| Author | Message | ||
     Snackbar64 |
I just recently purchased an 09 model and my initial impressions are that this bike is simply the best product to ever have HD's name on it from a capabilities standpoint. The bike is very similar to one of those "Desperate Housewives" in the same sense that it is beautiful and doesn't work. I find the machinery is hi-tech and state of the art, yet fragile. I have had the bike only a month and at one time or another I have been introduced to each light on the instrument cluster individually while riding. I am waiting for the symbol on the cluster that shows me pushing the bike. The bike has just over 4000 miles and I am somewhat worried about my next 10 miles. The XB for all of its rustic virtues seemed more sturdy, more dependable. This is just my initial assessment. My current problem: I wanted to go for a ride today and when I went to put it in gear it seemed impossible to shift and the clutch lever became spongy. Then the bike began to drive itself like something out of the Twilight Zone. Anyone know what this could be? (Message edited by snackbar64 on September 19, 2011) | ||
| Rpm4x4 |
Check your clutch fluid level | ||
| Snackbar64 |
Will do! | ||
| Father_of_an_era |
Sounds like you have a weep issue and maybe need to refill the clutch fluid. | ||
| Froggy |
Clutch leak, fairly common issue. Erik Buell Racing sells a nice upgraded piston that will fix the issue  http://www.erikbuellracing.com/store/models/1125r/ ebr-clutch-actuator-cylinder-kit.html | ||
| Snackbar64 |
Ok but where would the fluid be leaking from or weeping leaking to? I see no signs of a leak on the ground or anything. | ||
| Froggy |
It will start coming out the metal puck on the clutch cover soon. If you pop the cover off you will see it. | ||
| Snackbar64 |
Thanks Froggy! I will order that asap. My service manual is on order also. Is that part very hard to install? | ||
| Ohsoslow |
the part is pretty straight forward install even if you dont have a lot of mechanical experience. being an 09 it might still be under warranty if you would like to go the route but there have been some people that have had the updated parts fail as well. | ||
| Avalaugh |
Welcome to the 1125 haha, once you get the quirks all ironed out it's a great machine, don't give up, buy a workshop manual and learn to love spannering, it bonds you with the bike | ||
| Snackbar64 |
I shall not give up Avalaugh. I am thinking of getting that extended warranty. I was offered 4 years for 1200 bucks. | ||
| Ratbuell |
And please show the motorcycle some respect. Not one place on the bike has "HD" in or on it. It's all Elves, all the way. Congrats on the bike, you're going to love it. Just beware - it is light years ahead of your XB. Roads you know like the back of your hand will become significantly shorter when you ride an 1125 and things happen MUCH MUCH FASTER. Happens to me every time I throw a leg over  | ||
| Jules |
Opinion is divided w.r.t. the extended warranty.. The clutch leak kit from Erik Buell Racing is a bargain at $100 and other than the stator issues on an 09 they're pretty reliable. The extended warranty might give you some peace of mind (and it's hard to put a price on that) but most of the issues are reasonably economical to do if you're a DIY fan. A stator/rotor assy from an 08 would resolve the worries over an 09 stator but at $1400 for the parts the warranty makes more sense. If you check under the puck on the RHS you may find clutch fluid, it also tracks down the cover and on to the exhaust when it gets bad... (Message edited by jules on September 20, 2011) | ||
| Xtreme6669 |
Not one place on the bike has "HD" in or on it. It's all Elves, all the way. The cap for the coolant tank has the HD shield on it.... | ||
| Hootowl |
And HD design restraints/requirements are all over it.  | ||
| Syonyk |
Welcome to the 1125 haha, once you get the quirks all ironed out it's a great machine, don't give up, buy a workshop manual and learn to love spannering, it bonds you with the bike : ) ++ to this... I was ready to trade my 08 in on a BMW until I found a good dealership willing to actually resolve issues. One cluster later (to resolve "it kills the battery over the weekend" issues), a race ECU, a new clutch kit (which is actually leaking again but still not an issue), and some other tweaks, and I absolutely love it. I am planning to get the extended warranty, though - talking to a guy who rides the wheels off his (probably somewhere around 80k on it currently), things like the front pulley and steering head bearings are covered, which can be pricey on your own dime (I believe the front pulley is close to $1000). If you're planning to ride it enough that stuff starts wearing out, supposedly the extended warranty is worth it. I'm at nearly 28k after not quite 2 years, so I think it'll be worth it. | ||
| Duphuckincati |
Anyone make a replacement for the coolant tank cap?? | ||
| Rogue_biker |
That's funny. Yes please, do NOT even mention H-D owning this bike. That would be an insult! | ||
| Froggy |
If you are that upset about the HD radiator cap, you will want to change your valve shims, many fasteners, and some hoses too. I'm sure a quick scan through the parts book will reveal all the non-Buell parts | ||
| Snackbar64 |
Thanks for all the support and well wishes on the bike. I only spent 5 grand on it so there is not a whole lot invested. I think protecting this small investment by putting another 1200 in warranty may not be too bad. I just recently blew the motor on my XB and the fear of that happening again worries me a little. I am going to have the dealer replace the clutch this time only because my service manual is on order. I am going to get the clutch repair kit from Erik Buell Racing and keep it for next time. Also you are right about the awesome performance of the bike, when everything is working. By the way I am also inspired by the "coming soon" line of bikes from Erik Buell Racing on the site that are dimmed out next to the 1190RS. I wonder though if those bikes are so much more watered down than the 1190 that they could offer much better performance than what we already have? And oh yeah, I will not call it a Harley again. | ||
| Jdugger |
> they could offer much better performance than what we already have? Your 1125 motor is pretty watered down, to be honest. Part of the reliability comes from the motor being relatively detuned in showroom trim. Exhaust, head gasket, timing and tune, and you are looking at 150ish at the wheel instead of the 125-130 you are getting now. That's superstock (and DSB) legal! Pistons, cams, and more serious work, 170ish is possible. That's called the 1125RR. So, yea, I think a production 1190 will be a decent bump over the 1125r bike. Maybe 150ish at the wheel in showroom trim, and certainly with a LOT of room to grow that in both superstock and superbike race trims. | ||
| Snackbar64 |
Ok one more question. Is it normal for the bike to have the battery light on after the bike is turned off with the key still in and the fan still running. | ||
| Rpm4x4 |
Thats normal | ||
| Froggy |
No | ||
| Rpm4x4 |
Froggy I think your mistaken. If the key is on and the bike is not running yes the batt light will come on after a few seconds, especially if the fans are running. | ||
| Rpm4x4 |
I am assuming he means key on kill switch off. Thats my understanding here anyways | ||
| Jcjohnson33 |
If the engine is OFF with key in the ignition turned ON yes the batt. light will come on. If the engine OFF and key in ignition turned OFF no light should come on even with the fans running. | ||
| Froggy |
Yes I know what he means, I do it all the time coasting with the engine off for hypermiling, I need to have the engine off for around a minute before I get the battery light, on both my 08 and 09. The fan is just about always off before the light comes on. Only exception is if I am putzing around in city traffic, it will come on much sooner when I hit the switch. | ||
| Boogiman1981 |
agreed Froggy usually takes a few min for the light to pop on when eng off key on fans running. check cables themselves esp the positive one as that's the one on mine that is corroding like crazy and their connections | ||
| Snackbar64 |
Ok yes thats what I mean with the kill switch off and the ignition still in. I will have to duplicate it to know for sure what position the key was in. I have heard about the stator woes so just checking. |
