Buell Motorcycle Co. reveals their new flagship superbike

Buell Motorcycle Co. pulled the wraps off their debut entrant back into the motorcycle scene with the sleek and powerful Hammerhead 1190, and are set to take reservations beginning November 1, 2021. The revived moto brand first teased the Hammerhead as well as a few other upcoming models back early in the year, and now appears ready to make good on their production promises. They’ve coined a marketing phrase, “Buell is Back” to call attention to the return of the legendary American racing marquee, and now seem set to deliver.

The lines and styling cues of the Hammerhead 1190 definitely evoke the shark moniker. Photo by Buell Motorcycle Co.

“When we said ‘Buell is Back’, we meant it,” said Bill Melvin, CEO of Buell Motorcycle Co. “We have former executives from Buell, General Motors, Lotus Engineering, Toyota, and Bombardier Recreational Products ensuring we are manufacturing and developing the highest quality products. Now we are putting the finishing touches on our factory and kicking off production of the Best American Superbike on November 1, the Buell Hammerhead 1190. Buell is Back!”

2022 Buell Hammerhead 1190. Beautiful. Photo by Buell Motorcycle Co.

From Buell: The Buell Hammerhead 1190 will have a Grand Rapids, Michigan built and proven 185-horsepower high performance 72-degree V-Twin engine with 13.4:1 compression, sporting EFI with 4 injectors and exerting 101.6ft-lbs of torque. Buell’s unique chassis and braking system is the key to its success on the racetrack and on the road. The Hammerhead has a specialized aluminum Fuel in Frame design which provides strength, lower center of gravity, and added balance unmatched against the competition. Buell’s unique single perimeter front braking system reduces the unsprung weight to allow the rider unsurpassed performance and feel during turns. And at just 419 lbs., it’s nimble and quick.

The Buell crew putting the Hammerhead through testing. Photo by Buell Motorcycle Co.

The company is setting up what appears to be a quite innovative online reservation and bike delivery system they are calling “Buellvana”, with details on the system set to be revealed by October 21. Looks like a post-COVID, personal-touch method of selecting, ordering, taking delivery and servicing for owners. We’ll pass along the details as soon as we get them.

“When we announced that our future models will include variants for dirt, touring, and cruisers, while expanding our engine lineup, we were blown away at the rider response,” said Steve Laham, Chief Products, Development & Strategy Officer at Buell Motorcycle Co. “I knew Buell was a beloved brand, and now riders are pulling for us. With the Hammerhead going into production, innovative technology and products in our pipeline, and our online reservation system changing the industry, we’re lean, mean and on the move!”

Hammerhead 1190 straightening the curves during testing. Photo by Buell Motorcycle Co.

Buell was originally launched back in 1983 by former Harley-Davidson engineer Erik Buell, excelling in AMA competitive road racing with machines like the RW750, XBRR and later the 1125R. Harley-Davidson soon acquired Buell, eventually coming to own 98% of the company by 2000. Buell clinched the AMA Daytona 200 Sportbike Championship in 2009. Sadly, that same year, H-D pulled the plug on the Buell brand, ending production of the Buell street and race machines. For a more extensive explanation of the ups and downs of Buell over the years, see our story HERE.

We look forward to discovering and sharing more info on this new Buell Hammerhead 1190, as well as future models they are said to be debuting in the next couple of years. We wish them the best.

For more on Buell Motorcycle Company, click here-

Buell Motorcycles