19 Facts About Erik Buell

Erik Buell's first motorcycle was an Italian Parilla 90cc moped.

Erik Buell raced motocross before becoming interested in road racing in his early 20s.

Erik Buell used his racing experience to personally test Harley-Davidsons beyond normal riding limits, and implemented an electronic chassis testing regimen at H-D that greatly improved their handling.

Erik Buell learned of the small, privately held general-purpose engine maker Barton in 1981.

Erik Buell felt that with his engineering background, he could improve the engine.

The chassis was a lost cause, and Erik Buell designed his own chassis.

Erik Buell first raced a prototype of his bike, using the mostly stock Barton engine, in the summer of 1982 at the AMA National on the Pocono Speedway.

Erik Buell found some success at the local club levels despite the grossly overpowered, unrefined engine.

In 1982, Barton closed, and Erik Buell was given the option to purchase the entire stock of spare engines and parts, drawings, and the rights to produce and sell the engine.

Erik Buell did so, but the shipment was delayed, and he missed the opportunity to make use of this new equipment and knowledge for the 1983 racing season.

Erik Buell then quit his job at Harley-Davidson to devote more time to racing.

Erik Buell offered his RW750s under the 'Erik Buell Motor Company' marque for $15,900 to press accolades.

Erik Buell's design incorporated the engine as a fully stressed member of the frame.

In 1989, Erik Buell introduced the RS1200 model, a two-seat version of the RR1200 marketed to riders who demanded both world-class performance and desired passenger capacity.

Erik Buell responded to Harley's revised engine mounting points by further improving an already innovative design: the RS chassis.

Later that year, Erik Buell introduced a single-seat version of the RS1200 model, dubbed the RSS1200.

Battley told Harley-Davidson then-CEO, Vaughn Beals, that Erik Buell could give the company a performance image with no risk to Harley.

Erik Buell led the company to create some of the most innovative, usable sport bikes under the XB series of Erik Buell Motorcycles.

In 2002, Erik Buell was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.