| Author | Message | ||
     Slypiranna |
Newbie here but can't keep quiet anymore. Purchased new on 1-20-2008 from a Harley Dealer in Central Florida. After finally meeting a true Buell dealer (that was closed that Sunday I was needing to buy) I wished I had dealt with them from the getgo. Please note, I am 39+, been riding Yamaha Vmaxs, RZs, FZRs and R1s since they were first introduced over 20 years ago. I am a fabricator, custom car and engine builder. I've been hit 3 times in the past and have had three lower back surguries and one more neck surgury is up and coming this spring...no I wasn't at fault but guess who is paying?...I am 5-7 and weight 150# suited up...married if that matters. PLEASE do not take offense but I have never been pleased with a Harley powered product...that is why I awaited this 1125R for so long. My hat is off to Mr. Buell for his foresight, efforts in this machine and lets face it...a leap of true faith. The two reasons I finally made the switch from Yamaha to Buell is the Rotax (Why cannot WE build them HERE?...$...)and the obvious fact that WE ALL NEED TO SUPPORT OUR OWN COUNTRY'S WORKFORCE, GOODS AND REALLY COMPETE AGAIN OR WE WILL CONTINUE ON A DOWNWARD SPIRAL OF OUR OWN MAKING. I have done some homework prior to this but most of the pre production negitives are still with #524. Time will tell but here is my first 900 mile report. Not enuff bad to go dating others yet... Negatives...Cold start, dies on first try...starts up the second and settles into open loop programming without further issue. Any RPM below 4000 the ecu mapping or intake velocity jerks and feels like crap...above 4k, all good. The clutch assembly noise, unless the handle is pulled in, is totally too loose...tape measure instead of caliper tolerace comes to mind. I was told by a Harley tech that is the way DRY clutches are!...No, I didn't bother raining oil on his head, I hung up after thanking him for his time. She came delivered with that additional one quart of Screamin' Eagle oil in the sump that seems to be a known issue now. Go figure. I've since done some draining and the first oil and filter service with the same oil at 600 miles. Suffice to say that I will be using Mobil 1 and bypassing that Screamin' stuff. On the first oil and filter change only normal breakin debris was noted. Why a sight glass was not part of this engine design I ponder but no matter, I will add one soon! Hate the rear brake, even though I only touch it just to know that it is there...been told that is designed to be that way for trail braking...yea, I do that all the time on the interstate. Front end weather vains above 80 mph in 15mph or higher winds on the highway BUT I have yet to really experiment with the suspention...but stay tuned, I have faith. Poor frame welds and or dollying of alloy to fit that joint (as mentioned in other threads) is simply rushed fabrication and or stamping issues...planning on black anyways over all the blues so plastic filler will cover those sins! Vibs in the bars over a half an hour numb my throttle and brake hand first (could be previous injuries) but my left at an hour is without hope...tried foam grips, nope. Told to fill bars with lead...come on, I am going for light here...and to think that there are THREE(?) counter balancers twirling around down there...ok. I'll see them one of these days with my own eyes! Finally, hate the mirrors (I'll have new ones fashioned soon), exhaust can (diddo), belt covers, tail section and low clocks...(diddo,ect) Postives! Handling. Hands down the best I've ever snapped into or out of any situation. I've only slid the rear once and it was without warning but not of concern as I pulled her right back in...awesome chassis handling and feedback...no arguments just pleasant communication with this one. My 39 year old heart never missed a beat nor did my eyes get bigger...just slung my little tail over the other side and motor'd her to traction again. Adore the two finger front stopper! Tractable and predictable power above 4k. Short the exhaust, I have no issues with this machine being underpowered no matter who's dyno says what. (Dyno's are tools folks and no two shops use the same tools the exact same way so forget those numbers! Go to the track and see if you can plant and USE whatever power your machine produces before mods/after mods...they called it test and tune in my day and it still applies!) No power adders on 524, just fine tuning is all this machine needs to be as advertised, a true street engine (read below 4k) and not a race 1-Liter Jap carbon copy. My light build and small tail do well on the stock seat and the fit issue does settle in if ridden right! (Remember this is NOT a MULTI MILLION+production bike, this IS somewhat of a low production elite sort...they will need to be tailored to each individual which is why I switched! I like this sort of not me-too, every single one has it's own dna?! That is why Buell finally gave us what we've asked for I think with modern engine design.) Last but not least, I took off early for the first time last week and took 524 to a local bike night. Out of 1000+bikes, she was the only registered one there. That in itself is a plus for now. The other one by the way was from a local HD dealer for sale as new...don't know her number though as I'm forcing myself to continue courting 524 until we finally tie the knot and wed. As any man can tell you, we all fight long and hard to deal with a female of sort...this one only has a few quirks and you either learn to love her or move on. I envision "our" honeymoon to be on the tail of the dragon outside of Robbinsville NC this summer...ahh, if only she'll loosen up some more until then! (Not too loose I hope!  Sorry, I just couldn't resist! Peace out for now and ride safe, slypiranna PS> Note to Buell...PLEASE DO NOT COMPLETELY REDESIGN AND OBSOLETE THIS COMBINATION FOR 2009! Refine and allow 08 owners a chance to keep a lifelong marriage. | ||
| Brad1445 |
Thanks for a realistic write up. It helps us future owners much more than the polished and edited news. I agree this engine was what I asked for, the future is bright. | ||
| Baggermike |
Hey Slyp I got 527 in late december and love it and feels good as low as 3000 rpm for me and I do have a ulysses and this bike feels like it has more power every were but at take off. Mike | ||
| Doerman |
Thanks Slypiranna.. Sounds like you on the balance is having great fun with the "girl"!  | ||
| Chadhargis |
Good write up. These are the things Buell needs to know. The thing that impresses me about Buell is that they LISTEN to their customers. They read websites such as this one. Eventually, they will address all the issues. All first year products have some sort of glitch in them. I know, I own an '06 Ulysses. My service manager knows me by name. In the end, my Buell is still one of the most fun motorcycles I've ever ridden. I'll keep it until the shoehorn a Rotax motor in a Ulysses. | ||
| Buellborn |
I think I may Join you on that one Chad. One water cooled Ulysses please. But please, hold the scoops on mine | ||
| Baggermike |
That would be nice a ulysses with this motor but do you ride off road, I bought my ulysses because I wanted to go off road I grew up with duel purpose bikes and I love the ulysses but it is heavy and the steering messed my up and now for 08 they put on new forks that are 47 mm and the motor is all new to, I love the 1125R I had a hard time choosing a 08 ulysses that I would have put money into to get the power I wanted or buy the 1125R that had the power and handling of the buells and I could not find anyone to go off road with so I took a chance and bought the 1125R and I love it, I gave the uly to my son and rode it last night and I like both bike but can only afford one and I picked the right one for me, but down the road I will get a 08 uly used and trick it out with a 88 inch motor and custom suspension and would be one bad bike. Mike | ||
| Baggermike |
Hey Chad what problems have you had with your 06 ulysses, my oil pump went and just had the top end rebuilt and want to know what I should look out for, it is my sons bike now but I am the one who does all the work. Mike |
