If you wondered what happened to Erik Buell after the demise of Buell in 2009 under The Motor Company ownership, here’s your answer—he’s gone east, Far East, for another alliance with a big company. India’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, Hero MotoCorp Ltd. (HMCL) announced it had partnered with Erik Buell Racing (EBR). As part of the partnership, Hero MotoCorp (HMCL) will receive development support in technology and design from Buell’s Troy, Wisconsin-based firm Erik Buell Racing to develop future models for Hero. This is probably a wise move as the current line-up at Hero includes a scooter marketed to women called the “Pleasure,” with the following motto “Why should boys have all the fun?” Um, you can’t make this stuff up.
Here’s the newsy bit— through this alliance, Hero MotoCorp marks its debut into the superbike racing arena by sponsoring two teams: Team Hero and AMSOIL Hero – a first by any Indian two-wheeler company at the AMA Superbike Championship. Danny Eslick will represent “Team Hero” while Geoff May will represent team “AMSOIL Hero” – both riding on EBR 1190RS bikes. The first race is scheduled at the Daytona Speedway, at Daytona beach, Florida, USA between March 15th & 17th, this year.
About the bike, Hero/EBR says ” EBR 1190RS is the flagship bike from EBR, and an exclusive engineering marvel, as the company is producing only 100 inaugural units of these, including a handful of the carbon edition package. The EBR 1190RS is taking the American motorcycle racing world by storm with its performance, styling and handling.” Okay, but race day will prove whether this is hyperbole, or fact.
