2 engine. 

2023 1190 Super Touring

Buell describes this bike as having a combination of “performance, off-road adventure and bold design.” 

Buell hasn’t released many details on this model. However, it’s likely still in the design phase, seeing as though it’s not scheduled to be released until 2023. Hopefully, we’ll have more information soon! 

In Conclusion

Buell has had its share of ups and downs. But, now that they’re back, riders have some really exciting releases to look forward to! 

What model are you interested in most? Let us know in the comments below! 

To check out other new releases, check out this post on the 2021 Harley-Davidson lineup.