| Author | Message | ||
     Vagelis46 |
I got my beloved 06 XB12R and 06 Ducati 749 traded for a 08 1125R with 4000km on it. The 1125R was practically brand new so I thought it was a great opportunity to upgrade, by trading 2 motorcycles with 60.000km each... So far I have read mixed opinions on which bike handles better (XB12R or 1125R), and to tell the truth I was sceptical on how the 1125R handles compared to the XB12R... By the way, my opinion on the XB12R is very very high for its handling .... So the after 1 month of owing the 1125R and after 1000km up and down in the canyons .... Honestly , the 1125R is much much better.... It has all the good points of the XB12R , but none of the bad points. Front end feel of the 1125R is superb, like the XB12R..... The 1125R is very sensitive to chassis setup, like the XB12R, so it needs an experienced rider to get it to work. 1/8 of turn on the rear rebound damping is amazingly noticable ..changing the ride height on the fork tubes by just 1 line showing, also makes a big difference......But as soon as you get the setup right, it is great.... I am positive that the 1125R gives better feedback and handles better than my old Ducati 749. That says a lot ! The Rotax motor make a huge difference for the Buell chassis compared to the ancient H-D motor... It is very clear to me know that the H-D motor was holding Buell's chassis down .... I now find it funny that I was afraid that I would miss the character-sound-torque of the H-D engine...NO, the 1125R is as strong as the XB12R at the midrange , and after that it just takes off.... That extra heavy crank of the XB12R was really ••••••• things up for the chassis..... braking, corner entry ... all these are greatly improved on the 1125R compared to the XB12R.... The lighter crank for the 1125R makes everything much better for the brakes , the agility and the corner entry... the heavy crank of the XB12R was working against the XB12R .... Also the rear end of the 1125R gives a lot of feeling and feedback of the rear wheel..... Rear end feedback was the biggest disadvantage , for me, for the XB12R.... it seems that the heavy vibrating H-D motor sitting on rubber isolators and having the swingarm directly mounted to it was making it impossible to get feedback from the rear end of the motorcycle.....or maybe it was the too small wheelbase of the XB12R , or maybe both the H-D engine and the small wheelbase....anyway the feedback from the rear of the 1125r is better than the XB12R. Vibration for the 1125r?? .no problem...I find it normal for an 2cyl motor.... and the 1125r was trashed by journos for vibration...... total b@llshit.... keep it revving on the highway at 6000-7000 rpm...no problem... Riding position ? Great and really comfy, identical to the XB12R, but with a much better air protection.... Also the pods do a great job protecting the legs from the air ! What else can I say ? ? The 1125R is a major upgrade over the XB12R.... I am about 100kg with riding gear and the setup I use is (so far)... Front ride height = 0 lines showing ( the bike came with 1 line showing)... that improved braking stability significantly Front preload = 7 turns in from minimum Front compression = 1.75 turns out Front rebound = 1.75 turns out Rear Preload = 7 out of 9 Rear compression = 16 clicks out Rear rebound = 0.625 out Well , that is my take .... (Message edited by vagelis46 on April 14, 2015) | ||
| Northernthunder |
Good write up, every winter I tell myself I am going to sell the 1125, then spring comes and I ride it and change my mind. Enjoy your new ride | ||
| Jeepinbueller |
You summed up my cycle, thunder. I made this post on Reddit the other day http://www.reddit.com/r/bikesgonewild/comments/32e mlx/great_sunny_day_in_md/ and in the comments I talk up the 1290 SD a bit ... then remind myself I already have my dream bike. And coming from an XB9R myself, Vagelis, you summed it up perfectly. Love both bikes (and miss the blubbubing XB). Thanks for sharing your suspension settings. I'm 200 lbs (90-91 kg) and have my suspension adjusted to the recommended stops in the manual. I suppose everything feels fine, though I'm no knee-dragger. | ||
| Two_seasons |
Excellent write up Vogelis46  Now, change your profile photo! |
