| Author | Message | ||
     Bigdog_tim |
There is a CycleWorld Ducati 848 vs 1125R article out at the newstands now. WARNING: SPOILER BELOW I got the feeling that the authors really wanted to give the nod to Buell. But sadly, the bike(s) they had to use for the comparison apparently had several bugs - ranging from battery draining to fuel system. Not a bad article - just too bad they didn't get a chance to use my bike for the comparison. | ||
| M1combat |
It's cycle world... I doubt that they wanted to give the nod to the buell. Just mho. | ||
| Ducxl |
Now,why in the heck would they pare a Ducati 848 against a larger Buell 1125? When the XBRR1340cc ran with 600cc inline fours that may have been suitable but,the Ducati 1098 was the bike they should've compared the 1125r to.What a sham. But they judged the 848 to be superior to the 1125r?  (Message edited by ducxl on May 03, 2008) | ||
| Rubberdown |
I'm hearing Ducati really hit the mark with the 848. Many seem to like it better than the 1098. I'll ride one soon. | ||
| Elvis |
Now,why in the heck would they pare a Ducati 848 against a larger Buell 1125? Buell 1125R - MSRP $11,995 Ducati 848 - MSRP $13,495 Ducati 1098 - MSRP $15,995 Maybe Ducati didn't offer Cycle world a 1098, because they realized the 1125R could come pretty close on performance and if they only offered their 848 they'd have a built in excuse. | ||
| Diablo1 |
You conspiracy guys are pretty funny. Why exactly would the magazines be trying to unfairly hurt HD with a biased review against Buell? Ducati is such a small company compared to HD. Do you really think Ducati spends more with the magazines on ads than HD? It really doesn't matter that Buell is a small company. Their parent company is relatively huge in the industry. | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
they didnt dissmiss the buell completly they just stated that there test bikes had some bugs, the same bugs that some of the guys here on this board have reported having. on positive notes one of the 2 testors got better lap times with it than the duc and the other got better lap times on the duc because he said he did not trust the buell but i bet if he would have felt a little more confident about being on the buell he would have gotten better lap times on it as well. | ||
| Elvis |
I just read the review and it seems fair to me. They seemed to have had a lot of problems with fuel delivery and they didn't like the feel of the front brake. I'm sure Buell is working on the issues that caused problems in this review (and we've seen mentioned elsewhere), and while they should have had those issues better sorted by now, it's tough getting a completely new bike like this up and running. Cycle World measured 134 HP - which is pretty good for a claimed 146 and right up there with the actuals on the 1098. The bike also performed well on the track and they had good comments about how easy it is to ride fast and the ergonomics. They also said it was the best handling Buell ever and didn't have the problems with trail-braking. They also said the steering was lighter and more neutral than previous Buells. A year ago, no Buell could have even been seriously compared with Ducati's top bikes. They still have work to do, but they're getting there. They've got a solid platform and now that they can work on refining that platform, they'll be able to work out these issues. Buell's getting there. They can't do it all in one leap, but they're taking the steps they need to make us all proud. (Message edited by elvis on May 03, 2008) | ||
| Spatten1 |
I can't believe that Buell sent more bikes with problems to the press. What's the excuse this time? "We wanted to get them early models so they could give us feedback on the battery draining issues and get the bikes dialed for mid-year production." It does sound like a handicap, it should have been reviewed against the big bike. Last I checked 1098 is still less CCs than 1125. I would like to know this: Of all the guys here that think the test is rigged and BS, how many of you have actually ridden a new Ducati? I would really like to hear from people that have ridden both, not those that only rode the Buell and are somehow convinced it is superior, with no basis for comparison. I'm not saying the Buell isn't better, and I hope it is, but it would be meaningful to hear from some people that test rode the Buell and the Ducati and picked the Buell. Otherwise is is like a conspiracy theory, getting worked up over something with no evidence. | ||
| Spatten1 |
PS: The 1125 I rode had horrible fuel delivery under 4k, totally herky-jerky. I would have failed it. It sounds like it takes many miles, but it does smooth out after a while. If this is true, I'd say DDFI is still a slow learner, and Buell needs to get some miles on at the testers' altitude before giving them the bikes. If it is not true, then there is a real fueling issue beyond DDFI being the slow kid in class early in the semester. I'd give Buell the benefit of the doubt here from what I've read and say that the bikes had probably not learned yet. That said, with a proprietary fueling system that is different in every way, Buell needs to either get them sorted before giving them to testers, or just do something to make the system learn quickly. | ||
| Court |
>>>>I would really like to hear from people that have ridden both I have some friends who have logged THOUSANDS of critical miles on both under a variety of conditions. I suspect the Buell will excel as the press has the chance to compare the Buell and the 1098. Neither is a "bad" motorcycle. | ||
| Spatten1 |
Court, that is very good to hear. I would love it if we could hear from them as to why they like the Buell better. I'd suspect the Buell should win on the street, even if the Ducs win on the track. That is how it should be, and I hope it comes to pass! | ||
| Dtx |
I think its great a Buell is even being compared to a great motorcycle like the modern Ducati's. This is a huge step. My 1125 still continues to impress me more and more. I am up to 1500 miles on the bike and it is really coming alive. It is a new experience for me to be on a bike that can't seem to keep the front end down in the first 3 gears. Cycle World dyno'ed 134 HP? I believe it! Its just too easy to ride this bike fast. This is a fantastic bike and I am so glad I bought it.  | ||
| Reepicheep |
$2000 of custom suspension work would make an 1125R a pretty interesting competitor to the 848... much less the 1098  I believe they are both great bikes. I would love to own and ride either. I would only like to maintain one  | ||
| Fresnobuell |
Buell should have know that Ducati is famous for sending bikes with special attention to magazine reviews and shootouts. Smart on Ducati's part--why not put your best foot forward? It's a shame that Buell couldn't have sent a bike that is gremlin-free. One would think with BMC having such a handle of the gremlin-issues, it would have sent a tip-top 1125r for the first significant magazine post-production review? No? | ||
| Eengler2 |
Unfortunately, very poor planning on BMC's part. Doesn't do much to dispel the myth of Buells unreliable nature from all of the mags. | ||
| Brad1445 |
No doubt the 1125R is the best performing Bike Buell has ever built. The engine is a dream. It handles like a buell that means frigging awesome. I really don't think there is a conspiracy against Buell. I Don't understand is how defensive so many get about the bike and the reality distortion field that makes people look silly vs just addressing things the way they are. Facts are a good thing. Example; Buell, updates the ECM to make the bike better even after so many would early on would only admit the bike was 100% perfect and anyone that had trouble was either crazy or to blame for it themselves. Would they prefer Buell not get better and better? Well for that to happen requires open honest communication. So may early on said don't change a thing, think about the implications before you say you want no changes. Look at great bikes in the past and how they would no compete in todays market. In the real word all bikes have strong points and weakness. All bikes continually get better through development and time. It is not the bike owners responsibility to be research and development but it helps for feedback. I don't think you are required to bow to an alter or speak in soft tones, I say all communication is of value as long as its real, truthful and accurate. Rejoice that we are have a Buell that can be compared to a Ducati, and lets help Buell develop a Bike that beats them on it's own honest unbiased merits through honest communication not false praise.. I don't think I'm a Buell basher as I have bought 5 new ones and will buy more. But the sooner the honesty becomes reality we will all get even better and better Bike that we love. Buell needs true support. Not false praise if we all wish to see Buell thrive in a competitive market. At least I know I do. | ||
| Blake |
Brad, It is truly amazing to me how some can hold such a completely opposite view of reality wrt Buell motorcycle enthusiasts compared to mine. Let's investigate your view versus mine shall we? "so many would early on would only admit the bike was 100% perfect and anyone that had trouble was either crazy or to blame for it themselves." Please show me where anyone here ever made any such statement. I'm looking for any statement where anyone anywhere said such a thing as you have asserted above, that "the 1125R was 100% perfect and anyone that had trouble was either crazy or to blame for it themselves." "Facts are a good thing"? I agree! Where are you getting your facts? "So many early on said don't change a thing" Who, where? Facts? "Rejoice that we are have a Buell that can be compared to a Ducati" The first comparo I ever saw involving a Buell was against a Ducati and a Triumph. The Buell won. Facts you say? "the sooner the honesty becomes reality..."  I don't think you are a Buell basher. I think you read into people's statements meanings that they are neither saying nor intending. | ||
| Brad1445 |
I would answer your questions Blake but I don't think the servers need me to copy and re-paste 70% of the post in the 1125R area. It's all Good! I will own a Rotax powered Buell in the future. | ||
| M1combat |
It's cycle world. Maybe it's just me but I don't give them an ounce of credibility. Wasn't it cycle world that couldn't keep an XB9R behind an R1 and a GSXR1K through a canyon even after swapping out all three riders and still said "Well... so what we still don't like it...". I'm just not a cycle world fan. If/when other rags say the same stuff I'll be ok with it. I still won't like cycle world's coverage of Buells. | ||
| Court |
>>>>Buell should have know that Ducati is famous for sending bikes with special attention to magazine reviews and shootouts. That's an inaccurate statement. Can you cite ONE ( I don't need more than one, I'll not waste your time) instance where this was PROVED to have happened. Don't get me wrong. . . . it always make great internet chatter to ascribe one's 2nd place finish to another's loaded hand. I see this in my work and life as well. Some folks, when they are beaten, intensify and sharpen their skills . . others simply find someone to blame. I can cite a case that supports quite the opposite of what you have accused Ducati of. I'll let you go first . . . I'm just a construction worker. Court | ||
| Ducxl |
Neither is a "bad" motorcycle. rip off time.........."That's an accurate statement"  Pretty cool thread,i anticipate 1125r continuous improvements will be made.And i agree it's phenominal that they compare this new bike to the exalted Ducati marque. Ducati IS after all a benchmark sporting twin. | ||
| Not_purple_s2 |
Personally, I'm very upset that a magazine I don't read has posted an article about two bikes that I don't own and said that the Ducati was better!  | ||
| Lemonchili_x1 |
Don't you people see what's really wrong here... it's only 4th May and the June issue is out already???  | ||
| Two_buells |
You know I don't care. (about the Cycle World review) When I first seen the 1125R I thought it would be Motorcycle of the year. I bought one and did have a battery drain once. Probably my fault. Since than I got a Battery Tender and only used it a few times and my battery is 12.8 volts after every ride. I stopped checking it. now that the weather is better and I don't have to ware 3 shirts and my heavy winter jacket I've become one with the bike and like it (love it) more and more everyday!  Cycle World  | ||
| Dynasport |
I have ridden a couple of motorcycles that magazines wrote glowing opinions of and didn't like them at all. From that I concluded that either 1)they don't know what they are talking about (possible but I doubt), 2)they know exactly what they are talking about and I don't (more likely, but I can't seem to admit that to myself 3)the reviewer and I just have different tastes when it comes to motorcycles (pretty likely) or 4)mags don't want to say anything bad about any motorcycle, giving the impression that all bikes are fantastic, and the one they reviewed most recently is the best (partly true at least for some mags I think). So, I still enjoy reading magazines and seeing what they say, but I'll not make a purchase based on something I read in one of them. | ||
| Cmonkey |
If only there was a version of the TV show 'Top Gear' for motorcycles. (Message edited by cmonkey on May 03, 2008) | ||
| Concor |
+ 1... Best automotive show on tv. | ||
| Dogbone |
The 1125R went against the 848 for two reasons. Price and power to weight. I know we all really wanted the 1125R to be right there with the 1098 and the RC8, but in reality, those bikes have it covered pretty damn well. The 848, while being a few CC down, actually carries a better power to weight ratio than the 999 did, so it matches up well against the 1125R. Don't get me wrong, I know the 1125R is doing well racing against the RC8 and 1098, but I refuse to believe that is an unmolested 1125, just like I refuse to believe those are unmolested bikes it is racing against. Overall, I was fairly happy with the tone of the article. The Buell was well recieved, and for it to be compared against Ducati this early in the game is quite a compliment. If it had no niggles, it would have received the nod hands down | ||
| M1combat |
I don't know that anyone has made the claim that the RC8's or 1098's were unmolested... The 1125R's seem to be though. They're obviously running the stock belt and exhaust... Looks to be stock suspension as well. |
