| Author | Message | ||
     Carbonbigfoot |
There's this guy I work with that has an 03 or 04 R1. We were leaving at the same time last night, about 9:30. I weigh around 270 dressed w/ gear. He's about 220. I smoked his A$$ from a 10 MPH roll on. Pulled him all the way to about 120. With my fat ass on it. Down low, it was really dramatic with the torque that the motor makes, and the lower gearing on the CR. The best part was the confused/amazed look on his face when we hit the next light. Like "How did that just happen? That wasn't supposed to happen????!?" Priceless. Rob *****Disclaimer****** No Japanese I4 Motorcycles were harmed in the making of this post. Just their ego. | ||
| Sruzhyo |
lol yes. YES! That's what I'm talking about  Dimers getting some. Some sweet sweet buell tail light action. | ||
| 1_mike |
Hmmm. I drove up on an 03, R1 to the sorta local Harley dealership. Went for about a 20+ mile 1125R demo-cruise, a little way up the local canyon. All the time trying NOT...to compare the two! I wanted to JUST demo the 1125R on its own merit. After we got back the guy that went with me asked about the feeling between the two. I mostly answered with seating and general feel. After getting back on my R1...sorry...but a good running R1 will run circles around the 1125R. And my R1...has just over 90,000 miles on it. In all farness, I DID...compare it to the "recalled" feeling of my old Suzuki TL1000R. With both in stock trim, the 1125R would be the clear winner. As (the TLR) modified, I think it would be about even. I do feel...that if someone came out with a way to fuel and time (ignition) the 1125 engine, the TLR wouln't stand a chance. Again with the R1 vs. the Buell (per the above paragraph...it'd be obviously closer...but it's got a long way to go...not sure it's an attainable goal. And yes...my old R1 will need replacing in a few months...and the 1125CR along with the new R1...are both on the short list. Mike (Message edited by 1_mike on October 21, 2008) | ||
| Spectrum |
We have seen from proven race results that an 1125R is more than competitive with any of the Japanese liter bikes. By that I mean podium finishes of a largely stock 1125R competing against full race trim IL4's. Including R1's and GXR's The only place the IL4's have an advantage on the 1125R is on long straightaways where speeds reach in excess of 160mph. | ||
| Jaimec |
The R1's actually aren't good "off the line" bikes. First gear is rather tall in order for it to have a more closely spaced transmission for road racing. Drag strip launches were not part of the design equation. Most of the Japanese superbikes are the same way. They're built for the race track FIRST, with the street being an afterthought just so they qualify for production-based racing classes. Buell is different. They're built for the STREET first. One of the reasons I prefer Buell over what the other manufacturers produce. (Message edited by jaimec on October 21, 2008) | ||
| Buellborn |
I think these are two different tools for two different jobs. The R1 is an uncompromised super-bike, the 1125 was designed to be more user friendly. Twins more low end inlines more high end, yada yada.... | ||
| Carbonbigfoot |
And I think the gearing has a lot to do with it. This thing really does punch from the bottom end. R | ||
| 1_mike |
Sorry...don't want to make any enemies... cause I may need info down the road...but, the above is my experience, like it or not! And the 1125 didn't have any obvious low speed fueling problems either. As Buellborn notes....two different bikes...! Even the two guys at this dealer that race them (one an 1125, the other an air cooled version)...told me NOT to expect the performance of my R1! Mike | ||
| Carbonbigfoot |
Underpromise, Overdeliver! R | ||
| Xnr |
Mike, You are obviously considering the 1125 purchase or you would not be here nor have taken the test run. And, to have 90K on the R1, you must like that bike. So ... what is the appeal of the 1125 if the R1 is going to "run circles around it"? ... just curious from someone who'd like to have an IL4 in the armada but probably never will. | ||
| 1_mike |
Xnr - Despite the fact that the Buell engine isn't "American"...I've told friends in the past that if "Harley" ever put a sport bike together, I'd probably buy one. Now, that said...I don't feel I want to cook an air cooled "Buell/Harley" engine in 110 degree Calif. heat at 15 or 20 MPH. With the 1125, I was hesitant with the R because the fairing looks like an after-thought or like two different people designed the bodywork and didn't talk to each other....to me. But the CR looks clean and finished. I wasn't happy with my old TLR I had...even after all the modifications. It ran just..ok. But...I think I'd like to try another twin....AND it's Harley related, and I'll need new wheels pretty soon anyway. I'll be going into this one different than the way I went into the TLR. I was expecting much more from it. If I do this, I've had a test drive, I have a better idea of the way twins work now...AND splitting lanes almost 83 miles a day...I really don't get much chance to really stretch the R1's legs properly, lately. So...a 150mph bike won't be expected to go to 170mph. The 1125 seems nimble enough to get me around cars...just gotta get the fueling and timing right to pick up the low RPM power. The drive I took a few weeks ago...I've had enough seat time in 4 and 2 wheel performance vehicles and tuning (racing the 4 wheel types) them, to have a reasonably good idea what the engine wants...AND what the manufacturers HAVE to give...to be able to drive on the highways in the US and I guess abroad now days. What the 1125 needs..is more fuel and more timing. I'd be willing to bet most anything that these two things get altered, it would really shine. Hope this sorta answers your question. Mike | ||
| Citified |
the R1 is also the weakest and suckyest of the Jap. liters | ||
| Carbonbigfoot |
C'mon, Citi... Play nice. 1, I think that much good will come with the availability of a way to adjust the ecm on the 1125. It's most of the way right, but there's one on this forum that has done extensive dyno time and with the race ecm is clocking very near 150hp at the wheel. Probably picked up some driveability to boot. It's pretty damn good now, but it gonna be spectacular. Did you get to drive a CR? Rob | ||
| 12r |
There's this guy I work with that has an 03 or 04 R1. We were leaving at the same time last night, about 9:30. I weigh around 270 dressed w/ gear. He's about 220. I smoked his A$$ from a 10 MPH roll on. Pulled him all the way to about 120. And then you woke up  | ||
| Hayabusa |
I love these "my bike is better" contests! Who cares about the bike, it is the rider that makes the thing go. The fastest bike I have ever seen was a 2005 ZX-6R with a pipe. It was the fastest bike because it had the best rider I have ever seen! He killed everyone in all riding conditions and I am fairly certain that if I put him on my 1125R he would murder every non-professional rider out there. Enjoy every bike out there, they all have their positives and negatives...find the one that works best for you. The more that these companies push the envelope the better it is for sportbikes everywhere. | ||
| Xnr |
Mike, thanks for the response. If you want a nimble water-cooled lane splitter, the Aprilia Shiver might be a fun ride. The 1125R/CR like to stretch their legs also. | ||
| Trojan |
We have seen from proven race results that an 1125R is more than competitive with any of the Japanese liter bikes. By that I mean podium finishes of a largely stock 1125R competing against full race trim IL4's. Including R1's and GXR's That is a very sweeping, bold and inaccurate statement. An 1125R may have beaten someone on an IL4 and may even have scored podiums against them, but what do you consider full race trim? In what class did this happen and what are the rules for that class? I think you'll find that on the occasions where an 1125 has beaten litre IL4's that the rules have required a bhp limit of some sort or have rules designed to even out the competition. If that is the case then the IL4 is not in full race trim but is a restricted version and not running at full potential. A 'full race' IL4 litre bike will put out more than 200bhp and will run rings around an 1125R given equal rider ability on pretty much any track you care to name. This isn't an attack on the 1125, as the same would happen against any twin cylinder bike except maybe a full race Ducati 1098R possibly (and even that would be doubtful). Why do you think that there are almost no twin cylinder world class race bikes except for the expensive 1098R (and even that is only a Superstock bike, as the 'Superbike' F08 is not available to buy directly). The R1 is a totally different animal to the 1125, and comparing them is like comparing chalk & cheese. If you want to make performance or dynamic comparisons with the 1125 then you have to make them against comparable twin cylinder motorcycles such as the 1098, RC8, Aprilia RSV/Tuono etc. If you like the 1125 then buy it, and the same goes for the R1 or any other bike. If we all like the same things it would be a very boring world. I would never buy an R1 or any other IL4 superbike, simply because I find tham all too antiseptic and boring to look at. But you can't argue against their performance that's for sure. BTW, The 2009 R1 will be even more potent than the current model by a long way  | ||
| Jaimec |
From all appearances, the 2009 R1 will be the closest thing you can get to a street legal MotoGP bike for under $70,000. And unlike the aforementioned Desmosedici Ducati, it'll even have traction control! | ||
| Ruprecht |
"The R1 is a totally different animal to the 1125, and comparing them is like comparing chalk & cheese. If you want to make performance or dynamic comparisons with the 1125 then you have to make them against comparable twin cylinder motorcycles such as the 1098, RC8, Aprilia RSV/Tuono etc." Makes me wonder why they stuck with 1125cc then. Extra cost? Weight? It's an American Sports bike after all.. No replacement for displacement, bigger is better etc etc. | ||
| Jaimec |
According to the press release (take it for what it's worth) it was the optimal displacement to reach their goal of high horsepower and usable power band for the STREET without any concern for racing regs (while it was being designed, WSBK and AMA Superbike were still limiting 2-cylinder superbikes to 1000cc). Buell didn't design it for the track, it was designed to be a usable superbike on the street. No one NEEDS 146bhp on the street, but the powerband has no surprises and is quite controllable. | ||
| Xl1200r |
I need 146hp on the street. | ||
| Carbonbigfoot |
+1 XL. I kinda had it in my head that Buell said to Rotax "I need this much power, this many gears, etc. and I need it to fit in this box, with mounting points here, here, here, and here. Go." Bore, Stroke, etc. were a function of what the motor needed to do. Of course, I wasn't actually at the meeting... R | ||
| 1_mike |
Thanks guys for the input and not acting like...well you know. And to answer the one question...no, I haven't even seen a CR in person yet! While I've always liked going fast...2 wheels or 4 (drag racing, road racing), I think the 1125 will be fine (with some help) overall. It is a little slow steering at low speeds (compared to my 03, R1), but as soon as you get to 20mph or so, the slugishness goes away (per the 1125R I drove anyway), the general handling I think will be fine for fighting the cars. Beside, some of my friends tell me I probably need to slow down "a tiny bit" anyway....at my age (58) these things'll kill ya! Not a more fun way to go though!! Probably gonna wait till the first of the year sometime to decide which (1125CR or R1) will get the nod. I want to give the R1 a fair chance...! Mike | ||
| Freezerburn |
I think that the CR will increase life expectancy by two to three weeks. It's the obvious choice. | ||
| Carbonbigfoot |
Find one at a dealership, and go look at the CR in person. Everyone I have talked to believes that it looks way better in person. None of the pics do it justice. R | ||
| Xl1200r |
This one does:  | ||
| Spectrum |
that is a very sweeping, bold and inaccurate statement Matt don't be so quick to call me a liar. Go check the Canadian Superbike series results for one. There are others. I'm not saying it could compete on par in a Moto GP series. But up to it's top-end limit, it pulls and handles competitively. To get on the podium against IL4's, it certainly needs a track with shorter straights. You are correct about the horsepower the 1125R is giving up against the IL4's. I acknowledged this point in my commits about the 1125R's top-end limits. No doubt the IL4 will serious pull away from an 1125R where's there a track with a long enough straight to exceed the 1125R's 160mph top end. Even then, I have personally witnessed the 1125R hang with the IL4's up to the point that speeds reached in excess of 150mph. | ||
| Carbonbigfoot |
Not bad for a street bike! R | ||
| Krassh |
Without putting words in Matt's mouth I believe he was referring to Canadian Superbike when he referred to Horse power restricted IL4's. The IL4's running in CSB are all Horse Power limited. | ||
| Jmr1283 |
Most dealers dont set the bikes suspension for u. My R turns on a dime at lower speeds. But i have my suspension set up right. I actually just got it dialed in and its amazing the difference in the bikes handling. All i got is sick grins and wicked smiles. Rock on 1125r!! |
