| Author | Message | ||
     Jetbuilder |
Ok I know this will stir the pot but it needs to be fed back to Buell. Eric are you listening? I am a dedicated and "Rabid" Buell rider/owner I will not own any other sport bike! Having said that the 1125 is ugly as sin! That is not just my opinion but also the opinion of many of the non Buell riders that have test rode the machine at my local Harley shop and loved the performance but passed on the purchase due to the looks of the bike. It needs to have an integrated full fairing! I will own one anyway because I am a Buell nut but i am not the person Buell needs to attract it is the rider who does not own a Buell yet and will not give it a chance because the way it looks. I know I am going to catch hell here but this is the feedback I have been given by no less than 8 riders who will purchase a new bike this year. they loved the performance but will not buy an 1125 due the looks.Lets remember guys the duty of any company on the open market to its stock holders is to sell the most of the product they sell. Buell is in my view the best bike out there for the everyday rider but this needs to be addressed as I fear we may lose the momentum earned by the 1125R thus far by not gaining that "New" Buell rider I hope Eric is listening. Red Raleigh nc. | ||
| Court |
I doubt you'll catch hell. There, as with any product, will be a wide range of opinions. Buell, as they have done very well, harvests data, including owner opinions, from a number of sources such as post demo ride interviews, letters, and the internet. Erik (it's spelled with a "k") is part of the product planning group (both at Buell and HD) and input like this all get tossed in the hopper. Court | ||
| Dave_bogue |
Remember in '99 when Suzuki introduced the Hayabusa? It's styling has been controversial ever since. When the ZX-14 came out, many members of the ZX-12 Forum thought it was homely. There are many examples of bikes with "unusual" styling that sold for years. The V Max (with fake! SCOOPS) comes to mind. Most dual-sport bikes are funny looking, but functional. Is the Goldwing the epitome of motorcycle beauty? Honda sells a few of those. Personally, I think the 'fuel in the frame' Buells are funky looking (the Uly being the worst), but I know that BMC puts function before style. In fact, I believe that concept is a hallmark of Buell motorcycles. So, shall we buy our motorcycles for looks or performance? The cruiser buyer (the biggest market segment?) buys for looks over performance. Harley-Davidson's success is built on this fact. While I am not in love with the 1125's aesthetics, I am quite excited about it's very low weight, handling, braking, aerodynamics, strong wide powerband, belt drive and 2 year warrantee. Many will find this bike irresistable, either in it's present form or Lightning version. Dave Bradenton Fl SV1000 ZX-10R | ||
| Jpfive |
Well, guess I have to add my opinion. I think the bike is beautiful. I love the pods, and that wide fairing - grinning like an evil Cheshire cat. The black color is perfect for the overall effect, also - giving it that menacing, bat bike look. I have had many comments to the same effect. The bike is striking, different, and Buell. If Buell decides to change the looks, I'll be glad I got mine before they did it. Jack PS: It evokes images and memories of military aircraft of the Vietnam era, especially the two that I flew - the F4B Phantom and the AV8A Harrier. I may name mine FytrByke. | ||
| Doerman |
If you try to please evetone you please noone. The aggressive look in a great performer appealed to me but won't to evetone. | ||
| Slaughter |
I like purple | ||
| Oddsc |
I liken the styling to a 90's ford tarus. The cooling pods don't bother me as much as the out-dated tail. The fairing is very elegant and distinct, I'd love to see the rest of the bike integrated more into that design. It's a revolutionary bike, design should have been a little more risky. | ||
| Metalstorm |
I like blue m&ms. The green ones suck ass. Seriously though, thank you Jetbuilder. I may not agree with you regarding the looks of the bike but I respect your view and concerns. And I appreciate the maturity of your post.  | ||
| Brad1445 |
With the exception of the muffler there is NO ugly parts on the bike. If all the pieces were laid out on a table top and you picked one up at a time to study you would say this is cool. Including the pods, they look cool on their own. It's when you try to make one bike out of those pieces. 1/3 to 1/2 of the bikes on the road are ugly. I own several ugly ones. It's not the ugly thats so offensive on the 1125R, it's the impression that something is wrong. Example a Busa (way ugly) is consistent in its design head to toe and designed as a whole. The 1125 is a different kind of ugly that will offend a trained eye. The lines don't flow from one to the other. The shapes don't flow from one to the other. The sizes don't flow from one to the other. The colors don't flow from one to the other. When you add them together it's apparent that not everyone was in the same room at the same time during development. In fact some of the designers may no longer even work for Buell or be dead by now. The tail was designed years ago with a different purpose. The guys that designed the pods did a good job, they may have just walked into the boss's office while he was busy or needed to take a dump and asked for approval, again they looked fine on their own so he said OK. My guess is this was not the first fairing designed its likely an extended one to compinsate for the fat front after it was bolted all together they realized the pods were wider than the fairing, so waa laaa extend the fairing. Next, Ooops the phone is ringing, it's ROTAX! O' crap the engine is ready but wait we are not ready! It's ok said the boss, the engine will carry us through many (including me) have been waiting long for this day. But we have not designed a muffler yet said one elf. The boss laughs give me a piece of paper. He scratches out the design quickly with two arrow pointing to it. One says air goes in here, the other says air goes out here. Now send that to my cousin Bubba he makes BBQ's in Georgia he can get it ready in time. It's not a bad bike, its a GREAT bike. They just got rushed you will see in the following editions what a real true design can be as I have no doubts Bubba will be replaced by some guy in China and now that they have seen it bolted together they can go hrrrmmmmmm. What if? Wait for version 2.0 If you are not offended by version 1.0 or own one. Congrats and enjoy. I want this bike and Buell to be a successes, so they can make the version 2.0 And remember function does not mean you ignore form, YOU CAN HAVE BOTH! Yes is seen in person, twice studied for hours. The muffle is truly a design insult. And yes I like Buell, I bet I have spent more time and money supporting them than the guys that will now tear into me. | ||
| Dave_bogue |
The muffler: How many of us actually retain the stock muffler? I've had numerous motorcycles over the years and almost everyone of them had modified exhaust, at least a can if not a full system. The new Busa mufflers are so large, they painted them black. Seen the C-14 muffler? To me, If you ride a V2 performance bike, it enhances the experience if you let out some of that wonderful sound. I actually think that BMC did not make the stock muffler ultra light with (expensive) titanium because they know most will end up hanging in the garage. Dave | ||
| Garrett2 |
i love the looks hate the looks of muffler, but as long as i can hide that ill be happy | ||
| Bearly |
I love the looks and I think it looks different that the other brands of people I ride with. My opinion matters most of all! Are you listening! I bought one! Are you Listening! (Message edited by Bearly on January 17, 2008) | ||
| Svo1023 |
Looks are very subjective...just my opinion, i like the looks of it....just a no nonsense looking bike...there are plenty of ugly bikes out there....i find the whole discussion on the looks of the 1125 pretty funny actually. This is the same board that for years complained because Buell didn't offer a high horse motor or a sixth gear....Well go figure Buell delivers and then guys are bitchin about how it looks.... Suck it up and go ride somethin. Mike | ||
| Oddsc |
+1 Brad, A motorcycle is not only a functional object, it should also be beautiful. Admit it or not, I'd bet that most motorcycle buyers base their purchases mostly on aesthetics. If Buell wants to succeed, and find new (younger) markets, they've gotta be more concerned with the way their machines look. I'm sure that Buell had design meetings, but the finished form sure lacks cohesion. Like you said, many think the 'busa is ugly, but it least it's a complete design statement. I'd say the same for the new Victory Vision. I really want Buell to succeed. I just don't think the 1125r is going to be the bike that brings them into the "mainstream" like it could have been. Buell has to get everyone into the door of the notoriously friendly and welcoming H-D dealer, not just the loyalists that are willing to put up with it for love of all things Buell. Looks would achieve that better than performance IMHO. Lots of bikes go fast well, you gotta work the lust and desire factor. Bottom line, I really want a track bike to compliment my Uly. I'd rather have a Ducati 848, Triumph 675, or even a CBR600rr than the 1125 in it's current form. | ||
| Molly_hatchet |
i wonder what it would look like with a new tail on it..something a little wider to fit with the front fairing....maybe she just needs some junk in her trunk...i think i can live with the pods now...but brad is right something is missing or out of place....aftermarket pipe and a wider tail piece...any photoshoppers around . | ||
| Brad1445 |
I think those could be some quick fix mod's Molly. In fact that was what surprised me most when I seen it in person the #1 focus is not the pods but the overall width of he front compared to the relative smallish rear end. | ||
| Andella |
I also think the bike looks beautiful. Everyone I know that has seen it agrees. Negative feedback is usually coming from those who own motorcycles because of inability to accept change or something different. It is just human nature and that is ok. Ask someone who does not own motorcycles or is not crazy about them like we all are (note: completely unbiased opinion)and I am sure that 90% of them will agree. There will always be 10% that you cannot satisfy. This is my OPINION. Let the flaming begin........ (Message edited by andella on January 17, 2008) | ||
| No_rice |
if i bought my 1125 because of its looks, i never would have gotten it. now having said that, i bought it for the way it ran. i spent the better part of 2 days on them at road america and i was wownd(sp) sky high the whole time. the thing is great. now that it is sitting in my garage the more i look at it the more i like it. there are still things i am going to change. it wouldnt matter if i bought a new italian exotic, i would still change it up because thats me and thats what i do. but i try to do it just enough so you can still tell what it is. (Message edited by no_rice on January 17, 2008) | ||
| Metalstorm |
9 out of 10 doctors agree that 1 doctor will disagree  Here's a pic of Jedipunk's 1125 from his post http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/290431/328044.html?1199670964  Different strokes etc.. I suppose. But I can't imagine there not being any aftermarket parts available down the road for those not keen on the 1125R's looks to alter the looks to their personal tastes. I've always really liked the Firebolt's tail section but wasn't too keen on the fairing. I totally dig the 1125R's fairing and like that it has the Firebolt's sexy derrier. That XBRR tail section ain't too shabby either but it would lure cops onto me like humming birds to feeders  | ||
| Oddsc |
The point here is that there is not enough change. You can't put a 03 rear end on an 08 bike and not have it looked pieced together. The 1125 deserves a clean slate design as revolutionary as the technology and innovation it embodies. I love the form follows function look of my Uly, it's a utilitarian bike, and the looks fits perfectly. Again, I just think the 1125's look could have been more cohesive and new. | ||
| Zac4mac |
" I've always really liked the Firebolt's tail section but wasn't too keen on the fairing. I totally dig the 1125R's fairing and like that it has the Firebolt's sexy derrier. " Thank you, Metalstorm. My feelings EXACTLY. Z | ||
| Darkice19 |
A belly pan will hide the muffler. Went to a local motorcycle junk yard and tried several belly pans. Bought 2. now i just need to cut them up and combine/paint and the project is done. I might keep the stock muffler but because of its looks im going to hide it. | ||
| Jetbuilder |
I know that there are riders who will like the looks of the bike and I am not saying that is an incorrect position.As we all know it is a personal taste issue as to whether a bike is pleasing to the eye or not. I am just commenting on what was said to me by potential buyers who tested the bike and will purchase this year in 08. they loved the performance but not the looks and can`t seem to get past it. I am more of a performance person and plan to buy one for that reason. I will add an aftermarket fairing . Red | ||
| Vincent |
I speak for myself as well as a few others when I say that we as Buell riders prefer to stand alone and prefer not to conform to the norm, the norm being ricers. I like and prefer to stand out from the norm and is one of the reasons why I have been a Buell man since I was 7. Anyone can design something that mimics everyone else, but it takes a real eye to develop a work of art that stands out from the rest. I am glad to stand out with kick ass performance. Be proud 1125r's. | ||
| Old_man |
I love the design. I wouldn't change a thing. The blue frame is beginning to grow on me. I think I would still prefer flat black or charcoal, but the overall design is, in my eyes, beautiful. | ||
| Arillius13 |
My only gripe is the firebolt tail section, being a whole brand new revolutionary bike I would have liked a TOTALLY new model bike. Not a 90% new model bike. Oh well, Its still parked next to my 05 XB12R and im not gonna complain. | ||
| Bads1 |
I had a deposit... weekend that it made its appearance at Road America,actually the day before. I retracted by Monday. Its not for me. I'm not going to buy just a engine. My turn off's were not the pods as many stated of dislike. I'm not a fan of the XBRR fairing. Its bulky. It may do a great job but its to big for me. I would of really liked to see a different shape airbox. Not a carry over from the XB's. I most definately would like to see a new tail section. Not a carry over from the XB. I would of liked to see a chain drive this time around but I know this one is changeable. I just really didn't want to see XB in this model. I got my deposit back. I'm waiting....maybe I'll see something next year. Saying the Busa was controversial?? Well not to many bikes will ever be like the Busa. Drag raced more then any,customized more then any. They have sold boat loads and no end is in sight with that bike. | ||
| Rocketman |
TROLLS NOTE, ROCKET HAS NOT POSTED IN THIS THREAD Just before anyone goes demanding my head on a silver platter. Rocket | ||
| Bads1 |
Not trolling Rocket. I like the bike but not enough to shell out the Presidents. I'm waiting for a different look is all. | ||
| Rocketman |
Dana, just saying out aloud as to the title of the thread. The long knives are out  Rocket |
