Buell Motorcycle Company

Infobox_Company
company_name = Buell Motorcycles
company_
company_type = Subsidiary
foundation = 1983
founder = Erik Buell
location_city = flagicon|USA East Troy, Wisconsin
location_country = USA
key_people =
industry = Motorcycles
products = Motorcycles
parent = Harley Davidson
slogan = It's a fast, rude ride. But then again, so is life.Fact|date=October 2007
subsid =
revenue =
num_employees =
homepage = [http://www.buell.com/ www.buell.com] The Buell Motorcycle Company is an American motorcycle manufacturer based in East Troy, Wisconsin and founded by ex-Harley-Davidson engineer Erik Buell. [citation|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0KJI/is_8_118/ai_n16702057|title=Buell Motorcycle engineering, innovation, & dedication|publisher=Automotive Design & Production|date=August, 2006|author=Kevin M. Kelly|accessdate=2008-02-29] The company first partnered with Harley-Davidson in 1993, and became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Harley by 2003. [cite web | title = Buell Motorcycle Co. - Two Wheel Innovation | publisher = US Industry Today | url = http://www.usitoday.com/article_view.asp?ArticleID=1485 | accessdate = 2007-12-13]

History

The first Buell motorcycle, the RW750, was built in 1983 purely for competing in the AMA Formula 1 motorcycle road racing championship. At that time, Erik Buell was a top contending privateer motorcycle racer. After completion of the first two RW750 racing machines, one of which was sold to another racing team, the Formula 1 series was cancelled. Buell then turned his focus towards racing-inspired, street-going machines utilizing engines manufactured by Harley. In 1993, [ [http://www.harley-davidson.com/wcm/Content/Pages/Buell/buell.jsp?locale=en_us The Buell Motorcycle Company at Harley-Davidson.com] ] Harley-Davidson Incorporated joined in partnership with Buell Motor Company as a 49% stakeholding minority partner and the company formed was renamed "Buell Motorcycle Company". In 1998 Harley purchased majority control of Buell, and it has been a subsidiary ever since. Since then, Buell has utilized modified Harley-Davidson Sportster engines to power their motorcycles.

Most Buell motorcycles use four-stroke air-cooled V-twin engines, originally built from XR1000 Sportster engines. After these were depleted, a basic 1200 Sportster engine was used. In 1995, the engines were upgraded with Buell engineered high performance parts, [ [http://www.buellparts.net/ Buy Buell Parts Online at BuellParts.NET] ] and further upgraded in 1998.

Modern Technology

In 2003, Buell introduced an engine so efficient it passes emissions test requirements through 2008.Fact|date=April 2008 It does this without the need for catalytic converters, or air injection, as is typical on other modern motorcycles.Fact|date=April 2008 The new line of Buell XB models also incorporated the industry's first ever Zero Torsional Load (ZTL) perimeter floating front disc brake system, an "inside-out" wheel/brake design that puts the brake disc on the outer edge of the wheel, rather than at the hub. This design allows the elimination of significant mass from the front wheel, reducing unsprung weight, and enhances the abilities of the front suspension. Other industry innovations introduced by Buell in the XB lineup were the "fuel in frame technology", and the dual use of the swingarm as an oil tank [ [http://www.sporttwin.com/News/print/sid=113.html 2007 Buell Model Changes Released] ] . Also, all Buell models feature a unique, dual-purpose, muffler mounted below the engine which helps keep mass centralized and maximizes torque through the use of a computer-controlled valve to switch between two exhaust paths as necessary.

Buell designs focus on providing good handling, comfortable riding, easy maintenance, and street-friendly real-world performance. Buell motorcycles are engineered with an emphasis on what they call the "Trilogy of Tech": mass centralization, low unsprung weight, and frame rigidity [ [http://www.gizmag.com/go/6471/ 100 bhp Buell Lightning Super TT XB12STT debuts at EICMA] ] .

Buell engines are designed to be street-friendly both in fuel efficiency (up to 70 M.P.G. with the Blast), and in power (the 1203cc version produces over 100HP). They are also simple and easy to maintain. Buell two-cylinder engines utilize computer controlled ducted forced air cooling (no radiator or liquid coolant, just a variable speed fan that only activates as required), two valves per cylinder, a single throttle body, zero maintenance hydraulic valve actuation, and zero maintenance gear-driven cams.

Current Models

Blast

The Blast is Buell's only model to use a single-cylinder engine. With 492 cc (30.02 cubic inches) displacement and 360 pounds dry weight, it is their smallest model, often used in Harley-Davidson's "Rider's Edge" new rider instruction/riding schools. To date the Buell Blast is Buell's best selling model.

Single-cylinder motorcycles are commonly called Thumpers.

* [http://buell.com/en_us/bikes/blast/ Buell Motorcylce Company Blast Site]
* [http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/20164/20164.html?1155360102 Bad Weather Bikers (Popular Buell Forum) Thumper Page]
* [http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/new_cars/1268541.html Popular Mechanics Review of Blast]
* [http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/buell/buell-blast-13968.html Motorcycle dot com Review of Blast]

Firebolt

The Firebolt XB12R is marketed by Buell as a sportbike.

Lightning

*Lightning CityX XB9SX
*Lightning XB12S
*Lightning Low XB12Scg
*Lightning Long XB12Ss
*Lightning Super TT XB12STTThe Lightning series is marketed by Buell as streetfighters.

Ulysses

*Ulysses XB12X
*Ulysses XB12XT

Buell's XB12X Ulysses debuted in July 2005. It offers seating, ergonomics, and long-travel suspension that are well-suited for use on unpaved and rough roads. Buell advertises the Ulysses as "the world's first adventure sportbike". For 2008, among other changes, XBRR oil pump and ignition timing systems have been changed tapping into the XBRR race bike as well as the addition of heated grips and increased turning fork swing from 54° to 74°. The Ulysses XB12XT is a lowered Ulysses without Enduro-frontfender that comes stock with hard saddlebags, hard tail trunk, tall windshield and a convert|30.9|in|mm|sing=on seat height [ [http://www.roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=31113 Buell Introduces Shorter, Sportier Ulysses XB12XT] ] .

1125R

In July, 2007, Buell announced the 1125R, a sportbike which departed from Buell's history of using Harley Davidson style powerplants and tapping into the XBRR racing bike learnings. The HeliconTM engine uses four vertical valves per cylinder, dual over-head cam, liquid-cooled 72 degree V-Twin displacing 1125 cc and producing Convert|146|hp|kW|0|abbr=on. It produces convert|83|ft.lbf|N.m|abbr=on of peak torque but varies less than convert|6|ft.lbf|N.m|abbr=on of torque from 3,000 to 10,500 rpm. There is a vacuum assist slipper clutch to give predictable drive performance in hard cornering and deceleration and a 6-speed transmission. Although this powerplant is manufactured by BRP-Rotax, Austria, it is in fact designed to detailed Buell specifications.

Said to be designed from the rider down, the 1125R's engineering shows the Buell trilogy of technology: low unsprung weight, mass centralization and chassis rigidity. The radiator is split and mounted laterally on the bike and air flow managed to lessen the residual heat the rider feels. The split radiator, coupled with the 72 degree twin layout, allows for a more compact and centralized mass making cornering more responsive with the bike's forward weight bias. The 1125R has the greatest lean angle of any Buell. The innovative braking has been further improved by a ZTL2, using four pads and 8 pistons in the caliper with less unsprung weight. The innovative gasoline-in-frame design has been improved further for rigidity while being convert|10|lb|abbr=on lighter than previous designs and an industry first 47 mm inverted forks were matched to improve both squat and dive characteristics.

Racing

Buell also produces the 50 XBRR racing-only machines for factory-backed and dealership run privateer racing teams.

Past Models

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

*RW750 Road Warrior(1984)
*RR1000 BattleTwin(1987-1988)
*RR1200 BattleTwin (1988-1990)
*RS1200 WestWind (1989)
*RS1200S WestWind (1990-1992)
*RSS1200 WestWind(1991)
*S2 Thunderbolt (1994-1995)
*S2T Thunderbolt (1995-1996)
*S3 Thunderbolt (1997-2002)
*S1 Lightning (1996-1998)
*S3T Thunderbolt (1997-2000)
*S1W White Lightning (1998)
*M2 Cyclone (1997-2002)
*X1 Lightning (1999-2002)
*XB Series (2003-Current)

M2 Cyclone (1997-2002)

The M2 Cyclone was produced from 1997 to 2002. It was in the middle of the Buell line up between the fast and light S1 Lightning and the comfortable but heavier S3 Thunderbolt. The S1 Lightning being the fastest and lightest of the bunch but offered a very narrow seat due to its minimalist approach for weight saving in this sport bike. The S3 Thunderbolt was a touring bike that offered a bigger wider seat and more comfortable riding position but was also a heavier motorcycle. The M2 Cyclone filled the gap between the sport and touring models with a bigger seat than the S1 Lightning and lighter and faster than the S3 Thunderbolt. The M2 was only available with the 1200cc engine and five-speed transmission. The frame was of the tubular steel type.

Trivia

*The 2005 Firebolt XB12R 'street' and 'race' versions as well as the Lightning CityX are featured in the PS2 video game Tourist Trophy from the makers of Gran Turismo 4.
*The Firebolt was to be the alternate mode of Arcee in the 2007 Transformers movie, before the character was dropped from the script.
*The Buell RR 1200 appears in the Xbox 360 video game Project Gotham Racing 4.

References

#

[http://www.buell.com/ "Buell Motorcycle Company"]
# [http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/3842/189718.html "Buell Motorcycle Information Resource"]