The Rise and Fall of Buell Motorcycles - Part 3
Vložit
- čas přidán 2. 09. 2018
- I felt that the biggest and most prominent American sportbike manufacturer headed by Erik Buell needed to be researched and laid out. It turned out to be way deeper than expected so here we are splitting it into three videos.
__
My social media!
Instagram - / theillestrator_nyc
Facebook - / the-illestrator-191640...
Twitter - / illestratornyc - Auta a dopravní prostředky
*UPDATE* December 6, 2018 "EBR motorcycles are back in limited production"
www.erikbuellracing.com/single-post/2018/12/06/EBR-Motorcycles-are-back-in-limited-production
It's 2021 and, in February, EBR announced that they're now Buell as they've gotten the rights to the name(albeit, with no Erik Buell on board ironically enough), and have announced yet more new models based on the 1190, which is based on the 1125, which is now over a decade old... ...but, hey, I'm a sucker, my dumb ass still wants one!!! [even though I'm sure they'll go bankrupt again and parts will dry up even more... ...but, but, it's a Buell...]
www.cycleworld.com/story/bikes/buell-motorcycles-is-back/
Buell’s speech is the saddest thing ever
Conner Fox yea it was.
Dude not gonna lie, i teared up.
I teared up also..... I have way more respect for the guy now
All that he said was pre-written, and he was reading it off of something. Yeah, not so sad after you realize the reality.
@@driffbro3380and your point? He more than likely wrote it down himself because his mind was scrambled from what Harley just did to him and didn't want to forget anything. They just ended his career, something he worked on his whole life (or so they thought). But please explain what you mean, maybe I'm missing something.
Harley quitting on Erik really puts me off their brand and direction. Then to come out with that street fighter after thinking Erik had the wrong idea is a kick in the balls.
Lol, when I saw that bike I was like "Oh really??"...but yeah even with that said, that's why I just kind off hoped the best for this bike despite the removal of Buell
Anything for green
Yeah, it's about damn time H-D made a "sporty" Sportster. Been waiting 20 years for one. After this debacle, I'll just go foreign for my versatile, good handling bikes. And the Street Fighter is still 2-3 years away. Used MT-09, please!
Different CEO, Joe generic hedge fund whatever dude is gone and the guy in his place is someone who A. Actually rides and B. has worked at Harley since 94. Hopefully he realizes the potential opportunity in reaching out to Erik Buell and apologizing
@@hvymtal8566 If they did pick Erik Buell back up, i would be ecstatic. They really did him dirty.
Dope series people don’t give buell the credit he deserves
My local Harley dealer has 3 brand new leftover EBR's from 2016. $9k, 2 full fairing and 1 street fighter version. They stuck them in the service department lobby as to not shame the overpriced cruisers that won't sell.
You got the story reasonably straight, but for this fact: HERO intentionally strangled EBR for cash in 2014 in order to avoid making the next $20 million round of investments. They refused to pay for $10 million in work already completed by EBR, and also failed to pay the next installment of their investment. That's what drove EBR into bankruptcy. In 2015, days after I won the auction, they cut a deal with the receiver to acquire $10 million of the EBR/HERO IP for $2.4 million while we were still in the process of closing the financing. That was what killed the deal. How do I know? I'm Bruce Belfer. Thanks for making this video. Well done.
Bruce you were not only pushing hard to save EBR and continue Erik's legacy, but you also kept punters like us informed as much as you could. A scholar and a gentleman. The outcome wasn't what we all wanted, but you, sir, were the beacon us armchair critics needed but didn't deserve. Almost mate, almost. Thank you!
@@octopusenvy Thank you, sir.
OMG !!!
Now the very same Hero doesn't even have any Performance Bikes in the market. Hero-EBR Partnership could've been like Bajaj-KTM but Hero themselves ruined it. Now they are reaping the results.
Also Now Hero is in partnership with Harley (who killed EBR before Hero did).
I was really skeptical when Hero bought them: In my experience with Indian businesses, they frequently operate in that way as what happened there.
amazing series bro.. seriously.. like I told you.. so well done.. motodocumentary
Amazing indeed! Your IG post directed me to part 3...well-done finale! (Even with post notifications on, I still don't always see every new video)
That whole three-parter hurt to watch, the shout of injustice was so loud.
I don't know what you do during your ass-not-in-the-saddle time, Illest', but you've got lions lined up to be tamed if you choose.
What is that intro music?!
Harley lost me when they lost Erik.
Harley lost me too, for the same reason.
Fortunately the guy now in charge of Harley has been working there since 1994 and is a rider first and foremost. Putting Joe generic white haired hedge fund manager in charge of Harley was never going to do anything but slowly sink it.
HARLEY NEVER, EVER HAD ME.
Being a Cherokee American whose grandfather rode an Indian back in the 1950s, if I was going to buy an American motorcycle, I was going to buy the same brand as my Cherokee grandfather rode, an Indian. 🪶🪖
That press statement, where he announced closure, that was tough to watch. Felt for that guy.
That video announcing the end of Bull broke my heart. I hated seeing it. Great series.
I feel super sad for Eric Buell when EBR failed. I thought it was gonna be the comeback to end all comebacks. Sick looking bikes too.
After I uploaded I actually watched this stage show on the craftsman channel where Buell was highlighting his history and the comeback with the 1190RS. The sad part is that he was super hyped and kept hyping the future of the brand....little did he know.
- The illestrator - the way he's been going on for years one drawback after another, I can bet my left nut he'll be back in some way, shape, or form. We'll just keep watching this space, the man's no quitter from what I've seen thus far.
@@P1015532oni everybody's got their limits tho.
He rest should have tapped into the 600 market. Most riders aren't looking up are the top, the real money's downstairs.
695sx? Yes, please!
Must've took ages to research and edit this. Excellent work!
Buells were and are still bad ass bikes, too bad Harley ruined them.. I hope they make a comeback soon...
I’ve owned Buell motorcycles since 2005 and have always been impressed. I was about to buy an 1190sx and they went into receivership. I then purchase the best bike ever. A used 2009 Ulysses. I hope EBR comes up with a similar style adventure bike with the new 1190. I would buy it in a heartbeat!
I liked this series a lot. It's IMPOSSIBLE for me to tell this story without my vitriol for Hardley's treatment of Erik coming out so now I think I'll just direct folks to this series, lol. I ride one of the 2017 1190RXs (#17 Sidewinder Silver) and it's so fantastic, handles like a 600, will walk any other stock liter bike (up to 185ish), and with the Dean Adams pipe it sounds amazing.
Has it been reliable for you so far?
@@Theillestrator1050 yeah, no problems at all. Im at 3500 miles and there's other guys out there with 20K+ on them with little to no problems. Mines a 17, The 14s had some Gremlins but as long as you send the dash out for solder repair, replace the fuel pump with an updated one, and make sure the important bolts are tourqued right even a 14 will last just fine.
I very very strongly considered getting a 2017 1190RX months before the last shut down... But I bought a Corvette instead. Still have a Buell 1125R though. No regrets!
Im gonna buy a xb12 as my next motorcycle, just such beautiful machines. RIP Buell may we see them again.
One of the funniest bikes you'll ride. Love Xb12s.
That adventure model needs to be put down for the love of god 😂😂😂😂😂
Thanks for taking the time and putting this all together for us. I enjoyed every part of this series!
Exzellent research. I own my S1 since 1997 and I wouldn't trade it for anything. I thought I know all of the Buell-Story but it turned out that I didn't. BRAVO!
I'll never forget when the announcement came out in the media; I grabbed the new issue of Cycle World out of my mail box and on the cover I saw "Buell 1125 Takes Daytona!" and just below that "Harley cancels Buell." (exact details are probably off, it's been a while). What a damn shame.
Tried to buy an 1125R off of an old friend but it fell through. One day...
This was one of the most interesting CZcams videos I've ever seen...yo..good job for real..front wheel up all the way
9:00 that breaks my heart you can really see how hes trying to hold back tears...
Damn dude, i was about to go to sleep and u gotta upload part 3😌
This
It's been long enough XD
A great series that I thoroughly enjoyed. I learned a lot and gained a new found respect for Mr Buell. I wish him well for the future.
It was interesting hearing your thoughts at the end of the video, regarding the new direction for HD. I can’t help but agree that HD missed a massive trick with Buell and his potential input into both electric and ‘sports’ oriented bikes. I guess time will tell how things are going to pan out...
Thanks for watching....and waiting XD
I thoroughly enjoyed this set of videos. And it gave me a new appreciation for Buell.
Thank you for dropping knowledge on the World!!!
Woah this series has crazy production value! Considering that, it didn’t take long for this episode to come out. Thank you for this Mr. illestrator!
Love the video, but the HD disrespect for Buell's projects embitters me. Your hope expressed at the end of the video…kinda like hoping for pigs with wings. The Streetfighter: IMO don't look like a Buell, much more like a Ducati Diavel, but with a weak engine.
There really needs to be 3 other Made in America bike manufacturers, and raise competition to a high level. Instead US made bikes are MIA.
It probably will come down to whether or not the bikes can sell well. I didn't see a projected price or a spec sheet yet but those two things will be highly important for sales. We all know HD marks up their prices pretty hard, but they seem to ACTUALLY want to target the young and cheap crowd looking forward. If these models fail... I hope HD doesn't just give up
@@Theillestrator1050 I think they are going to have to in effort to seal the Indian scout models
The way hd was with buell idk if I'll ever buy one. I am looking at cruisers rn n hd is at the bottom of the list. They charge too much for what you get n if i meet a rider with a stick up his ass hes prolly on an hd
Do a search for the American V4 and you might be surprised on what you see.
I like where Indian is now heading with its Dark Horse/Chieftain/Chief bagger-cruisers/in-house made 111s and their 116 Big-Bore kit. But its not a sports bike, unlike what the Scout sorta almost-was. Too bad Eric Buell couldn't continue with evolving a V-twin sport-cruiser with the water-cooled HD-platform development that turned into the V-rod, which to my eye still has awful styling ~ Maybe one needs to really ride the bike hard-and-long before the beauty of style-follows-function emerges.
But I'm stuck on the innovative novelty and performance of the '06-09 XB12 X Ulysses. Sheer inept drop-the-ball and fumble on Corporate HD's part when they were a yard from the goal-line. The Ulysses XB12's were a brilliant synthesis of American V-twin grunt and flattrack/enduro finesse, torquey muscle with competent can-do style. The essence of American have-fun and get-R-done ingenuity. What's not to love?
Excellent platform for sport-cruising, adventure-touring, slinging mud & gravel, dirt-roading, highway gliding, canyon-carving & corner-slicing/dicing, and all-around Hell-YEAHING!, infinitely upgradable and modable to suit almost any flavor. NOBODY on an XB has to feel outgunned or underclassed in whatever 2/3-wheel mixed-company they're in. Cuz they know they got the smile-per-miles game BEAT! Used good-condition XB12s STILL offer tremendous value at $3-4k. And the Buell pushrod V-twin thunder-grunt coming-strong and hard out of corners is to die for.
~ Cheers!
I had an 1190RX best bike I’ve ever owned. It was hit by a truck. I replaced it with an 1190SX the second best bike I’ve ever owned. Erik Buell is amazing.
How was the reliability?
I had a 2008 Buell 1125R that I bought new and put almost 70,000 miles on until an ass hat in a minivan cut me off making a lane change on the freeway without checking his mirror and caused me to wreck. Replaced it with a used 2009 Buell 1125R. Best bikes I've ever owned. I heard of a guy with over 130,000 miles on his.
That harley sport bike looks like it slammed head on to a wall and smooshed everything backwards.
Lmao
I just bought a 1125r with 2,200 miles! I just installed a Twin Motorcycles Stage One Kit. Velocity Stacks, K&N air filter, Torque Hammer 2 Exhaust, Custom Race Tune By Twin Motorcycles. With the Pirelli Rosso Corsa 2’s this thing is gonna rip. Got a few more updates coming in for her. I love it so so so much. She’s a part of history!🥰🥰
I've been waiting to watch this. It deserves a proper time slot.
This is my favorite series on CZcams. I've wanted a Buell since I first rode with a guy who had a white XB9 thunderbolt.
Maybe one day.
This mini-series is worthy of a proper full length documentary. Well done - The illestrator -
Just acquired an 04 xb12r and wanted to learn about what I bought. This was the coolest most informative fuckin video series out there and now I will never trade or sell my bike, just buy more!!! Great series thank you
I'm kind of disappointed in absence of Buell. The Japanese pretty much own the industry. Yeah, you have the European bikes but when they cost 2+ times more and are far less reliable they're more of a status symbol rather than an alternative.
Don't get me wrong, there's at least competition from the Japanese market but it'd be nice to also see competition from the US market as well.
There was time when we [the US] were the leaders in engineering and manufacturing. To this date we're still the only country that has landed people on the moon, not once but multiple times.
However, these days, it seems we've kind of stagnated.
Though, I suppose, not all is lost. We're currently the world leader in electric cars (thant's to Tesla) and electric bikes (thanks to Zero) so I guess you could say we've moved on to bigger and better things, innovating a new market.
I'd love to see an episode about Zero. I know they're a pretty new company and it'd probably only take one video to cover them but I think it'd be super interesting. I'd also watch the hell out of that episode as well.
That's a good idea. Or maybe a video about electric bikes in general
@@Theillestrator1050 if you do one, check out Mission Motors and also the MotoCzysz E1pc. That last one is a very sad story like with Erik Buell tho.
@@Theillestrator1050 IIRC Honda and Yamaha are working on electric bikes too.
I mean triumph and ktm are neck on neck competitive with the japanese bikes when it comes to price. (Atleast in europe.)
Probably the best doc on Buell I've seen, epic work. I teared up when I watched the good buy vid. Im from Wisconsin so I always had a little pride that Buell's were built and designed here There was so much potential in that company it breaks your heart It ended like it did. Fast forward 2 yrs or so and HD is practically in free fall and the hole i their foot comes from the smoking gun in their hand. It's sad that such an Iconic brand is being led to slaughter by it's own idiotic and tone def management. Damn it, I'm fully entertained and pissed off all at the same time!!!
Thanks for the series. I’m a major Buell fan who discovered them only a few years ago, but what a blast (Not a Blast) it’s been! I own four of them now, three 1125s and an XB9R, and will have more of them.
Great job with this 3 part series amazing job of illustrating the history of buell you are very good at what you do and I liked the jokes peppered throughout made it much more digestible, thanks for the video.
Not sure if it’s the type of content or the way it’s communicated, but this is the kind of history class I can get behind
Man,
You should be a TV host for your own show. Extremly well done research, video sampling and editing, and narration. You are too notch. So glad I found your channel.
this was awesome. nice work dude, solid edit. just recently bought an '02 s3t- loving it so far. thx for making this!
Dude this is a wonderful series! Bravo!
Thanks for putting the series together. Educational and fun.
Excellent series ... just watched all three. Great information and brilliant production with just the right amount out humour. Nice job 😎
KEEP THESE SERIES UP, ENJOYED THE WHOLE THING AND KNOWLEDGE THANK YOU..!🙏🙏🙏
Excellent Documentary.
From a former owner/rider of an S1 with a seriously modded engine (87 inch plus many other tweaks), who is sadly no longer able to ride sport bikes.
I know you been busy now that the semester has started back up, BUT I'VE BEEN DYING FOR THE PART III, THANKS FOR THE DELIVERY BROTHA!!!👊⚡⚡
Very well done, thank you for creating and posting this.
Thanks for waiting lol
Well done series, what a man, I enjoy my two Buells, always will, the machines were made with passion and damn, they handle so well!
Great video, and very informative. I got a CR new in 09 and still love it. Had it out on sport bike track time and she really shined after I got my suspension tuned to my weight.
Great videos mate, thank you for that. Watched all 3 + your video on the RC51 so far. Great content.
I've owned 4 Buells. I loved every one. Outstanding series. Thanks.
What the hell was HD was thinking...they are in so much trouble right now, laying off employees again. If they still had Buell they may definitely be in better shape. What a boondoggle. I love my X1 Lightning!
Dude, you had me glued to my seat and fully entertained. I love Buell Motorcycles and I actually learned a lot. Great research and awesome job with this series! Gonna go buy a Translucent Blue Buell Lightning now LOL! THANKS MAN! 💪⚡
Most anticipated series I've been watching. Thank you!
So ironic, sad and F..d what Harley did to Eric.
I'll hold onto both of my Buells forever!
The way I understand it(feel free to correct me if I'm wrong). The XB's were originally supposed to be turbo charged. Ever noticed that cover over the frame of the XB9? There was supposed to be a hose running through for the turbo. If you're wondering what the hell happened, HD gave it the axe. I think you can find more info by researching turbocharged Buell.
7:39 That almost teared me up. A chrome plated push-rod kick to the balls.
I did see that from people commenting on part 2. But I didn't wanna spend anymore time on the XB for part 3 so I just skipped it because it was killed so early on
I wait 3 weeks for you to upload and then you do it when I just got to work. Why u du dis?
Lmfao, I am sorry bruv
I am in shock. This saddens me. What a story! Good job
Fantastic series Mr I 👍
Great conclusion to the Buell series. It's a shame about EBR, I always wanted one. There was even a dealer not far from me.
I would have liked to see what was next after the 1190 platform
I know it. Really though, I would have been more than happy with an 1190. They're still out there on the used market...maybe someday.
www.cycleworld.com/story/bikes/buell-motorcycles-is-back/
I honestly believe the production quality has gotten better and better with each video. You are going to blow up my friend.
Thank you
I really enjoyed watching your videos, very well done!
I own a XB12R and it is such a great bike and I enjoy the history. One of these days I will make a video of it. I drove from North Texas to a small town in Iowa to pick it up.
I appreciate the 3 part series, i knew some of the buell history and tech but now i feel alot better informed plus i found it very entertaining, i do think it sucks buell is gone, i discovered the XB while back and have had a hardon for it since. But awsome job with buells history, 3 thumbs up!
Glad I finally wrapped it up lol. Thanks for watching.
Whoa Lordy. I really enjoyed this. Thanks for putting this together.
Thanks, all I wanted to know with super funny delivery. You did good.
Really love this series.
This was a great series of videos that brought me back through the whirlwind of emotions I experienced over the last decade. My XB12S is a fun bike but I wish i couldve gotten my hands on a 1190SX or even that they got to release the 1190AX.
Amazing work. I never saw the full history of buell in such detail. Quite a few buells made it here to Australia, ive only ridden the xb12s and r. Good fun
Happy Labor Day to me!
Thanks bro, perfect as always! 😎
This series was incredible.
How in the heck do you write such good videos that keep us riveted all the way through. Never stop bro!
I look at it like this...I don't make anything my ADHD ass wouldn't wanna watch myself lol
Damn!!! These videos straight fire!
I've raced my 1125R and on one track in particular, I never got out of 2nd gear. That "broad" powerband Tony talked about was REAL!
Great series well documented. Keep it up.
OMG! that farewell clip literally made cry...
always enjoy your videos,keep them coming.
Trying my best!
Bro you can't go so long without posting, I always get nervous when I dont see updates from my favorite moto vloggers, glad all is well, and I am loving the Buell series!
Lol, sorry. If you have an IG follow me there too cause I'm active even when busy
@@Theillestrator1050 Word just did
This is awesome! Thanks for sharing your research!!!
Thanks for watching through it
Great series, well done!
You forgot to add the part where Hero stiffed Erik for 25 million dollars.
It was $20 million, but you have the right idea.
1125R owner here, love it, literally like nothing else
The only thing that I want with a Harley Davidson dealer is the oil filter, oil, transmission oil and o-rings needed to service my XB9 Lightning. They had Buell and they let it go. I heard that they exhibited too much control over Buell with the 1125. Buell originally wanted to build the EBR's. Nice video series.
Been waiting for this video for while now!
*peeks from behind corner of shame*
It's....here now XD
Brilliant. I like all your videos, but this documentary style is where you excell. Never seen it done better (sorry Lemmy/ Spurge ).
Lol, thanks.
Excellent three part compilation. I would love to ride an EBR 1190(SportBike). Thanks for making this.
Good job man, love your series , keep em comin,
Thank you for watching!
So, I wonder how EBR would have faired if they produced models with a larger market, like something between 600-800cc. I really think the reason they couldn't afford production is the market for larger than 1 liter bikes is just too small.
Interesting point. Liter bikes tend to do good in the U.S. where they can be opened up though. There might be more to it
Just a little food for thought. Imagine if they made an actually GOOD Buell Blast. :D
Lmao. Good blast... alot of ppl seem afraid of liter bikes n stick to the 600s
@@nickabel8279 there are other things you need to consider, like cost and insurance.
Invidious Ignoramus i guess.. my 1125r is cheap to insure lol
7:43 you can truly see the passion of the guy...its so rare these days
You need to make a part 4! A lot has happened in the last couple of years
Just found this channel, it's amazing, man. Keep up the good work I subscribed.
You should do a good, well thought out documentary on the 90's speed wars between the Japanese manufacturers. I feel like it hasn't been done well and it would do really good because it's such an interesting story/mystery. Maybe it has been done, I'm not entirely sure, but either way it's just a suggestion.
Cheers!
Already did one lol. It's a two part series, check my channel.
I remember always seeing the Buell Blast on craigslist ny for sale. I always thought to myself this is an interesting bike, but I did my research back then. I found out the company for the bike went out of business so I ignored the bike. But that's pretty much all I knew at the time. Now I know much more thanks to this documentary. Good job.
P.S. I just checked on 9/2018 and found one up for sale haha.
EBR should have been bought by Polaris. If Polaris were serious about American bikes that is.
I was gonna say lol, I thought they killed victory
@@Theillestrator1050😂 they did. That's why their seriousness is questionable at best.
Agreed, They killed victory when it was a direct competitor to Indian.. But purchasing a turnkey business like EBR for a sport bike segment would have been perfect... instead it seems they are sitting on the Indian name without looking at Hardley's example of how bad that can go.
everoblivion2005 the thing that irks me the most is that they could have kept both brands. Let Indian go after Harley. And let Victory be innovative. Add EBR to that and you could rival any of the Japanese makers. It seemed they only wanted to go after Harley though. Harley could have done that too had they kept Buell around. I guess shortsightedness is an American thing. 🤦🏾♂️
Just imagine what could have evolved if Polaris had been able to purchase Buell.
Great videos!
I had the 1125R bought it brand new the first year it was out. It was a great strong bike, but it had so many issues. I had it for about two weeks and exchanged it for a 2004 V-ROD with 110 miles on it. The biggest problem with the 1125R was it would run extremely hot and had a boiling gas issue inside the frame. You would take off the gas cap and the amount of pressure inside would pop of the cap. You could literally hear the gas boiling in the frame. The other issue, the overflow tube for the gas was placed right over the hot exhaust and would drip on it🤦🏻♂️. IMO, If the bike was ever dumped I do believe it would’ve blown up or go up in flames.
👍🏻👍🏻
Dope series man. I really enjoyed it.
Thanks for watching
I've had three Buell's starting with the City-X then a 1200 firebolt eventually a 2008 1125R all great bikes in their own right. The 1125R I bought new and still have, it's great for the twisting roads we have in Scotland. Perhaps they will bury it with me when the time comes.
Love your channel you have a natural flair keep it up; I'm looking forward to your BMW build, might be worth restoring rather than chopping and making a cafè.
Nicely done... Subscribed!
Great work man!
fair out. great job man
That 1190 RS is one of the best looking sportbikes I’ve seen.
Good job ,enjoyed this series.
Thanks!
Thanks for the video. I love my 2000 M2 Cyclone !