When production of Buell Motorcycles stopped in 2016, most thought that was the last we would see of the iconic American sports bike brand. Now, it's new owners have confirmed that the production lines will re-start on November 1st, 2021, bringing new life to the American sports bike.
Buell Back In Production
Buell Motorcycles has had a checkered career. Formed in 1983 by ex-Harley Davidson engineer Erik Buell, H-D then bought 49% of the company in 1993, buying the remaining 51% in 2003. In 2009, however, H-D pulled the plug and discontinued the Buell brand.
Erik Buell then set up Erik Buell Racing (EBR), which lasted until 2016, when production again ceased. Fast forward to 2021 and a re-launched Buell Motorcycles was announced, with a new model, called the Hammerhead set to spearhead the revival. Based on the old 1190RX, it continues as a 182bhp v-twin engined sports bike and Buell announced that ten new models would be in production by 2024.
The latest announcement is that the production lines will be re-started on November 1st. The new Hammerhead will be the first model to roll off the lines and promises to be able to fight with the established stars of the superbike world, such as the Honda Fireblade, Kawasaki ZX10R and Suzuki GSX-R1000.
“When we announced that our future models will include variants for dirt, touring, and cruisers, while expanding our engine lineup, we were blown away at the rider response,” said Steve Laham, Chief Products, Development & Strategy Officer at Buell Motorcycle Co.
“I knew Buell was a beloved brand, and now riders are pulling for us! With the Hammerhead going into production, innovative technology and products in our pipeline, and our online reservation system changing the industry, we’re lean, mean and on the move!”
This is great news for the American motorcycle industry, which is undergoing something of a renaissance with manufacturers moving away from the established cruiser market with models such as the Indian FTR 1200 and the Harley Davidson Pan America adventure bike.
