| Author | Message | ||
     Ft_bstrd |
I think there will be a smaller displacement model as well. I can't imagine there won't be. I'm a naked bike guy. | ||
| Boltrider |
I like what Buell is doing with the 25R. I can get used to the front fairing and pods over time. I see myself owning one after I ride the piss out of my Firebolt. | ||
| Gtmg |
Where do you think the engine will come from? Are you assuming a water-cooled rotax? I think Buell and Harley have really missed this area for potential buyers as well as the beginning rider. My son has a Blast and it is really fun to ride but it sure doesn't look sexy.... | ||
| Chadhargis |
I still want an 1125 Ulysses. Come on Buell....DO IT!! DO IT!!! Stop f*&&ing around and make the damn bike. I can't wait any longer.  | ||
| Gtmg |
The problem Chad is you want a water cooled Ulysses. Not sure you want with a power plant that gets 30mpg and currently appears to have fuel injection problems. I think most of those will be solved in the next year's model but I have concerns because it seems Buell is having problems with the DDFI3 in all bikes. I don't really understand because HD seems to have no problems in their bikes. I love the looks and feel of the 1125. I was hoping for a real touring bike or one that at least had optional bags but at 30 mpg that is tough on a motorcycle. Does anyone know if the Aprilia's get similar gas mileage? I mean even the new Concours at a piggy 650 lbs is getting 35+ according to their forums. (Message edited by gtmg on June 24, 2008) | ||
| Jpfive |
If you are talking touring, 35+ mpg should be no problem. I have averaged 34.3 over 4500 miles, including hard riding in the Deal's Gap area. None of those miles have really been touring miles. I have seen a high of 38 mpg on a tank of gas - on several occasions. This is not a 40 mpg bike, but high 30's in touring mode..?..I think so. Jack | ||
| Mr_incognito |
I dont know a whole lot about touring bikes and what not because ive always been into sportbikes. Ive read a lot on here about people wanting to turn 1125s into touring bikes and what not, but isnt there a lot of bikes out there that would be much more comfortable than the 1125? I mean this bike is definatly more comfortable than my previous 4cyl. jap bikes, but long rides on it are still not that comfortable...I rode 460 miles on it last saturday in the pig trail area of Arkansas and the only reason I survived was because we were riding too hard to think about how much my ass and wrists hurt. | ||
| Spectrum |
If you put 400+ miles in a day on any bike and your going to be tired. I put that on my 11R last Saturday and was just as comfortable as I had been doing it on my old XB9S. In my opinion the problem with sport touring bikes is they are more touring than sport. In other words they are too big and heavy for sport riding. I'd like a sport touring bike that is more emphasis on sport than touring. As far as I now the only one of those I've seen is Neil's bike. | ||
| Brad1445 |
I think it's almost magic that the 1125 is so comfortable. I love the Firebolts layout and did 23,000 miles in 12 month on my first one. By far one of the most comfortable bikes I have ever been on and I'm 6'1. The 1125R is even more comfortable/roomy. I think it would be a great tour bike. | ||
| Gtmg |
I agree Brad. Understand you don't like the styling as it is now though. It is a natural to add bags(please think something smaller like HB juniors) some lower XB pegs and some risers and guess what Buell has an ST model without a lot of expense. The wind protections is supposed to be excellent. The gas mileage though... can you really average over 35 mpg? Nobody seems to be claiming that except maybe zac. What is the typical date for Harley/Buell new year release? Sometime in July???? (Message edited by gtmg on June 24, 2008) | ||
| Zac4mac |
Not a claim, that's what my dash says. I've reset it several times and it always winds up back at 37. My tires are now roughed up into the little pitchforks, now that the roads are warmer(hot). My trip to Texas the first week of April was excellent. 2800 miles in 8 days, there and back. Two 400 mile days, a 600 and a 700 mile day. Get the Buell Tour seat, all the difference in the world. Z | ||
| Cutty72 |
zac have you ever checked it with actual miles vs actual gallons? Just curious how accurate the computer is. | ||
| Kravfighter |
I just went on a small trip, 1000 miles or so, and I got 37 mpg, on the dash, and on the calculator. | ||
| Zac4mac |
If my average stays the same over 8500 miles, I trust the computer. Highway cruising on my trip I was getting 200-220 miles per tankfull, low-fuel light at 165-180 miles. Highway speeds of 75-135 mph. Z | ||
| Ccryder |
Steven: I resemble that remark, and proud of it ;+}. I also have a Honda ST1300 that I use for 2 up sport touring. It fills that bill perfectly. When you compare the ST1300/ FJR1300/ ZX14 to an 1125r (with some minor mods for touring) the 25r is 300+#'s lighter, even with hard bags, much better power-weight ratio and, IMHO handles better. For me an 1125rt (the rt is my designation) fills the void left when Buell canceled the S3T model. I know from conversations with many S3T riders that they were very disappointed and went elsewhere to fill the void. Many went to the ST1300 and FJR1300 since they were two "real" players at the time, other than the BMW models. CU at Home Coming. Neil S. | ||
| Chadhargis |
I could care less about MPG. I want a performance bike I can fit on. One that doesn't wad me up like a monkey humping a football. I love my Ulysses. Put a proper sportbike motor in it, and I'm a happy guy. Don't need bags. Don't need big fuel tanks. Just need that ZTL2 brake, the Rotax engine, some sticky tires, and a twisty road. | ||
| Bearly |
Chadhargis.... EYE Maun! How do I stretch this eraser around this rim? | ||
| Chadhargis |
The way I see it, there are plenty of "adventure" bikes. Plenty of naked bikes. Plenty of sport bikes. But there is no performance oriented bike that's actually comfortable. Triumph tried it with the Tiger, but the thing is too big with a wheelbase that is not sportbike oriented. Ducati tried...but no Testaretta engine in the Multistrada...went with the aircooled 2V. Shame on them. KTM has hit the nail on the head, but their dealer network is too small, and their bikes are way too freakin' expensive. Buell is missing the marketing opportunity of a lifetime. The market is not offering what I believe a lot of people would like. A performance oriented bike that's all day comfortable to ride. NO...NOT a sport touring bike. A raw, bare bones, get the hell out of my way, in you face, performance bike that handles nearly as good as a "proper" sportbike, has the power to run with one too, but that has ample leg room, a civil riding position, and a suspension that soaks up whatever the biggest pothole can throw at it. I think the Ulysses is the perfect platform....put an engine in it, and I think we'll see Buell start winning some comparison tests. Where would they slot it? Against adventure bikes? Touring bikes? Naked bikes? Sport bikes. Uh...YEAH! All of those! Come on Buell....DO IT! Put KTM on their a$$! This is the idea....but with that great '06 Ulysses seat, fuel in the frame, a bit more wind protection, you know...the Ulysses, with the Rotax engine in it. PERFECT! It would win bike of the year hands down. Gawd! Just look at the wheelbase on the KTM...it's too long. I bet Buell could make a water cooled Ulysses that would ride circles around the Duke. Heck, it could ride around a grasshopper and not worry about a last second hop. My Gixxer 600 and my Ulysses sit side by side in my shop, both in Baxley chocks. If you look at the rear wheels, the Ulysses has about the same wheelbase as a 600 supersport! Hell yes! Quick turn in, crisp handling. Now...put a MOTOR in it. Buell has always been about building STREET bikes for the rider. Stop messing around and do it. Sportbikes are great for track days, racing, and sitting at the local hang out comparing chicken strips...but the Ulysses is the bike I choose when I want to RIDE.  Buell, if you build it, I'll get in my car and drive up to East Troy, fall on my knees, and give thanks to you. Heck...sign me up as a beta tester. At 6'5", 200lbs, I'd be in your demographic. | ||
| Brad1445 |
I love the bike you describe Chad and would love to own one like that too. +1 on the 06 Ulysses seat also! | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
The problem is that most of the motorcycle public globally are smaller chaps who complain when they can't flat foot a bike. Most manufacturers don't produce bikes for "American dimensions", 6'8", 300lbs. They Uly fits this requirement brilliantly. Skippy the magazine editor who is 5'8" buck twenty can't look beyond his own design limitations to appreciate a bike made for people not like him. Because Buell is an American company building bikes for a largely American market, I believe that Buell has the greatest ability to create a naked standard for yetis like Chad and silver back gorillas like myself. I know why a SuperUly makes sense and why it would be popular, but I also understand why it probably won't be built. The good news is that we will probably see the death of the XB platform after 2010. If there is going to be a Uly, which I'm certain there will be, it will have to have the Rotax power plant in it. The question is whether they go more dirt or keep it 90/10 street bias. I believe the new SuperUly will also be tuned for slightly better mileage rather than create a higher fuel capacity frame to increase range. The Uly fits a really cool and very narrow niche. I really enjoyed taking it off road. More so than I thought I would. That said, I wouldn't want Buell to do anything that would compromise the street capabilities for more dirt worthiness. If there was a company that had the capacity to create a giant monster bike by shoehorning the Helicon into a gigantic dual sport, Buell is it. | ||
| Chadhargis |
I think there are plenty of people globally who are taller than 5'8". But most of them aren't former road racers like most magazine testers are. The fact is, most of the worlds population is getting bigger and heavier. Chalk it up to the fact that more countries (such as China and India) are enjoying more prosperity and are able to actually eat or blame it on hormones in meat. Either way...people ARE getting bigger. If you're going to build a bike that's not intended to be run on the AMA, World SBK, or MotoGP circuit...then for God's sake, make it comfortable, but don't neuter it. | ||
| Madav8tr |
The 1125 is a more direct competitor to the Superduke than the Uly. The Uly compares more to the 950 Adventure or "maybe" the SM/SMR line than it does to the Superduke. I narrowed my choice down to the 1125 or the Superduke because even though the 1125 looks more like a traditional sportbike than the SD, They compare favorably in the comfort department. The Buell, to me anyway, was a bit more comfortable really and since the 1125 is all over the SD in the engine department, buying the 1125 was an easy decision. I still ove the Superduke but after getting an opportunity to ride both, I preferred the 1125. The fact that the 1125 is more track capable than the SD was simply a bonus. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
The problem is that many times manufacturers build bikes with the reviewer in mind. Unfortunately, many people don't bother to actually test ride a bike before making their purchase decision. They simply read the reviews and buy accordingly. Then you get single focus reviews by small, ex-racers who pan anything that isn't a repli-racer. How many reviews complained about the seat height? They could have stated that the seat height was a positive. Their thought, "I'm 5'8". The rest of the world must be 5'8", and so therefore this bike is completely unsuitable." Why not say, I'm a smallish person and the seat height is a little high for me, but taller riders will LOVE the seat height and seat to peg distance. How many reviews complained about steering lock? How many riders do you think actually HIT the steering lock in real riding experience? How many do you think hit the lock pushing the bike around? They surmised that it would be a problem, but they never really experienced it as a problem in real world experience. The vast majority of folks haven't found either issue to be a real problem. What were the first two "issues" corrected by Buell? Do you think it was a coincidence? I sincerely hope that Buell takes everything that makes the Uly great and simply super sizes it. For Chad and Dave's sake, I hope for an uber powerful galootmobile! | ||
| Chadhargis |
My Ulysses has been my favorite bike I've ever owned. It's not perfect, and I've never really cared for the engine. While it's mearly "adequate", it could use some more juice...in my opinion. It could be a lot smoother at idle and lower RPM too. I don't spend much time there, but when I do, it's very frustrating on the Ulysses. It's the main reason I don't commute on the bike. Because it gives me a headache it idle. If I were to go buy another bike today, I would want another Ulysses....but with a killer V-twin powerplant that just lays the stomp down. Hearing a V-twin turning about 10,000rpm is just music to my ears. Sweet! Just took a brief spin on a stock SV650 yesterday, and even that little twin sounds sooooo good. It's a great little motor. If Buell could take the 1125 engine, and put it in a Ulysses type chassis....then there really wouldn't be another bike in the world that could compete with it. Reviewers be damned. As good as Buell is about demos, offering Inside Pass days, etc....they would have no problem getting the word out. I just hope the elves are hard at work on what would undoubtedly be one of the best bikes ever made. | ||
| Jaimec |
I WAS originally planning on getting a 2009 but now I'm on the fence again. With the ridiculous price of gasoline these days, I'm afraid I can't justify swapping my VERY fuel efficient XB12Ss for a much less economical 1125r even if it IS a helluvalot faster. The "logical" side of my brain is saying I'll NEVER use the top end horsepower of the 1125r, and it's hard to argue with maintenance free valves and over 50 mpg on a bike that's fully paid for... We'll see how the economy shakes out and what improvements Buell has in store for 2009... | ||
| Chadhargis |
I have a scooter for fuel economy. It gets nearly 90mpg. I want my motorcycles to be fast, fun, and frivolous. | ||
| Jaimec |
Everyone has their own priorities. For most people here, motorcycles are toys. For me, they are legitimate, every day transportation. They have to be fun, but they also have to have some kind of practicality. Being bent up in knots like a pretzel is not my idea of "fun" or "practical" so the majority of sportbikes are out. Likewise, having my legs in front of me with my butt cheeks scraping the ground and my spine transmitting every bump in the road jammed right up into my skull is neither fun nor practical either. I'm just not as wealthy as most of you people. My vehicles have to serve multiple uses because I can't afford one for every conceivable kind of riding I'd like to do which is (in order of priority): 1) Commuting and general transportation 2) Occasional weekend "fun" rides with friends. 3) Extended trips with luggage (two-up) 4) Track days. But well over 50% of my riding is #1. #4 is barely a blip on the radar. | ||
| Spike |
Ditto. I've spent the last few Saturday mornings wandering through backroads on my '04 Firebolt, covering 200-300 miles each time. This past Saturday I averaged 56.3mpg. That means a ~250 mile ride currently costs me a little under $20. The same ride on a ~35mpg 1125R would cost me $30. That sucks. I don't ride motorcycles just to save gas, but better fuel economy has always been one of the perks of riding a motorcycle. I don't understand how the 1125R gets the same mileage as my wife's car, which not only weighs ~2500lbs more, but puts out more power. | ||
| Chadhargis |
I'm not rich by any stretch of the means, I just buy cheap bikes. I used to ride BMWs, but discovered there were LOTS of good bikes that didn't cost $17,000. I have my Ulysses for long ride. My GSX-R600 (vintage 2001 model) for track days, and my Kymco Agility 125 for commuting and grocery getting. If you want mileage, a scooter is the way to go. I get nearly 90mpg on the scoot. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
I don't understand how the 1125R gets the same mileage as my wife's car, which not only weighs ~2500lbs more, but puts out more power. RPMs? |
