| Author | Message | ||
     Eengler2 |
Disappointed with dealership: First, I was supposed to be on the "first-to-call" list. No Call. Second, stared at it, sat on it, took camera pics for 10 mins. No Help. Disappointed with bike: 1) Powdercoat scraped off spoke on front wheel (Is this going to be a quality problem down the road?) 2) Muffler is hideous. (Black paint overspray on chrome tips! Plus, unsightly large welds) 3) Gap between seat and frame is not the same as gap between body plastic and frame. Plus, gap between seat and frame is different on each side. 4) Bubbled? Airbox cover plastic. Small bubbles from bottom up about 1/2 inch around most of the airbox cover. 5) Powdercoat on frame is not as smooth on the steering neck section. (From vertical weld forward). It looks like "orange peel". Maybe there is a reason for it??? 6) Large gap between pods and fairing looked like someone forgot to "measure twice, cut once!" Positives: Like the look of the headlights and wide front. Tach/Speedo Display is simple and very nice looking Fit my slender 6'2" frame well. Overall: Never seriously shopped for a showroom new bike before, so maybe what I perceive as quality issues are the same with the Japanese manufacturers. But the overall fit and finish did not impress. Maybe I am expecting new-car quality that isn't there with new-bikes yet? Will not be getting my $ this year. Hopefully next year. I know many of you will say, "Yeah but you gotta ride it." Hopefully Eagle Harley in Lafayette, Indiana will take me seriously next year when I tell them I sold my M2 for a new Buell and put me on the call list. Eric | ||
| Bebop |
Hmm... maybe that one was built on a Friday. | ||
| Garrett2 |
youre going to tell them again in 09 that you sold your m2? lol | ||
| Eengler2 |
youre going to tell them again in 09 that you sold your m2? lol Not sure I get your point. Mine was two-fold. First, dealership put me on a call list for when they received an 1125R. Not only did they not call, but when I go in, everyone passes me by. (M2 already sold). Side note, parts dept is great at this dealership based on previous experience with M2. Second, not impressed with fit and finish quality of bike. Seat to frame gap issue not limited to the bike I saw. XB12R (notice lack of gap and nice line with airbox cover, seat, and seat plastic)  VS 1125R  stolen pic from No_Rice post. Nice collection of Buells, by the way! (I couldn't find a side pic on Buell website) I wasn't there to critique the bike, but the fitment was glaring. | ||
| Metalstorm |
It might be the seat. The tail sections are all the same but I've noticed some seats fit better than others. Anyhoo, maybe a year or two down the road there will be a new version that will appeal to you. Don't lose faith just yet  | ||
| Metalstorm |
Could be the seat or the picture angle. This white 12 seems to share the same gap as the 1125R.  Everythings new. Maybe the seat needs a couple thousand riding miles to be squeezed down & conformed to the correct shape  (Message edited by metalstorm on January 22, 2008) | ||
| No_rice |
that top white xb12r is a website pic, i have yet to see a single buell that has a seat fit that good. looks like a little extra playing was done with that one! and thank you, i like my buells and the gf loves hers too. i still have yet to make the 1125 my favorite over this one though...    | ||
| Old_man |
The standard seat on my XB9S fit nicely. The Streetfighter seat didn't quite fit right and the Select seat hardly fits at all. - 3/4 inch gap between seat and frame in the back. I had to place many sandbags on the rear of the seat and leave them for a couple of days to make the seat level with the frame which I had adjusted up as far as it would go. This quality of fitment, I'm sure, you will not find with Harley parts. Quality control from suppliers is not what it should be. P.S. - The placement of the cover on the seat is not centered either. I can live with that. It is a comfortable seat. (Message edited by old_man on January 22, 2008) | ||
| Eengler2 |
No_Rice, That is probably my favorite of your stable also. Something about the flat paint and chopped up fairing! Glad you didn't take offense to me robbing your photo M2 I sold in fall (I like flat paint, also)  Back to 1125R: Besides the seat, any comments on the other items? The orange peel on the front section of the frame was not there on the xb12stt they had. Not trying to be negative. Really love Buells and the 1125R. Just really surprised about these items (gaps, orange peel, exhaust overspray and powdercoat on wheels). The Black with Blue frame is very nice! (Message edited by eengler2 on January 23, 2008) | ||
| Brad1445 |
Eengler2 , I have looked at two 1125R in two different dealers. Having owned 5 past Buells I would have to agree that they may have rushed these out the doors. No more apparent than the exhaust. | ||
| Chadhargis |
Seat gaps and paint issues don't bother me as long as the powertrain and suspension is solid. I'd hate to think about something coming loose at warp speed. YIKES! Of course, I always check all the critical fasteners on a new bike. I never trust the guy who put it together. It's my a$$, not his. | ||
| Torquemonster |
Your M2 was a badass lookin machine, Eric. Ive got a shoddy print of it hanging in my garage. | ||
| Jos51700 |
If the seat is not engaged properly at the front, there can be an excessive gap. The cosmetic defects should have been noted on the PreDelivery Inspection. Parts are then ordered, repairs made, etc. The dealer personnel skipping you is wrong. There should be some butt-chewing. Sounds like a lazy dealer more than a poor product, to me. | ||
| Mtg |
Remember that the 1125R's you are seeing now are pretty early in the production. If the quality issues bother you, wait 6 months and they'll probably be better. It doesn't make sense for Buell to get every little tiny issue perfect before releasing the bike, they'd never make any money. | ||
| Eengler2 |
Your M2 was a badass lookin machine...Ive got a shoddy print of it hanging in my garage. WOW, That's awesome! It doesn't make sense for Buell to get every little tiny issue perfect before releasing the bike, they'd never make any money Possibly poor quality powdercoat on wheels and obvious overspray on an already asthetically questionable muffler do not seem like little tiny details. It's the details that add to the overall perception of quality and longevity. I suppose new model quirks might be to blame. Off the top, I remember fuel injection problems on new Yamaha's and Triumphs. Definitely not what I would want from a new machine. | ||
| Fast2win |
Are the wheels installed on these bike in the crate. Could be that when the brake was installed the tech hit the wheel with the caliper. | ||
| No_rice |
everything is on them in the crate. | ||
| Retrittion |
Disclaimer first: I don't own a 1125, I do own a 12R, purchased new. That said, I purchase a motorcycle on how it handles first, mechanics second (engine, etc.), the ergonomics for me riding it third, and finally -- and least important -- how it looks. I do think the quality of fit and polish of the product is important, after you ride it and decide you want one -- then deal with the dealership on the issue of flaws in workmanship or materials. Also, it is a general rule that adopting anything new when it is first introduced brings along attendant issues, such as some of the fitment issues you bring up... ...and stock seats are like stock levers, grips, blinker, and mirrors -- there to be changed anyways.  My 2 cents, YMMV. | ||
| Mhfirebolt |
The faults that will probably arise because of this bike being a new design, are the reason that I'm going to wait for about 2 years before I buy one. I want Buell to work the "bugs" out. USA Baby!  |
