Erik Buell
2002, Industry
Erik Buell doesn't understand the work, "no". His passion for race
bikes and speed, coupled with his engineering creativity, helped him
successfully launch and grow a new motorcycle company, not once, but
several times. Doing it even once is an uncommon distinction.
Born in Pittsburgh in 1950, Erik earned his AMA Expert license in
1978 after working his way through several brands and sizes of
motorcycles in his roadracing career. Kawasaki, Yamaha, Harley,
Ducati - none offered exactly what he was looking for in a race bike.
In 1982, Erik built and sold his first bike - an RW750 - using his
own frame and an English engine. However, when AMA cancelled the
class and nullified Erik's investment, he started another company to
sell his more successful RR1000 - a dual-carbed Harley XR1000 motor
in a frame he designed. Through his small dealer network, he sold 50
of these bikes - and then ran out of motors.
Tenacious to the end, Erik re-designed his frame to house the Harley
1200 Evolution motor, either fully enclosed (the RR1200) or in an
exposed model (the RS1200). He sold several hundred of these bikes.
Company three he began in 1993, eventually selling 49% of it to
Harley-Davidson; in 1998, Harley bought another 49%, leaving Erik
with a 2% ownership.
« Return to Hall of Fame List