| Author | Message | ||
     Teach |
We are in the process of mounting hard saddlebags, in conjunction with our bar conversion to offer a "sport touring model" of the R, to one of our customers. My question is "is there a need for this type of bike" for us to move forward on this project to offer this as an option? Feedback would be appreciated. Thanks | ||
| Redscuell |
Sorry to be the first one to respond on this one, Teach, given how new I am to the Board. But I did do quite a bit of research while choosing a sports bike over a sports tourer; incuding choosing the 1125R over the much-vaunted Blackbird, which is quite popular here in Oz and still available new -- and discounted to be substantially cheaper than the Buell. IMHO the Blackbird w/b your competition wherever it is available new. Here's a pic of one that's for sale on Australia's eBay right now:  So what is a Blackbird? A relatively heavy bike (almost 500#) with an upright seating position, a tallish windscreen to run interference when seated upright, a full fairing that gives some leg protection from the weather, a fairly large petrol tank, a pillion (passenger) seat that works, and more than 'sufficient' power to push all that weight and bulk through the air. Here's a link: http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/Honda/honda_cbr1100xx%2005.htm IMHO, the 1125R does not have any of those features except the more-than-adequate power and the larger tank; and I'm not sure that putting a taller windscreen and upright bars to suit would be enough. For one thing, the R is quite light -- nearly in the league of a 250 sports bike -- and with everyone and everything upright, a crosswind can be quite a bother on bridges and overpasses, for example. OK, that's the bad news. The good news: it's quite likely that sports touring buyers haven't quite worked all that out yet! And would be happy to decide that an upright position and a set of panniers are all that's needed. | ||
| Jaimec |
I find the seating position perfect as is. I just want to be able to mount locking hard bags from time to time. Someone here has already fabricated mounts for Hepco Becker bags on his 1125R. Use the search engine and I'm sure you'll find the thread with accompanying photos. | ||
| P_squared |
Neil (CCryder) made his own. A few folks on here at the beginning of the year started working on mounts, bags, etc. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/290 431/369913.html?1213799586 http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/290 431/383533.html So yes, I do believe there is a market for an 1125RT (Neil gets the credit for that btw). | ||
| Ccryder |
Teach: Been there done that, let me know if I can help. What bags are you mounting? Neil S. | ||
| Bob_thompson |
Just my take guys FWIW. Most of my riding all year is weekend canyon carving with some rides going 200 miles. For that my 1125R is just about perfect. I do not mind stopping for gas after 130 or so miles, I like the break, even if its a short one. For the longer rides I have soft luggage, easy on and off to hold some of the creature comforts for a longer ride, i.e. camera, gatorade, extra clothes, rain jacket, etc. I am not very tall so seating position is just fine for long rides. Like I mentioned before, for distant places to ride, 500 or more miles from home, I just trailer the bikes usually with my son, motel it and have ALL the comforts to ride, enjoy a meal and get a good nights rest for the next ride. Its a great compromise bike, as the Honda Blackbird appears to be also and thats pretty hard to do in a day of specialization. Now the off highway thing is another story that the Uly guys can chime in on. I really like my 1125 for MY needs. Bob By the way Teach, I'll give you a thumbs up. Great idea, I think it will have good interest. (Message edited by bob_thompson on November 21, 2008) | ||
| Jaimec |
I get all "twitchy" just thinking about putting a perfectly good running motorcycle on a trailer. That's just me... | ||
| Duggram |
Teach, I went 320 miles one day on my 1125R breaking it in. My Yamaha FJR is much more comfortable, but does not handle as well and it has more top speed. Jaime, I dearly love loading my 1125 in my trailer for the trips to Arroyo Seco all winter.  | ||
| Jaimec |
Yours isn't street legal. I'll give you a pass. | ||
| Spectrum |
I wished I had nothing better to do than hang out in the New Mexico desert all winter and ride.  Actually I wished I could afford to do that too! | ||
| Zack3g |
if you can mount hard bags on my 1125r that have a decent capacity for carrying stuff, i'll sell my ulysses tomorrow. The bags are the only reason i've kept it. | ||
| Bigdog_tim |
Teach - FWIW - I did the soft bag thing to my 1125R. For short "spirited" touring - it can't be beat. For longer super slab runs - I take its big brother (Harley Ultra). Ok - its big fat brother.  I do think you will have some takers though. Had there been an easy hard bag solution - I would have probably gone that route. | ||
| Brokeneck |
I added the hardbags to my S3 and used it for a sport tourer for about 10,000 miles --and it was a lot of fun. Last spring I bought an 08 FJR -- and have to admit it's definitely heads up better in that role than the Buell ever was -- but I still have and love the Buell -- but comfort means a lot on multiple day trips. I'm a little backwards sometimes I purchased my sportbike at a Harley dealer and my bagger at a Yamaha dealer -- (Message edited by brokeneck on November 22, 2008) | ||
| Benj1125r |
Here is more feedback. I have a need for this bike. I don't have the time to fabricate the mounts, otherwise I would have done this already. Good luck and keep us posted. | ||
| Homebrewer |
Great job! Please let me know if you decide to produce the brackets! | ||
| Xl1200r |
Where is this at? Any news? I'd love to see how it compares to mine or Neil's hard bag solutions... |
