| Author | Message | ||
     Missin44 |
For me the 1125R is the bike I've been waiting for America to build since I was a kid, I'm 50 years old now and wish I was 25 yrs younger for no other reason than to get a 1125. I'm curious about a few things. 1. What are the improvements year to year over it's short life span? 2. Though it competes in the Sportbike class, when magazines do comparisons, it's compared to things like the Ducati 1098. Which is it in the real world; a sportbike or superbike? For someone buying a 112R, what other bikes should they be looking at? BTW - For you guys that own one, lucky you. | ||
| Badlionsfan |
Motorcycle.com did a 3 bike shoot out with it last year. Search the archives on their website and you'll find it. No such thing as too old for an 1125, just too dead. | ||
| Ccryder |
DAve: There are many of us past the 50 mark and LOVING IT!!! It depends on what you are looking for in a M/C. Write down a list of things that important to you and see which one completes the list. This is my 5th Buell and this is the one I wanted from the begining. Yeah I did a few things to make it "mine" but, if you don't have the core then it's useless to try. If you are ever in the Nashville area you can ride mine or do a fly'n ride with Bumpus. They have some GREAT deals, if you can't find anything locally. Later Neil S. | ||
| Smoke |
55, have 2 of them, 1 street, 1 race/ track. started roadracing this year and having a great time! just need more money!  tim | ||
| Missin44 |
Well mere days away from pulling the trigger on a Uly, better for when the wife wants to tag along. Maybe if i sell my V-Rod for a decent price I'll do the 1125R also. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
I'll make you a deal on one!  | ||
| Metalrabbit |
Turned 58 yesterday,, I have the 09 1125r and a 99 VFR 800. Its funny how similar they are in they're power bands, VFR-5000 to 12,500, 1125-5000 to 10,500. The VFR is about as sweet as they get and the Buell is similar with a "Brute Force" component. | ||
| Zac4mac |
55 in two months. Bought my first Buell, an 03 XB9R on a whim while getting a clutch cable for my Wide-Glide Shovelhead. The shovel collected dust while I put 20k miles on the XB in 3 years. Then I got on the waiting list for an 1125 and traded my XB to my brother for his Z-28. While I waited, one guy backed out and my #2 slot moved to #1. I got the first 1125R to hit the road in Colorado, a VERY early 08 model. Loretta, now has 21.6k miles and the Shovel has since been sold. I'm hooked. Z | ||
| Dirty_john |
50 years old and still enjoying riding fast, the 1125R makes it easy | ||
| A10tankkill |
Hey Smoke, I've been debating going whole hog and looking into racing. If you see this and have a chance could you post or pm me and idea of what the costs have run for you? Kids are getting old enough that I need to get a hobby/2nd job for some fun and living and racing has crossed my mind. I'm 45 and was thinking I was too old, but maybe not! Was looking into Motard, but road racing always seemed more fun to me. Thanks | ||
| Ratgin |
"but road racing always seemed more fun to me." I can see the fun in learning how to race. I’m trying talk the wife into letting me sign up for the Turn 2 Sportbike School. Knowledge is a good thing but at 46 i don’t see the fun in sliding across the tarmac on my head. That seems like fun for an 18 to 24 yr old. | ||
| Jdugger |
You don't have to race to enjoy riding fast. I don't race at all, but there's two "country-club" type tracks near Dallas, and I have a fully prepped, not-street-legal track bike I ride on the closed course all the time. Just remember the track is like a road, but without oncoming traffic and far more predictable conditions. Ride with your head on straight and develop your skills sensibly and your tarmac sliding incidents shouldn't be any more frequent than on the public roadway. Odds are, though, when you do crash, it will be a lot less of an event. | ||
| A10tankkill |
That's what I figured. It's probably overall safer than riding down the road. You take the training and build your skills. I'm not talking about jumping into a race with no training and work. I'd rather slide on a track than in traffic with cars and trucks coming. I may not be saying that after I wipe out, but for now I like the idea. | ||
| Buellishxx |
52 - 3'rd Buell all race bikes now! http://thunderracing.ca | ||
| Dirty_john |
I do quite a lot of track days every year and this allows a rider to explore the higher performance limits of any bike in comparative safety compared to trying it on the road - track days are not about racing - give one a try, it will improve your road riding and may even save your life on the road. | ||
| Smoke |
trackdays are good for skill set development. most of the trackday riders i have ridden with have not ended up racing. in our local club that has an average turnout of about 50 riders per weekend throughout the year's 14 trackdays there are about 5 that race consistently with about 5 more that race occasionally. when i started riding with the club 5 years ago i think the racer numbers were less. anyhow, the skills you develop can save your life on the street from a braking/turning perspective. have fun tim | ||
| Chadhargis |
I gave up on being "fast" a long time ago. I enjoy track days for the challenge of it. Getting comfortable with my motorcycle. Bonding with it, so to speak. On the street, you have to use so much attention looking for hazards and reading the road, but on the track you can focus your attention on riding and the feel of your motorcycle. When you have to opportunity to focus on what the motorcycle is doing, you can develop a feel that will greatly assist you in street riding situations. I run a lap timer on the track, but to me, what is more important is how smooth I am. When I "push" myself, I tend to go slower. When I relax, and let the bike do what it will, then my lap times drop. | ||
| Jpowell490 |
Chad, Not sure if you have ridden the R at the track, I was curious if you noticed any difference in times from the CR to the R on the track? I know they look a bit different, but in all intents and purposes they are the same with a bit different gearing right? Always interesting to hear the differences from someone who is actually out there. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
If you haven't done a track day, DON'T. It's legal crack. | ||
| Dirty_john |
I wish track days had been around 20 years ago, don't listen to the negativity, get on the track and enjoy riding without having to worry about traffic police, stray animals and most importantly idiots in cars. | ||
| Crowley |
Tracks are  Try one and you'll be hooked | ||
| P_squared |
I think Fatty misplaced the sarcasm font on that last post. Best thing a rider can do SAFELY is do a trackday. Great bonding time for rider & bike & lets the rider figure out exactly where their limits are in relation to their bike. Be warned however, they ARE addictive & can eat up all the $$$ you want to throw at them. It starts small: Now I need to shop around for a good trackday operator in my area & sign up for a "local" trackday($100+ later). And it'd be a good idea to get a video so I can see what I'm doing ($25+ later). Might as well rent/borrow some leathers now for the event ($40+ later). Once the hook has been set, it goes something like this: Well, I should probably get a good 1 piece leather suit ($800+ later). And a good set of boots & gloves wouldn't hurt ($300+ later). And I really should put some good tires on her ($400+ later). And it would be nice to have a trailer so I can haul the bike to & fro ($400+ later). Wouldn't hurt to get some 1 on 1 personal instruction from a pro either ($50++ later). Should probably get my suspension professionally adjusted ($25+ later). Advanced stages go along these lines: Well, tire warmers are becoming a necessity ($200+ later). I really could use some custom suspension work ($1,000+ later). A dedicated lap timer would sure be nice ($200+ later). Onboard video would really help too ($200+ later). Need to buy more good tires ($400+ later). Wouldn't hurt to have an extra set of wheels now that I think about it ($400+ later). I really should get a generator too for the warmers ($200+ later). And it only gets worse. Yes, it is addicting. But it's also one of the best ways you can spend your "play/bike" money IMO. The trick is to spend as much, or as little, as you want. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
But it's also one of the best ways you can spend your "play/bike" money IMO I can't think of a better reason! It is like crack. | ||
| A10tankkill |
Cheaper than airplanes! Still, I won't let the wife see that post. | ||
| Jpowell490 |
haha FT, I used to race in a series called "The Fastest Street car in America" back in the 90's. I poured more money into that than I care to remember, so I know all about the addiction. After that I raced professional AMA Supercross when Jeremy McGrath was winning everything from here to China. Traveled with it, spent a ton on that too. I also know about having to stop it and being in withdrawl for about 8 years, lol. Sounds fun, but I would get too serious into it and think I had to be the next superstar and pour my soul into it..... | ||
| Chadhargis |
I have ridden an R on the track, but it was on a demo ride. Honestly, I don't think there would be any difference in time for me. The limiting factor for me isn't the bike, it's my skill. | ||
| Duggram |
Got my 1125 at 58, I'm 59 now. It only sees time on the track. The bike is way faster than a stock 600, but not as fast a GSXR1000. 1098 Ducatis can't pull away from me on straights. Also ride '08 FJR and '07 Sportster.  |
