Buell Motorcycle Company

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"Buell" redirects here. For the nineteenth-century American engineer, see Abel Buell.

The Buell Motorcycle Company is an American motorcycle manufacturer based in East Troy, Wisconsin and founded by ex Harley-Davidson engineer Erik Buell. Since 1998 it has been a subsidiary of Harley-Davidson. The company is the only significant manufacturer of sporting motorcycles in the United States.

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 himself was a top contending privateer motorcycle racer. After completion of the first two RW750 racing machines, one of which sold to another racing team, the AMA cancelled the Formula 1 series. Buell then turned his focus towards racing-inspired, street-going machines utilizing engines manufactured by Harley-Davidson Motor Company. In 1994 Harley-Davidson Incorporated joined in partnership with Buell Motor Company as a 49% stakeholding minority partner and the company so formed was renamed "Buell Motorcycle Company." In 1998 HDI purchased majority control of BMC. Since then, BMC has utilized modified Harley-Davidson "Sportster" engines to power what are arguably some of the most well-engineered, best handling motorcycles available.

[edit] Models

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Most Buell motorcycles use four-stroke air-cooled V-twin engines. These engines were originally built from Harley-Davidson XR1000 Sportster engines. After the 1000s were depleted Erik Buell used a basic 1200 Harley-Davidson Sportster engine.

In 1995 the engines were upgraded with Buell engineered high performance parts and further upgraded in 1998. In 2003, Buell introduced an engine so efficient it passes emissions test requirements through 2008 without the need for catalytic converters or air injection as is typical on other modern motorcycles. The new line of Buell XB models also incorporated the industry's first ever Zero Torsional Load (ZTL) perimeter floating front brake system, an "inside-out" wheel/brake design that puts the disc inside the outer edge of the wheel, mounted at the ends of the spokes rather than at the hub. This design allows the elimination of some mass from the front wheel, reducing unsprung weight (not supported by the suspension) and enhancing the ability of the front suspension to keep the front tire on the ground and in control. Other industry innovations introduced by Buell in the XB lineup were the "fuel in frame technology," and dual use of the swingarm as oil tank. All Buell models feature a muffler mounted below the engine to keep mass centralized as well.

Buell designs focus on providing good handling, easy maintenance, and street-friendly real-world performance. Buell motorcycles are engineered with an emphasis on what Buell calls their "Trilogy of Tech": mass centralization, low unsprung weight, and frame rigidity. Two of the notable innovations are the use of the hollow frame as a fuel tank and the hollow rear swingarm to hold the engine oil. These dual use features help create a leaner and more agile sport motorcycle compared to the previous generations.

Buell engines are designed to be street-friendly both in efficiency, providing real-world fuel efficiency up to 70 mpg (in the Blast), and in power—the 1203cc version producing over 100 HP. 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 Buell production models, as of October 2006, are the Blast (P3), Firebolt (XB9R and XB12R), Lightning (XB12S and XB12Scg lower seat height version), Lightning CityX (XB9SX), Lightning Long (XB12Ss), and Ulysses (XB12X). Buell also produced 50 XBRR racing-only machines for factory-backed and dealership run privateer racing teams.

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

The Blast is Buell's only model to use a single-cylinder engine. With 492 cc displacement and 360 pounds dry weight, it is their smallest model, often used in Harley-Davidson's "Rider's Edge" new rider instruction/riding schools.

Buell's highest performance non-race-only sport bike is the Firebolt XB12R and Lighting XB12S with a 1203cc engine that develops 103 horsepower (77 KW) at only 6,800 rpm.

Buell's most recent major new model is the XB12X "Ulysses." Debuting in July of 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."

[edit] Trivia

The Firebolt XB12R '05 street and race (Buell Racing tuned) versions are featured in the Playstation 2 riding simulator Tourist Trophy from the makers of Gran Turismo 4.