Author |
Message |
Strato9r
| Posted on Monday, April 28, 2008 - 01:02 am: |
|
Got to ride an 1125r for the first time today, and I really liked it. It was on one of the test rides the factory puts on, so there wasn't any shenanigans permitted, but the thing was smooth and slick and felt remarkably like my 9, with a way higher redline. What I did notice was the far higher turnout of sportbike riders, and guys on V-Stroms and Triumph Sprints, there specifically to check out the Buell stuff. Of the riders I talked to, feedback was 100% positive, with guys who came to check out the 1125r being really surprised by the air cooled Firebolt and Lightning models. Well, riding an 1125r was certainly my main reason for being there today, but my father in law asked me to check out that new XB12XT for him, as he had business to attend to this weekend. I am completely blown away by THAT bike, I'll tell ya! With my gal on the back, that bike has to be the best fitting, most comfortable bike I've ever ridden, and Heidi agreed totally; she fell in love with it on the spot. Funniest thing about it was, while on the test ride, there was a squiddy dude in front of us on a 12r, who did his best to get booted by doing just about everything they warned everyone NOT to do. Anyway, on a long, sweeping offramp, this dude lays that Firebolt WAY over, knee to the ground, looking real Famous. For all the drama, however, we actually GAINED ground on him on the fully bagged XT, sittin' upright and grinning the whole time! AWESOME MACHINE!! Now, we just gotta have one. We get back to where my 9 is parked, and there is a young guy with his folks just drooling all over it; Do I Want To Sell It? If it means we'll be on that XT this summer, I'm thinkin'...............oh, YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!! |
Brad1445
| Posted on Monday, April 28, 2008 - 01:09 am: |
|
Way cool Strato9r, I had the Ulysses and was just as impressed as you describe the XT with the combination of handling, comfort and cargo capability. Plus I got 65mpg to boot I will own one of those again! |
Towjam
| Posted on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 - 04:55 pm: |
|
I got 65mpg to boot I will own one of those again! If you buy an '08 XB - especially an XT with the luggage, don't expect to come anywhere near 65mpg.
|
Brad1445
| Posted on Thursday, May 01, 2008 - 12:37 am: |
|
I think you may be right Towjam. My 08 Firebolt is closer to 45mpg. |
Lemonchili_x1
| Posted on Thursday, May 01, 2008 - 10:51 pm: |
|
I had a little ignition switch problem with the X1 the other day so I went to the local dealer for the first time in ages to see how much a replacement was... and see if they had an 1125r there, which they did I haven't ridden it yet, but even just sitting on it the "built from the rider down" idea seems to ring true, it felt comfortable immediately and seems to be a bike that would physically fit a lot of people. And all the little details like adjustable foot levers impressed me. I was hoping that seeing one in the flesh I would like the look of the bike more, but I still find it an odd, and not necessarily attractive bike... That's just my opinion. Then again, I didn't like the XB9R when it first came out, but over time I've come to think the Firebolt is a very good looking bike. Sometimes it takes a while to get used to a new design. But I'm still not in the "love it" category. While I was there I finally got to take a good look at an XB12Ss... Now that bike pushed my buttons It's not a big enough change to the X1 to make me think about buying one (I won't sell my X1!), but I did like it a lot, and I'm going to try and get a ride on one somehow, and the 1125r too if I can. Now, if they bring out a real "hot-rod" 1125, say an 1125s or Ss, then I could be in trouble... (Hmmm, how about an 1125s White Lightning?) |
Strato9r
| Posted on Thursday, May 08, 2008 - 12:16 am: |
|
I like the idea of that hotrod 1125! A dude I know has a tube frame White Lightning and I love that bike. I'm kind of thinking about that Rotax in an XT....... |
Lemonchili_x1
| Posted on Thursday, May 08, 2008 - 07:45 am: |
|
Hmmm... 1125r motor into an S1 or X1 White Lightning frame... |
Bearly
| Posted on Thursday, May 08, 2008 - 01:30 pm: |
|
I've already posted in this thread to say how much I'm in the "Love it" category, but I must say I'm so surprised on how many comments I get from other people about my 1125R. I guess all Buell owners know about the comments from the XB's and tubers. Buell has gone their own way for the most part and people recognize this. People would always stop me and tell me how cool the Uly looks or the lightning. I would tell them a little bit about the special features of the bike and they all the more interested. What I'm not used to is people tell me how beautiful my new Buell is. Seems to be more and more people come over just to tell me how well engineered the bike looks and how beautiful it is. Oh sure I tell them about some special features like the side mounted radiators and what that does for the wheel base and front wheel bias or the front cush drive, front brake, fuel [boiling :-;] in the frame or belt drive and they seem all the more interested, but they always walk away saying how beautiful it is. Yea, what ever I guess. Maybe it's the cool aide, I bought it because it's just right for me. I really hope they don't bring a new model out for 2009, I'll have to either get ride of the House or the Housemonster... hmmm. |
F_skinner
| Posted on Friday, May 09, 2008 - 07:06 pm: |
|
Well I test rode the 1125r today. I must say it is very impressive. From sitting on one I thought it felt a lot like the XB but after riding it I think if feels a lot better. I could not believe the smooth powerband and how comfortable it felt even at highway speeds. It is very responsive to rider input as well. I was lucky I rode my S2T to the dealership so no way would I do a trade. They would have to come up with a lot of extra cash but if I had rode the XB to the dealership it might have been a different story. In one day I rode the S2T the 1125r, my S1W and took a look at a Westwind. It was a good Buell day indeed. |
Strato9r
| Posted on Sunday, May 11, 2008 - 01:50 am: |
|
Graham, I think that X1 of yours would be the perfect candidate for the first Rotax-into-Tuber swap! I'll just bet it would even make the "American Flyers" section of Cycle World! |
|