| Author | Message | ||
     Raymondt |
I was a Buell owner for 36,000 miles on my XB12S. I really loved that bike! I switched to a Yamaha FZ1 for a while, and am now thinking of a 1125CR. There are a couple near new bikes for sale locally 500-1200 miles. I hear all the bad stuff about the charging systems and electronics that are rock solid on the Jap bikes. Should I really be worried? I rode one when they first came out and really liked it but I want to ride it not work on it. I know you guys area all like Buell is the best and all that, but really do any of you regret the 1125 choice? Is it really that bad or? | ||
| Figorvonbuellingham |
Maybe find one that the bugs have been works out. Pretty straight forward repair/upgrades. EBR rotor, new stator, quality reg/rec not the pos ducati one Harley sells. | ||
| Matteson |
No regrets. Just like any machine. They all require tlc. My crane, cars, even my children's bicycles. I am selling mine though. Really just miss the refined elements of inline bikes. But am gonna miss the zero maintenance ie no chain. | ||
| 04colly |
I don't regret buying my 1125 one bit. 08-09 will have a clutch weep issue but that is an easy fix. The stator regulator issue can be a pain but once corrected it sound be problem few.  | ||
| 04colly |
I am a mechanic so anything that breaks or needs fixing I'll do it myself. I picked up the factory service manuals for the bike's. | ||
| Raymondt |
Thanks guys sounds like a parts list just to get going, but not too bad right? Should I pull it apart and just do the stuff up front? I'm hearing Stator, Rotor, Regulator, Clutch Seal.... Damn! Maybe that new FZ09 is the way to go? BTW the bikes are both 09 versions does $5500 sound reasonable? | ||
| Brokengq |
Depends on mileage, fixes done, etc. The stator only needs to be replaced if its acting up or if you plan on riding at a lower rpm. Anything above 5k consistently and riders have reported better outcomes. | ||
| 04colly |
You won't be as happy on a fz9 versus the 1125. The Rotax is an animal | ||
| Nikoff90 |
Great bike but dont be fooled it may need more attention than a comparable Jap bike. | ||
| Sprintst |
I totaled my 2008 1125R in 2012 After considering everything available, including an RC8 and a 1098, I bought a 2009 1125R No regrets!  | ||
| Figorvonbuellingham |
There are better deals if you have patience. For that kind of money I would expect all the upgrades to be done. I've seen them as low as $3500. I traded my 2004 Buell XB12S for mine simply because the guy didnt want to repair the rotor, stator, rectifier. There are probably bikes on the classifieds here that have been upgraded. (Message edited by figorvonbuellingham on November 04, 2014) | ||
| Nukeblue |
I was in the same boat earlier this year. rode a tiger for awhile & missed the 1125 cr I traded in on it. found a really clean one & got it for $5k. but it needed all the usual stuff I soon found out. replaced the clutch with ebr, replaced leaky water pump seals, replaced stator & installed ebr rotor. now she's standing tall with about $6000 total invested. where else can you get wheelie poppin superbike power on such a bad ass machine for that money?! zero regrets & having a ball!! | ||
| Danaw |
Hi Raymondt. If you are really interested I am selling my 08 1125r. I recently put the higher handlebars on it using the OEM kit and the top triple clamp from the CR. This bike is nearly mint with 3400 miles on it and no issues. It's a great bike but in Metropolitan Los Angeles it's a little more motorcycle than I need. Contact me for more details and pictures. | ||
| Two_seasons |
11,200 miles with only clutch weep issue. Mine is an 2008. Bought it with 31 miles May 2010. Rotation or frame off every 12,000 miles for the valve check. Takes one or two weekends if you are mechanically inclined. No regrets and I'm now 60 years old. | ||
| Rogue_biker |
If I were looking to buy a 2009 1125R/CR, the first thing I would do are the following: Replace stator with EBR unit. If leaking, replace the clutch slave cylinder. Other things I would do that is not necessary but I would consider upgrades: Replace front brake Master cylinder with Nissin or Brembo Radial MC. Replace the front brake rotor bolts with the EBR rotor bolt kit. The above will get rid of the inherent long travel front brake lever pull due to inadequate Master Cylinder power. Would I get an FZ-09 over an 1125R/CR? Not a chance! The Buell is superior in performance if you get through the first two items I listed above. Remember however, the FZ-09 is newer. But the 1125R/CR sits at a class higher than an FZ-09. The Buell will be faster and will handle better, even though it's older. But it is not for someone with very limited mechanical skills. Get the two major issues fixed (don't wait until they go bad) and the bike will run reliably. Stay on top of its maintenance and more importantly, preventative maintenance. It's like a Ducati....it won't tolerate neglect like a Honda! | ||
| Stirz007 |
I have an '08 that is ridden hard (track/race only). I agree with Rogue's assessment with these caveats: Stator upgrade if needed (Just curious, does anyone know the failure rate for the '09-'10 stators? I know that it is a known issue, but really, what percentage of them have failed - 5%, 50%??). Clutch actuator if needed. $100+/- Brake rotor hardware - cheap upgrade $45+/- and money well spent. ECU upgrade - money well spent. Brake/Clutch MC replacement - probably not needed for street riding, but a nice upgrade for go fast/stop fast application. My '08 has been relatively trouble-free other than some loose ground connections that gave me fits to diagnose and that instance where I managed to slip the rear cam gear and jump time, but that one's on me. If you want the CR, then the stator comes in to play. If you get an '08R that becomes a non-issue. | ||
| Raymondt |
Thanks guys! Interesting perspectives for sure. Thanks for the upgrade list. All this stuff available from EBR? I used to get stuff for my XB12S from American Sport Bike. I have mechanical skills, but not looking forward to dropping the engine every couple of years for a valve job. The other stuff seems like a simple weekend fix when its snowy out. I'm in Colorado | ||
| Rogue_biker |
You don't have to drop the engine. You just have to remove the muffler, unplug a few wires, disconnect the fuel line, unbolt the front engine mounts, and the SLOWLY lower the engine down using a jack. Rotating it is actually not difficult. It adds steps to the process, but not technically difficult. If you think about it, most other engines will need their camshafts removed (and cam chain disconnected) to change valve shims. The 1125R does not need this. Just move the finger followers to the side, and there's the shim within easy reach. If you've ever done the valve inspection on a Japanese inline four, there is actually very little difference in effort. They're all a royal PITA! LOL! Ducati may have the solution with their desmodromic valve actuation. But you need a special tool to hold the desmo arms in the open position so you can reach the shims. Then they have cam belts that need replacement, unless you have the newer Ducs that use cam chains (Panigale). However, I think most of their engines still use belts. | ||
| Ratbuell |
I want to say I have about 10k on my 09 cr...stator replaced once under warranty and that's it. No clutch weep. No other issues. Fuel, oil, tires, ride. I'm not gentle, I keep it above 4500, run syn3 oil, it lives in a garage and goes on a tender if it sits for more than a month. Zero complaints other than a •••••• headlight (I live in deer country and these days ride home after dark). |
