Buell racing teams are likely breathing a sigh of relief after Harley-Davidson’s announcement that Erik Buell, founder of their recently folded Buell Motorcycle Co. subsidiary, is establishing an independent motorcycle race shop, Erik Buell Racing.
Under license from Harley-Davidson, Buell’s new venture will specialize in the supply of Buell motorcycle race-use-only parts and service, as well as the manufacture and sale of a Buell 1125R based race machine.
“I’m looking forward to helping Buell racers keep their bikes flying,” said Erik Buell. “We’ve got some exciting race development projects in the works and it will mean a lot to me personally to see Buell racers competing for wins and championships in the 2010 season and beyond.”
Erik Buell Racing will be based in East Troy, Wisconsin, the same town as his former company, and will be staffed by Buell and a veteran team of personnel—meaning ostensibly that some of Buell Motorcycle’s former employees will still have jobs come Christmas.
Is it just us, or does it seem like Harley-Davidson’s shuttering of Buell Motorcycles has suddenly turned into a radical downsizing and re-branding exercise.
See how the 1125R sizes up as a sport touring machine in our latest video.
