| Author | Message | ||
     Jpfive |
I just received my August issue of Motorcycle Consumer News. Their full test of the 1125R is in it. I thought it to be an honest, unbiased and fair review. They thought the strong points of the bike to be power and handling, and the weakest point of the bike its heat management issues. I like the following from the 'Tester's Log': 'This motorcycle can literally rocket from curve to curve with a crack of the throttle and power you straight ahead with a stunning thrust.' ..... 'If it has a glaring weakness, commuting in very hot weather while moving at low speeds would be it. Here the engine temps escalate and transfer heat to the frame where eventually it's actually painful to touch. The only fix I found was to do what this Buell likes most...go faster!' Measured top speed - 157.7 mph 0-1/4 mile - 10.51 sec @ 134.32 mph 0-60 - 3.15 sec 0-100 - 6.47 sec Dyno 126.9 hp/70.8 lb.-ft Stopping distance from 60 mph was 133.5' - not good in their estimation. They blamed it on the short wheelbase, and the tendency to lift the rear wheel too quickly - not on the ZTL system. Bottom line, from the blurb on the cover: 'A true superbike is now made in America' I agree. Jack | ||
| Mustangturbo |
I actually found slightly different numbers in Cycle World. 0-60 2.8 Seconds 1/4 mile 10.39 @ 134.09 H.P 134.0 @ 9800 RPM Torque 75.9 @ 8300 RPM Top Speed 161 I think that there are so many factors involved with power numbers it is hard to determine certain things. I wish that all magazines would publish Altitude, temp, location and type of Dyno with all of their tests that they run. I know that personally i've done 160+ on the bike, and that is in HOT HUMID Alabama! (Message edited by mustangturbo on July 07, 2008) | ||
| Doerman |
That sounds great! Thanks for letting us know, Jack. On the heat management side. Their findings is not in line with mine. A commute in LA offers a very taxing thermal environment and my bike handles it quite well. I always wear boots which would probably make a difference. On my ride home last Thursday, where the traffic was going at 35mph for a stretch of 5 miles and the real ambient was 98F, I was fine. The AT on the dash showed 152F and CT was 202F. I think that AT temp is a new record for me! It is nice to see a good write up!} | ||
| Jpfive |
I'm not disappointed in the MCN numbers. This is a strong bike, and that was their conclusion. No two bikes are the same, and no two dynos are the same. Differences in performance figures are to be expected, considering the variables of bike, rider and conditions. But, this is a fast bike, and that was also their conclusion. Jack | ||
| Pizzaboy |
i think those numbers are probably both pretty accurate. naturally we would understand that dyno practices, dyno type, plus altitude humidity, fuel grade and countless other factors will more than account for the couple hp difference. reno being at 4500 feet, it certainly has more than enough power to make me smile. i am anxious to take it to sacramento or the bay area to see what sea level is like!!! from your excerpt of the report, i would agree fully with every part of it! the heat issue is VERY obvious because of the high desert climate that i live in.... and i follow the same philosophy- go faster | ||
| Xnoahx |
Good info. I am inclined to agree on the heat issue. Ive noticed a few times when running the demo bike the frame had become very hot to the touch. Not just warm, fry a steak hot. Other than that, no problems and I would love to be on one regularly | ||
| Ducxl |
Aahhhhhhh...WHEW! Finally,a good review. Glad that came out.I was beginning to think the 1125r would never get a good review.Good to see some positive press for a change. | ||
| Jpfive |
There is some criticism in the article, but it is positive on balance. I think I will concentrate on the good, as I think the forum can use that. 'Transferring this power to the rear wheel is a transmission that is as smooth and easy shifting as anything from Japan.' 'The 1125R is for more advanced riders due to its serious chassis geometry and knife-edge handling. It will truly turn on a dime and obtaining decently short stops requires that you are both smooth with control inputs and well centered in the saddle upon initial brake application.' Jack | ||
| Brent1125russ |
I read in a Motorcyclist article about the 1125r and the Aprilia RSV and they said the Buell had 'wonky steering'. They said that it felt like it was going to fall over mid-corner, and that it was unstable feeling while tipped in. I agree with their findings as my 1125r felt like that when I rode it through corners at the same speed as I did my old CBR600, but I found that the problem goes away when you ride faster through the corners. So while some of the articles out there are pretty fair to the 1125r, you gotta keep in mind that when these moto-journalists ride the 1125r as slow as they do all the other bikes, they have to expect some quirks. Needless to say, the way the rider pilots the bike has the most significant impact on his/her perception of it. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Not to sound like a jerk, but why on earth would anyone in any circumstances ride a motorcycle with gear that would let any part of them come in contact with the frame, engine, or anything? If that "too hot to touch" frame is too hot through your jeans, then how's that tarmac gonna feel, at 150 degrees, after you have been sliding a few hundred yards after a low side? My worst low side was under 15mph in dockers. I spent half the price of an aerostitch on bandages and antiseptics over the next three months, and that was without any doctor visits. Buy a nice set of armored and ventilated riding pants and a jacket, and ride with good over the calf boots, and protect yourself from hot frames AND asphalt flesh removal. | ||
| Xb9 |
+1 what reepicheep said | ||
| Jotrevza |
Hey gang, Just Wanted to say "hey!" I bought mine back in early June, and have mostly good stuff to say and feel about it. It's definitely not like my Hayabusas were. I had no issues with those bikes, and would dial them up without worry or hesitation. Since day one, I'm hearing a low end clatter that makes me a little uneasy. No one at my local service dept. knows anything about this bike yet, and so I'm just kinda hanging in there waiting to see a few others serviced first with this crud surrounding the 5th gear "galling" safety recall. It has me concerned about getting on it too hard, but then, I'm honest enough to admit that I'm approx. 1/4-1/3 "poser" anyway, since I can't ride this thing (or my Busas for that matter) at it's upper limits anyway!  I can say I'm having a blast on it in the corners regardless of not hitting top end! This package handles quick and easy and delivers great power. I'm having the low end "surge" issue, and whenever the dealership decides to acknowledge the ecm reflash that others are having to do, then I'm sure it will be even more enjoyable to ride in town. Glad to see you guys enjoying yours! Be safe out there. Tracy | ||
| Baggermike |
MY local drag race track told me full leather of Kevlar suits, I was use to synthetics and went on the search for kevlar and found motoport.com that sell the only race approved kevlar suits and I would say check out what they have to say about some riding gear, I guy was in a 25 mph slide and what ever he was wearing melted in his skin and had to have a skin grafts, anyway I got the suit and is awesome I can feel a air through it and the hot tank issue is gone, one of the most important things when searching for riding gear is are you comfortable in it, if not you are not going to wear it, I got the riva jacket and police pants with velcro for knee pads, plus a rain liner, and a waist zipper, plus I got it in all black and no reflection material, I can ride in 90 degree weather and be comfortable as long as I am moving, when not moving my face is hotter from the bike and I can wear the pants with the rain liner in and all day comfort, I have a body suit that I am not that impressed by but I have seen vest that you soak in water for ten minutes and then keeps you cool and you do not feel wet, so they claim, motoport has them for 60 but I have to go and do a scan of my hand with something they can use as a measuring size like a five inch piece of some thing and then getting the kevlar gloves and cooling vest, I have seen other cooling vest but at 90 dollars, so I would go on there website and read what they have to say and then decide on what is best for you. it is better to have it and not need it then it is to need it and not have it. I hope I do not have to find out how good this suit is in a accident but I like it very much so far. | ||
| Elvis |
Like all Buells, I think this bike has to "grow on people", and the reviewers may have been less likely to see that initially because, on paper, it seems more mainstream. As people begin to understand the bike and learn how to ride it in a way that gets the most out of the bike and begin to evaluate it for what it is rather than what other bikes are, I think it will start getting some better press. I remember it took me a while to get used to my first Ducati. Compared to the other bikes I had owned, it had some very strange characteristics/feels. But once I got used to it, I felt like it was an extension of me more so than any other bikes I had ridden. While I'm sure the newer Ducatis are still very different than Japanese inline 4's, experienced reviewers have likely ridden many Ducatis and understand those differences when they throw their leg over one. Most reviewers are much less familiar with Buell and certainly less familiar with water-cooled Buells. (. . . and getting some of the bugs worked out won't hurt either) (Message edited by elvis on July 09, 2008) |
