| Author | Message | ||
     Alii1959 |
Well, took a fairly long Test ride on an 1125r today at Thunder Tower HD/Buell in Columbia, SC (actually Elgin). The people there are great. No pressure to buy at all. They were excited to have me test ride.....beats many of the dealers we have in my general area. Chris, the owner's son led me around a very winding and varied course. He was kind enough to allow me to set the pace, from the rear. They are great people. Now, on to the bike. I have been dying to ride the 1125r since its intro, but have been a bit reluctant due to a serious let-down when I rode a Lightning and when I rode a Firebolt....didn't want the illusion shattered again. I shouldn't have worried. First, the exhaust note is something to be bathed in. For an OEM exhaust system it sure sounds good.....kinda Ducati good (don't tell the Ducati guys, they hate to be compared). It didn't idle as rough as I expected from a V-Twin ( I ride a Triumph Sprint ST with the triple). I didn't not experience any stumble as we started off. From there, we wandered around their generous parking lot allowing me to get a feel for the controls....nice touch. I did notice that, although I didn't have it so, they could all be adjusted to suit. I noticed that it was a bit "heavy" at low speed, but very predictable. Then it was off to the streets proper. Wow, that front brake is crazy. I nearly did a stoppie at the first stop sign. Geez, what an amateur. I now have great respect for the 1125r brakes. I love great brakes. Doesn't matter how fast you go....if you can't stop!!! But, the 1125r has the strongest initial bite I have ever seen on a bike....so, I had to be rather gentle, even with my tiny hands. I was also amazed at the predictability of the acceleration. I didn't get the crazy woosh of a certain RPM, just a continuous rise in the power, speed, and blurring scenery. I rode a ZX-14 on Saturday and it was fun until I nearly got surprised as the cam came on....somewhat unexpectedly. The 1125r wasn't like that at all. The handling, what interested me most, was amazing as I became more comfortable. I was beginning to carry more speed into the corners than I expected. I had a real hard time giving the keys back...... The riding position was becoming very comfortable when the ride ended. I am quite nervous on a new bike and it takes me awhile. But, I like the the wind protection, seat to peg distance, and the stretch to the bars wasn't too great, even for a short (5'6", 30 inch inseam) fellow like me. The cons: vibration was annoying at most speeds, but because of the type of engine it was not buzzy...thumpy at best. Nothing I couldn't get used to. The speedometer was nearly impossible to read with my polarized glasses. The seat height was a bit tall, but not too bad. The absence of my Crampbuster on my Triumph was very noticeable, first mod on any bike (arthritic hands do not like holding the throttle normally). Overall: Pretty amazing. This weekend I test rode a Kawasaki MeanStreak, Kawi zx-14, and a Ducati Hypermotard....then the 1125r. Of the 4, only the 1125r had me giggling. Of the 4, only the 1125r was actually better than I expected. None of the others were nearly as predictable nor as planted in the corners. I cannot overemphasize the importance of predictability to me. I find it a bit unnerving when a bike decides to launch, seemingly on its own. I love the speed, but I appreciate it when it is more linear. With the ZX-14 I had to be careful not to go screaming past the guys in front of me. With the 1125r it went fast when I decided to and not by changing its character. I do believe that with more seat time the 1125r would begin to feel like an extension of oneself more than the others. (BTW, the biggest let down of the weekend: MeanStreak....cannot believe how much I wanted to like that thing....yuk. It was all noise and vibration with very slow power delivery. From what I understand, and my experience is limited, it is a typical cruiser trait. Why do people buy them???? Guess at nearly half a century I'm just not old enough to sit around making loud noises.....I really did mean for the thing to go. Forward no-controls aren't for me either.....end of rant). I'm kinda hoping to be in the Buell family very soon...1125r baby!!! | ||
| Edgydrifter |
That fairly well sums up my first ride on the 1125R, too. It's a superb bike. | ||
| Pridayr |
Excellent, excellent write up. Not just cause you liked it either... <grin> Very well thought out, and well spoken. Glad to have you here! Rob | ||
| Exnorton |
Once bitten twice shy? | ||
| Alii1959 |
Well, the problem was that I just didn't want to discover that Eric & Co. hadn't made a bike I could live with. I have read and listened to all that I can get my hands on about Eric & Buell overall, and I am excited about what he is trying to do. But, the XB series left me flat. Very much an acquired taste. And, having no HD background I am not necessarily partial to the Harley lump. But, I am partial to a predictable, well-handling, planted bike that would compliment my Sprint nicely.  | ||
| Usmoto |
I used to own an '07 Speed Triple. Absolutely awesome bike all around. I had been watching and waiting on the 1125r and almost didn't buy one because I liked the Triple so much. In the end the 25r won out. I used to have a Firebolt which I liked but not nearly as much as the 25r. I wish you luck and hope to get the opportunity to own one. | ||
| D_adams |
It took me less than two weeks to buy mine. I saw a picture of one (small pic, sidebar in a magazine) and decided I had to at least test ride one. Less than a week later, I got my chance at a test ride. I took their demo bike out for about a 15-20 mile run, came back and told them to find one with no miles on it and it would be sold on the spot. Took them 3 days to get one that had all of 15 miles on it, fresh from another dealer. All told, start to finish, less than two weeks to purchase mine. I've been riding bikes of various makes for over 26 years now and this was the fastest I've ever bought any bike I've ever owned. The actual decision to buy it took less than 2 minutes on the bike, rough running under 3000 rpm and all. It was kinda like seeing that perfect woman across a crowded room. You know she's the one, nothing else will do. Thats how it was. Now my wife hates the "other one" in the garage. | ||
| Dirty_john |
As a Firebolt and an 1125R owner I say go for it, I have ridden my brother's Triumph but can honestly say that both the Firebolt and the 1125R have greater grin factors. | ||
| Jjr1125 |
All you have to do is ride a Buell once on a good ride and you won't stop thinking about it. You end up comparing every bike to the Buell. Then you break down and buy one. That is when the fun begins! | ||
| Alii1959 |
My plan right now is to attend March Badness, and get another test ride. I want to experience the 1125r in different situations before any decision is made. Right now, though, if I were spending my money (which i will be) I would buy it before any of the other bikes I have tried recently or in the past (with the exception of the Sprint). |
