| Author | Message | ||
     Bigphil2828 |
I have been a Harley rider for years and been hanging out at Smoky Mountain Harley Davidson since they opened. I've had my eye on a new 2008 1125R and one of the salesmen told me about this forum. What I want to know is there anything I should know good or bad about the 1125R? I'm not looking for somebody to talk me out of it just let me know if there is anything that just drives you nuts. | ||
| Ron_luning |
Throttle response from full closed to open is snatchy. There is a solenoid that will essentially eliminate your ability to accelerate if you open the throttle fully at around 3500-4000 rpm. It is apparently in place to meet sound requirements, but it is easily removed. The oil level check procedure is inconsistent. You basically have to trust that the right amount of oil is in the engine when you are riding it for a few miles to do a "hot check" of the level. In other words, you're better off changing the oil yourself so that you know some dummy didn't put too little in the bike. The belt drive makes final drive gearing changes extremely expensive when compare to chain drive, but I guess you're used to that. The check engine light seems to come on for most people at some point during their time with the bike. I never had that happen on another bike, but that could also be because other bikes didn't have the sensors or sophisticated (complex) engine controls that this one does. The plastic bodywork has an embarrassing amount of flash on the edges (this could easily be removed at the factory, but for some reason is left on the plastic). The mirrors vibrate to the point of complete uselessness. Other than that, the bike is great. Those are all pretty much little things that you can live with. Some guys on here have had major issues with their bikes and I believe even resorted to having Buell buy them back. That is a tiny minority of owners though. If you can deal with those issues you should go for it. Every time I get on the bike I feel like I'm riding an American Ducati. | ||
| P_squared |
Not having enough time available to ride it as much as I want. That's the only thing that drives me 'nuts' about it.  Seriously though, as long as bike has all the updates done, ride it & make sure you like it. If you like it, buy it. The list (off the top of my head) of the most common 'complaints’: -Failure to accelerate in 3rd gear ~4.5k rpm. Can be resolved via disconnecting the ‘noid. Method to do this is covered in DETAIL on here. Just do a search on this board using keyword = ‘solenoid’. -Turn signals burning out. Covered under warranty if they do, so no worries. -Battery not being fully charged at time of delivery. Doesn’t hurt to ask/check w/ the dealer before you take it home. -Battery drain. 2 most common causes are the shutdown procedure (Use kill switch and THEN turn the key to ‘OFF’) & parasitic draw of the instrument cluster. There is a tech tip on this, but I wouldn’t worry about it unless you have problems w/ the bike not keeping a charge. -‘Bucking’ under ~3k rpm. (Resolved w/ current ECM flashes/updates) -Stock front brake pads. Replace w/ EBC or Buell Race pads if you plan on doing aggressive braking regularly. -Fuel boiling in tank. Ensure you don’t overfill, and if you still have problems, work with the dealer to insulate the tank. This has been intermittent, some have the problem, some don’t. -Heat. Usual complaint with a lot of bikes w/ same resolution. If it bugs you, ceramic coated headers & heat shield are available, as well as changing out the coolant to add different cooling additives, e.g. Engine Ice, etc. -Aftermarket parts. Not a lot available out there right now when compared to a HondaKawasakiSuzukiYamaha. There ARE things available from both Buell and the Sponsors here on the board. It’s a fun bike and a great ride. Ride it & if you like it, buy it. It comes with a 2 year warranty, so what’s to worry about? Buell HAS replaced some folks bikes when they couldn’t resolve the problem, so they DO stand behind their product. I think you’ll be pleasantly pleased if you get it. | ||
| Bigphil2828 |
Wow. Thank you so much for the very detailed response I had heard the folks on this board were very helpful and they were right. This bike is so different than any of the others I have owned but I think it's going to be great fun. I haven't purchased it yet but I'm more excited about this one than I have been in a long while. | ||
| Carbonbigfoot |
FWIW, (almost) All the above is obviated by buying an 09. R (Message edited by carbonbigfoot on February 10, 2009) | ||
| Ron_luning |
The issues I mentioned are on my bike. I have a 2009 model. The fuel boiling in the frame happens on my bike too, but it seems if you open the filler while it is boiling away there is no increased escape of fumes. It boils more when the level is low (as you would expect). I don't believe that using the kill switch to stop the engine instead of the key will have any effect one way or the other. It could cause battery drain if you stopped the engine and then left the lights on for a while I suppose. I turn the bike off using the key, and it doesn't have battery problems. | ||
| Chevycummins |
Don't forget the leaky clutch slave cyl, Buell is in the process of a redesigned piston and seal kit to correct it. Some have a click, clunk noise in the front forks. I managed to buy probably the only bike that has had all of the problems described above and I still like it. I would go for an 09 model to avoid some of the drama. | ||
| Drdorsey |
Just did a 200 miler yesterday on my 09 1125CR. Seen triple digits during a short burst with power to spare. The engine just keeps getting better. If you ride aggressively, the ergonomics will support. Heat is my biggest concern. | ||
| Xb9 |
2009 models are just as lean as the 2008 | ||
| Two_buells |
Buy it! My 1125R is my 7th Buell in 12 years and over 150,000 miles. I've had a few issues but nothing that left me on the side of the road or nothing my dealer couldn't fix. | ||
| Bigphil2828 |
I'm going in today to talk to them at Smoky Mountain. They have a few of these new 2008 1125R in stock. I wanted to get a feel for what you guys think would be a reasonable offer to make on one. I'm pretty sure I'm gonna buy one I just want to know what I could realistically expect to pay. | ||
| Thurstonbuell |
BigPhil, My close friend lives near that dealership , and was down there recently , thats quite the place , and what a great area to ride , I think the 1125 was built with the "Dragon" in mind when it was made , I love mine , you'll love yours too ! Ken. | ||
| Ron_luning |
I'm not sure what kind of taxes and DMV fees you pay there, but your initial offer should be $9000 +taxes&DMV. Don't pay setup or delivery or any nonsense like that at this point. You should definitely not pay more than $9500 + tax&DMV. If you look at some of the amazing deals here that others have flown out of their home state for (like $8000 before tax), $9000 may be kind of a high initial offer. | ||
| Norcalbuellowner |
I'm still new with my Buell. In regards to checking the oil, I have tried the hot check on several occasions and I can't seem to get it to register. I took it in for its 600mile service in December and have only put about 700 miles on it since. It seems like a pain. The last time I checked was before a 200 mile ride. I added just a little for good measure. I don't see any leaks or smell oil burning. | ||
| Bigschwerm |
The oil check seems to be always inconsistent for some reason...i changed my a couple times now and every time i thought it was low after multiple hot oil checks and it always showed low or didn't register at all....i drained the oil and every time it had the right amount of oil in it... so go figure??? | ||
| Norcalbuellowner |
If it seizes, I hope it happens while its under warranty! I'm kidding, I love my bike | ||
| Duggram |
BigPhil, I had a few Harleys (still have my xl1200 Storz streettracker). I got the 1125 with the intention that it would be fun to do a few trackdays and mountain roads on weekends. It was so much fun on the track that I went ahead and took it off the street. It's got lots of torque and handles great. I've never looked back. Now I have race licenses in two organizations, and I just started in October. Love this bike. Buy it! You'll never regret it! | ||
| Xbswede |
My only complaint is the instrument cluster. It's the only bike I have had that has had issues with fogging up and a shaky rpm needle. |
