Exciting news out of Grand Rapids, Michigan, where Buell Motorcycles has just announced they are returning to production with a bang. That bang comes in the form of promising 10 new motorcycles by 2024, including dual-sport, touring and high-performance electric models.
Image: Buell
When Harley Davidson stopped producing the Buell line, Eric Buell resumed production under Eric Buell Racing (EBR). When that iteration of Buell collapsed, Bill Melvin swooped in and purchased the remains, including the brand name, in 2018.
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Buell hasn’t been entirely out of the production game up until now: Riding the brand’s new 1190HCR, Logan Cipala, won the 2020 AMA Hillclimb Championship in October. The models that are now being made in Michigan are based on the 1190.
Logan Cipala Image: Buell
In addition to the 1190HCR, the Buell website currently features photos and specs for the fully built Hammerhead 1190RX sportbike (which was designed with Ryan Hahn, and a famed Buell designer) and the 1190SX superbike. The 1190 Super Touring page displays renderings of what appears to be a comfortable touring bike, complete with a grippy-looking rear tire and hard panniers. While the full model release is slated for 2023, the accessories associated with it will be available in 2021.
Image: Buell
Buell has also teased cruisers and even an adventure bike, in addition to offering a range of small to medium engine displacements. “We are excited to bring Buell back with this awesome assortment of superbikes and performance motorcycles. We start with the fastest American production motorcycles, hand-built in the USA, so that’s a nice start! We’re building out those platforms for more touring & adventure models, then we’re expanding our displacements to be competitive with other global brands,” says CEO Melvin.
Image: Buell
While news of Buell’s return was a welcome surprise for many, the company’s press release left readers with more questions than answers. Top of mind for many being the mysterious price points of these made-in-America machines. Those price points will likely directly impact the fruition of CEO Bill Melvin’s hopes that “the passionate Buell Nation can grow and thrive again.”
But wouldn’t that be something?
Header Image: Buell
