| Author | Message | ||
     Ron_luning |
I have been thinking about buying an 1125r (the white one) now that the 09 models have supposedly been fixed in terms of injection/ignition. The bike I rode was well warmed up, but if it was idling (kind of high at 1500 rpms I thought) and I opened the throttle quickly the engine would instantly die. Has anyone else seen this problem? Plus, I'm not sure if it is some kind of driveline lash or the injection, but the bike seemed to have a lot of slop when going from off to on throttle. It kind of felt like when the chain is too loose on a bike with conventional chain/sprockets. Also, the bike seems geared VERY high but the demo ride group never really did highway speeds like I would if I were commuting. What kind of rpm do you run in 6th gear going 80-85 mph? I know that the CR has lower gearing, but I just don't want to get a bike with no wind protection. It seems like some of you have had a completely unacceptable number of failures on your bikes. I have a 2002 Yamaha FZ1 with 35,000 miles and have never had anything break. Are you guys with the 2009 bikes still having problems? Thanks for all your help! | ||
| Hooliagn |
I had pretty much the same questions. Read the thread "Tell me what you know ". | ||
| Ron_luning |
I almost forgot, what is the deal with the plastic bodywork having "flash" still around the edges. Particular bad spots were the leading edges of the airbox cover. How much do the plastic body parts cost? I could actually see the seam still where the two halves of the rear section were joined running front to back on top of the tail light. I've been riding Japanese bikes for 10 years now and haven't seen that. | ||
| Jpfive |
Comparing the cost of these parts, Buell vs Japanese brands will be illustrative, I think. I plunked down $1500+ when my VFR went down on the Dragon back in '05 for two replacement panels, a peg and brake handle. Buell parts would be a fraction of this. I haven't really noticed the difference you are seeing in fit/finish - but haven't really been looking for it either. Even if it was important to me, the difference in cost would have to be factored in. Bottom line, go with what's important to you. Moving to Buell involves a culture shift. If it's not for you, stay with what moves you. Jack | ||
| Teach |
Ron_luning I understand your concerns. I agree with Jpfive about it being a "culture shift". For me, it is being a part of something very special. Erik Buell's story is so inspiring and what he has accomplished is the true american success story. In some small way, I want to be part of that. But, no matter what, these bikes have character and you are able to bond with them. Also, you have a company that really cares about the bikes and the people that ride them and that feeling isn't just for the bottom line. I had an opportunity to spend a few minutes talking with Erik and this guy is the real deal, truly an enthusiast! So, it all depends what you are looking for and I hope you find it and are happy. To me, bikes should be more than just steel and plastic, they become my friends... Jim | ||
| Jmr1283 |
mine has lines on the very back of the tail sectin on top, but ive never thought of it as bad. or ugly. its just the way it is. my tank doesnt have any manufactoring marks though. When u noticed the idling did u see the word cold below the tach. or did it show "average fuel blah blah". When i test drove one and when i drive mine the gearing doesnt seem high at all. i mean in 2nd at 4g's i can power wheelie. that doesnt seem like high gearing. but i guess it depends what ur coming from. | ||
| Mikeyp |
I test rode the 1125r a few months ago, and after riding it, i was like "eh". I could take it or leave it. The motor was great, but fueling was terrible. It was the same thing you described. I would open the throttle to leave a stop ligt, and it would die. This happened more tha 8 times on a 20 min drive. The sales guy that took me out told me i didn't know how to ride, and that i was stalling it. When we got back to the dealer, i told him i know how to ride, and that he take it around the parking lot.... Sure enough the bike stalled on him. His response? Well, you know, this bike wouldn't be the one you would buy.... bla-bla-bla. And he was right, it wasn't the bike i bought. I'm waiting for my 2009 Ducati 1198s to be delevered, hopefully sometime in Jan. I wanted to like the Buell, i really did. I own a S1W, and to be honest, the 1125r wasn't calling me. Back in 98, when i first saw the S1W, i had to have it, no questions asked, sell the kids, w hore out the wife...whatever it took to get it in my garage. I always wanted a Ducati, and after riding a few differnet models (1098, and the Hypermotard S) i was hooked, much like the way i was when i bought my S1W. I wish you luck in your quest. | ||
| Buellborn |
Mikeyp, You said something that I think is really important. "You really wanted to like the bike" Even with the 1125'r diminished amount of American content there is HUGE pent-up demand for quality American products. This was to be the bike many of us have been dreaming of for a long time. Buell might be best served to re-release the bike under a new name and look for 2010 learning from the past and insuring nothing but glowing reviews and raves.  | ||
| Ron_luning |
Thanks for the responses so far. Mikeyp, I feel the same way in that I really wanted to fall in love with the bike when I finally got a chance to ride it. I pretty much an idiot when it comes to buying American products; i.e. I'll pay a lot more for the same thing made in the US vs. something from China. The same goes for motorcycles, but I have no desire to ride a H-D or Victory. I rode a Ulysses 2 years ago, and although the engine was smooth above 2K rpm, the paint can shaker vibration below that was unacceptable for me. I'm still not sure what to do with the 1125r though. I have a 35 mile highway commute each way that I currently do on my FZ1. It seems like the 1125 would be a pretty decent bike for a lot of purposes, but I'm kind of hesitant to wear it out with all those commuting miles. I don't know, I mean I love American products, but it's tough to dive in with $12K into a bike that seems to have problems still. Oh yeah, I also do all maintenance myself on my bikes. Has anyone on here checked valves, or even changed their own spark plugs? How is the engine lowering process that is apparently required for that? | ||
| Teach |
Ron_luning Talk to some of riders that actually own an 09R. I have an 08R and initially did run ragged in the 3 to 4K range but the reflash cleared that up and it runs cleanly throughout the rpm range. The 09's have even more improvements. I am not sure why the bike you road had issues. Just a shot in the dark here, but did it have any miles on it? My bike was really "tight" when new and continued to improve as I put some break-in miles on it. From a sales stand point, if I have to really "convince" or do a "hard sell" on someone to purchase a particular model, it might not be the bike for them....  (Message edited by teach on December 07, 2008) | ||
| Badlionsfan |
These things are really tight from the factory. only thing that will loosen them up is miles. As far as the slop from off to on throttle, I bet the throttle cables need adjusted. Buell is famous for shipping the bikes with the throttle cables loose. It's easily adjusted with the adjusters where the cables go to the hand grip. | ||
| Kttemplar |
I also had the stalling problem on my '08, but it went away with break-in. Mike | ||
| Redbuelljunkie |
Even with the 1125'r diminished amount of American content there is HUGE pent-up demand for quality American products. This was to be the bike many of us have been dreaming of for a long time. Buell might be best served to re-release the bike under a new name and look for 2010 learning from the past and insuring nothing but glowing reviews and raves. Dead-on, Buellborn! That's why I have been so frustrated with the 1125- it's not the bike it could, or should be... in my (and other's) opinion. I sincerely hope Buell develops a new bike I can be proud to own- the 1125 series is the first Buell design that I have not been impressed with. I have faith that Erik will conquer this challenge, and America will have a true world-beater. | ||
| Slypiranna |
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| Zac4mac |
The 1125 is the First bike that actually sounds like a Buell. Not anything else. | ||
| Slypiranna |
+1 Z! Thanks for saving me... | ||
| Xbswede |
I'm still not sure what to do with the 1125r though. I have a 35 mile highway commute each way that I currently do on my FZ1. It seems like the 1125 would be a pretty decent bike for a lot of purposes, but I'm kind of hesitant to wear it out with all those commuting miles." I have the same commute. I do 65 -70 round trip. I usually split it between my 07 FZ1 and my 08 1125R. The FZ1 for the rainy days and the 1125R for the dry days (have tendency to play more on the 1125R). The only thing I think you really have to worry about wearing out is Tires.  It will be hard to beat the maintenance intervals of the FZ1 regardless what you get. But since you do your own maintenance that should not be a big deal. IMO though the 1125r is a great bike and step forward for Buell. I don't regret it for a minute and find that I am leaving the FZ1 in the garage more often then not. | ||
| Redbuelljunkie |
The 1125 is the First bike that actually sounds like a Buell. Not anything else. Zac, I couldn't disagree more... the reason I was impressed with the first Buell I ever saw was that it didn't sound like any other (performance) bike out there. It sounded awesome- kinda like, well, a hopped-up Harley motor. I still have people come over to me when I'm on the XB12R and ask "What is that?". When I tell them, they look a little confused, and usually then say "well, it sounds bad-a$$.". To me, a Buell will always be a sportbike with the unmistakable American v-twin sound. The 1125 series sounds like a Rotax to me- and those engines have been supplied to several different manufacturers. Just yesterday, while riding my Aprilia RSV1000R, I was thinking about how much it sounds just like the 1125. There's nothing in the world wrong with that, but to me, there is Buell, and there is Rotax/Buell. Maybe someday, if things go well, Buell will have a proprietary engine design- then we can all agree on the HD/Rotax/Buell conundrum. | ||
| Hootowl |
The air cooled Buells share a motor with Harleys, and they sound like it. The 1125r/cr share a motor with no other brand, Aprilia included. | ||
| Buellborn |
But it does sound odd, to say the sound is Buell, when the source of the sound is a foreign manufactured engine. Sad, I wish we still made something in this country. I guess the muffler is american? And I'm pretty sure the scoops are right off the back end of a late 1950's Desoto? Just Kidding.  | ||
| Carbonbigfoot |
Maybe someday, if things go well, Buell will have a proprietary engine design- then we can all agree on the HD/Rotax/Buell conundrum. 1. The 72 Degree thing is proprietary. 2. To my ear it sounds distinctly different, especially a idle, than the Aprilia. 3. Once KD Fab starts shipping cans for the 1125, it will sound like nothing else. Is it ready yet? R | ||
| Ron_luning |
What about maintenance; has anyone here done a valve check/adjustment on their own yet? | ||
| Pariah |
Yes, Zack has done it himself (he's got a thread on it). This bike is fairly do-it-yourself friendly, actually. Buell and Rotax engineers went "to great lengths" to make the valve adjustments as easy as possible... see: http://www.amadirectlink.com/riding/reviews/2008/1 125R/ Getting parts is pretty easy with this bike, too. | ||
| Rocketray |
<<what about maintenance; has anyone here done a valve check/adjustment on their own yet?>> I did the 3rd service (14,000 miles) service myself. Took me about 20 hours (Im quite slow). I think the book time is about 4 and a half hours. Lots of stuff to disconnect, but nothing that was overly technical. I just followed the directions given in the service manual. After all of the work, all the clearances were in spec, so just had to button it back up again. Im not a mechanic, but I have wrenched on Nortons for a lot of years. Ray (Message edited by RocketRay on December 08, 2008) | ||
| Redbuelljunkie |
The 1125r/cr share a motor with no other brand, Aprilia included. The 72 Degree thing is proprietary. That's correct, Aprilia's Rotax engine is for Aprilia only, just as Buell's Rotax is for Buell only, and BMW's Rotax, etc... But they are all Rotax engines, no matter what the sidecase says. I just wish, with Erik's genius and American engineering/production, Buell could eventually have a bike designed and built in-house. I understand that there must be outsourcing, but I would prefer it to be for manufactured parts- not powerplants. To some, the appearance that America needs Germany or Austria to help design/build a modern, high performance twin borders on insulting. As to the sound, in my experience all 90 degree v-twins sound the same (Ducati, Suzuki, Honda, etc...) just as 45 degree twins do (HD firing order), and the "in-between" angles (60,72, etc...) are also similar to my ear. It's not a put-down, it's just mechanics. | ||
| Court |
That's a little misleading. The Helicon motor, built by Rotax, was designed as the result of a genuine collaboration (including lots of travel) with BRP/Rotax. There are, as you point out with the Aprilia motor, a host of proprietary things that Rotax can not transfer or use in any products other than Buell. There are also parts of the motor that Erik had pretty well nailed down in 1986 when he first sketched some of the design elements. For Buell, at current volumes, to tool and produce motors would result in a lot of $100,000 motorcycles. The key is to assembled the best team composed of folks around the world. If you had a Heisman Trophy candidate . . . you make a TEAM . . you don't send the other 10 home. | ||
| Zac4mac |
I'm not surprised you disagree RBJ. I loved my XB9R, but it was a fast, good handling Harley. I've been riding Harleys for 30 years so it's OK. Loretta is a True Buell, much closer to Erik's plan/dream/ideal, as I understand, than any with The Lump. She sure makes me giggle and grin. Z | ||
| Carbonbigfoot |
Like a good woman should! R |
