Erik Buell Racing

Last updated
Erik Buell Racing
Industry Motorcycle sport
FoundedNovember 2009 (November 2009)
Founder Erik Buell
Headquarters
East Troy, Wisconsin
,
USA
Products Motorcycles, engineering services
Owner2016 Liquid Asset Partners LLC
previously Erik Buell,
and Hero MotoCorp
Website erikbuellracing.com

Erik Buell Racing (EBR) is an American motorcycle sport company which produces street and racing motorcycles, based in East Troy, Wisconsin, USA. The business entered receivership in April 2015. [1] After two previous attempts, the business remnants were sold in January 2016 to Liquid Asset Partners (LAP), an American organization specializing in the purchase and liquidation of failed businesses. [2] [3] Liquid Asset Partners kept the company intact and motorcycle production resumed on March 1, 2016, the first new model rolling out on March 17, 2016.

Contents

History

Erik Buell founded Erik Buell Racing in November 2009 following the shutdown of his previous company, Buell Motorcycle Company, by parent company/majority stakeholder Harley-Davidson. Erik Buell Racing's first efforts were directed toward production of complete, race-only motorcycles and parts based on the Buell 1125R production model, under license from Harley-Davidson, [4] to support privateer racers.

On July 1, 2013, Hero MotoCorp, a motorcycle manufacturer based in India, acquired 49.2% stake in the company for $25 million. [5] The two companies announced that EBR will distribute Hero motorcycles and scooters in North America starting in the summer of 2014. [6]

Bankruptcy and receivership

On April 15, 2015, Erik Buell Racing filed for receivership, with a reported $20 million of liabilities, [7] and ceased all operations including closing down their website. [1]

On August 7, 2015, it was announced that Bruce Belfer, an engineer from New Jersey with a background in metal fabrication, had agreed to purchase Buell's manufacturing assets for $2.25 million, while Hero MotoCorp. of India paid $2.8 million for Buell's consulting business. Belfer stated his intention to work with company founder Erik Buell to re-establish the business as soon as possible, including a manufacturing base in East Troy where Buell previously employed 130 people producing high-end motorcycles. [8]

The deal failed as Belfer was unable to secure financing for the $2.25 million purchase price, and the official receiver filed to re-sell the assets in a new round of bidding, so the remnants of Erik Buell Racing returned to auction on December 10, 2015. [9] The auction had no bidders, and a move where the court-appointed receiver sought to sell the assets by accepting a pre-emptive offer from a private liquidation-company specializing in breaking-up company remnants was blocked by the judge, to allow more time for any potential new buyers to prepare their submissions, re-scheduling the hearing for early January 2016. [10]

In January 2016, the remnants of Erik Buell Racing were sold to Liquid Asset Partners for just over $2 million, with the proceeds going to creditors (including Mito Tech and Porsche Design Group) and to former employees for unpaid wages. [2] [11] Liquid Asset Partners stated an intention to try to find a buyer experienced in motorcycle manufacture to re-establish the business. [12] [13] Liquid Asset Partners has kept the company assets intact and indicates they will continue to do so until a buyer or major investor can be found. Motorcycle production resumed on March 1, 2016 and the first new motorcycle, a limited edition "Stars and Stripes" themed 1190RX rolled off the assembly line on March 17, 2016. [14] EBR's website indicates that the company is establishing a new dealer network to sell the newly produced motorcycles. [15]

Models produced

1190RR

The first focus of Erik Buell Racing, the 1190RR was an upgraded and restyled version of the Buell 1125R. Used for professional racing in several race classes, the bike has been a part of several race and championship placings. [16]

1190RS

In June 2011, Erik Buell Racing officially announced their first street model, the EBR 1190RS, a sport motorcycle with a 1,190 cc (72.6 cu in) 72° V-twin engine delivering 175 hp (130 kW). [17] Released as a 2012 model, only 100 are to be made. [18]

1190RX

On 16 October 2013, Erik Buell Racing officially unveiled their first production motorcycle, the EBR 1190RX. Like the previous 1190RS, the 1190RX is a sport motorcycle with 1,190 cc (72.6 cu in) 72° V-twin engine, but delivering 185 hp (138 kW) and 101.6 lb-ft (peak) of torque. [19]

1190SX

On Wednesday, June 11, 2014, at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Indiana, Erik Buell Racing officially unveiled their next production motorcycle, the EBR 1190SX. The 1190SX is a streetfighter version of the 1190RX. [20]

Black Lightning

On November 18, 2016, EBR announced for Spring of 2017, the Black Lightning a blacked-out version of the 1190 platform. Key changes included: different gearing, bike lowered 2 inches, a lower seat height, lower foot pegs, higher bars, and an optional comfort seat.

AX

Another street model was hinted on the Erik Buell Racing Website and mentioned in several articles. This model is signified by only two letters, AX. According to early magazine articles, this would have been an adventure version, based on the same platform as the 1190RX and 1190SX. [21] A later article stated that the AX would not be based on the 1190, but would be a completely new motorcycle. [22]

Other Models

In an interview with the editor of Cycle World magazine shortly after EBR entered receivership in April 2015, Erik Buell stated: "We've been working on the mainstream stuff. I can't talk about what was coming, but I will say some of it is much different than anybody would have expected. Stuff that is 18 months away from full-volume production that people would go "Holy s—t! EBR did that?!" It was all much higher volume and lower price." [23]

Racing

AMA Superbike

Erik Buell Racing has competed in the AMA Superbike Championship since 2011, initially using the 1190RR and then the 1190RS. EBR riders achieved several podium finishes. Riders have included Geoff May, Danny Eslick, Cory West, Larry Pegram, Mike Baldwin, Travis Peartree and Aaron Yates. [24]

FIM World Superbike

EBR entered the 2014 Superbike World Championship season fielding two 1190RX for Geoff May [25] and Aaron Yates. The American company signed a partnership with Italian team QB Racing, managed by Giulio Bardi and Claudio Quintarelli, who provided logistical support and a racing shop near Bergamo.

EBR became the first American OEM to earn Superbike World Championship points when Larry Pegram, entered as wild card, finished 14th in Race 2 at the Laguna Seca round. [26] [27]

For the 2015 season, Team Hero EBR race squad entered two riders, American Larry Pegram and Italian Niccolò Canepa, who competed in four events achieving some finishes, before the team folded due to financial failure of the main EBR business. [28] [29]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harley-Davidson</span> American motorcycle manufacturer

Harley-Davidson, Inc. is an American motorcycle manufacturer headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1903, it is one of two major American motorcycle manufacturers to survive the Great Depression along with its historical rival, Indian Motorcycles. The company has survived numerous ownership arrangements, subsidiary arrangements, periods of poor economic health and product quality, and intense global competition to become one of the world's largest motorcycle manufacturers and an iconic brand widely known for its loyal following. There are owner clubs and events worldwide, as well as a company-sponsored, brand-focused museum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buell Motorcycle Company</span> American motorcycle manufacturer

Buell Motorcycles is an American motorcycle manufacturer based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States. It was founded in 1983 by ex-Harley-Davidson engineer Erik Buell. Harley-Davidson acquired 49 percent of Buell in 1993, and Buell became a wholly owned subsidiary of Harley-Davidson by 2003. On November 17, 2006, Buell announced that it had produced and shipped its 100,000th motorcycle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bimota</span> Italian motorcycle manufacturer

Bimota is an Italian manufacturer of custom and production motorcycles. It was founded in 1973 in Rimini by Valerio Bianchi, Giuseppe Morri, and Massimo Tamburini. The company name is a portmanteau derived from the first two letters of each of the three founders' surnames: Bianchi, Morri, and Tamburini.

Erik F. Buell is the founder, former Chairman and Chief Technical Officer of the Buell Motorcycle Company, which eventually merged with Harley-Davidson Corp. Buell is a pioneer of modern race motorcycle technology. Buell is also the founder of Erik Buell Racing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R</span> Sport bike

The Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R is a motorcycle in the Ninja sport bike series from the Japanese manufacturer Kawasaki, the successor to the Ninja ZX-9R. It was originally released in 2004 and has been updated and revised throughout the years. It combines an ultra-narrow chassis, low weight, and radial brakes. In 2004 and 2005 the ZX-10R won Best Superbike from Cycle World magazine, and the international Masterbike competition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sport bike</span> Motorcycles designed for performance

A sport bike, sports motorcycle, or sports bike is a motorcycle designed and optimized for speed, acceleration, braking, and cornering on asphalt concrete race tracks and roads. They are mainly designed for performance at the expense of comfort, fuel economy, safety, noise reduction and storage in comparison with other motorcycles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hero MotoCorp</span> Indian two-wheeler manufacturing company

Hero MotoCorp Limited is an Indian multinational motorcycle and scooter manufacturer headquartered in Delhi. It is one of the world's largest two-wheeler manufacturer and has a market share of about 46% in the Indian two-wheeler industry. As of 15 May 2024, the market capitalization of the company was ₹101,500 crore (US$12 billion).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buell 1125R</span> Type of motorcycle

The Buell 1125R is a sport bike that was made by Buell Motorcycle Company in the United States. It was introduced in July 2007 for the 2008 model year. Production of road-going 1125Rs, and all Buell models, ceased in October 2009. In November 2009, Buell founder Erik Buell launched Erik Buell Racing, which initially produced race-only versions of the 1125R.

Superbike World Championship is a silhouette road racing series based on heavily modified production sports motorcycles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BMW S1000RR</span> Sport bike

BMW S1000RR is a race oriented sport bike initially made by BMW Motorrad to compete in the 2009 Superbike World Championship, that is now in commercial production. It was introduced in Munich in April 2008, and is powered by a 999 cc (61.0 cu in) four-cylinder engine redlined at 14,200 rpm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aprilia RSV4</span> Super bike manufactured by Aprilia

The Aprilia RSV4 is a super bike manufactured by Aprilia. The RSV4 is Aprilia's flagship model. Aprilia offers two models of the bike: the RSV4 Factory and RSV4 R limited edition. For 2016 it is offered in two models the RSV4 RR and RSV4 RF. The 2016 updated bike was made to take advantage of and comply with that year's Superbike rules which allow fewer modifications for production bikes. It has more power, is lighter, and has improved handling and electronics. Since 2021 the bike is offered in two models, too: RSV4 1100 and RSV4 1100 Factory. Now it offers APRC system that includes engine maps (AEM), engine brake control (AEB), traction control (ATC), wheelie control (AWC), launch control (ALC), cruise control (ACC), speed limiter (APT). 6 riding modes and is Euro 5 compliant.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moriwaki Engineering</span>

Moriwaki Engineering is a Japanese manufacturer of speciality high performance products and motorcycle accessories.

The Erik Buell Racing 1190RS is a sport bike that is manufactured by Erik Buell Racing in the United States. It was introduced in June 2011 for the 2012 model year. It is powered by a 1,190 cc (73 cu in), liquid-cooled V-twin engine, that delivers 175 hp (130 kW) @ 9,750 rpm. Only 100 units were planned for 2011 production.

FTR Moto Ltd was a British motorcycle parts and frame manufacturer. The name was an acronym for Fabrication Techniques Racing Motorcycles.

Kevin Cameron has been an editor at Cycle World magazine since 1991, before which he was an editor at Cycle for almost twenty years, and a race tuner from the early 1970s through the 1980s. He is also an author of many books on motorcycles specializing in performance and engineering. Cameron is a graduate of Harvard University, where he studied physics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Devin Battley</span> American motorcycle racer

Devin Battley is an American businessman known for his involvement with motorcycles as a racer and as a dealer. From an early age, Battley enjoyed racing motorcycles and participated in many national championships. He helped to orchestrate Harley-Davidson's interest in Buell motorcycles, and he sold motorcycles to King Hussein of Jordan and Mike Tyson. In early 2022, Battley announced that he would run for County Executive of Montgomery County, Maryland.

Larry Pegram is an American motorcycle racer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Motorcycle wheel</span> Component of motorised two-wheelers

Motorcyclewheels are made to cope with radial and axial forces. They also provide a way of mounting other critical components such as the brakes, final drive and suspension. Wheels, and anything directly connected to them, are considered to be unsprung mass. Traditionally motorcycles used wire-spoked wheels with inner tubes and pneumatic tyres. Although cast wheels were first used on a motorcycle in 1927, it would not be until the 1970s that mainstream manufacturers would start to introduce cast wheels on their roadgoing motorcycles. Spoked wheels are usually made using steel spokes with steel or aluminium rims. Cast wheels are predominantly made from an aluminium-alloy, but can also be made from more-exotic materials, such as magnesium content alloy or carbon fibre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Motorcycle braking systems</span>

Motorcycle braking systems have varied throughout time, as motorcycles evolved from bicycles with an engine attached, to the 220 mph (350 km/h) prototype motorcycles seen racing in MotoGP. Most systems work by converting kinetic energy into thermal energy (heat) by friction. On motorcycles, approximately 70% of the braking effort is performed by the front brake. This however can vary for individual motorcycles; longer-wheelbase types having more weight biased rearward, such as cruisers and tourers, can have a`greater effort applied by the rear brake. In contrast, sports bikes with a shorter wheelbase and more vertical fork geometry can tolerate higher front braking loads. For these reasons, motorcycles tend to have a vastly more powerful front brake compared to the rear.

Kenneth E. Hill is a former motorcycle road racer turned riding and racing coach. He is considered to be one of the top motorcycle coaches in the United States for his work with successful riders in the MotoAmerica AMA/FIM North American Road Racing Series. Hill coaches 2015 and 2018 MotoAmerica Supersport Champion J. D. Beach, and 2016 MotoAmerica race winners Valentin Debise and Cameron Petersen, as well as Daytona Anderson, Andy DiBrino, Hayden Gillim, Jake Lewis, Kyle Wyman, and Xavier Zayat. Other racers he has worked with in the past include Josh Herrin, Jayson Uribe, Elena Myers, and Martín Cárdenas.

References

  1. 1 2 "Erik Buell Racing closes". Milwaukee Wisconsin Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 15 April 2015.
  2. 1 2 Erik Buell Racing manufacturing assets sold at third auction Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, January 13, 2016. Retrieved January 27 2016.
  3. ↑ Liquid Asset Partners, LLC homepage Retrieved January 27, 2016
  4. ↑ "ERIK BUELL ESTABLISHES ERIK BUELL RACING". Buell Motorcycle Company. Archived from the original on 25 November 2009. Retrieved 23 November 2009.
  5. ↑ Newsdeck, OD (2 July 2013). "Hero buys 49.2% stake on Erik Buell Racing for US$25 million". overdrive.in. Retrieved 15 July 2013.
  6. ↑ "EBR announces North American Hero Motorcorp Distribution", Cycle World , October 17, 2013, retrieved 2013-10-23
  7. ↑ Erik Buell Racing files for bankruptcy Motor Cycle News, 16 April 2015, Retrieved January 27, 2016
  8. ↑ Barrett, Rick. "New owner of Erik Buell Racing plans to rekindle business" . Retrieved 2015-09-04.
  9. ↑ "Erik Buell Racing Deal Falls Thru – Will Be Sold...Again". Asphalt & Rubber. 16 November 2015. Retrieved 2015-11-29.
  10. ↑ Rick Romell. "Judge declines to approve sale of motorcycle company's assets". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, December 14, 2015. Retrieved December 31, 2015.
  11. ↑ India-based motorcycle-maker to acquire more of Erik Buell Racing Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, July 28, 2015. Retrieved January 27 2016.
  12. ↑ Liquid Asset Partners acquires all assets of Erik Buell Racing, January 2016. Retrieved January 27, 2016
  13. ↑ New owner of Erik Buell Racing says he wants to revive the company Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, January 14, 2016. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
  14. ↑ Barrett, Rick (2016-03-17). "New 2016 Erik Buell Racing motorcycles arrive". Jsonline.com. Retrieved 2022-05-04.
  15. ↑ Check back for updates on 2016 dealers near you! Archived 2016-03-27 at the Wayback Machine "EBR.com", Retrieved March 28, 2016.
  16. ↑ "1190RR wins". blog.motorcycle.com. 2 November 2011. Retrieved 13 November 2011.
  17. ↑ "1190RS SPEC". Erik Buell Racing. Archived from the original on 14 March 2012. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
  18. ↑ "Pre-Order Form". Erik Buell Racing. Archived from the original on 15 August 2011. Retrieved 27 July 2011.
  19. ↑ "1190RX SPEC". Erik Buell Racing. Archived from the original on 21 October 2013. Retrieved 22 October 2013.
  20. ↑ "1190SX First Look". Motorcyclist Magazine. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  21. ↑ "MPN September 2012" (PDF). Motorcycle Powersports News. Retrieved 22 October 2013.[ permanent dead link ]
  22. ↑ "Cycle World Dane Hoechst interview 23 September 2014" . Retrieved 6 September 2015.
  23. ↑ "Cycle World Erik Buell interview July 2015 issue".{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  24. ↑ "EBR Race Team". Erik Buell Racing. Archived from the original on 23 October 2013. Retrieved 23 October 2013.
  25. ↑ "Cycle News 21 October 2013". Archived from the original on 22 October 2013. Retrieved 23 October 2013.
  26. ↑ "EBR becomes first American OEM to earn WSBK points". 24 July 2014. Retrieved July 24, 2014.
  27. ↑ "Superbike – Results (Red Flag) Race 2, Laguna Seca,11–12–13 July 2014" (PDF).
  28. ↑ Team Hero EBR hit the track with their new line up Archived 2013-10-23 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 12 April 2015
  29. ↑ Team Hero EBR to withdraw from WorldSBK World Superbike.com, 30 April 2015. Retrieved 2016-01-01
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.