Me too, but I am not sure I like where they're going. I liked the XB series, which is why I recently bought one. The concept of a proper sportsbike frame and old-school Evo engine appeals a lot to me. But that is not what this is.
One of Harley's more obvious mistakes was to buy Buell and then kill it off. For many riders Buell was simply the bike that Harley should have been, but for all of Harley's bad management decisions wasn't. And then Harley bought it, only to kill off Buell like they killed off the V-Rod....... Some companies simply seem hell-bent on never, ever learning anything from their own mistakes.
@@andersd8956 Well, neither does HD, at least not anywhere near the money it SHOULD be making as a large motorcycle manufacturer. The thing is that Buell was innovative and managed to draw more younger riders to HD with bikes that were far more modern in looks, had modern brakes (that actually worked to slow the bikes down significantly) and performance. HD could, and in my opinion should, have found a way to make Buell work, because Buell gave HD a sheen of that very old and relatively short-lived racing glory back. Instead, HD chose to buy Buell and kill it off. And that's a pattern at HD, as they did the same with the innovative V-Rod. HD has locked itself unto its legacy in a way that prevents them to produce bikes that will draw the majority of young riders to its bikes. The boomers who buy HD's simply aren't enough to support HD, as they are either one-off customers and/or so disappointed in how their hog performs that they'll try to sell it after only a short while (never meet your childhood heroes). The older HD riders are either slowly dying off or are finally getting fed up by HD always shafting them with maintenance and severe quality issues.
Because the bronx was too heavy and too slow for the 975 motor, everybody knew it, and so did Harley. The Nightster on the other hand, got rid of all that fluff, and made it into a much lighter, better performing bike, and that is easier to customize with addition harley or 3rd party parts...which is what HD is all about
the fact is...anytime they deviate from that formula, and make a "stylish" looking bike, NOBODY buys it, including y'all. Let's be honest...none of y'all are going to buy the Buell ether, it's going to cost at least $20,000 like their other bikes, and then there's the design...it just looks like a suped up Dyna....but...you can do the same thing today without buying this.
@@s0meguy809 Haven't kept up with HD have you? there's M8 kits for the harley to take it to 170+ and they've been around for years, Moonshine Harley has a channel and they are just one of many examples. As far as the Dyna platform that the Buell is basically ripping off of...S&S makes a crate engine that takes the displacement to 143ci and puts out similar power... in fact... Arch Motors, Keanu Reeves boutique brand, uses the same engine. Long story short, most people who talk about HDs not offering performance.... don't own a Harley. The value is that they can be whatever you want. The Irony is that THIS bike (that we don't know will make production), is literally based off the same Tricked out Dynas that "Dyna Bros" have been riding for YEARS.
@@ragingtygaunless you stage 4 and turbo anything currently available at Harley to this day you’d never make anywhere near 180hp. Which is what the Super cruiser comes with stock. If this is successful every cruiser brand is in BIG trouble
Buell is currently located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I can tell you I have never seen a super cruiser prototype riding around near their factory. I go by there at least 6 times a week. I know they have done development work on the hammerhead and whatever they’re calling the adventure bike at Grattan and sand lake dunes and have seen several hammerheads riding around. I know they’ve had some serious work done at their factory site. That’s pretty much all I can confirm through what I see around town and when I pass their shop.
A Buell M2 was the first bike I ever saw that I really wanted. I never got one but the idea of a lightweight torquey growly machine is still the formula I love. There's nothing like trundling through a small town main street and seeing people look over to see what is making the big noise only to find out it's a small muscle bike.
Well you could still get a used one today and it ought not to be too much of a pain to keep going. I owned a 1997 "razorback" M2 from new until 2002. I took mine all over Europe and mine is still in use somewhere, now with around 35,000 miles on the clock. The later (1999 & on) "fat" M2s are a lot more comfortable though.
I still have my 1999 M2 that I bought when I was 27 and I'm 47 now. Love the bike and it's the one bike that I'll probably never sell as I just have such a bond with it. Buell is such a unique piece of American made motorcycle history.
I wish that Buell hadn’t gone with the typical startup mistake of announcing 37 products all at once before any of them are even past the render stage. I think that if they had announced one model, focused on that and released it, then announced the next model, then waited until that was released before they released another one, and so on then it would’ve been better. As of now they’ve announced a bunch of models that have divided people’s attention and then taken years to deliver on anything.
@@firefighter1c57the two models that they sell are basically the same bikes as EBR were selling before going bust hand built to order. The new models are yet to make it to production the super cruiser is a Roland sands design and build and is a long way from being a truly road legal product the touring bike looks like the 1190x with a set of aftermarket panniers and nose fairing. I would love to know how many bikes the company sold last year if it is over 100 I would be surprised. I would love Buell to get funding to get any of their bikes into serious production and prove me wrong but I have my doubts over them getting either the cruiser or touring bike beyond the prototypes sadly.
check out the other replies to this, but I also think Buell is getting people excited about their bikes that are still in the design phase. It creates publicity and is overall good for them....as long as they actually make the damn bikes
@@ne.laser_jon they’ve sent me an email in October stating that they’re working on the emissions systems currently and sorting out the final fit and finish.I believe it also said they’re going to bring multiple prototypes to Daytona in march, from how I read it at least. we’ll see. Ive also seen the bike in sturgis in august and it’s so goddamn nice
I happen to know the people that own Buell. If you had done just an ounce of research you'd know that there is no reason for concern regarding the companies financial viability. The family has done extremely well for themselves prior to owning Buell and bought Buell with cash from the bankruptcy court Wisconsin. Also, the $50 down thing is just a "get in line" deal and several companies are using this method of sales at this time. It may be new to you, but it's not a new way of doing business and it's certainly not thought of as a revenue stream as you suggest. Overall, I am disappointed in your video about Buell. You cast doubt on a fine company of which you know very little.
They better be billionaires who don't care about losing money for the first 10 years. They are selling a bike that is already a 10 year-old platform without much of the necessary technology that their competition offers-cruise control, heated grips, power points, Bluetooth, etc. They are resurrecting an oddball platform that couldn't sell and bankrupted the last Buell company. What is needed and was screamed for by the interested public was an affordable mass-produced standard and cruising/touring platform that didn't look like it was duct-taped together after a parts-bin raid, and some comfortable sportbikes that were less than $14,000. What Buell is also offering is basically zero test-ride facilities, and an EXTREMELY limited service center network only available in 22 states, with a $185 an hour labor rate. Just buy a 3 or 5 year old superbike that will eat the Buells alive for much less money, with mechanics nationwide to service you. I don't hate Buell at all, it just frustrates me that every single stupid-rich investor has no clue WTF they are doing, and they end up ruining the underlying potential.
I really enjoyed this video. I think it's important to note that Buell is currently shipping bikes to dealers. You can buy a new Buell right now. It's also worth mentioning that Buell is hardly the first company to do the deposit for capital thing. Hell, Tesla's house of cards is practically built on people having paid for full self-driving that the cars will absolutely never have.
I currently own a Buell. My first new bike was a 1999 X1 lightning, and that thing was fun and turned a lot of heads, because everyone had Harleys, but there were very few Buells on the road. That sure was a super fun bike back then. I bought a 2008 1125r a few years ago and that thing screams, it still looks pretty modern and keeps up with the newer twins without any issues. I would love to buy a Hammerhead and plan on getting a made to order new one when I'm retire in a few years (I can retire at age 50, so I'm not that old). Even though I want one bad, the practical side of me has concerns. I have seen some test ride vids of the Hammerhead and everyone says it's like driving an old scool superbike from the early 2000s, but it's brand new. If I wanted that, I would buy a used EBR for half the price of a new one. I am however disappointed in the lack of real innovation with the Hammerhead, it is still pretty much the same exact bike Eric Buell made in 2014 (with small improvements). The fact that any new Buell instrument cluster says "EBR" on it, tells you they still use the Eric Buell Racing cluster (from 2014). In comparison, a new Ducati Pengali V2 is 18k and has more modern amenities that I would also want on a Superbike that is pushing close to 20k (like Buell). Please modernize Buell, move beyond the EBR and put a digital cluster on your bikes, have traction control or ABS (those are practically standard on all new bikes). I really want to buy a Hammerhead, but I have my reservations as I want some modern aspects to it to justify the price point. That or lower the price point to be more affordable. Look at close up pics of the Super Cruisers instrament cluster, its the exact same "EBR" one they used in 2014. Come on guys. I love Buell and am a fan boy for sure, and I really want to see them around for many years to come, but you have to modernize.
I purchased a Buell 1125r in 2009 when the closing of Buell was announced and the dealerships were fire-saling the bikes. I purchased the race ecm and added the Barkers exhaust (LOUD!) and defeated the neutering device that they came with from the factory to prevent little boys from looping out. The bike was insanely fast and it was the first sportbike I ever owned that had a track-ready suspension. The Buell factory was about 10 miles from my house so Buell was pretty popular around here. I ended up selling the bike 3 years later for what I paid for it. I replaced it with a ZX14r which is also a good bike but that Buell had a fun factor that could not be matched.
I actually got to meet Eric Buell at the motorcycle show in Dallas Texas years ago. He’s a very nice man and politely chatted with me even though he didn’t know me or probably didn’t have the time for that idle chatter either.
I had an XB12SS, it was a fun bike. I rode with a buddy on an Fz1 and another on a Ducati. But the bike I am really interested in now is the new Stelvio.
Well if you want my opinion, Buell is doing the right thing to survive , what that means that you don’t take on excess inventory if there are not any buyers for there current offerings ,the Japanese manufacturers do the same thing , that way you don’t have stuff just piling up and collecting dust in a warehouse, it’s the smart thing to do!
Interesting. Like most other motorcyclists, I'm sure, we want motorcycle companies to succeed. We want them to build our dream bike. Shareholders in big companies, or mismanagement in small companies prevent this. Unless you're someone like Keanu and Gard making the KRGT's, they cost a fortune, but are that 'dream' bike that Buell wants to build but at a lower msrp I would imagine, and we the people want the unobtainium!! Not an eloquent way to put it, but hopefully you get the gist.
I was a happy owner of a Buell City x 950. Wonderful bike until it was turning off without notice while I was riding. Not a nice experience when you ride on California highways. After being towed 5 times and Harley wasn't able to fix it for good I had to use the lemon law to get back the money. I bought a Kawasaki with that money. But I still love the feeling of that Buell ❤
Iv got a Buell 1200 firebolt here in New Zealand, Still a great bike that's fun to thrash out in the country alot more than my old FZR 1000 cool channel great content
@@ozzyplompen6836 ha ha cool lol had the FZR1000 but way outa my ability sitting on 280 down our goat tracks of roads,yip gonna die soon,then mate had a Buell ,had a ride wow ,see ya Yamie sad lol ,got some custom exhaust lol holy shit pull back and lower of bike apart ,no slip on and a bolt ,but cool bike love it ,got Ohlins rear and differenrt spring and front has had something lol and a full rewire with modern switchs regs etc
I'm also a "Harley guy," and I've had a Harley for over 45 years. I currently ride a 2007 Electra Glide classic (2015-103"TC, Rinehart Racing exhaust, cammed, chipped, and dyno'd at 115hp). And while it's fast for a Harley, it just didn't handle or perform well enough for me. I was looking at both the Buell Super Cruiser and the Indian FTR Carbon. However, the Buell isn't available, and the Indian just didn't have enough power for me, so I bought a 2016 BMW S1000XR. And to say I'm in love with the bike is an understatement. I bought it at the end of October and I've currently put on about 9000km on it. Its awakened me to a completely different type of both motorcycle and riding. I'll never get rid of my Harley, but I must admit it's taken a second place position, behind my Beemer.
@Spite you should come ride in the New Mexico East Mountains, around Tijeras, Cedar Crest, etc. This area is simply MADE for motorcycling; I'll show you some nice roads.
My first bike was a Buell Blast, second a Buell XB12R. It always struck me as weird that HD canned Buell when they had just released the best bike they ever made in the 1125r.
The bottom line with any dream bike, is if you ever want it done right, you have to do at least most of it yourself. I’ve been through dozens of bikes of every stripe. And ever since 2000, they have all fallen flat for me in some respect. The ones that have made me grin down the road, mile after mile, are the ones I put together myself. Almost none of them tick off the boxes that are so popular with advertisers nowadays, but they all did everything I asked of them. When personal-preference-for-picky-people is a priority, it will never be right until you do it yourself. Ride your own ride. (literally!)✌️😎 (and yes, I put down money on both the Super-cruiser and the Fuell. I expect that I will probably pour many more thousands into each of them before they either overly disappoint me, or finally, gloriously, make my day!)✊🤯
I'd absolutely be interested in ordering a SuperCruiser when it becomes available. Until then, I'm happy with my BMWs. If HD made a 1250 Bronx with all of the modern features found on other bikes, I'd be in the HD showroom yesterday.
I still remember when I saw the XB in the newspaper in 2001. I knew that was the bike I wanted, im not a cruiser but not really an import bike guy. And the XB looked so alien like and different, now it's in my garage begging for me to twist the throttle.
Genius engineer with passion for bikes. Not greatest businessman, sorry he lost his company this way. We should have supported bloke, let's learn from it and let him build our dream machines. Spite you're doing great job bringing it up! 🤞
If the Super Cruiser gets released and it comes with a good warranty I'll purchase one. The only concern that I have is that they don't have a dealer network and I am not going to drive all the way to MI for them to fix something. The biggest issue that EB had is the teamed up with HD. HD didn't really push the sales of those bikes on their dealership floors like they should've. Also the Indian FTR is a great bike and it falls into the naked sport bike class in my opinion.
New subscriber! Don’t know how I haven’t found you till now. I was hollering “AMEN” the whole time! SHAME HARLEY! I can’t believe they haven’t given us a sport monster. Dodge and Ford give us muscle. MOPAR goes hard. Why can’t Harley go hard?!
Buell, $100 million dollar loss, MV Agusta $100 million dollar loss, Dead Wire, $100 Million dollar loss, and your expecting a bunch of toothless hillbillies to bring the next American sport bike ??? Dream on
I live in Grand Rapids, Michigan and visited/toured the Buell factory last March. Liquid Asset Partners purchased the Buell brand and both Buell/Liquid share the same building. CEO Bill Melvin is chasing a dream. I truly hope they can follow through with developing the supercruiser concept motorcycle. Buell currently only has the Roland Sands bike. No other copies were made. I was allowed to sit on the bike, it had good ergonomics with my feet and hands in a neutral position. Seat was comfortable. At that time, engineering said they are working on making the bike road legal along with finding companies that will manufacture exhaust/blinker/seat/etc components. They only assemble the motorcycles in house.
I live in GR too. I'm friends with a LAP person who is now in South Carolina. Maybe you know her.... Anyway, I'd like to look at that building up close too. I think I'll talk to my contact once the weather is nice. I'm in the same boat, I'd like to see them flourish.
I ride past the building every now and then looking for movement on the property. I even put in an application hoping I could get in the building. Just to look around, no luck.
@@yamahama9650 I walked in and was met by someone from engineering at the time. Told him I am a huge Buell fan and asked about the supercruiser. He gave me a tour of the facility, sat on a handful of bikes, took a few pics and was given a hat along with tshirt. They asked if I wanted to put a $50 deposit down. I declined, told him I have to see the finished product first. Still was a cool experience!
The Bronx is ugly anyway. The Honda CB 1000 is a better looking version of the same looking thing. The Harley Bronx looks like a Honda… that’s sad in and of itself.
As a guy who owns both a SDR1290R and an ancient EVO Softail, the Super Cruiser is a dream for me. However, the price is something that I absolutely cannot stomach.
I'm a Harley Davidson owner and fan, but I do agree that they need to do something different. I personally think that the company has something with some serious potential in the Sportster S. If Harley would put the 19 inch front wheel on the Sportster S, and upgrade the suspension travel on the rear, put mid controls in place of the forwards, and a few other adjustments, and they would have a really impressive flat track hooligan style bike that really could stand out. Either way, a completely new bike, that hasn't been done before could really help with woes they are facing. As far as the new Buell, it has a lot of potential, but unfortunately I don't really see it going anywhere. Great video though!
Buell is from my home town. They had an open house last year and i toured their factory. Super small operation. They did have a super cruiser on hand . Its not really my style honestly.
Two things! One, the second the Super Cruiser becomes vaporware we'll hear it, from Roland Sands. He's the one who stands to lose face if they play games with his design, he'd be the first to tell us if it wasn't a go. Two, the Bronx is redundant. Ride a Pan America with some good sport touring tires and you'll realize the only thing the Bronx has over it is looks!
When the Buell Super Cruiser is on the sales floor, I may purchase one. Other than that, I will wait until it is physically available before putting physical money down for one.
Excellent take, as always. An investment rather than a pre-pre-order is definitely the way to go. Hope they do well. I'd love to see some better American motorcycles with some variety on the roads, in the dirt, and on the track.
Buell filled for receivership, well, technically EBR. EBR was purchased by liquid asset partners. Bill Melvin of LAP happens to be a motorcycle guy, and Buell junkie and kept the bits together. He eventually snapped up the Buell name from Harley, recently, and is trying to grow what he has. Current models, like the Hammerhead are available now, and unchanged from when Eric Buell was marketing them as EBRs. The Super Cruiser is under development. Now, to take what Liquid Asset Partners currently holds as an individual and make it an IPO would be pretty darn complex, and risky as shit. So no, you aren't going to be able to put a deposit in the company, that makes the company public, comes with all kinds of public offering, FTC rules, and headaches and shit. If you want to purchase a piece of a company, Harleys stock ticker is HOG, have at it.
I remember going in to HD back in the Buell days to look at them and it didn’t matter what dealership I went to the sales guys all treated the brand like an embarrassment. They tried to push you in to a dyna or sporty or for some reason a fn glide. In my opinion Buell’s biggest issue was “their own” floor team.
I always think its funny when people say harley needs to put out something fresh and innovate. They've done that exactly 1 time since cutting off buell and it doesn't seem likely to happen again soon.
Roland Sands has some really nice parts for existing motorcycles. But what are his credentials as far as co- designing a upper level performance motorcycle? From engineering to prototype, to stellar sport bike?
Hey, a bit off topic. I remember you said in your previous video to only use OEM levers. I just thought to ask what you really think of ASV levers now that your not sponsered by them.
They weren't a sponsor, nor was any lever brand, but honestly, I'd save your money. There's no reason IMO to spend $220 on levers when OE levers are just as good. I suppose if you need adjustability just get some $50 Puig ones.
@@spitescorner my bad, must be remembering a different channel. Thank you for the input, you're awesome. I was only considering it cause u need to replace a broken brake lever from the previous owner
Wonderful thoughts man and totally admire the passion. Thank you for sharing them with us. Ever since I first saw a Buell in 2007 when i was in America, ive had a soft spot for them. Heck even the super cool fuel inside the chassis engineering still blows me away. I miss the fact that HD killed the XR1200. Not a pure sportbike but still something different. Heck they could at least make a competitor to the FTR ahem Bronx ahem) but whatever.. Personally, hope to see Buell around for the future. Question: Would you say that CFMOTO seems more bankable a company than Buell?
I own a buell and I absolutely love it… Eric Buell was one of the few engineers who could actually ride… but as you so eloquently pointed out, he was a terrible businessman… the truth is he was trusting to a fault… he came from an era where a handshake and a promise actually meant something, but unfortunately, Harley had lawyers and corporate jackals to pressure into selling… had he even remained 51% owner of that company it would still be around and it would probably be the best selling bikes in Harley dealerships… unfortunately everything Buell made was very ahead of its time…my 06 Xb12Ss looks just as modern as any newer naked with rounded edges, the dude pretty much invented the production naked bike
What are the odds that Roland Sands ends up owning the Buell brand? I heard some other company owns them niw or part if them, but if they've put their name on it I can't imagine there was no backup plan in the contract to recover losses.
I'm waiting for the super cruiser, over and over and over. I'm not gonna put a deposit down on a prototype. If i could by the exact RSD prototype i would have already.
I Loved Buell Motorcycles under Eric. I owned a Ulysses and still own my M2 Cyclone. Living 45 mins from Sturgis in my young life I was exposed to crusier life pretty heavily but never really fell in love with cruisers. Loved the naked bike style though and being able to buy an American made naked bike was so appealing to me. Wish Eric could have kept it going but I don't have much faith in this new company.
Ex Buell owner here. My Ulysses was fun to ride, great handling, great feel and sound. If the motorcycle has shown any hope being dependable, I would consider it worth owning. The motor was crap. Just that simple. The many times the H.D. fixed it and it failed later was beyond redemption. I ended up trading it for a Honda Silverwing. Not the riding joy the Ulysses was but a beacon of dependability.
If Harley made that Bronx it would catapult them into another stratosphere. A lot of American guys love sport bikes, we deserve at least a naked sport bike. I know a super sport would be asking for too much 😂
The supercruiser was NEVER expected in 2023. The entire world only found out about it in Feb 2023. Production release has been scheduled for 2025 from day one. There's been no changes in that regard. Hammerheads an the SX bikes have already been selling. Many are already on dealer floors. Hardly vaporware.
Also, the CEO of Buell is a pretty successful businessman. He's self-funding this whole thing. They dont need the $50 deposits to build new bikes. They need it to establish what the true demand would be for the bike. So they can forecast on parts, production, staff, establish realistic lines of credit with suppliers etc. Will every deposit convert to a sale? No. But I'm sure they have a conversion percentage that they'll be building the first batch of bikes for, then grow from there.
The major issue EBR originally had was having a roaring engineering staff but virtually no accounting oversight to reign them in. I know that oftentimes the accounting department of OEM's aggravates a passionate fan (like me) of said OEM's because it limits the ultimate potential of their products, but they do play the important part of ensuring sustained financial viability for said OEM. Funnily enough, the same can be said of Motus Engineering and their pushrod V4 bikes that came out last decade. So much good tech and engineering, but skyrocketing bike prices because of so many bespoke engineering decisions. And Spite, I completely agree as far as the gaming world take on this. I'd much rather see a company like buell take a more conservative approach in the beginning with some featherweight up to middleweight bike production first to ensure a foothold into the industry, then later push towards higher and higher output platforms as flagships. It just makes more sense long-term, even if it does produce it's own challenges early on. The most important thing I think you can do as either a new or revamped OEM is try and establish both a history and identity first and foremost so that the general populace has an inkling of what you're about right from the get-go. Once that's established and you have a history of making good stuff, then push for breaking your own boundaries.
The approach you describe is exponentially more difficult and costly than their current direction. You would have them design a new bike from the ground up, new engine needs new chassis, epa, new standards ect. That would totally Negate LAP’s investment in the Buell brand. At that point they just have a name since they are throwing out all the old assets. Currently they have a top of the line 2014ish bike. Dropping their awesome motor into a bunch of different style bikes is within their operational range right now. Rebuilding their network of suppliers, engineering talent, and developing bikes while supporting the current 1190 is a money loosing operation in the short term. They’re likely operating within a budget that LAP can afford to spend/loose on the project. Someone is finally getting some use out of the 1190 I’m happy. SC on order and no they haven’t walked the dates the bike was always supposed to be 2024 for 2025. This video is so bad, if you’re going to review a company at least do some basic research. Not knowing the names of bikes and just spouting off nonsense.
Think Harley could do really well making a sporty bike... take the bronx concept... that was sick. Could've been a similar thing to king of baggers but with like super hooligans
Muscle cruisers are a niche market. Vmax, V65, MT01, etc. At best, that segment would be a pet project for a manufacturer. Gobs of power and shit handling gets boring, if not exhausting, pretty quick. Actual sport bikes or sporty uprights are where most sales are. The low slung, 3" of suspension travel and overweight "performance " bikes might make for a cool Instagram post, but the vast majority of people aren't going to spend actual money on that. KTM and Yamaha in the past decade. have proven that people want sporty uprights. Not something that looks like an '80's Harley with a bodged on mono shock. Even Indian got it right with the FTR, even if it needs further development to get the weight down.
I have been begging for a modern muscle cruiser, and that's what i see when i see buell's super cruiser.........The bikes i enjoy riding the most are bikes like the 1984 magna v65 and the MT-01, light enough to be nimble and powerful enough to be fun. I am sure people will say "what about sport touring bikes like the FJR-1300ES" but the fact of the matter for me is i like the harley look but want the power of steering of a light weight bike. The closest thing Harley has made that tempted me to ignore the price tag is the low rider ST, but as a skilled trades worker in my 20's who has a house and car payment I just can not justify spending that much on a bike, which is exactly why i still ride a 2005 Honda VTX-1300 and do tons of 1000 mile trips. While my bike is starting to show its age, I keep holding out that some company somewhere is going to reignite the muscle bike and bring it to the US market.
Harley had a Ducati in their sweaty hands with the Erik Buell designed tubers, and then XBs, but they let that potential slip their grasp for what - to sell a few more over-chromed gee-gaws and t-shirts?
Buell isn't vaporware at all. I see 1190rx (when they were EBR) which is now the hammerhead, at my local small town track. Seen multiples of the 1190sx (the naked) riding around. Yeah they aren't as common as most brands, but they do make bikes. Werks powersport in ft Wayne is a dealer for them now too.
If the super cruiser or a HD version of buell’s super cruiser were to come to light and actually get made. I would sell my streetfighter v4s and buy their product.
I rode the super cruiser. It would be nice if it had half the horsepower. I don't need 185 horsepower for a cruiser. I would love to see Buell make it, but they need a smaller engine.
I want Buell to be an excellent manufacturer. Built in the USA, solid engine and frame, but everything I've seen on it gives it a dated feel. The parts are out there to add some great stuff to the bikes, they just need to do it. Yea it would be expensive, but paying a "premium" isn't exactly going to drive anyone away who wanted one in the first place.
I've come to realize, NEVER get excited about anything nowadays. There are always strings attached. Pay extra to unlock features the bikes already have, ect ect.
I would love Buell to be a success and start building more bikes but the present company feels like has more in common with Norton under its previous owners than I would like. Norton had a history of taking deposits on bikes that never got made and selling shares that are now a nice certificate with no value and they have done this trick twice in 30 years . The super cruiser is going to need to be road legal so the exhaust etc is going to be very different from the prototype if it gets made. I personally thought it was a way of attracting an investor to put capital in or buy the company from the present owners.
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Just a heads up, this link resolves to Cardo's website.
Thanks! it's fixed.
I'll be happy if Buell manages to stick around. The motorcycle world is better with them in it to spice things up.
Absolutely, they're important for the American motorcycle scene.
Me too, but I am not sure I like where they're going. I liked the XB series, which is why I recently bought one. The concept of a proper sportsbike frame and old-school Evo engine appeals a lot to me. But that is not what this is.
Until I see Buell dealerships they don’t exist
@@MotoSensory I picked up a 04 xb12r last year myself. What model did you get, and how has your journey with a older motorcycle been?
My conspiracy tin foil hat says the world is preventing the USA to produce a successful sport/naked motorcycle.
One of Harley's more obvious mistakes was to buy Buell and then kill it off.
For many riders Buell was simply the bike that Harley should have been, but for all of Harley's bad management decisions wasn't. And then Harley bought it, only to kill off Buell like they killed off the V-Rod....... Some companies simply seem hell-bent on never, ever learning anything from their own mistakes.
@@andersd8956 Well, neither does HD, at least not anywhere near the money it SHOULD be making as a large motorcycle manufacturer.
The thing is that Buell was innovative and managed to draw more younger riders to HD with bikes that were far more modern in looks, had modern brakes (that actually worked to slow the bikes down significantly) and performance. HD could, and in my opinion should, have found a way to make Buell work, because Buell gave HD a sheen of that very old and relatively short-lived racing glory back.
Instead, HD chose to buy Buell and kill it off. And that's a pattern at HD, as they did the same with the innovative V-Rod. HD has locked itself unto its legacy in a way that prevents them to produce bikes that will draw the majority of young riders to its bikes.
The boomers who buy HD's simply aren't enough to support HD, as they are either one-off customers and/or so disappointed in how their hog performs that they'll try to sell it after only a short while (never meet your childhood heroes).
The older HD riders are either slowly dying off or are finally getting fed up by HD always shafting them with maintenance and severe quality issues.
Harley is simply just out to keep the old people happy
Some custom shop just modified a Nightster 975 into a flat tracker and it is AWESOME. Yet Harley refuse to build the Bronx. 😫
Because the bronx was too heavy and too slow for the 975 motor, everybody knew it, and so did Harley. The Nightster on the other hand, got rid of all that fluff, and made it into a much lighter, better performing bike, and that is easier to customize with addition harley or 3rd party parts...which is what HD is all about
the fact is...anytime they deviate from that formula, and make a "stylish" looking bike, NOBODY buys it, including y'all. Let's be honest...none of y'all are going to buy the Buell ether, it's going to cost at least $20,000 like their other bikes, and then there's the design...it just looks like a suped up Dyna....but...you can do the same thing today without buying this.
@@ragingtyga But you'll never sniff that kind of power with a traditional harley. Maybe a highly modified 1250 revo max can get close.
@@s0meguy809 Haven't kept up with HD have you? there's M8 kits for the harley to take it to 170+ and they've been around for years, Moonshine Harley has a channel and they are just one of many examples. As far as the Dyna platform that the Buell is basically ripping off of...S&S makes a crate engine that takes the displacement to 143ci and puts out similar power... in fact... Arch Motors, Keanu Reeves boutique brand, uses the same engine.
Long story short, most people who talk about HDs not offering performance.... don't own a Harley. The value is that they can be whatever you want. The Irony is that THIS bike (that we don't know will make production), is literally based off the same Tricked out Dynas that "Dyna Bros" have been riding for YEARS.
@@ragingtygaunless you stage 4 and turbo anything currently available at Harley to this day you’d never make anywhere near 180hp. Which is what the Super cruiser comes with stock. If this is successful every cruiser brand is in BIG trouble
Buell is currently located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. I can tell you I have never seen a super cruiser prototype riding around near their factory. I go by there at least 6 times a week. I know they have done development work on the hammerhead and whatever they’re calling the adventure bike at Grattan and sand lake dunes and have seen several hammerheads riding around. I know they’ve had some serious work done at their factory site. That’s pretty much all I can confirm through what I see around town and when I pass their shop.
Eric Buell is the John Delorean of motorcycles
yesssssssss
This is the best comment, everything makes so much sense now.
Minus the cocaine trafficking.
Who?
@@twistieslayer3592 Just Google him.
The bike just looks too good to be true. I'm on an MT-10 now, but man I sure would love a super cruiser.
A Buell M2 was the first bike I ever saw that I really wanted. I never got one but the idea of a lightweight torquey growly machine is still the formula I love. There's nothing like trundling through a small town main street and seeing people look over to see what is making the big noise only to find out it's a small muscle bike.
Well you could still get a used one today and it ought not to be too much of a pain to keep going.
I owned a 1997 "razorback" M2 from new until 2002. I took mine all over Europe and mine is still in use somewhere, now with around 35,000 miles on the clock.
The later (1999 & on) "fat" M2s are a lot more comfortable though.
I still have my 1999 M2 that I bought when I was 27 and I'm 47 now. Love the bike and it's the one bike that I'll probably never sell as I just have such a bond with it. Buell is such a unique piece of American made motorcycle history.
@derekp2674
Yessir, I owned 11 Buells total and the M2 was yhe most reliable and resilient of all of them.
I really miss them.
I wish that Buell hadn’t gone with the typical startup mistake of announcing 37 products all at once before any of them are even past the render stage. I think that if they had announced one model, focused on that and released it, then announced the next model, then waited until that was released before they released another one, and so on then it would’ve been better. As of now they’ve announced a bunch of models that have divided people’s attention and then taken years to deliver on anything.
That's not what happened at all. The Hammerhead is available now, and has been available from day one of Liquid Assets purchase of Buell.
@@firefighter1c57the two models that they sell are basically the same bikes as EBR were selling before going bust hand built to order. The new models are yet to make it to production the super cruiser is a Roland sands design and build and is a long way from being a truly road legal product the touring bike looks like the 1190x with a set of aftermarket panniers and nose fairing. I would love to know how many bikes the company sold last year if it is over 100 I would be surprised. I would love Buell to get funding to get any of their bikes into serious production and prove me wrong but I have my doubts over them getting either the cruiser or touring bike beyond the prototypes sadly.
@@firefighter1c57exactly, I don’t understand why people think buell is fake lol
check out the other replies to this, but I also think Buell is getting people excited about their bikes that are still in the design phase. It creates publicity and is overall good for them....as long as they actually make the damn bikes
@@ne.laser_jon they’ve sent me an email in October stating that they’re working on the emissions systems currently and sorting out the final fit and finish.I believe it also said they’re going to bring multiple prototypes to Daytona in march, from how I read it at least. we’ll see.
Ive also seen the bike in sturgis in august and it’s so goddamn nice
Wasn't the Super Cruiser always announced with a 2025 release date? The press release I watched one year ago said 2025.
The Super Cruiser will be 5 years discontinued before HD announces the Bronx
the buell will have 180+ hp, idk if harley really wants anything close to that powerband
I'm really hoping to see them pull it off, because the moto space really needs Buell. But I'm not confident.
My first bike was a Buell Blast...I loved it
I happen to know the people that own Buell. If you had done just an ounce of research you'd know that there is no reason for concern regarding the companies financial viability. The family has done extremely well for themselves prior to owning Buell and bought Buell with cash from the bankruptcy court Wisconsin. Also, the $50 down thing is just a "get in line" deal and several companies are using this method of sales at this time. It may be new to you, but it's not a new way of doing business and it's certainly not thought of as a revenue stream as you suggest. Overall, I am disappointed in your video about Buell. You cast doubt on a fine company of which you know very little.
They better be billionaires who don't care about losing money for the first 10 years. They are selling a bike that is already a 10 year-old platform without much of the necessary technology that their competition offers-cruise control, heated grips, power points, Bluetooth, etc. They are resurrecting an oddball platform that couldn't sell and bankrupted the last Buell company.
What is needed and was screamed for by the interested public was an affordable mass-produced standard and cruising/touring platform that didn't look like it was duct-taped together after a parts-bin raid, and some comfortable sportbikes that were less than $14,000.
What Buell is also offering is basically zero test-ride facilities, and an EXTREMELY limited service center network only available in 22 states, with a $185 an hour labor rate.
Just buy a 3 or 5 year old superbike that will eat the Buells alive for much less money, with mechanics nationwide to service you.
I don't hate Buell at all, it just frustrates me that every single stupid-rich investor has no clue WTF they are doing, and they end up ruining the underlying potential.
I really enjoyed this video. I think it's important to note that Buell is currently shipping bikes to dealers. You can buy a new Buell right now. It's also worth mentioning that Buell is hardly the first company to do the deposit for capital thing. Hell, Tesla's house of cards is practically built on people having paid for full self-driving that the cars will absolutely never have.
Also GM did it with the electric Hummer. $100 for a spot in line. I remember because some of thoes $100 spots were being sold for up to 50k lol
I currently own a Buell. My first new bike was a 1999 X1 lightning, and that thing was fun and turned a lot of heads, because everyone had Harleys, but there were very few Buells on the road. That sure was a super fun bike back then. I bought a 2008 1125r a few years ago and that thing screams, it still looks pretty modern and keeps up with the newer twins without any issues.
I would love to buy a Hammerhead and plan on getting a made to order new one when I'm retire in a few years (I can retire at age 50, so I'm not that old).
Even though I want one bad, the practical side of me has concerns. I have seen some test ride vids of the Hammerhead and everyone says it's like driving an old scool superbike from the early 2000s, but it's brand new. If I wanted that, I would buy a used EBR for half the price of a new one. I am however disappointed in the lack of real innovation with the Hammerhead, it is still pretty much the same exact bike Eric Buell made in 2014 (with small improvements). The fact that any new Buell instrument cluster says "EBR" on it, tells you they still use the Eric Buell Racing cluster (from 2014). In comparison, a new Ducati Pengali V2 is 18k and has more modern amenities that I would also want on a Superbike that is pushing close to 20k (like Buell). Please modernize Buell, move beyond the EBR and put a digital cluster on your bikes, have traction control or ABS (those are practically standard on all new bikes).
I really want to buy a Hammerhead, but I have my reservations as I want some modern aspects to it to justify the price point. That or lower the price point to be more affordable.
Look at close up pics of the Super Cruisers instrament cluster, its the exact same "EBR" one they used in 2014. Come on guys.
I love Buell and am a fan boy for sure, and I really want to see them around for many years to come, but you have to modernize.
I purchased a Buell 1125r in 2009 when the closing of Buell was announced and the dealerships were fire-saling the bikes. I purchased the race ecm and added the Barkers exhaust (LOUD!) and defeated the neutering device that they came with from the factory to prevent little boys from looping out. The bike was insanely fast and it was the first sportbike I ever owned that had a track-ready suspension. The Buell factory was about 10 miles from my house so Buell was pretty popular around here. I ended up selling the bike 3 years later for what I paid for it. I replaced it with a ZX14r which is also a good bike but that Buell had a fun factor that could not be matched.
I have a cbr1000 and want to sell it now and get the hammerhead 😂
Thank you for covering this I have been waiting
I had a Ulysses and a 1125CR, loved them both. The 1125 had the Rotax motor, fun bike.
Think Rusty Butcher's Pan America build highlights a lot of ways Harley fell short with the Pan America.
Hey side note I love that intro man, great music and real nice transition 👌👌
More competition = more better bikes. Hopefully they succeed.
I'd love to see the supper cruiser and a sport bagger from them hit the market
I actually got to meet Eric Buell at the motorcycle show in Dallas Texas years ago. He’s a very nice man and politely chatted with me even though he didn’t know me or probably didn’t have the time for that idle chatter either.
I had an XB12SS, it was a fun bike. I rode with a buddy on an Fz1 and another on a Ducati. But the bike I am really interested in now is the new Stelvio.
Well if you want my opinion, Buell is doing the right thing to survive , what that means that you don’t take on excess inventory if there are not any buyers for there current offerings ,the Japanese manufacturers do the same thing , that way you don’t have stuff just piling up and collecting dust in a warehouse, it’s the smart thing to do!
Same can be said for Damon, who have been promising a bike since 2015. And no one has one yet.
Interesting. Like most other motorcyclists, I'm sure, we want motorcycle companies to succeed. We want them to build our dream bike. Shareholders in big companies, or mismanagement in small companies prevent this. Unless you're someone like Keanu and Gard making the KRGT's, they cost a fortune, but are that 'dream' bike that Buell wants to build but at a lower msrp I would imagine, and we the people want the unobtainium!! Not an eloquent way to put it, but hopefully you get the gist.
I was a happy owner of a Buell City x 950. Wonderful bike until it was turning off without notice while I was riding. Not a nice experience when you ride on California highways. After being towed 5 times and Harley wasn't able to fix it for good I had to use the lemon law to get back the money. I bought a Kawasaki with that money. But I still love the feeling of that Buell ❤
Iv got a Buell 1200 firebolt here in New Zealand, Still a great bike that's fun to thrash out in the country alot more than my old FZR 1000 cool channel great content
Awsome bike choice haha! Got a Buell XB12R and a old FZR600 haha (and a R6) myself
@@ozzyplompen6836 ha ha cool lol had the FZR1000 but way outa my ability sitting on 280 down our goat tracks of roads,yip gonna die soon,then mate had a Buell ,had a ride wow ,see ya Yamie sad lol ,got some custom exhaust lol holy shit pull back and lower of bike apart ,no slip on and a bolt ,but cool bike love it ,got Ohlins rear and differenrt spring and front has had something lol and a full rewire with modern switchs regs etc
I'm also a "Harley guy," and I've had a Harley for over 45 years. I currently ride a 2007 Electra Glide classic (2015-103"TC, Rinehart Racing exhaust, cammed, chipped, and dyno'd at 115hp). And while it's fast for a Harley, it just didn't handle or perform well enough for me. I was looking at both the Buell Super Cruiser and the Indian FTR Carbon. However, the Buell isn't available, and the Indian just didn't have enough power for me, so I bought a 2016 BMW S1000XR. And to say I'm in love with the bike is an understatement. I bought it at the end of October and I've currently put on about 9000km on it. Its awakened me to a completely different type of both motorcycle and riding. I'll never get rid of my Harley, but I must admit it's taken a second place position, behind my Beemer.
@Spite you should come ride in the New Mexico East Mountains, around Tijeras, Cedar Crest, etc. This area is simply MADE for motorcycling; I'll show you some nice roads.
My first bike was a Buell Blast, second a Buell XB12R. It always struck me as weird that HD canned Buell when they had just released the best bike they ever made in the 1125r.
Haha the wonderful B Last!
@@htimsregor540 yeah, I bought it from the learner course at the dealership...only 200 miles on it and half as many drops I'm sure!
The bottom line with any dream bike, is if you ever want it done right, you have to do at least most of it yourself. I’ve been through dozens of bikes of every stripe. And ever since 2000, they have all fallen flat for me in some respect. The ones that have made me grin down the road, mile after mile, are the ones I put together myself. Almost none of them tick off the boxes that are so popular with advertisers nowadays, but they all did everything I asked of them. When personal-preference-for-picky-people is a priority, it will never be right until you do it yourself.
Ride your own ride. (literally!)✌️😎
(and yes, I put down money on both the Super-cruiser and the Fuell. I expect that I will probably pour many more thousands into each of them before they either overly disappoint me, or finally, gloriously, make my day!)✊🤯
I'd absolutely be interested in ordering a SuperCruiser when it becomes available. Until then, I'm happy with my BMWs. If HD made a 1250 Bronx with all of the modern features found on other bikes, I'd be in the HD showroom yesterday.
I still remember when I saw the XB in the newspaper in 2001. I knew that was the bike I wanted, im not a cruiser but not really an import bike guy. And the XB looked so alien like and different, now it's in my garage begging for me to twist the throttle.
Genius engineer with passion for bikes. Not greatest businessman, sorry he lost his company this way. We should have supported bloke, let's learn from it and let him build our dream machines. Spite you're doing great job bringing it up! 🤞
If the Super Cruiser gets released and it comes with a good warranty I'll purchase one. The only concern that I have is that they don't have a dealer network and I am not going to drive all the way to MI for them to fix something. The biggest issue that EB had is the teamed up with HD. HD didn't really push the sales of those bikes on their dealership floors like they should've. Also the Indian FTR is a great bike and it falls into the naked sport bike class in my opinion.
New subscriber! Don’t know how I haven’t found you till now. I was hollering “AMEN” the whole time! SHAME HARLEY! I can’t believe they haven’t given us a sport monster. Dodge and Ford give us muscle. MOPAR goes hard. Why can’t Harley go hard?!
Buell, $100 million dollar loss, MV Agusta $100 million dollar loss, Dead Wire, $100 Million dollar loss, and your expecting a bunch of toothless hillbillies to bring the next American sport bike ??? Dream on
I live in Grand Rapids, Michigan and visited/toured the Buell factory last March. Liquid Asset Partners purchased the Buell brand and both Buell/Liquid share the same building. CEO Bill Melvin is chasing a dream. I truly hope they can follow through with developing the supercruiser concept motorcycle. Buell currently only has the Roland Sands bike. No other copies were made.
I was allowed to sit on the bike, it had good ergonomics with my feet and hands in a neutral position. Seat was comfortable.
At that time, engineering said they are working on making the bike road legal along with finding companies that will manufacture exhaust/blinker/seat/etc components.
They only assemble the motorcycles in house.
I live in GR too. I'm friends with a LAP person who is now in South Carolina. Maybe you know her....
Anyway, I'd like to look at that building up close too. I think I'll talk to my contact once the weather is nice. I'm in the same boat, I'd like to see them flourish.
I ride past the building every now and then looking for movement on the property. I even put in an application hoping I could get in the building. Just to look around, no luck.
@@yamahama9650 I walked in and was met by someone from engineering at the time. Told him I am a huge Buell fan and asked about the supercruiser. He gave me a tour of the facility, sat on a handful of bikes, took a few pics and was given a hat along with tshirt. They asked if I wanted to put a $50 deposit down. I declined, told him I have to see the finished product first. Still was a cool experience!
My first motorcycle was a Buell blast it was a fun bike but rough around the edges. The bike everybody wants harley davidson to make is the Bronx.
I loved my blast as an entry level bike too
I've been waiting the last few years for the Bronx to come out but now I'm thinking I might just go get a nightster. Call it a day.
The Bronx is ugly anyway. The Honda CB 1000 is a better looking version of the same looking thing. The Harley Bronx looks like a Honda… that’s sad in and of itself.
As a guy who owns both a SDR1290R and an ancient EVO Softail, the Super Cruiser is a dream for me. However, the price is something that I absolutely cannot stomach.
Are those different handle bars on the bike
I'm a Harley Davidson owner and fan, but I do agree that they need to do something different. I personally think that the company has something with some serious potential in the Sportster S. If Harley would put the 19 inch front wheel on the Sportster S, and upgrade the suspension travel on the rear, put mid controls in place of the forwards, and a few other adjustments, and they would have a really impressive flat track hooligan style bike that really could stand out. Either way, a completely new bike, that hasn't been done before could really help with woes they are facing. As far as the new Buell, it has a lot of potential, but unfortunately I don't really see it going anywhere. Great video though!
The preorder stuff going on nowadays is crazy. What are we doing? Are we sharecroppers now?
Buell is from my home town. They had an open house last year and i toured their factory. Super small operation. They did have a super cruiser on hand . Its not really my style honestly.
Can you get those sun glasses with prescription lenses? Polarized?
Two things! One, the second the Super Cruiser becomes vaporware we'll hear it, from Roland Sands. He's the one who stands to lose face if they play games with his design, he'd be the first to tell us if it wasn't a go.
Two, the Bronx is redundant. Ride a Pan America with some good sport touring tires and you'll realize the only thing the Bronx has over it is looks!
Still looking at that mint ebr 1190 rx which is listed for 10k. Sadly I do not fully have the funds yet to really buy it
Yes I would definitely buy one!
Damn it Spite, I had 2 chapters to go in Old Yeller!
When the Buell Super Cruiser is on the sales floor, I may purchase one. Other than that, I will wait until it is physically available before putting physical money down for one.
Excellent take, as always. An investment rather than a pre-pre-order is definitely the way to go. Hope they do well. I'd love to see some better American motorcycles with some variety on the roads, in the dirt, and on the track.
Buell filled for receivership, well, technically EBR. EBR was purchased by liquid asset partners. Bill Melvin of LAP happens to be a motorcycle guy, and Buell junkie and kept the bits together. He eventually snapped up the Buell name from Harley, recently, and is trying to grow what he has. Current models, like the Hammerhead are available now, and unchanged from when Eric Buell was marketing them as EBRs. The Super Cruiser is under development. Now, to take what Liquid Asset Partners currently holds as an individual and make it an IPO would be pretty darn complex, and risky as shit. So no, you aren't going to be able to put a deposit in the company, that makes the company public, comes with all kinds of public offering, FTC rules, and headaches and shit. If you want to purchase a piece of a company, Harleys stock ticker is HOG, have at it.
“Best hope in American sport bikes!” *cries in confused ftr owner*
Starting out in the Lake Travis lakebed I see...sad. Great video though!
Reminds me of the little car start up company, Elio. Great idea, lots of deposits taken, no car yet...?
I remember going in to HD back in the Buell days to look at them and it didn’t matter what dealership I went to the sales guys all treated the brand like an embarrassment. They tried to push you in to a dyna or sporty or for some reason a fn glide. In my opinion Buell’s biggest issue was “their own” floor team.
I always think its funny when people say harley needs to put out something fresh and innovate. They've done that exactly 1 time since cutting off buell and it doesn't seem likely to happen again soon.
Lets go Buell!!
The problem is Harley is too busy making CVO's that are $40,000 including a Pan America CVO literally no one asked for!!
Buell taking a page out of Tesla's book lol
Need Mr. Buell back!! Quit rehashing an old bike! America can do it! I loved my Buells! It was time to move on to my MT 10. Nuff' said!
Roland Sands has some really nice parts for existing motorcycles. But what are his credentials as far as co- designing a upper level performance motorcycle? From engineering to prototype, to stellar sport bike?
Get it Spite!
Hey, a bit off topic. I remember you said in your previous video to only use OEM levers. I just thought to ask what you really think of ASV levers now that your not sponsered by them.
I just installed ASVs on my Rebel a few weeks ago. They definitely feel nice. There's a tiny bit of wiggle, but not enough to notice while riding.
They weren't a sponsor, nor was any lever brand, but honestly, I'd save your money. There's no reason IMO to spend $220 on levers when OE levers are just as good. I suppose if you need adjustability just get some $50 Puig ones.
@@spitescorner my bad, must be remembering a different channel. Thank you for the input, you're awesome. I was only considering it cause u need to replace a broken brake lever from the previous owner
@@thefaboo thanks for the input. I'm on a sportbike so I think I'd rather keep things feeling tight
Wonderful thoughts man and totally admire the passion. Thank you for sharing them with us.
Ever since I first saw a Buell in 2007 when i was in America, ive had a soft spot for them. Heck even the super cool fuel inside the chassis engineering still blows me away.
I miss the fact that HD killed the XR1200. Not a pure sportbike but still something different.
Heck they could at least make a competitor to the FTR ahem Bronx ahem) but whatever..
Personally, hope to see Buell around for the future.
Question: Would you say that CFMOTO seems more bankable a company than Buell?
I own a buell and I absolutely love it… Eric Buell was one of the few engineers who could actually ride… but as you so eloquently pointed out, he was a terrible businessman… the truth is he was trusting to a fault… he came from an era where a handshake and a promise actually meant something, but unfortunately, Harley had lawyers and corporate jackals to pressure into selling… had he even remained 51% owner of that company it would still be around and it would probably be the best selling bikes in Harley dealerships… unfortunately everything Buell made was very ahead of its time…my 06 Xb12Ss looks just as modern as any newer naked with rounded edges, the dude pretty much invented the production naked bike
So happy that Buell is back and without Harley controlling them.
What are the odds that Roland Sands ends up owning the Buell brand? I heard some other company owns them niw or part if them, but if they've put their name on it I can't imagine there was no backup plan in the contract to recover losses.
I'm waiting for the super cruiser, over and over and over. I'm not gonna put a deposit down on a prototype. If i could by the exact RSD prototype i would have already.
I Loved Buell Motorcycles under Eric. I owned a Ulysses and still own my M2 Cyclone. Living 45 mins from Sturgis in my young life I was exposed to crusier life pretty heavily but never really fell in love with cruisers. Loved the naked bike style though and being able to buy an American made naked bike was so appealing to me. Wish Eric could have kept it going but I don't have much faith in this new company.
That engine sounds really good.
My Tuono 660 weighs closer to 360 than 402, but it cost a bunch to make that happen... Lol. You're welcome to ride it if you're ever near DC.
Own a sportster s but if the buell cruiser is any good will be trading it in for their cruiser.
Buell...Buell...where in the dim past do i remember that name from? Didn't they build motorcycles once upon a time or something?
Ex Buell owner here. My Ulysses was fun to ride, great handling, great feel and sound. If the motorcycle has shown any hope being dependable, I would consider it worth owning. The motor was crap. Just that simple. The many times the H.D. fixed it and it failed later was beyond redemption. I ended up trading it for a Honda Silverwing. Not the riding joy the Ulysses was but a beacon of dependability.
Unfortunately for you, that was just your experience mine was awesome as well as the Many other buells I own
My motor was a Thunderbolt engine. It looked like a Sportster motor but did not say H.D
@@lucastherexcat it was still 100% a Harley engine, the top end was really the only difference
If Harley made that Bronx it would catapult them into another stratosphere. A lot of American guys love sport bikes, we deserve at least a naked sport bike. I know a super sport would be asking for too much 😂
If Buell builds the super cruiser I would buy it, I am skeptical on whether they would be able to produce it.
The definitely can and will, they said 2025 and it’s not 2025 yet lol
Dis you ever review an MT01?
The supercruiser was NEVER expected in 2023. The entire world only found out about it in Feb 2023. Production release has been scheduled for 2025 from day one. There's been no changes in that regard. Hammerheads an the SX bikes have already been selling. Many are already on dealer floors. Hardly vaporware.
Also, the CEO of Buell is a pretty successful businessman. He's self-funding this whole thing. They dont need the $50 deposits to build new bikes. They need it to establish what the true demand would be for the bike. So they can forecast on parts, production, staff, establish realistic lines of credit with suppliers etc. Will every deposit convert to a sale? No. But I'm sure they have a conversion percentage that they'll be building the first batch of bikes for, then grow from there.
Excellent explanation. @@garyknoetze
I can't afford one. but I sure hope they bring it out.
I was thinking you will be riding one. 😂
The major issue EBR originally had was having a roaring engineering staff but virtually no accounting oversight to reign them in. I know that oftentimes the accounting department of OEM's aggravates a passionate fan (like me) of said OEM's because it limits the ultimate potential of their products, but they do play the important part of ensuring sustained financial viability for said OEM.
Funnily enough, the same can be said of Motus Engineering and their pushrod V4 bikes that came out last decade. So much good tech and engineering, but skyrocketing bike prices because of so many bespoke engineering decisions.
And Spite, I completely agree as far as the gaming world take on this. I'd much rather see a company like buell take a more conservative approach in the beginning with some featherweight up to middleweight bike production first to ensure a foothold into the industry, then later push towards higher and higher output platforms as flagships. It just makes more sense long-term, even if it does produce it's own challenges early on. The most important thing I think you can do as either a new or revamped OEM is try and establish both a history and identity first and foremost so that the general populace has an inkling of what you're about right from the get-go. Once that's established and you have a history of making good stuff, then push for breaking your own boundaries.
The approach you describe is exponentially more difficult and costly than their current direction. You would have them design a new bike from the ground up, new engine needs new chassis, epa, new standards ect. That would totally Negate LAP’s investment in the Buell brand. At that point they just have a name since they are throwing out all the old assets.
Currently they have a top of the line 2014ish bike. Dropping their awesome motor into a bunch of different style bikes is within their operational range right now. Rebuilding their network of suppliers, engineering talent, and developing bikes while supporting the current 1190 is a money loosing operation in the short term. They’re likely operating within a budget that LAP can afford to spend/loose on the project.
Someone is finally getting some use out of the 1190 I’m happy. SC on order and no they haven’t walked the dates the bike was always supposed to be 2024 for 2025.
This video is so bad, if you’re going to review a company at least do some basic research. Not knowing the names of bikes and just spouting off nonsense.
Think Harley could do really well making a sporty bike... take the bronx concept... that was sick. Could've been a similar thing to king of baggers but with like super hooligans
Muscle cruisers are a niche market. Vmax, V65, MT01, etc. At best, that segment would be a pet project for a manufacturer. Gobs of power and shit handling gets boring, if not exhausting, pretty quick. Actual sport bikes or sporty uprights are where most sales are. The low slung, 3" of suspension travel and overweight "performance " bikes might make for a cool Instagram post, but the vast majority of people aren't going to spend actual money on that.
KTM and Yamaha in the past decade. have proven that people want sporty uprights. Not something that looks like an '80's Harley with a bodged on mono shock. Even Indian got it right with the FTR, even if it needs further development to get the weight down.
I have been begging for a modern muscle cruiser, and that's what i see when i see buell's super cruiser.........The bikes i enjoy riding the most are bikes like the 1984 magna v65 and the MT-01, light enough to be nimble and powerful enough to be fun. I am sure people will say "what about sport touring bikes like the FJR-1300ES" but the fact of the matter for me is i like the harley look but want the power of steering of a light weight bike.
The closest thing Harley has made that tempted me to ignore the price tag is the low rider ST, but as a skilled trades worker in my 20's who has a house and car payment I just can not justify spending that much on a bike, which is exactly why i still ride a 2005 Honda VTX-1300 and do tons of 1000 mile trips.
While my bike is starting to show its age, I keep holding out that some company somewhere is going to reignite the muscle bike and bring it to the US market.
Harley had a Ducati in their sweaty hands with the Erik Buell designed tubers, and then XBs, but they let that potential slip their grasp for what - to sell a few more over-chromed gee-gaws and t-shirts?
Buell isn't vaporware at all. I see 1190rx (when they were EBR) which is now the hammerhead, at my local small town track. Seen multiples of the 1190sx (the naked) riding around. Yeah they aren't as common as most brands, but they do make bikes. Werks powersport in ft Wayne is a dealer for them now too.
If the super cruiser or a HD version of buell’s super cruiser were to come to light and actually get made. I would sell my streetfighter v4s and buy their product.
I rode the super cruiser. It would be nice if it had half the horsepower. I don't need 185 horsepower for a cruiser. I would love to see Buell make it, but they need a smaller engine.
Talking about Buell while riding an Aprilia?
You ride what you've got lol
I always thought that Buell only made duel sport bikes! I am way behind times.
I want Buell to be an excellent manufacturer. Built in the USA, solid engine and frame, but everything I've seen on it gives it a dated feel. The parts are out there to add some great stuff to the bikes, they just need to do it. Yea it would be expensive, but paying a "premium" isn't exactly going to drive anyone away who wanted one in the first place.
16:41 really? Have you not heard of the Indian FTR1200?
I've come to realize, NEVER get excited about anything nowadays. There are always strings attached. Pay extra to unlock features the bikes already have, ect ect.
review video of the Super Cruiser with you riding an Aprilia.....what a gyp. lmk when you get a SuperCruiser on loaner.
Um, this isn't a review...
I would love Buell to be a success and start building more bikes but the present company feels like has more in common with Norton under its previous owners than I would like. Norton had a history of taking deposits on bikes that never got made and selling shares that are now a nice certificate with no value and they have done this trick twice in 30 years . The super cruiser is going to need to be road legal so the exhaust etc is going to be very different from the prototype if it gets made. I personally thought it was a way of attracting an investor to put capital in or buy the company from the present owners.
Yeah Buell definitely needs to remain as a brand.