Buell shows off a new street bike? and H-D exits Sidecars

[JTRogue]

by Jeremy Korzeniewski

You've got to hand it to Erik Buell. The man was dealt a very bad hand by his ex-employers at Harley-Davidson, but Buell decided to take a bowl of lemons and make some tasty lemonade. The first batch of sweet citrusy goodness came as Buell formed his eponymous racing team, but it seems 'ol Erik has bigger and better things up his sleeves.

A new video is circulating the interwebs today that clearly shows a Buell 1190RR race bike equipped with decidedly non-racy parts, including a license plate mount with turn signals and a set of electric cooling fans for the radiators that aren't necessary on the track-only models. Interesting, no?

There's still some time left on Buell's agreement with H-D not to build and sell any street bikes, but it seems like a foregone conclusion that Erik will once again be offering road-going machines to fans of unique American sportbikes just as soon as he's legally allowed to do so.

Here is a link that has a link to video:

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/02/buel ... #continued

Harley-Davidson exits the sidecar business
by Jeremy Korzeniewski

Stars and Stripes. Peanut butter and jelly. Harley-Davidson and sidecars. Okay, fine – one of those pairings is not like the others, but H-D does have a long history of adding a third outrigger wheel to its line of heavyweight motorcycles, starting back in 1914. That's over now.

Harley-Davidson just announced that 2011 will be the final year it offers sidecars as a factory option, and it will no longer accept new orders for them. The good news is that The Motor Company will continue to provide warranty service for current sidecar owners and will stock replacement parts at its dealerships.

We have an unhealthy affection for offbeat sidecar motorcycles, and if you also happen to fall into that category, Ural and Royal Enfield are ready to serve your needs.

Here is the Press Release

Harley-Davidson Exiting Sidecar Business

As a result of the decline in retail demand for Harley-Davidson sidecars, which accelerated following the introduction of the Harley-Davidson Tri-Glide family of trikes, Harley-Davidson has made the decision to exit the sidecar business. The Company will end sidecar production upon completion of remaining 2011 model year orders. Effective immediately, no new sidecar orders will be taken.

Harley-Davidson is committed to continued support of its dealer network and customer support for sidecar owners and will support current customers by continuing to honor warranty repairs and supply service parts and technical support. The sidecar was first made available to Harley-Davidson customers in 1914 and will remain a proud part of the Company's history.

All this can be found and Credited to

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/31/harl ... -business/

[jstark47]

I'm sure this will make some custom sidecar installers happy...... more business for them.


As for the 1190..... heh, heh, heh..... the guys at EBR are having fun teasing, ain't they? Clever viral marketing, keep a buzz around the Buell brand until....... hmmmmm?

[Wrider]

I'm all for a new Buell!
Hmmm sidecars are still gonna be serviced and parts stocked for them? Isn't that the same promise they made for Buells? Yeah........

[Gummiente]

Hmmm sidecars are still gonna be serviced and parts stocked for them? Isn't that the same promise they made for Buells? Yeah........

And it's a promise they will keep for about 5 years. Ask any owner of an older Evolution or Twin Cam model about parts availability from the local dealer.

[Wrider]

Now go to the same dealers and ask them for Buell parts or to service a Buell. The majority won't.