Buell Motorcycle Company

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Buell Motorcycles

Former type	Subsidiary
Founded	1983
Founder(s)	Erik Buell
Defunct	October 30, 2009
Headquarters	East Troy, Wisconsin, USA
Industry	Motorcycles
Products	Motorcycles
Parent	Harley Davidson
Website	www.buell.com

The Buell Motorcycle Company was an American motorcycle manufacturer based in East Troy, Wisconsin and founded by ex-Harley-Davidson engineer Erik Buell.^[1] The company first partnered with Harley-Davidson in 1993, and became a wholly owned subsidiary of Harley by 2003.^[2] On November 17, 2006, Buell announced that it had produced and shipped its 100,000th motorcycle.^[3]

On October 15, 2009, Harley-Davidson announced the discontinuation of the Buell product line as part of its strategy to focus on the Harley-Davidson brand.^[4][5] The last motorcycle was produced on October 30, bringing the number manufactured to 136,923.^[6]

In November 2009, Buell and Harley-Davidson announced the launch of Erik Buell Racing, an independent company run by Erik Buell which will produce race-only versions of the 1125R model.^[7]

History

The first Buell motorcycle, the RW750, was built in 1983 purely for competing in the AMA Formula 1 motorcycle road racing championship. At that time, Erik Buell was a top contending privateer motorcycle racer. After completion of the first two RW750 racing machines, one of which was sold to another racing team, the Formula 1 series was cancelled. Buell then turned his focus towards racing-inspired, street-going machines using engines manufactured by Harley. In 1993,^[8] Harley-Davidson Incorporated joined in partnership with Buell Motor Company as a 49% stakeholding minority partner and the company formed was renamed "Buell Motorcycle Company". In 1998, Harley purchased majority control of Buell, and it has been a subsidiary ever since. Since then, Buell has used modified Harley-Davidson Sportster engines to power its motorcycles.

Buell Facility

Most Buell motorcycles use four-stroke air-cooled V-twin engines, originally built from XR1000 Sportster engines. After these were depleted, a basic 1200 Sportster engine was used. In 1995, the engines were upgraded with Buell engineered high performance parts and further upgraded in 1998.

On October 15, 2009, Harley Davidson Inc. announced the end of production of Buell Motorcycles to focus more on the Harley Davidson brand.

Technology

Buell Zero Torsional Load front brake

Buell XB models also incorporated the industry's first ever Zero Torsional Load (ZTL) perimeter floating front disc brake system, a patented "inside-out" wheel/brake design that puts the brake disc on the outer edge of the wheel,^[9] rather than at the hub. This lets the suspension function better, improving control and traction, through reducing unsprung weight on the front wheel, because only a single disc and caliper—with a corresponding reduction in bolts and brake fluid—is needed compared with the conventional dual-disc brake setup on most modern sport bikes. In an exchange in the pages of Motorcyclist magazine between Suzuki engineer James Parker, creator of the GSX-RADD hub-center steering system,^[10] and Buell's Director of Analysis, Test & Engineering Process, Abraham Askenazi, Parker conceded the ZTL system's advantage in unsprung weight. But he pointed out the remaining weight is located further out on the rim where it is most detrimental to acceleration and braking, and that there were potential heat transfer issues, and the need for one fork leg to be stronger than the other. Responding, Askenazi disputed all of Parker's criticisms, saying the ZTL system was 30% lighter than the brakes on the Suzuki GSX-R1000, and that the inertia of having the weight further out on the rim, and the heat generation near the tire, were not negative factors, based on testing. Askenazi concluded that testing and race track experience had proven the ZTL to be "state of the art."^[11][12]

Other industry innovations introduced by Buell in the XB lineup were the fuel in frame technology, and the dual use of the swingarm as an oil tank.^[13] Also, all Buell models feature a dual-purpose muffler mounted below the engine which helps keep mass centralized and maximizes torque through the use of a computer-controlled valve to switch between two exhaust paths as necessary.

Buell designs focus on providing good handling, comfortable riding, easy maintenance, and street-friendly real-world performance. Buell motorcycles are engineered with an emphasis on what they call the "Trilogy of Tech": mass centralization, low unsprung weight, and frame rigidity.^[14]

Buell engines are designed to be street-friendly both in fuel efficiency (up to 70 mpg_-US (3.4 L/100 km; 84 mpg_-imp) with the Blast), and in power (the 1,203 cc version produces over 100 hp (75 kW)). They are also simple and easy to maintain. Buell two-cylinder engines utilize computer controlled ducted forced air cooling (no radiator or liquid coolant, just a variable speed fan that only activates as required), two valves per cylinder, a single throttle body, zero maintenance hydraulic valve actuation, and zero maintenance gear-driven cams.

Current Models

Blast

2000 Buell Blast

The Blast is Buell's only model to use a single-cylinder engine. With 492 cc (30.0 cu in) displacement and 360 lb (160 kg) dry weight, it is their smallest model, often used in Harley-Davidson's "Rider's Edge" new rider instruction/riding schools. To date the Buell Blast is Buell's best selling model.^{[citation needed]}

In July 2009, Buell ran an ad campaign stating that the Buell Blast would no longer appear in their line-up. The ad featured a Buell Blast being destroyed in an automobile crusher.^[15][16][17]

Firebolt

The Firebolt XB12R is marketed by Buell as a sportbike.

Lightning

2003 Buell Lightning XB9S

• Lightning CityX XB9SX
• Lightning XB12S
• Lightning Low XB12Scg
• Lightning Long XB12Ss
• Lightning Super TT XB12STT

The Lightning is marketed by Buell as a streetfighter motorcycle.

Ulysses

A racing version of the Buell Ulysses XB12X

• Ulysses XB12X
• Ulysses XB12XP
• Ulysses XB12XT

Buell's XB12X Ulysses debuted in July 2005. It offers seating, ergonomics, and long-travel suspension that are well-suited for use on unpaved and rough roads. Buell advertises the Ulysses as "the world's first adventure sportbike". For 2008, among other changes, XBRR oil pump and ignition timing systems have been changed tapping into the XBRR race bike as well as the addition of heated grips and increased turning fork swing from 54° to 74°. The Ulysses XB12XT differs from the XB12X Ulysses in several areas. It has a different front fender, unlike the Enduro-front fender that comes on the X and lower fork protection is not as pronounced as on the X, due to the intended purpose of the XT which is more street than dirt oriented. Other major differences include the suspension which is completely different between the two bikes, being about an inch lower on the XT and tuned more for street riding, vs. the X's slightly taller and softer suspension better tuned for dirt use. Along with factory Hepco and Becker hard saddlebags and top box, tall windshield and a 30.9 in (784.9 mm) seat height, the XT also has wheels that are approximately 1 full pound lighter than those found on the X, which have added mass to make them stronger for off paved road use.^[18] The XB12XP is a police model available for the 2009 model year.

1125R

In July 2007, Buell announced the 1125R, a sportbike which departed from Buell's history of using Harley-Davidson Sportster based engines and tapping into the XBRR racing bike learnings. The Helicon engine uses four vertical valves per cylinder, dual over-head cam, liquid-cooled 72 degree V-Twin displacing 1125 cc and producing 146 hp (109 kW). It produces 83 ft·lbf (113 N·m) of peak torque but varies less than 6 ft·lbf (8.1 N·m) of torque from 3000 to 10500 rpm. There is a vacuum assist slipper clutch to give predictable drive performance in hard cornering and deceleration and a 6-speed transmission. Although this powerplant is manufactured by BRP-Rotax, Austria, it is in fact designed to detailed Buell specifications.

Said to be designed from the rider down, the engineering shows the Buell trilogy of technology: low unsprung weight, mass centralization and chassis rigidity. The radiator is split and mounted laterally on the bike and air flow managed to lessen the residual heat the rider feels. The split radiator, coupled with the 72 degree twin layout, allows for a more compact and centralized mass making cornering more responsive with the bike's forward weight bias. The 1125R has the greatest lean angle of any Buell. The innovative braking has been further improved by a ZTL2, using four pads and 8 pistons in the caliper with less unsprung weight. The innovative gasoline-in-frame design has been improved further for rigidity while being 10 lb (4.5 kg) lighter than previous designs and an industry first 47 mm inverted forks were matched to improve both squat and dive characteristics.

1125CR

For the 2009 model year, Buell introduced the 1125CR, a version of the 1125R in the cafe racer style.^[19]

Racing

Buell also produced the 50 XBRR racing-only machines for factory-backed and dealership run privateer racing teams.

In 2009 Buell announced production of the 1125RR, also a race-only motorcycle.^[20] Built from the 1125R, the 1125RR changes include a titanium exhaust, magnesium wheels, full fairings and a chain drive.

Past models

Earlier models included the RR1000, RR1200, RS1200 West Wind, RSS West wind, S2 & S2T Thunderbolt, S1 Lightning, M2 Cyclone, S3 & S3T Thunderbolt and the X1 Lightning, all of which utilized tubular steel frames.

• RW750 Road Warrior (1984)
• RR1000 BattleTwin (1987–1988)
• RR1200 BattleTwin (1988–1990)
• RS1200 WestWind (1989)
• RS1200S WestWind (1990–1992)
• RSS1200 WestWind(1991)
• S2 Thunderbolt (1994–1995)
• S2T Thunderbolt (1995–1996)
• S3 Thunderbolt (1997–2002)
• S1 Lightning (1996–1998)
• S3T Thunderbolt (1997–2000)
• S1W White Lightning (1998)
• M2 Cyclone (1997–2002)
• X1 Lightning (1999–2002)

S3 Thunderbolt (1997–2002) and S3T Thunderbolt (1997–2000)

1999 Buell S3 Thunderbolt

The S3 Thunderbolt sport-touring model was produced from 1997 through 2002, along with a mechanically identical S3T "Touring" model that ran through model year 2000. The 1203 cc air cooled V-Twin engine was mounted as a stressed member in a tubular frame. The powerplant output 91 hp (68 kW) in 1997 and jumped to 101 hp (75 kW) in the following years due to revised cam profiles and the new "Thunderstorm" cylinder heads. While the bike's overall look was the same throughout the model run, there were significant changes made in 1999 that set it, and later models, apart from the 1997 and 1998 bikes. The early bikes used a rectangular section steel rear swingarm, WP Suspension front forks and rear shock, a Keihin 40 mm CV carburetor, and a Performance Machine six-piston front brake caliper. Beginning in 1999 a new cast aluminum rear swingarm was utilized along with Showa front suspension forks and rear shock. The front brake caliper, while still a six-piston unit, was now made by Nissin. The most technological change came in the new Dynamic Digital Fuel Injection (DDFI) system, replacing the old carburetor. The S3 featured a half faring that surrounded the headlight and gave decent wind protection for the riders' torso. The S3T model then added lower faring extensions that gave good wind protection to the rider's legs. The S3T also featured hard saddlebags that could be color matched to the bike color and were available in either "wide" for maximum storage, or "narrow" for a lighter feel. In addition to the lower farings and the saddlebags, the S3T also came with a taller handlbar for a more upright, relaxed riding position. Each of the parts that set the S3T apart were available as accessories for the standard S3 model. The S3T is still claimed by many Buell riders to be one of the most comfortable sport-touring bikes ever offered by Buell.

M2 Cyclone (1997–2002)

2000 Buell M2 Cyclone

The M2 Cyclone was produced from 1997 to 2002. It was in the middle of the Buell line up between the fast and light S1 Lightning and the comfortable but heavier S3 Thunderbolt. The S1 Lightning being the fastest and lightest of the bunch but offered a very narrow seat due to its minimalist approach for weight saving in this sport bike. The S3 Thunderbolt was a touring bike that offered a bigger wider seat and more comfortable riding position but was also a heavier motorcycle. The M2 Cyclone filled the gap between the sport and touring models with a bigger seat than the S1 Lightning and lighter and faster than the S3 Thunderbolt. The M2 was only available with the 1200 cc engine and five-speed transmission. The frame was of the tubular steel type.

Racing

On September 9, 2009, Buell won its first AMA Pro racing championship. Rider Danny Eslick clinched the title at New Jersey Motorsports Park on Buell's 1125R model.

On November 15, 2009, Buell won its first NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycle world championship. Rider Hector Arana clinched the title at Southern California NHRA Finals on a Lucas Oil backed Buell.

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Buell

• Official website
• Buell at the Open Directory Project
• Erik Buell announces the end of Buell (official video) at YouTube (requires Adobe Flash)