2011 Buell that wasn't to be

[totalmotorcycle]

Here is the article:



The May 2010 issue of Cycle World magazine has a story of the Demise of the Buell Motorcycle Company written by Steve Anderson. Many have speculated about the role Harley Davidson played in the difficulties encountered by Buell over the years and this article seems to underscore many of those suspicions with details on the sequence of events, written by someone who knew Erik Buell very well from the 1980s and as an employee of Buell for the last 5 years.

The fact that Buell did as well as they did over the years is amazing given the motivations and decisions inside the Motor Company, as detailed in this article. It does not portray Harley Davidson in a positive light. Anderson makes clear, many of the questions of why Buell did many of the things they did can be answered with one word, Harley.

There is also a short test ride by Don Canet of the prototype Barracuda 2, the bike that would have become the next Buell.

I very strongly urge you to read this in depth article and form your own conclusions. This issue of Cycle World may not be on the newsstands yet, but you can read it immediately with a digital subscription, or check out your local store. Either way, don't miss this inside look at the business side of the Buell story.


UPDATE: Just a few additional facts some of you may be interested in. Not all of the talent at Buell was lost to the Buell effort, Matt Sheahan, who designed the 1125R frame and led the Barracuda II design team, now works with Erik Buell Racing, as does Analytical Engineer John Fox, who performed all the CFD analysis on the 1190RR fairing and the radiators. That's good to know.

[High_Side]

Here is the article:
The May 2010 issue of Cycle World magazine has a story of the Demise of the Buell Motorcycle Company written by Steve Anderson.

I picked this up the other day and it is a great read from someone who holds nothing back. It doesn't make the situation any better but does offer up good reasons why Buell made the decisions that they did. I'm still holding out for BRP to hire him in 2011 after his no-compete claus expires. Bring on the Can-Am Buell!

[koji52]

I guess I wasn't supposed to link up here...sorry man.

[HYPERR]

So finally finished reading all these books that was assigned by the History professor and was able to read this article.

Never knew this Wandell guy didn't even know how to ride a motorcycle. And this idiot also states he does not understand why anyone would want to ride a sportbike!

So a company that was rescued from AMF by a bunch of motorcycle enthusiasts is now taken over by this non rider idiot? They're doomed!

[koji52]

Just had a chance to read the article. Wow. I never realized how much the MoCo really restricted Buell. Buell really was the illegitimate child of HD. It's unfortunate, really...

On an unrelated note, my 1125R is in the shop getting warranty work done and my parts are on backorder for a month. Greeeaaaat.

[HYPERR]

Just had a chance to read the article. Wow. I never realized how much the MoCo really restricted Buell. Buell really was the illegitimate child of HD. It's unfortunate, really...

Yeah I didn't realize that either. Ironically his lawyers did as they pleaded with him not to sign the deal with Harley, and even went as far as saying if he did, he will have to sign a form stating this was his own doing despite strong opposition and warning from the law firm.

Imagine what Erik Buell could have done had the Mofos at the MoCo let him do his thing without the military dictatorship-like short leash.

[dean owens]

reading that article made me pretty mad. i hope buell is able to get something going in a few years when i'm ready to get a new bike. i'd love to own a xb12scg.

[Graunke]

Seems Wendell is a numbers guy. There are many changes happening in the motor company over the last year, and many more coming...