Hero MotoCorp of India Partners with Erik Buell

Hero MotoCorp Ltd. (HMCL), has announced a strategic partnership with Erik Buell Racing (EBR) in an agreement that will cover multiple areas of collaboration.

As part of the partnership, HMCL will receive support in technology and design to develop future models with Buell’s company EBR, which specializes in designing and manufacturing powerful and high-speed motorcycles.

Pawan Munjal, managing director and CEO of Hero MotoCorp, said, “Erik and his team have been working closely with our engineers and designers to develop our next-generation range of products with cutting-edge technology and first-of-its-kind features."

Buell said, “Both HMCL and EBR share a common commitment to manufacturing world-class two-wheelers with technology of the future. I have personally been impressed with and inspired by Pawan’s vision. He has given us a challenging brief, and our highly-motivated team is working toward giving shape to that dream. We look forward to designing technology solutions that are in line with contemporary global standards and also futuristic in their appeal and utility.”

Through this alliance, Hero MotoCorp will also for the enter international motorcycle racing for the first time. The company will is sponsoring two teams: Team Hero and AMSOIL Hero – a first by any Indian motorcycle company in the AMA Pro Racing National Guard Superbike Championship. Danny Eslick will ride for Team Hero and Geoff May will ride for Team AMSOIL Hero – both on EBR 1190RS bikes.

Munjal said racing is a key part of its alliance with EBR. "Both Erik and I felt that we should carry forward our partnership onto the race track. As a company, we have always supported and nurtured sports and sporting talent in India. It is indeed a pleasure to sponsor two EBR teams at the AMA Championships and we are delighted to be taking an Indian brand to a highly-competitive and highly-popular international motorcycle race arena. We look forward to great performances from both Danny and Geoff.”

Buell said the support provided by Pawan and Hero MotoCorp to his two teams will help drive them to further success. "As I kept meeting Pawan over the past several months, I realized his interest in motorcycle racing and Team Hero is really a natural extension of our strategic collaboration. Top-level motorcycle racing is a very popular sport in the U.S., and the presence of the Hero brand name is going to lend a lot of stature and excitement to all EBR fans out there.”

Hero MotoCorp is also developing the concept hybrid scooter called "Leap," showcased at the recent Auto Expo, in collaboration with EBR.

The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame recently named Marilyn Stemp and Steve Piehl to its board of directors.

Stemp is a pioneering figure in the motorcycle industry, founding IronWorks Magazine with her late husband, Dennis, and becoming the first female editor of a nationally circulated, mainstream motorcycle magazine. She also revived their trade magazine, Iron Trader News; edits the monthly Kiwi Indian News; contributes to several powersports media outlets; and is the founding editor of Sturgis Rider Daily. Stemp is a noted editor and writer of several motorcycle-focused books. Her consistent support for charitable efforts in the industry include the annual Biker Belles Celebration, Las Vegas BikeFest and as campaign chair for the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum’s development plan in 2014. She co-founded the Flying Piston charity events taking place in Daytona and Sturgis each year and is a National Ambassador for All Kids Bike. Stemp was inducted into both the Las Vegas Motorcycle Hall of Fame and the Sturgis Museum's Hall of Fame in 2018, and in 2022 she was recognized as one of the Top 100 Women in Powersports by DealerNews.