| Author | Message | ||
     Jaimec |
I love my 1125R, but yesterday I learned one thing: It is NOT the perfect motorcycle for a NYC commuter; not by a long shot. I had to attend a usergroup meeting in Jersey City. According to Garmin, it is less than 38 miles door-to-door. That ride took me TWO AND A HALF HOURS and I was (illegally) splitting lanes! If I were in a car it probably would've taken me four hours to do that commute. I could've BICYCLED there faster!! I also did the highest stoppie of my life when the van in front of me slammed on his brakes for no apparent reason. I thought for sure I was going to loop the bike over! Almost lost my footing when the rear wheel came back down, too. At the end of the ride my legs, hips, shoulders, neck and hands were SCREAMING in pain. My thighs lost about five pounds each of water through sweat from engine and frame heat. If I had to do this ride every day it wouldn't be long before I was on the roof of a very tall building with a high powered rifle! Either that, or I'd trade the 1125R for a Suzuki Burgmann or an Aprilia Mana. The traffic around here is INSANE!! I'd rather go 90 miles EAST than 20 miles west from where I live. Damn. Okay, I got that off my chest and I feel a lot better. Carry on. | ||
| Xl1200r |
Sportbikes suck in traffic. Stop and go means you're using the brakes and clutch more, wearing on your hands and foramrs faster. Sitting stopped a lot means your legs are really forced into certain positions. And the slow speeds don't put much wind on your chest to help hold you up any, so your back, chest and shoulders get worn out fast as well. Definately not a good time. | ||
| Carbonbigfoot |
ahem... highbarCR... ahem... | ||
| Carbonbigfoot |
Just joking! The heat thing would still be an issue for sure. Would not want to live there. Or more specifically drive there. R | ||
| Jaimec |
The worst thing about living where I do is that most of the time I HAVE to go through that area to get anywhere else. I utilize the Long Island/Connecticut ferries as often as I can, but they aren't always a practical solution if I'm headed south or west. | ||
| Steeltech |
no offense mate....but no one said this bike was fun for sitting in traffic. In fact, I wanna see the bike that is specifically built for sitting in traffic. That would be a funny commercial. She's still a fun bike....but you should be moving....buying a smaller bike for commuting might not be a bad idea though if that's all you're gonna do.... If I had to deal with it...I'd probably buy a honda rebel or something that i didn't care about....then make it a silly chopper or something. Just for the commute. Good gas mileage and you don't really give much a damn if it blows-up/burns up. I as well do sometimes question my purchase of the 1125. Not because it isn't one of the funnest bikes I've ridden (honestly...it feels like Buell built this bike specifically for me), but because I am as well normally a commuter. The need for such power isn't commonly there. That is my only beef...to much power...if there ever was such a thing. I still use that power though  Deals gap in second gear ladies, now that's fun. I can put up with some leg heat as I know how hot the air-cooled puppies get. So yeah, I'd almost suggest getting a ring-a-ding bike for commuting at speeds less than 15 mph...then ride the 1125 for the pleasure. | ||
| Palmer |
never used my CR in the city. For everyday use I have a 13 years old Honda foresight: he only needs gas and every 3 or 4 years a little oil and maybe a spark plug. Maybe one time i changed (my father probably) the air filter. And every day just push the botton and he goes. NEVER a problem. Noone steels it. I have my wet clothes in it, and my helmet too. And there is space for the gym-bag too. Very good windy protection too. What else? ah 25km/for a liter. I can drive it for long distances too. If you live in the city, the scooter is the only way to survive. I live in rome and public trasnsportation do not works very well. The weather is good all year long... My next scooter will be a Piaggio MP3, an awesome piece of engineering, very fun to ride! and so safe in our crappy roads! Why should I use my beautiful CR in the city and leave her all the day on the street? | ||
| Marcodesade |
As someone who rides in Southern California rush hour traffic twice daily, I have to tell you I would BY FAR rather be on my Buell than on any of the several Harleys I tried it with. Of course, my commute is only about 20-30 minutes each way. Heat? Horrible. Fun? Not so much. But what do you suppose would have happened if you tried that stoppie on a Fat Boy? | ||
| Carbonbigfoot |
Here you go. http://www.aprilia.com/en-US/Model/74/SR+50+R+FACT ORY/Overview.aspx I think one of these would be a friggin RIOT. R | ||
| Tbenson |
Looked at the Aprilia scooters at a local dealer, they mimic the RSV alot. Pretty sweet, if a scooter is your thing! They also had a Can-AM Spyder with aftermarket exhaust (I think HMF) that sounded awesome! | ||
| Jaimec |
I'd rather NOT stoppie, thanks. Bikes stop faster with both wheels on the ground (for the same reason they launch faster if they don't wheelie). Under normal circumstances, I PROBABLY would've used my K1200LT for the ride, as the riding position is a LOT more comfortable for extended periods of time, and it doesn't roast my legs (plus, I can turn the radio on and get the local traffic conditions). Unfortunately it is in the shop now for it's 132,000 mile service (12K interval). The Buell is all I had left. If I took my car, I'd probably STILL be sitting in traffic. Can't lane split with a Subaru Outback! | ||
| Jaimec |
If I were going with Aprilia, I'd go for the Mana, not a scooter. At least it LOOKS like a motorcycle. It also costs less than that abomination from Honda (the DN-01) and actually has usable storage as well. | ||
| Blake |
Check that your ergonomic adjustments are all optimum, the clutch lever especially. So often it isn't low enough to minimize strain on the wrist. | ||
| Jaimec |
Blake, under normal circumstances the clutch is just fine. Picture squeezing it in and out for 2 1/2 hours straight (and almost NEVER fully releasing it) and you have an idea of what I'm talking about. Unless you're Arnold Schwarzenegger, no matter how soft the clutch is set you're going to feel it. Hell, I'm just glad this WASN'T my M2 Cyclone! My arm would be packed in ice if it were! | ||
| Slojon |
I am VERY fortunate to have a small collection of motorbikes....50cc stepthroughs', 50cc racing & racing style(Motorhispania RX50), up to litre Bikes(including the 1125r). Tis nice to have a different machine for every day of week.....and then some. Wish I could have kept ALL of the machines procured over the years..... | ||
| Jaimec |
I'm down to two. That way, I always have at least one to ride when the other's in the shop. Sure wish bikes were like cars in that regard... drop it off in the morning, pick it up in the afternoon... | ||
| Froggy |
Jamie, get a Blast! Nice and cheap, 85mpg, no heat, and it squeezes in-beteen cars easier. Worst comes to worse and someone backs into it with a garbage truck, its no huge loss. I bought an 03 for $1500 a few months ago and love it. | ||
| Bigblock |
I had my M2 Cyclone in NYC for 2 years, and I'll tell you what, that thing is (arguably) the best bike ever made (and Court can prove it!) and riding in NYC traffic in the summer was TORTURE! The only thing NOT torture in NYC summer traffic, is riding in an air conditioned limo with a fully stocked bar and some hot babes! So get over it!  | ||
| Ccryder |
Convertibars, Uly pegs, Camelback, and three fingers of single malt scotch (after the ride ;+} ) | ||
| Rainman |
get a Blast! Second that, Froggy. 60 mpg in straight-city riding, good manners, great brakes, doesn't roast your thighs. That's exactly how I use mine 90 percent of the time. 8,000 urban stop-and-go miles with no break downs. (The other 2,000 are backroad/interstate miles) | ||
| Ohbuellman |
Dude, I used to commute from Hoboken to Jersey City to Clifton and back to Hoboken every day (often on a 1978 Yamaha SR500). Left the area years ago...too many people/cars. I feel your pain. Can't imagine NY metro area on an 1125R! Put some weiners in your pocket to roast on the pipes while sitting in the Lincoln Tunnel. | ||
| Littlebutquick |
IF YOU ARE THINKING OF A SCOOTER THIS IS WHOT I STARTED ON BEFORE I GOT THE BUELL BUG http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zh-0_IGLpBc | ||
| Badlionsfan |
I'd move. I like my 11 miles each way commute to work thru a national park. Sitting in a car or even on bike for hours a day not moving is a waste of life. | ||
| Palmer |
the best scooter ever made after te Vespa was the piaggio ZIP SP. With a full Polini tuning will kick your ass in hyperspace! | ||
| Jaimec |
That commute was unusual. My usual ride is 13 miles EAST in light traffic. If I had to do that every day, I probably would consider a Blast. No, scratch that... definitely something with an automatic transmission. Either the Mana or the Burgmann. Maybe the T-Max, but I'd have to look at it more closely. I'm familiar with the Burgmann, but I've heard good things about the T-Max too. | ||
| T_man |
CBR125R hands down. Like 80mpg - fuel injected 4 stroke. Looks and handles like a real sportbike. Fun to go wide open everywhere and barely bust 60mph. Awesome city beater. | ||
| Jaimec |
As was pointed out earlier, the sportbike riding position is uniquely unsuitable for bumper-to-bumper city riding. | ||
| Semper_1120fi |
How 'bout this:  | ||
| Jaimec |
Is that the T-Max?? COOL! I think I pulled a muscle in my rib cage saving the bike after the sky-high stoppie on Tuesday. I feel a slight twinge every time I swing the bike up off the side stand and when I bend or stretch the wrong way... YOWZA!! | ||
| Semper_1120fi |
Yep, it's a T-Max. I think the T-Max is the only machine where the "scooters are like fat chicks" rule doesn't apply. |
