The Buell Saga Part 2: Is America Neglecting The Sportbike Dream?

Metier Law Firm
Mon, 08 Feb 2016 20:00:26 +0000
Motorcycle Accident, Sportbike

Erik Buell Racing (EBR) had been left in shambles by a bad investor, and an investment group known for selling-off bankrupt companies for scrap has bought the manufacturer in receivership. The motorcycling world has been on the edge of its seat wondering if EBR and the American sportbike could be saved. Will the American sportbike dream become a tragedy?

Erik Buell Racing: The Next Chapter

Liquid Assets Partners, known for cannibalizing the companies it buys at auction, announced last week that EBR would not be stripped for parts. An LAP press release says that it will make replacement parts and performance parts available to EBR bike owners immediately, and it’s rallying the manufacturer’s supply chain, assembly lines and dealerships for action.

Along with parts, LAP will also be releasing 2016 EBR models in mid-March for people gearing up for the riding season. This news shocked many motorcycle news writers—who had already written the obituary for America’s lone sportbike manufacturer—and it has breathed new life into the possibility that America could be on track to produce a top-of-the-line sportbike. However, LAP wants to also make it clear that Erik Buell Racing is still for sale.

Is America Neglecting The Sportbike Dream?

Though the group has no intention of splitting the bike manufacturer into pieces, the company still remains available for purchase from LAP. Big auto groups like Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz have heavy investments in motorcycle manufacturers. BMW even uses its car technology on its motorcycles, and uses its motorcycle engines to help power its new generation of hybrid vehicles. Could an American car manufacturer do something similar with the EBR brand?

For now the dream of an American sportbike is still alive, but there are still many obstacles in EBR’s future. Will the company be able to conquer adversity? Let us know what you think on our Twitter and Facebook pages.