| Author | Message | ||
     Rogue_biker |
I took my 1125R on its second long sport ride. The first one was just a getting-to-know the bike ride. I realized on that first ride that I needed to make some fine tuning of the bike's suspension. It was set too high for me. I also realized how inadequate the OEM toolkit was and how little room there is for a flat tire repair kit. The OEM toolkit had all the tools needed to adjust the suspension and that was it!  I did manage to stuff a sufficient-for-one-flat flat tire repair kit under the passenger seat. The ride consisted of 300 miles of which 100 miles were slab. I can’t help but compare this bike to my XB12R. It’s surprisingly very different from it! In the twisties, I found myself not so concerned about losing too much speed in mid-corner because it’s so easy to gain it all back. In 2nd gear, the 1125R is just so strong with no need to spin to get lots of drive out of the corner. The XB12R has the torque but the gearing is off due to the 5-speed, so it has to “climb” passed 5k RPM to get a strong drive out of the corner. The 1125R also has the revs to easily keep it in 2nd for the next corner while the XB12R needs an upshift just when it gets to fat part of the power band. So overall, energy management is more important on the XB12R than the 1125R. The slipper clutch on the 1125R helps to keep things smooth when it comes time to close the throttle from high revs, or a shift down from speed. The bike is simply much easier to ride fast in the corners than the XB12R. Of course, when it came time to pass slow-pokes, the extra power and revs makes it almost too easy. No waiting, pass any time! Then there is the extra range. The 1125R has a 5.6 gallon capacity vs the XB12R’s 3.8 gallon. That means at 100 miles I’m already thinking about my next fuel stop when on the Firebolt. Meanwhile, the 1125R still has 75+ miles of riding left before reserve and that’s twisty road riding. The thing is there is no need to rev the Helicon as much even in enthusiastic riding. When passing, I find a 7k RPM upshift is more than sufficient. So the bike will routinely get 38-40 mpg mixed highway and twisty road, which works out to 180+ miles to reserve at the lowest mileage point. On my favorite stomping grounds I only need to fuel up once. Very convenient indeed. Once on the freeway, that controversial fairing and polarizing radiator pods do their work by keeping the windblast to a minimum. Bar none, the 1125R has THE best wind protection of any sportbike I have ever ridden. The airflow around me, and up and over my helmet is very smooth and calm. Even my hands are well protected! The other big surprise is how I felt after these 300 mile sport rides. I just don’t feel tired at all. I thought I would given the 1125R has a sportier riding position than my Firebolt. Much to my amazement, the ergos are not tiring for me at all. I suppose I can get many of the same satisfaction with a CBR600RR, R1, GSXR, S1000, RSV4, RC8, etc., etc. Maybe, but for now I will never know. At least for the time being, the 1125R will keep me very happy and sufficiently entertained. I love this shot. I just think the black 1125R is beautiful! I originally thought I wanted to put the Buell Accessory lower fairing but I'm having second thoughts.  Another shot of the bike at the View Point on top of the mountain. I like to have my breakfast here!  I really need to learn how to make my camera fill in the flash on shots like this! Soon, I will have a whole album filled with the 1125R. LOL!  (Message edited by rogue_biker on January 30, 2011) | ||
| Gunut75 |
..............get those wonderful roads...........  | ||
| Ratbuell |
You should have a menu for your flash...on/off/auto. If you know you want to fill..."on"  Either that, or use the "backlight" setting, it should auto-fill (usually the icon is a head, with a sunbeam-thing over one shoulder). | ||
| Duphuckincati |
Took me about 3000 miles to get really tuned into the proper finesse for the 1125. Really enjoying it, and I've owned over 70 other motorcycles of all types and these are sweet. You'll like it more and more. | ||
| Milleniumx1 |
An add-on that covers the engine ... Not for me! Great shots by the way - Makes me hope the forecasted 8" of snow is way wrong. Mike | ||
| Smit3833 |
Looks like you were heading up the backside of Palomar? | ||
| Rogue_biker |
I usually head up the tight side of Palomar/S6 then stop at the Fireman's Memorial for the view and the peace and quiet before heading down on S7. I used to go to Mother's Kitchen but that place blows. Too many posers, biker-unfriendly locals, and the occassional cops hassling bikers. No thanks. LOL! Thanks for the flash fill-in tip. I will look for that symbol. These camera's today are very complex! |
