Erik Buell to offer superbikes to teams

Erik Buell says his firm will offer around 25 superbikes a year capable of running ‘in the front group’ of AMA-level superbike races for ‘a very competitive price’.

But the terms of his license with Harley don’t run to spin-off road-bikes.

The soon-to-be ex-Harley-Davidson employee’s new firm – Erik Buell Racing -­ will officially launch on 1 December, formed around Erik and a small team of former Buell employees.

“I would love to take on everyone that was let go, but it will only be a tiny team to start” he says.

The firm will offer race-bikes based on the 1125 and not the spy-photographed ‘Barracuda’, which as an unhomologated machine is ineligible for racing.

According to the terms of his non-disclosure agreement with Harley, Buell can say ‘nothing’ about that bike.

Nevertheless Buell is confident his new outfit will be able to offer competitive bikes, suggesting the 1125 platform won’t stand still: “All of our bikes have met the rules of whatever organization they run in.

“I am not sure what the final rules are for all the organizations, but we will build as necessary and allowed.

“And I think we will be very competitive costwise if you are serious about running in the front group.”

Asked about the emotional rollercoaster he’s been on since Harley’s shock decision to bin his 26-year-old firm Erik says: “I’ve been worse, I’ve been better. I try to stay as level as I can these days.

“With all the chaos in the world and all the controversy that can be stirred up these days with partial facts, I think it is a good time for people not to over-react.”