| Author | Message | ||
     Blackflash |
I have had a pile of bad experiences at the dealership and with my buell warranty wise.It gives me a bad taste in my mouth too.But i try to make things better.I do like the power and torque.Thats the only reason why i keep mine.Theres not many bikes with this style vtwin in a light frame that were inexpensive.Ya my fuel pukes on my driveway,ya my lights burnt out,Ya my clutch covers leaking again,ya it doesnt start since its cold,ya my transmission broke at 10 k and was under warranty.Ya theres not many products out there that havent been really good products,ya the exhaust blows right on the caliper and rim and makes the powdercoating look horrible, ya i get frustrated too.The only thing that keeps me from getting rid of this bike is that I rarely get rid of anything.I do like the tq and looks.But then again my kawasaki meanstreak has great tq .It has a 1600cc But not a sport chassis. Overall I give the 1125r a 10 when its running right.Dependability I give it a 6 .Working with the dealers on these bikes I give it a 4.Im not in the lala land of buell.Im just baseing this on my customer satisfaction.Overall the bike I give a 7 .Theres alot of flaws on this bike in my first year owning it that really rubbed me wrong.But things like that make me try harder to work through them.I have LEARNED TO LOVE THIS BIKE. Every bike has its flaws .My friends r1 keeps burning clutches.The r1 got issues with the clutches.But id rather have a clutch burn out than have a transmission break and be down a whole month in the summer. | ||
| Hogzilla |
BMWs are good bikes. Doesn't sound like the 1125r was the bike for you. I love mine, but I only have 5 miles on it so what do I know.  | ||
| Kirb |
I can corroborate the WTF attitude of the HD techs when it came to even the simplest thing on my Millenium X-1...and from day one the bike was using a quart of oil every 1000 miles (60 weight) which I was told was normal. Buell refused to repair Replace 2000 X1 with '99M2 and you have my exact warranty situation back in the day. The solution was to find a dealer who cared, fixed the valve guide seal, and made HD pay for it. I had to pay $12 for the James gaskets because the dealer wouldn't use the Harley POS gaskets. | ||
| Syonyk |
Let's see what BMW does in the races now that they've released a properly impressive race bike... the reviews I've seen by race riders say that it's easily the best of the current literbikes. I do like the 1125R - I'm currently averaging around 1000 miles/month on it, and it's great fun to ride. I just wish that the quality of service provided was better. Mountainstorm's dealership experience sounds pretty similar. I don't think they've massively damaged mine yet, but it's only been in a few times. As for comparing to the CX500, I'm aware they're in a different realm. However, I spent 4 years with the CX500, so I'm quite familiar with it, and I was really expecting a 30 year newer bike to have improved on things like "starting in the cold" and not have gone backwards on things like battery life and leaking fuel. In most ways, the 1125 is a FAR better bike, but it's rough around the edges in ways you don't find out on a quick test ride (a 5 mile loop, half the time with someone from the dealership following you, is hardly a good time to get to know a bike). Also, if I owned a BMW & had crappy service experiences, I would be posting about it on BMW boards. Further, I've had great conversations about a wide variety of bikes with a good number of BMW owners, including at the dealerships. I'm also still a bit confused about what's wrong with riding up to a dealership to get a bike serviced in what I normally ride with. I'd really prefer to remain alive to continue riding, and statistically, that's challenging around Albuquerque. | ||
| Kaotikevo |
well, as "eloquent" as someone else stated your review to be, I disagree. Although worded rather well, it's a long way from eloquent. It sounds more like some chubb that didn't do his homework before spending his money. I am so disappointed by your attitude toward your buell, especially given the fact that you freely admit to not exercising due dilligence.It's too bad that guys like you can't just plop down some cash with no prior knowledge of specific recalls, common problems and general rider impressions of others regarding your bike of interest. Most of your "bitches" were well known to me BEFORE i signed, because I wanted to make an INFORMED purchase. It's too bad you don't seem to feel the same way.It's pretty hard for me to respect the opinions of an internet blabbermouth "troll" that doesn't know the difference between a recall and a common issue. | ||
| Syonyk |
}Ya my fuel pukes on my driveway,ya my lights burnt out,Ya my clutch covers leaking again,ya it doesnt start since its cold,ya my transmission broke at 10 k and was under warranty.Ya theres not many products out there that havent been really good products,ya the exhaust blows right on the caliper and rim and makes the powdercoating look horrible, ya i get frustrated too. My point is roughly along the lines of "How on earth is this acceptable in any new 2008 vehicle?" | ||
| Kaotikevo |
it also sounds like you've been to ONE harley dealer in your life, and although it's not my favorite place to go either,......well,............duh. I think you and your reflective gear would look right at home with each other on a VESPA. | ||
| Kirb |
Syonyk...ride your own bike, the way you like, in the gear you like. Nothing wrong with that. Just don't complain about going into a HD dealer and wonder why you don't fit in. Next time skip the free burger if the crowd bothers you so much. Stop by the BMW dealer with your buell and find that guy in the BMW hat...I'm sure you will have many a conversation on why your CX and 1125 are no match of the motherland's products. It takes awhile to find your motorcycle lifestyle. Seems Buell isn't for you. I'm sure someone will be more than happy to take it off your hands. | ||
| Syonyk |
It's too bad that guys like you can't just plop down some cash with no prior knowledge of specific recalls, common problems and general rider impressions of others regarding your bike of interest. What would you suggest other than "Specifically asking the dealership about the state of the ECU updates and other recalls before purchasing the bike and being lied to that all were taken care of?" I was aware of the issues, specifically asked about them, and they weren't taken care of as I was told. I was mistaken on the turn signals - I accept that they're warranty items and not a recall, though I disagree with that - if it's known that the turn signals WILL burn out quickly, I consider that a safety issue. If I wanted to do all the work on a vehicle myself, I would have purchased something used. Part of the appeal of a new bike was a warranty and service, as I purchased it for a daily driver. I'm largely not happy with the quality of service they seem to come with. When it's running right, it's a great bike. I really do enjoy riding it, especially through the twisty bits in the mountains. I just dread anything going wrong on it, because I don't expect it to be fixed right or the first time I take it in. | ||
| Mountainstorm |
Fuel puking is most likely the fuel boiling from heat coming off the engine and warming up the aluminum tank. Heat reflecting material should have been installed on the interior of the frame at the factory as this is a no brainer. Not sure why they never did that. My bike starts fine at 20F on up. Has not been colder here so who knows what it would do at 0F or below. No problems with the battery. I sure hope my tranny doesn't go out at 10K...that would be annoying. I think service is going to vary wildly from locale to locale. I got lucky here in VA. FL absolutely sucked for service. | ||
| Kaotikevo |
It does sound like you need to do whatever you can to get to the dealer recommended by fellow bueller in your area. You might just find that your opinions change some with the proper support. | ||
| Hogzilla |
I would also add, developing a good relationship with your dealer is important. My dealer has been great. Even though I got my Buell at another dealer, the dealer local to me has been a huge help. They have a Buell racer in the service department and the general manager is a racer. Many of the staff ride Buells and are just motorcycle fans. Just so happens HDs are their main bread and butter. Those dealers are out there, but you may have to look for one. If you aren't getting the service you need from yours, call around. They are out there. Also, once you do find a good dealer, give them your business and develop a good relationship. If you're a friendly person they really don't give a crap what you ride or your gear. The way you are treated is directly proportional to how you treat them. Remember, they are human. A friend of mine goes the extra mile, once he gets his bike back, if the job was done well, he'll find out the name of the tech and bring him a 6er of his favorite beverage. Believe me, this works. And even if the repair is somehow goes bad, they will remember you in a pleasant way. Just my $.02. | ||
| Froggy |
The 09's and 2010's do. It hasn't been an issue with either my 08 nor 09 so I don't have any plans to add it on my 08. | ||
| T_man |
IMO: The entire Buell range harkens back to a time when motorcycles actually had 'soul'. An apparent personality which demanded attention to get the best out of them. The 1125 models typify this most acutely. In opposition to Syonyk, this is the aspect I love MOST about my Buell; It isn't perfect, it needs fettling, it responds to tuning & the aesthetics can easily be adjusted to your liking. It is bike that asks its owner to 'get involved', quite simply it is a bike for the owner who WANTS to be involved. Get your hands dirty, maybe learn there is more to motorcycle ownership than simply riding the beast. Otherwise - your entirely correct - BMW is the brand for you. | ||
| Chevycummins |
Syonyk, PM me if you can't get your cluster draw taken care of. I was able to get Buell to send a cluster out for my bike with the diagnoses that I did at home. The draw is so random that most dealers won't be able to duplicate the problem. It is a well known problem now and seems like it would be easier to get the cluster replaced by the dealer. | ||
| Xl1200r |
I read the original post. When I saw that you asked what the difference was between a K1200 and an R1200GS, I pretty much came to the conclusion that you have no frickin' clue what you're talking about. You had dealer issues, not bike issues, per se. And if you can hustle a K1200 through a turn faster than you can on an 1125, then you have riding confidence issues. Not bike issues. | ||
| Ratgin |
I'm also still a bit confused about what's wrong with riding up to a dealership to get a bike serviced in what I normally ride with. I'd really prefer to remain alive to continue riding, and statistically, that's challenging around Albuquerque. There is nothing wrong with that Syonyk. Im ATGATT myself and wear reflective riding gear. Never had the dealer say a word about it and well i really dont care what anyone says about it on here. Figure ive scraped more riders off the road then they have so let them live in ignorance. | ||
| Family_buells |
Wow! I didn't realize that I shouldn't expect a motorcycle that was built in 2009 to be trouble-free like most of the other bikes on the planet. I'm starting to get nervous about my new 1125 breaking down at the least opportune time. And I ain't afraid of "getting my hands dirty" having done lots of major work on my own bikes. But it's been because I wanted to, not because I had to. I love to do modifications but I don't like spending time fixing inherent defects. I'm just not sure that the two year warranty is worth much if the Harley dealers aren't going to back it up. I'm seriously considering unloading a bike that I've only put two miles on because I don't want it to turn into a problem child. Maybe I'm not a "real" Buell enthusiast (whatever that means). Regardless of how this bike turns out for me, I have been on motorcycles long enough to know that the brand of bike has little to do with the quality of the riding experiences that I've had. (Message edited by family_buells on January 27, 2010) | ||
| Syonyk |
Kl1200r: I was asking about the specific riding differences, not the design differences. I was aware of the differences between the designs, but it's hard to get the "feel" of the bikes from reviews. | ||
| Jaimec |
A few years ago I got uncontrollable giggles blowing past a rider on an Aprilia RSV1000 on a RENTED R1150GS on a highway on-ramp in Colorado. He must've been thinking "What was that hideous yellow blur that just went past??" (Message edited by jaimec on January 27, 2010) | ||
| Daggar |
Syonyk - Tell the dealer about Tech Tip 396. That's the one about the IC draw. If they can't find it on their computer, tell them to search TT396, not Tech Tip 396. (Message edited by daggar on January 27, 2010) | ||
| Nm5150 |
I don't have the room or the funds for more than one new bike so I buy what I am in the mood for then move on.My last bike was a Multistrada and I liked it a lot but I always wanted a Buell so when they came out with the 1125R I sold my Duc and started looking and reserching.I just happened to go into a dealership in October and got more bike for less money than possible anywhere on the planet!I don't see a bike in the future that will get me to sell my Buell.I love this bike and will figure a way to deal with any dealer or any other issues.If I didn't love it I would get rid of it and get something else and not whine about it on the internet.You either "get" the Buell or you don't and if you have to ask then you wouldn't understand the answer. | ||
| Family_buells |
Nobody asked anything, so the "If you have to ask then you wouldn't understand" statement is nonsense. Some on this forum treat those who aren't Buell fanatics as people who just don't understand. I understand perfectly fine. People who feel a need to defend their choice of motorcycle like their mother's honor need to get a life. | ||
| Hootowl |
"If you have to ask you wouldn't understand" Careful, HD's marketing dept may have that phrase trademarked. | ||
| Wbrisett |
I have not met very many BMW owners that were not holier than thou. How many BMW riders have you met? I own one ('09 RT), and I'm not the least bit holier than thou. Nearly 60% of the local BMW club members have multiple bikes of multiple brands. I don't see them as holier than thou either. But, yes I have met the odd person who thinks that if it doesn't read BMW on it, it's junk, but that's rare, not common. As a few people have mentioned, 38 MPG really isn't great, but for the amount of power available, it's not bad either. I haven't yet broken the 40 MPG barrier on my CR, although Froggy has. I still can't figure out why he can and I can't. I can get nearly 50 MPG on my '07 Ulysses (my '09 RT is about 43 MPG). I do think these engines should be getting a bit better than the high 30's, but when you compare it to 1200 cc engines around, it's not far off the mark. Wayne | ||
| Nm5150 |
If you have to ask you wouldn't understand is just a way of saying if you don't get it you never will.If I have to ask a vegetarian why he won't eat meat I will most likely not get where he is coming from no matter what he tells me but I won't quit eating meat and bitch about it to a bunch of vegetarians.In that case I would be the one that didn't understand.(and probably never will)So i do my thing and don't try to act like a vegetarian.If someone doesn't like his Buell he should sell it and get what he does like IMHO.I have a pretty good life and it also includes a '84 GPz 1100 and a '72 Suzuki GT750 that I am turning into a cafe racer of sorts.And if you think I am defending my Buell like I would my Mother's honor you have never seen me defend my Mother's honor  | ||
| Thefleshrocket |
I think 38mpg IS great and people who are complaining about the gas mileage ought to find something a little more economy-oriented, like a Ninja 250. Seriously. A 1000+ cc sportbike is all about power, not getting good gas mileage. Big twin sportbikes are notoriously worse on gas than triples or fours of comparable displacement too. Most of my bikes get somewhere in the 30s mpg-wise. My '03 Suzuki SV1000S averages mid 30s when commuting and low 30s when I go out for a group ride. My '91 Honda CBR600F2, which admittedly is jetted a little rich, gets mid to upper 30s. My '03 Suzuki SV650S averages 45mpg during sustained 80-85mph interstate cruising but gets upper 30s during most other riding. I haven't figured out how to reset the trip meter on my '06 Triumph Daytona 675 and I've only put several tanks of gas through it since buying it so I don't know what kind of mileage it gets. My '98 Yamaha Vmax got low 30s. My '03 GSX-R1000 got surprisingly good mileage--mid to upper 30s. I don't know what kind of mileage my 1125R will get as it's only got 90 miles on it and that number isn't going up due to the crappy weather. Suffice it to say that given my somewhat aggressive riding style, I'll be happy if I get 38mpg and will probably be closer to the mid 30s. | ||
| Ottobotz |
I have an '09 CR and I have about 400 miles on it, If anyone could shed some light on this I would appreciate it, -Why does this bike like to leak fuel, through that hose on the pillion behind the peg? -What purpose does this effect have? BTW I love this bike, it gets all kind of looks and I love the feel of this bike, and a big plus, it's not a gixxer(they are everywhere!) | ||
| Black |
Well, You know, I regret that Syonyk has had an initial bad experience with his Buell. A bad experience with my X-1 is what really made me a Buell true believer though. Check my profile. The only problem I have had with my 08 1125R are the ones you would expect...mirrors and leaking clutch cover. To be honest, I expected much more with a first of a kind engine. Everything was fixed under warranty. I love the thing. It runs like a screaming demon. I must get in with the brake bashing. When that mini van pulled out in front of me last weekend, the brakes felt a little mushy when I did that emergency stoppie, balancing on my front wheel. Hey, but I'm not a hood ornament...GREAT BRAKES! (Thank you Lord!) Anyway, a lot of what Syonyk says we have all experienced. I love motorcycles. I waited for years to see an American motorcycle sit in first place on a road racing podium. A lot of folks who ride ride for lifestyle, and a motorcycle is an enabler of that lifestyle. I know some gnarley Harley dudes that dress in leather, assless chaps, skull bandanas..and you know what....that's all fine by me. They are having fun. They paid for it. Let them enjoy it! I like motorcycles. I don't particularly like some dealerships, but I am blessed with AKCELLENT Buell dealerships here in Northern Virginia and Maryland. I have three that are just superb......and they all race Buells. If you have a crappy dealership, find a new one. I don't think anybody has ever gotten as angry at a motorcycle or motorcycle company as I did with that X-1. (Another very reliable screaming machine that I still own.) I think you should find another dealership. I also think that if you put some more time in the saddle,you won't be able to do without your Buell. Whatever you do....good luck. | ||
| Sburns2421 |
While I agree the original poster compared three brands whose bikes are very different, the message to take away is how he was treated in the H-D/Buell versus BMW dealership. I am sure there are good H-D dealers, and even some of those might be receptive to Buells. But in my experience (and I have been to many H-D shops), his description is close to my own observation. And it isn't always the dealer that puts people off, sometimes its their clown customers who just brought in their chromed-out manhood replacement to have its blinker fluid replaced. Buell enthusiasts shouldn't be mad at the poster for griping at faults with a bike that should be considered unacceptable in today's market. Evaporative emissions from puking fuel should be considered an EPA issue, not to mention a severe fire hazard. If it cannot be rectified perhaps a lemon law could used to get rid of the bike. Be mad at Harley for killing off the brand. I decided not to buy an 1125R in part because I couldn't stomach doing business with my local H-D dealer. That dealership will be gone sooner or later based on their business practices, although I doubt I would ever consider any product from H-D again over their handling of Buell. |
