| Author | Message | ||
     Dalton_gang |
Just thought that I would drop a few random thoughts about the new bike. 2 months old 1400 miles and no problems (knock knock) unless the crappy mirrors count. I know that some here are spending too much time with "bike problems" and that sucks!! (no fun there). There are a lot of us who have no "bike problems" just "weather problems" or "which way should I go this time problems". Personally my fun is ripping it hard from a 20mph roll all the way through 3rd or 4th while trying to keep the front tire down, 1st and 2nd gear power wheelies, and aggressive canyon carving.(sounds like I picked the right bike!) My Helicon really seems to like it when I try to run the snot out of it. For me the bike seems to be the most fun in 3rd and 4th between 4500rpm and 7500rpm in the twisties then the sky is the limit when I find a long clear straight. Did 140mph on the street once and I think that I will be saving that thrill for the track from now on. Also it`s big fun when I catch up to a bike on the twisties and he can`t shake me so after a few miles of of pushing him to his limit I pass him and try to watch in the mirror as he disappears. I almost got a KTM super poop but too naked and too pricey. Then almost got a BMW k1200s but no local dealer and again too pricey. I`m really glad that I discovered the 1125r and the BadWeB last August. I think that it was worth the wait. Over all I`m having more fun with this bike than any other bike that I have owned. I can`t stress enough how well it handles and how good the power is (quantity and the quality of delivery). The 1125r is a riders bike for sure. I think that it`s funny how people at first think that it`s a ricer then when I explain that it is an American made bike and explain the Buell/Harley relationship they say "Oh I read about those". One guy said "Aren`t those the beginner bikes that Harley builds?". I guess that some people think that all Buells are the Blast and that the Blast is only for beginners? No one believes that there is an American sport bike that weighs 400# and has 150hp. It`s also weird when I stop for a burger and beer now because all the Harley "posers" look at me as if I have some weird disease or something. Ha Ha. For me it`s all about the fun and I`m having lots of it!  | ||
| Rubberdown |
Right On! | ||
| Thurstonbuell |
This was actually my post from last week , but thought it should be in here : I purchased my 1125 almost a month ago , I had it delivered on March 1'st ,yesterday was 70* , and my first ride.....OMG!!! (keep in mind today is 29* ,freezing rain and snow... again ) I love this bike , I can only imagine what it's like after break in !!! It's hard to believe how much fun I'm having , and all while keeping it under 6000 rpm's . I love the smooth power , and torque , the way she handles , the front brake , suspension , the fun factor , I have'nt ridden many sportbike's to compare the fairing to , but did enjoy the way it seemed to cut thru the winds we had along with the warm weather. I put on about 55 - 60 miles , I was smiling from ear to ear , I have'nt enjoyed myself this much since i was like 7 years old and my Dad got me my first bike , a Honda QA50 , and I had a rut worn around the perimeter of our yard . The bike seem's deceptive when it comes to acceleration , you can feel the power and torque , but before you know it , your going way.. way .....Way faster than you think , and I was worried about keeping up with traffic limited to 6000 rev's . Waiting for the next break in the weather is gonna be grueling . I'm not trying to write my own review or something , I just wanted to post all the positive things about this bike !!! | ||
| Two_buells |
Well said! Mine is three days old and still can't get this grin off my face. (Really the grin has been there for 12 years from my first 1996 Buell S1)  | ||
| Thurstonbuell |
A good write up on the new Buell , found this from Smart Cycle Shopper ...... http://www.smartcycleshopper.com/motorcycle-review s/2008-Buell-1125R/article.aspx | ||
| Kravfighter |
We need to keep this thread going! I have 500 measley miles on mine, no problems so far. Knock on wood. Grins per gallon are countless! Homerun IMHO! | ||
| Doerman |
It just amazes me that still after just under 3 months and 4000 miles the bike, is more fun to ride today than the day I picked it up. It disappears underneath me and I ride the bike not it riding me. | ||
| Baggermike |
I read that all you need to do is keep it in 3rd gear for corner carving with it power band and think he was right, also would give less thought on shifting and more thought on cornering, I got over 1500 on my bike and have not been on any clean curvy roads yet, plus it is cold and sand on the roads so I am being careful, I do believe the guy is right my bike pulls down low all the way to red line were you are going fast enough to lose you license if caught, but this is one fun bike. Mike | ||
| Hwyranger |
Like I said in another thread THIS BIKE IS TROUBLE I have 800 miles on mine and now that I am no longer limited to below 6k rpm (not much of a limit as 5500 rpm in 6th is 95mph...but I wouldn't know that from personal experience or anything  ) The only problem I seem to be having with my bike is the front wheel wants to leave the ground everytime I get on an onramp. It is so much fun watching idiots in cagers who try to challenge me disappear in my mirrors. Overall, this bike is a screamer. BMC hit a grand slam with this one, as I felt they already hit a home run with the 12R. As much as I loved my 12R, the 1125R puts it to shame (if that is even possible with a Buell) | ||
| Hwyranger |
+1 Asbjorn, 1 month on this bike and same feeling. I love the way the bike disappears and just does whatever you think about doing.  | ||
| Baggermike |
Hey Hwyranger now be honest how fast have you gone, I must admit I am guilty but did it in a safe place were no one was around, I like a powerful bike because sometimes hitting the brakes are the wrong thing to do and hitting the gas can get you out of trouble, do they teach you guys that? are you a motorcycle cop or car? I got the ride like a pro dvd he teaches the police motorcycle guys how to control the bikes slowly, it was not what I expected but I did like it, it is great for guys learning to ride slow on big heavy bikes, or newbies, it teaches you to be in the friction zone with the clutch and having the rear brake on and giving it gas and showed how you can ride a big heavy bike and turn around in tight places, it also said to practice the moves every week to stay sharp, I also liked that he said to practice stopping from the maximun speed you travel at and think more guys should do this, I have done the bike rodeo's and the one thing they should have is a stopping contest. when I go to race school I will be learning allot, and braking from high speeds is something I have not done and need to learn, I am taking my fast riding to the track, I thought about becoming a Motorcycle policeman but the thought of having to go to accidents changed my mind, I also do not like to tell people what to do, and I have respect for you guys and the idiots you have to put up with. when I was young I also thought about E M T's using bikes to get to an accident they can get threw traffic faster and what do you know I just read that I think in Florida they are starting to do just that. I sometimes think I should have become a cop, I would be all over these suv drivers, I see so many idiot driving I do not know how they got a license, they can not even stay in there own lane, anyway be safe out there I know your job is tough. Mike | ||
| Hwyranger |
I like a powerful bike because sometimes hitting the brakes are the wrong thing to do and hitting the gas can get you out of trouble +1, idiots coming up behind you, or about to lane change you are best avoided by putting them in your mirrors, I just roll off as soon as I'm out of trouble. teaches the police motorcycle guys how to control the bikes slowly EXACTLY, any monkey can go fast on a motorcycle in a straight line. Being able to keep the bike up while in the friction zone without using any brakes takes real control and skill. Being able to flip a U-turn within 15 feet is very nice. and you don't have to waddle or walk the bike through tight places. (plus, it looks cool when you do it smoothly) braking from high speeds is something I have not done and need to learn this should be practiced as often as the slow turns. Head and eye placement will get you through a lot. I don't believe in only using two fingers on the brake lever, and I ALWAYS combination brake. Always using four fingers and combo braking provides maximum braking efficiency and keeps control. People who only use four fingers for emergency braking run the risk of locking up the front brakes when they grab a hold with all four in a panic situation. Better to have that muscle memory and feel of all four fingers in all situations. be honest how fast have you gone I'll plead the 5th on that one  let's just say the 65mph I go on my bike is a lot faster than the 65 I do in my car. but we all know what the 1125 will do at 6-65k in 6th. I will really experience the rush on Monday when I take this to the track for the first time. are you a motorcycle cop or car? car for the time being. I am practicing for motor school which will be coming up soon. | ||
| Court |
The Law Enforcement riding school at the University on Wisconsin is an incredible experience. And . . if you are REALLY into it . . check out the training and skills of the law enforcement folks in Europe. | ||
| Baggermike |
Hey Hwyranger I agree, there is so much I got to teach my son, he is a newbie and I do not want him to get hurt, I am teaching him all I know and I will send him to the advance riding course, I probably will go myself maybe it would reduce my insurance and maybe I will learn something, hopefully he will learn enough to be able to go to race school by the end of the summer so we can both do track days together, I had planned for june but if I go to Buells home coming I will need the money to go there, so I have to decide between going to Buells Home coming or buying leathers and going to race school, tough decision, Mike | ||
| Dalton_gang |
Today went out and was thinking about how spoiled I`m getting with the 1125r and how other bikes have also spoiled me. The 1125r is by far the fastest, quickest, best handling bike I`ve ridden and it`s not bad as far as comfort level. So it`s going to be really hard to ever step down from this level of performance. But I wish it had a few more luxuries like a fuel gage, self canceling blinkers, throttle meister, etc.(It is a street bike after all) I`m also thinking that my motor is breaking in well and getting comfy because it`s getting a little smoother and I think it`s been making more power the last couple of trips out. But it could be that the rear tire is getting better traction with the warming weather.(or could be a little of both) | ||
| Baggermike |
Dalton My 1125R has a garmin zumo 550 and one of the screens has speed and other info like trip meter and also has a gas gauge that you program and it will tell you that you are low and direct you to the closest gas station, you can buy an auto canceller for your turn signals from kisen and can turn you turn signals into running lights and hazzard lights, Dark horse is making bar sliders and throttle friction lock. So you see you can have you cake and eat it to, I also got an xm radio, mp3 player, audio book player, traffic and weather which is hooked up to the garmin zummo, I use it as my speedometer because I can see it better, also records you top speed, if you look at my pictures you can see the antenna in the front nose of the windshield, I pay like ten dollars extra a month for the weather and traffic which I like allot, I also got a topo maps of trails a garmin savers card for using when traveling. I like to go out riding and get lost and when I want to head home just press a button and I am on my way. Mike | ||
| Alans |
American Sportbike has the Throttlemeister for the 1125R. It's extremely easy to install, and priced at about $125, or thereabouts. I'm with you--I miss a gas gauge. | ||
| Dalton_gang |
Hey Bagger, I`m starting to think that I should drop my bike off at your place so you can "hook me up with all the good shit".  | ||
| Baggermike |
No problem my life revolves around bikes it is all I talk or think about besides women. Mike | ||
| Dave_bogue |
"I don't believe in only using two fingers on the brake lever, and I ALWAYS combination brake. Always using four fingers and combo braking provides maximum braking efficiency and keeps control. People who only use four fingers for emergency braking run the risk of locking up the front brakes when they grab a hold with all four in a panic situation. Better to have that muscle memory and feel of all four fingers in all situations." -------------------------------- Sometime, probably about a decade ago ('98 Bandit), I switched from 4 finger braking to 2 fingers. I sort of assumed that almost everybody else did too because modern brakes require so little lever pressure. (All Jap bikes since '98) I think using two fingers gives the rider more finesse and control, but that's just my experience. Significant front brake upgrades can be accomplished on many motorcycles with pads and steel lines. My SV responded nicely to this relatively inexpensive mod. Perhaps this is personal preference, but two fingers works fine for me, even when braking hard. Dave Bradenton FL | ||
| Cataract2 |
I learned the hard way to use 2 fingers on the front brake. This was after skidding down HWY 528 at 55 MPH from a panic stop. | ||
| Baggermike |
I just got the crg shorty levers because I only use two fingers and ride with two on the brake and clutch levers for instant braking, I also know I could lock the front up with one finger I got strong hands so I ride ready with two fingers on the levers and two holding on to the bike, if you are on the highway and going like 60 mph and by the time it takes to go from holding on to reaching and hitting the brake lever you probably traveled 20 feet, that could be the difference between riding home on your bike or riding to the hospital, so I am ready with my two fingers on the lever, and is why heated grips are no good for me, I would need heated levers to. Mike | ||
| Two_buells |
notice the fingers, no chicken strips either   (Message edited by Two_Buells on March 13, 2008) | ||
| Brad1445 |
My brake and clutch also only get one finger, no not that one. | ||
| Hwyranger |
using two fingers, or 1 if that is your preference is fine as long as that is how you always brake. switching to 4 in a panic will cause some problems. I ride like I was taught (just a habit now) covering the clutch and braking combo with 4 fingers (also a requirement for my department, so I won't be changing that habit any time soon). On the track, however, I found I don't run as much risk of needing "emergency" braking and learned to use only 2 fingers. On the streets its a different story. Ride the way you feel comfortable.  | ||
| Bdutro |
"+1, idiots coming up behind you, or about to lane change you are best avoided by putting them in your mirrors, I just roll off as soon as I'm out of trouble. " Can you PLEASE place a call to the California Highway Patrol and inform them of such? Thanks. | ||
| Hwyranger |
Ben, you just did  It's all a measure of just how much and how long we roll on the throttle that tends to gain the unwanted attention. We DO see more than people really believe. we also notice when that throttle "gets stuck" and triple digits are hit when only 10-20 extra mph is needed. More often than not, we get the idiot who caused you to roll it on.  | ||
| Baggermike |
Hwyranger I think you said you were going to take the bike to the track, if so did you go to race school? and if you did what did they teach you for braking? Mike | ||
| Hwyranger |
going to the track on Monday. Race school is not required to go to a track day, just if you are going to races. Ive been to the track once before (Inside Pass, Streets of Willow Springs in October). Greatest learning and confidence building experience ever. That's where I picked up the two finger braking (track only). One of the coaches and guys from my dealership gave me pointers. On Monday the track day is through Fasttrack riders. They require first time riders with them (who have limited track experience elsewhere) to take the novice riders school. I am going to be in on that also. They give extra instruction between sessions and an extra sighting session before the other groups go out. I'll let you know what they bring to the table next week. This is a track school, and will be a lot different than what you would do on the streets. | ||
| Baggermike |
I think in New Hampshire you have to go to school to get your race license to go to track days, in June the have a three day advance class and think I am going to shoot for that, I can rent Dukes there and gear but I want my own gear and the duke has the power of my ulysses so I would not want to step down, keep me posted on what skills you pick up. thanks Mike |
