As the only significant sports-bike motorcycle manufacturer in the United States, Buell, founded in 1983 by an ex-Harley-Davidson engineer, has made tremendous steps in the sports-bike market with several unique innovations.
Although Buell was originally an independent venture to create Formula 1 Motorcycles, the series was however cancelled leaving Erik Buell to turn his focuses to making street legal sport-bikes.
By 1994, Erik Buell had turned to his old employer, Harley-Davidson for assistance in his motorcycle company. Harley-Davidson Motorcycle was glad to help and bought a 49% share of Buell in which the company was officially renamed to Buell Motorcycle Company.
Although in 1994 Harley-Davidson already had a 49% share in the company, in 1998, Harley bought the controlling stake of Buell and it is now a subsidiary of the Harley-Davidson Company which utilises the Harley Sportster engine in a modified form to power all Buell Motorcycles.
The Buell engine is designed to be both street friendly, fuel efficient and also has low emissions, as seen in their 2003 model which passed California emissions with ease up to 2008 without a catalytic converter.
With their 1200 cc engine producing 100 horsepower, while only using 70 miles per gallon, the Buell has made a name for itself in the U.S. for having stylish yet efficient motorcycles and is considered to be in a sports class all to their own.
One of Buell's most important innovations was the fuel tank, or lack there of. Although the Buell has what appears to be a fuel tank in the usual spot, this is not so. The Buell's fuel tank is actually located inside the tubular frame based on an older design to incorporate the oil into the frame. This innovation has been a proven success as well as managed to lower the centre of gravity when you have a full tank.
Original Authors: Nicholas
Edit Update Authors: M.A.Harris
Updated On: 02/06/2008
