After a series of receiverships, Buell is back. Buell Motorcycle Co. is an independent American motorcycle company. Founded by Erik Buell in 1983, the company made their first bike– the RW750 for the AMA Formula 1 racing championship. Later on, in 1993, Harley-Davidson acquired about 49% of the company, and Buell became a subsidiary of Harley-Davidson in 2003. Under Harley-Davidson, Buell manufactured and sold thousands of bikes. However, Buell was far from stable, and in 2009, Harley-Davidson made the last set of Buell motorcycles.

After shutting down, Erik Buell founded the Erik Buell Racing (EBR), which focused on making upgraded race versions of some Buell bikes. The superbikes made by EBR were mainly used for professional racing. Unfortunately, EBR had to file for receivership in 2015 with $20,000,000 in liabilities. The good news for motorcycle fans is that the Buell motorcycle company is back, and they have a new superbike. Let's go on a ride for everything we know about the new superbike, Buell Hammerhead 1190.

10 Powertrain

Buell-Hammerhead-1190-Superbike-1
Via Visordown

The new 2022 Buell Hammerhead 1190 has a liquid-cooled transverse 72° V-twin with 1,190cc of displacement. Close competition like the Suzuki GSX-R1000R is equipped with a DOHC inline-four engine with the additional advantage of Suzuki's variable valve timing (VVT).

2022-Buell-Motorcycles-1190RX-Hammerhead
Via Motorbiscuit

The Kawasaki ZX-10R has a liquid-cooled four-stroke inline-four DOHC engine with 998cc displacement, and Honda's CBR1000RR-R Fireblade is powered by a 999cc liquid-cooled inline-four, four-cylinder engine. The Buell Hammerhead 1190 has similar powertrain specifications to the 2014 EBR 1190RX model.

9 Performance And Handling

Buell-Hammerhead-1190-Superbike-2
Via BuellMotorcycle

Buell claims that the 2022 Hammerhead 1190 makes up to 185 horsepower and 102 lb-ft of torque at 8,200 rpm. The power is sent to the wheel using a 6-speed transmission and a wet slipper clutch.

Buell-Hammerhead-1190-Superbike-3
Via NewIn24InEnglish

For the braking system, the manufacturer chose a front braking system that is typically used in old EBR and Buell models. Also, there's a single 386mm perimeter disc and 8-piston inside-out caliper brakes. At the rear, the Hammerhead has a single 220mm disc and 2-piston caliper brakes.

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8 It's The First Of Buell's Promised 10 Models

2022-Buell-Hammerhead-1190
Via WebBikeWorld

With Buell making a comeback as a bike manufacturing company in 2021, the Hammerhead 1190 is their first project. The new management at the company revealed that they intend to increase the motorcycle lineup with ten new models by 2024.

Buell-Hammerhead-1190-Superbike-4
Via NewIn24English

These models could be dirt bikes, touring bikes, cruisers, or the popular adventure bikes. Buell also plans to diversify their engine lineup. The new bikes will also be based on EBR and Buell's older models. These models include the EBR 1190RR, EBR 1125RR, Buell 1190RS, Black Lightning, and the Ax.

7 Production Began In November 2021

Six Men Discussing Around The Hammerhead 1190
Via NewsAkmi

Buell announced that they would start producing the 2022 Hammerhead 1190 in November 2021. Information volunteered by Buell on the Hammerhead 1190 is sparse, so the exact release date is unknown. However, reservations for production have been open and ongoing since November.

EBR's Factory
Via Cnet

To reserve the new superbike, riders have to deposit as little as $25 through Buell's delivery service– Buellvana. When the bikes are ready, Buell plans to deliver them through Buellvana. According to the company, the delivery service has already been tried and tested with positive results.

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6 A $18,995 Starting Price Tag

2022 Buell Hammerhead Front View
Via Buell Motorcycle

Riders will be able to get a 2022 Hammerhead 1190 at $18,995 - $24,995. That's a high price to pay for a bike, but the Hammerhead might be worth it. Rivals of the Hammerhead 1190 in the American market include the Ducati Panigale V4, Kawasaki ZX-10R Ninja, BMW S 1000 RR, and the Yamaha R1.

Buell Motorcycles Logo
Via Buell Motorcycles

The Ducati Panigale costs $21,995, with its higher trim level costing about $39,995. Yamaha's R1 has a base price of $17,399, and the YZF-R1M trim level has a price tag of $26,099. The Hammerhead has the same price range as its competition, but Ducati and Yamaha's strongholds are their solid fan bases and popularity.

5 Aerodynamic Design

Buell Tire
Via LinkedIn

Buell's website shows that the 2022 Hammerhead 1190 is quite the perfect balance of design and engineering. There isn't too much going on, but the superbike is sleek, compact, and can even be described as menacing. While the new Hammerhead looks similar to some old Buell models, you can easily spot new design elements.

Buell Hammerhead 1190 Rendering
Via Cycleworld

The motorcycle's rear is streamlined and shaped in a futuristic manner. A couple of shark gill slits are also placed on the bike's fairing. Buell's designer– Ryan Hahn, collaborated with the company to design the new model.

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4 Aluminum Chassis Frame

Man Riding The EBR 1190RX
Via Cnet

When choosing frames, manufacturers mainly either go for steel or aluminum. Both choices have their pros and cons. Steel frames were the choice till manufacturers started using aluminum frames in the mid-'70s. Generally, steel frames are more comfortable, durable, easy to repair, and less fragile.

Buell Hammerhead Side View
Via L'automobile

However, you'd have to deal with rust, low efficiency, high cost, more weight. Aluminum frames are cheaper, more efficient, rust-free, aerodynamic, and faster. The downside includes less comfort and less durability. Like previous Buell and EBR models, the Hammerhead is fitted with an aluminum fuel-in-frame chassis.

3 It Is Built On An Existing Platform

2014 1190RX
Via NewAtlas

The new Buell management mentioned that their new models would be based on previous Buell models so, it makes sense that the new superbike was built on an existing platform. Buell's new model was built on the 2014 1190RX platform. Both motorcycles have the same displacement and similar specifications.

2014 1190RX
Via Motorcycle Daily

The power train and horsepower for both bikes are the same, but the torques are slightly different. Also, the weight of both models without fuel is 419 lbs.

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2 Closest Rivals

A 2021 BMW S1000RR On The Street
Via AutoMoWheelz.com

Even before the new Buell Hammerhead 1190 gets released, it already rivals its segment. Superbikes like the BMW S 1000 RR, Ducati Panigale V4, Kawasaki ZX-10R, Suzuki GSX-R1000R, and the Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade are being pitted as Buell's competition.

2019 Kawasaki ZX-10R ABS
Via Cycletrader

For the price, these bikes are all in the same range with some differences. The Hammerhead can compete with these bikes when it comes to design. We can't say if the Hammerhead can compete in reliability since the model is yet to be released.

1 Erik Buell Is Not Involved

EBR_ErikBuell
Via Startupgrind

Founder of the Buell motorcycle company and EBR (Erik Buell Racing) is not a part of this present management. Bill Melvin bought EBR and is currently the CEO of the company. Though the company still bears his name, Erik Buell is not involved with the new bikes Buell motorcycle co is rolling out.

Erik Buell
Via Motociclismo

However, the motorcycle engineer is working on something interesting. Erik Buell is now the CTO of Fuell– an electric motorcycle and bicycle company. Fuell has moved past the prototype stage, and they currently have production units for sale.