| Author |
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Ridenusa4l
| | Posted on Monday, November 02, 2009 - 06:39 am: | 
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No flame west...+1000
Jake |
Tomcrane
| | Posted on Monday, November 02, 2009 - 06:45 am: |
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I appreciate your input and ill say i havent taken anything anyone has said as anything offensive ..
I understand when people with some serious riding experience see these kinda threads .. the first thing they think is "oh great another squid jumping on a litre bike" ...
but honestly .. i might be one of the biggest scaredy cats when it comes to riding aggressive on bikes... I dont go WOT very often if at all .. i dont pop wheelies.. im not dragging knee around corners .. i dont speed excessivly ...
alot would say that is a total waste to even ride a bike if you arent "RIDING" the bike .. but the fact is .. I dont have alot of riding experience and theres no point in killing myself trying to pretend i have more experience then I do ..
I just love being on a bike enjoying the open air with my friends/family
I practice alot .. whether it be riding backroads trying to practice cornering and looking through the curve and such or just doing local rides so i can practice my shifting .. braking and general motorcycle awareness
I liked the CR as soon as i read about/saw it ... if buell was not going under you can bet that i wouldnt have bought the bike as i realize that its a HELL OF ALOT of bike .. but this was a once in a lifetime opportunity to get an awesome bike and at an even more awesome price..
I realize that ill be one of the very few who will barely scrape the surface of what this bike can do at first and thats because i understand MY limitations on a bike .. the last thing i wanna do is hurt myself because im trying to ride to the limits.
now of course accidents DO happen and i could find myself in a situation where the bike turns out to be more then i can handle but believe me .. it wouldnt be because i was doing something careless..
if anyone thought i was going to try and fight back saying .. im ready for a litre bike .. they are dead wrong ... im scared of the bike and i have no problem admitting it .. but i think that being scared of it is what is going to be keep me from doing something stupid ...
I see too many cases of people who can barely start a bike .. running out and getting litre bikes because " all my friends have em" .. thats just stupid
first bike for me ? 250r ... i dont mind being a 6'3 dude riding a 250 ... because i needed to LEARN to ride after taking the MSF course .. i had people laugh at me for that purchase but I wouldnt do it any other way .. .
Im not so much defending my choice but moreso giving you guys some insight as to the kind of person I am and my view on riding. I hope to be a member here for a long time and Love every buell model .. I knew nothing about buell till my brother got his xb9 and i have loved em since
So again .. I thank everyone for their input/critcism  and especially that article it was a great read that ive already sent to a few friends
(Message edited by tomcrane on November 02, 2009)
(Message edited by tomcrane on November 02, 2009) |
1324
| | Posted on Monday, November 02, 2009 - 06:52 am: |
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FWIW, I've owned all the bikes you mentioned. My progression was SV650, XB9, VFR800, XB12, 1125R. The 1125 is NOT a novice bike. Sorry, but 1500 miles doesn't count as 'experience'. No flaming, just an honest, "I've been there before" observation. I've also wrecked. Twice. I'd think really hard about your decision. Like someone else said above, keeping your SV for a while might be a great idea. Park the CR and let your skills build. Take some more riding classes/schools and do a few track days. If you're serious about improving, you will. Liter class bikes were never designed for novices, despite what ANYONE will tell you.
But, whatever your choice, good luck, ride safe,and welcome to the Buell family. |
Whynot
| | Posted on Monday, November 02, 2009 - 07:30 am: |
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Greetings, Tomcrane, and welcome!
I bought my 1125R from Manchester as well, and live near Boston. First of all, there's lots of great riding weather left this year, imho!
Have you joined nesr.com? Some good advice and people there, along with the usual forum BS and squids.
Some people seem to do OK going from small to fast bikes in a short time. One local owner of a Ducati Streetfighter started in June 2008 on a Honda 250, went on to a Monster 696 within two months, and on to the Streetfighter a few months after that. And has lived to tell the tale.
Maybe we're neighbors?
-Kurt |
Xl1200r
| | Posted on Monday, November 02, 2009 - 08:05 am: |
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You can be as level-headed as Frankenstein, errors are errors and they cost more on an 1125 than an SV.
We're not saying you need tens of thousnds of miles - we're saying that, from our own collective experience, the 1,300 miles you have is not enough.
Yes, you can be cautious on the gas, easy on the brakes and not lean it too far over. But that doesn't prevent you from making mistakes. Too much gas puts you on your back. Too much brake puts you on your face.
Nobody here is flaming or hating - we're all just concerned for the safety of a fellow rider.
The car analogies are spot on. THink about it - in car terms, you have about as much experience as a month and a half of driving for most folks. If you had a 16-year-old kid who had been driving for a month and a half, would you hand them the keys to a Corvette and say, "Be careful"?
The 1125 is an awful choice for a new rider. In fact, I think a litre-bike would be better only because you have to spin them up a little more before the torque gets real heavy.
I second the advice to try and hold onto the SV for another season and really try to put some miles on it to get yourself ready.
I had 14,000 miles on a Sportster and 10,000 miles on an XB12 before I got my 1125, and I was just barely ready, and maybe not quite there even. |
Sekalilgai
| | Posted on Monday, November 02, 2009 - 08:29 am: |
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Tom
Congratulations on the new ride! +1 on Westmoorenerd's comments. The comments about what happens with the unexpected makes a lot of sense; specifically what happens when you panic and what that means by way of a handful of brakes or a fistful or throttle. Keep in mind that panic related 'bad things' can happen on the SV. Until the last couple-three years I used to be a 3k mile a year kinda rider and each spring it is like learning to ride again. But a few rides in, your muscle memory comes back. I read somewhere once that novices are recommended to not carry pillions till about 5k miles. Just a rule of thumb but it makes sense, there's an instinctive reaction to the unpredicted and you'll 'get it'...just don't go down first! IMHO if you could hang on to the SV, ride the life out of it and give yourself a treat on the CR now and then.... like when you get to pick ideal weather and traffic conditions. And pile the miles of smiles on!
BTW my first extended ride on my CR was in the rain with wet leaves (talk about good judgement). And coming from several 100+hp bikes....it was still a high-pucker moment. |
Joebuell
| | Posted on Monday, November 02, 2009 - 08:39 am: |
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gotta jump in on this too... If you don't even have enough miles on the clock to require an oil change, i'd say the SV was too much bike let alone a beast like an 1125. you can "respect the bike" all you want, it will not respect you. Put your emergency contact info on the front of your helmet and please be careful. |
Slowride
| | Posted on Monday, November 02, 2009 - 09:04 am: |
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Put your emergency contact info on the front of your helmet and please be careful
(Ouch!!)
Tom,
I read through the posting and I didn't see where you mentioned if the CR had the Clubman or the High bars. This is really a key factor to how comfy you will feel with the bike. I just spent all day Sunday on my CR, it was the first long ride on it since I purchased it. The first thing I noticed was, the clubmans make it feel A LOT like the TL1000R. You actually sit futher forward on the CR with the clubmans than you do on the 1125R. It puts a lot of weight forward and makes the bike slower to handle like the TL superbike.
If you have the highbar kit on the bike, it will feel a whole lot different, lighter, quicker, etc...
Just a thought
(Message edited by slowride on November 02, 2009)
(Message edited by slowride on November 02, 2009) |
Zac4mac
| | Posted on Monday, November 02, 2009 - 09:16 am: |
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Give the guy a break.
When the 11s first started hitting the streets, we had a young engineer show up here.
He got an 1125R as his first bike.
We ALL busted his balls that his was a bad decision.
He did take our advice and got a dirt-bike to practice his skills on.
He read several riding technique books.
He took riding classes.
He's still alive.
His name is Takis, aka Pariah and he has MY respect.
Good luck and ride safe and long.
Zack |
Joebuell
| | Posted on Monday, November 02, 2009 - 09:36 am: |
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"May cause death or serious injury"
Just please be careful. I do not think the level of caution involved with an inexperienced rider on a 100+ hp bike can be understated enough.
Get some miles. |
Milt
| | Posted on Monday, November 02, 2009 - 10:06 am: |
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I rode a Blast for the last 3 years. I'm not a sport-riding stud. I noticed several things about my new 1125:
1) 1125 will do anything you tell it to. Be careful what you ask it to do. In particular, watch your throttle control - it's very easy to overdo it. Roll the throttle on very gently.
2) I don't know how fast I'm going on the 1125. On the Blast, a simple rule for judging corner entry speed (for most of my riding at least) was "put it in second gear and as long as the motor isn't screaming, your speed's OK". Decidedly not so on the 1125 !! Always err on the side of caution.
3) This bike is exhausting mentally. If you feel muzzy or that you're not as sharp as you were a minute ago, go have a cup of coffee.
Good luck, Tom and welcome! |
Milleniumx1
| | Posted on Monday, November 02, 2009 - 11:33 am: |
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Even though I chimed in early, I'll come back to endorse what Westmoore said. I'll also agree that this bike can get you in trouble, even with the best intentions. Two things that happened to me yesterday that never happened in the few dozen thousand miles I've put on H-D machines, plus the '00 X1 Lightning:
1. Throttling quite aggressively out of a corner, and saw the rippled/wavy pavement just ahead. I stayed on the throttle, but when the bike hit the rough spots, it jolted me back a bit which caused me to turn the throttle more than I was planning. Even that small extra blip made a big difference, and not in a good way.
2. Small wheelie going into 2nd, on purpose but not to this scope. But even intentional, when the front sat back down, I was gripping the bars way too tight. That's a bit unsettling for a cruiser guy. I could wheelie my X1 if I tried, this one just does it with nothing other than throttle. This bikes does exactly what you tell it - Good or bad!
Can you get in more trouble on a 25 than you can a slower less capable bike? Sure you can. I know from my 250 miles on mine that the corners come up much faster than you expect. I also looped my Dodge Viper in a way I'm never managed to loop my Chevy pick-up. Although I learned its break point, I'd much rather crash a car than a bike.
Sorry for the ramble ... Just be safe and never out-ride your own ability. One last tip I'd give you, one I'm also doing myself. Try to do some of the 'unexpected' things on purpose, which allows you to get a feel for less than optimal conditions. Get on the F/R a bit in the middle of corner, do a quick stop on different surfaces, etc.
Ride safely guys and gals ...
Mike |
Doug_s
| | Posted on Monday, November 02, 2009 - 12:48 pm: |
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if truth be known, i suspect that the 1125 is too much bike for most anyone on this board who isn't a pro racer. but, that doesn't stop folks from buying them.  and, most folks are still alive to tell the tale about how much fun they are having with them.
i, too, am wery tempted by an 1125cr, and that's even before they were giving them away. but, i awreddy have two bikes, and don't get to ride enough, as it is, so i am not sure it makes any sense. i am in my early 50's, in good shape, and have ~100k on bikes since i first started riding as a teenager. my riding has been in intervals, depending on what's going on in my life. i like to commute on a bike, but my present yob's commute is yust way too ugly, so i don't do a lot of that now. my main ride the past ten years has been a '95 s2 that makes ~90rwhp/90ftlbs torque, and i know for certain that if i get an 1125cr it will be way too much bike for me, and that i will have to be wery careful.
ymmv,
doug s. |
Justa4banger
| | Posted on Monday, November 02, 2009 - 12:54 pm: |
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To bad this bike doesn't have adjustable rev limiters.... Might keep some of us under a bit more control.. |
Kevin_stevens
| | Posted on Monday, November 02, 2009 - 12:55 pm: |
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(shrug)
I'm not "hating" on anyone, although I don't appreciate being told what I do and don't understand.
Just because people have successfully started out on 1125s, liter bikes, and Hayabusas and survived doesn't make it a good idea. Nor does it mean that their success was entirely due to their demeanor and approach. Luck has a lot to do with it, and you want to keep that factor as small as possible.
Here's a quick and relevant anecdote - a couple of years ago a friend of mine asked me to teach him to ride. Mid-thirties, level-headed, very experienced driver and mechanic with a class C truck license among other things. I put him on my GSX-R1000 simply because it was the bike I minded least if he dropped.
I've been through numerous riding courses including MSF ERC multiple times; we started out with the basics over several hour-long sessions. He was excellent with the bike, not nervous, not cocky, asked all the right questions, etc. We talked extensively about clutch control, the powerband of the bike, all that. Absolutely he "respected" that bike. We progressed to riding slowly around the neighborhood, he used the clutch well, was using and cancelling his signals (a good sign of comfort/relaxation), starting to run the bike up a little in the gears to learn the motor (like 5-6K with mild throttle). All good.
Going back into the complex, he approached one of the speed bumps at a slight angle, instead of head on as I'd mentioned. As the bike torqued under him from the diagnonal crossing, he grabbed the bars, and, typically, the throttle. The bike instantly LAUNCHED about twenty feet - fortunately he was able to release the throttle and had coast down room to get back under control. But he had NO control of the direction of that initial surge, and if the bike had been pointed ten degrees to the right he'd have hit the bed of a pickup truck broadside.
Respect != control.
KeS |
Fresnobuell
| | Posted on Monday, November 02, 2009 - 01:02 pm: |
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Wow, I've never seen so many people start hating on someone for riding a 1000cc+ bike
I don't see hating. I see reality check. Besides he solicited our opinion and if you aren't ready for the answers, then maybe the question shouldn't have been asked? He seems to be pretty open minded, so good on him.
Face it guys, the majority of serious sportbike accidents/deaths arise from from the combination of novice rider/high power motorcycle. You can tell the guy to think and be careful all he wants, but the fact is if he gets into a sticky situation, thinking often gets one hurt. Instinctual riding is developed over time/miles. No way to shortcut that.
Can the OP do what he is already set to do? Yes.
Is it a good idea? No.
(Message edited by fresnobuell on November 02, 2009) |
Milleniumx1
| | Posted on Monday, November 02, 2009 - 01:12 pm: |
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The bike has started to change my opinion on one thing ... I used to think it was wrong to limit the age of someone looking to buy a serious sport bike. Now that doesn't seem like such a terrible idea! That said, I'm sure there are plenty of 18-20 year olds that could out-ride me.
But I was thinking yesterday that I would struggle to NOT get a ticket on this thing, and there's no way I could have kept my license (or perhaps my life) if I were half my current age. I'm not claiming to have made miraculous strides in maturity or self-control, but I am a touch smarter than I used to be 
Mike |
Fmaxwell
| | Posted on Monday, November 02, 2009 - 01:19 pm: |
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Someone asked what it would have been like if I could have purchased a bike like my 1125CR when I first started riding. I told him I'd be dead and we'd not be having the conversation. |
Xl1200r
| | Posted on Monday, November 02, 2009 - 01:24 pm: |
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i suspect that the 1125 is too much bike for most anyone on this board who isn't a pro racer
"too much bike" and "more bike than you need" are two entirely different things.
I'd be willing to bet that most on this board couldn't use a Ninja 250 to it's absolute fullest potential, either. |
Hack_job
| | Posted on Monday, November 02, 2009 - 01:35 pm: |
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I'm also an SV650 convert. The 1125 is a different animal. It can be tame around town, and really isn't more difficult to ride below the limit. Actually it is much more composed and confident than the SV thanks to having much better suspension and controls from the factory IMO. The difference is consequence of mistakes.
I have done some track days with the SV, and you can really punish the bike without fear. Fling it in the corner as fast as your shorts can handle and open it up full lean without worry. Not many "OH S***!" moments. With the CR, well I'll probably need diapers my first track day because flirting with the limit is much much easier.
If you can hang on to the SV and rack up some more miles, do it. When I test rode a CR earlier this year I loved it but felt it was too much bike for me after 4,000mi on the SV. If it wasn't a "now or never" thing I probably still wouldn't have moved up yet. It seems like your just waiting to get bit riding a bike that far above your skill level, and IMO you will be a better rider learning to ride a slow bike fast, than riding a fast bike slow. |
Boltrider
| | Posted on Monday, November 02, 2009 - 02:24 pm: |
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Sure it can be done.
My first bike ever is my XB12R.
I took a progressive approach to learning it. My first 1000 miles were mostly commuting with no lane splitting. Then I began taking it out very early on Saturday and Sunday mornings through some moderate twisties.
Sitting now at 12,000 miles, I'm to the point where I feel comfortable riding the bike as it was intended. I'm not perfect, but I don't look like some new-fish out there either.
I believe it's all in taking the proper approach. If the OP does that, he should be fine. |
Xodot
| | Posted on Monday, November 02, 2009 - 02:39 pm: |
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+1 Milt said - 1) 1125 will do anything you tell it to. Be careful what you ask it to do. In particular, watch your throttle control - it's very easy to overdo it. Roll the throttle on very gently.
I went from a 2000 S3 Buell at about 1/2 the power of the '08 1125R. But apart from power is a huge increase in handling ability.
Start off slow and go as fast as your comfort allows.... and smile all the way.
(When I'm NOT smiling I find I am going too fast for my ability - your grin may be a certain safety indicator) |
Speedy818
| | Posted on Monday, November 02, 2009 - 03:11 pm: |
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Not to add any fuel to the fire here, but as a rider with 6 seasons experience on heavy weight, high powered motorcycles, I would say that the 1125 platform is NOT novice friendly.
I'm not saying it can't be ridden tamely.
I'm not saying you can't ride it slowly.
I'm not saying you can't behave yourself on it.
What I am saying is that novices make mistakes. Lots of them. Most small - some big. My younger brother, with about 4 times the riding experience you claim - had a wipeout on a SV650 because he thought he knew what he was doing, but the bike reacted completely differently than he expected - he never was in a situation like that and the bike jumped out from under him. By the grace of God, he's better now, but thankfully, it was only a 650 - he would be dead if he were on a faster bike - it would have pulled him into the opposing traffic.
So yes, I believe you can probably ride an 1125CR - but I wish you luck for those moments when the front wheel comes up and you don't know how to get it down safely. Or when your rear tire breaks traction and you close the throttle. Or, as Kevin mentioned, when you hit a bump b/c you didn't hit an object perpendicular and it wrenches your throttle hand. It's going to be very unforgiving.
Ride slow - ride safe - keep a HUGE distance between yourself and the closest car. You'll need to ride your 1125CR like you rode your 250 for at least a while until you can get some actual experience on real roads.
Please be safe, man - thanks for being here and asking before you did anything foolish. |
Bhillberg
| | Posted on Monday, November 02, 2009 - 05:27 pm: |
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In all honesty I think it depends on the person, and their personality. I rode dirtbikes growing up, never anything more than a 125 for extended periods. I was an absolute idiot by the end of the summers. I rode a 250 two stroke and I respected it. While it could have hurt me by an unexpected twist of the throttle it didn't because I respected it. I started out on the street on a 800 marauder. At first I respected it and I was very safe on it. After awhile I lost respect and I turned into an idiot. Later I bought my X1 and I still respect it. Now I couldn't pass up the deal on the CR and while it doesn't scare me, I respect the hell out of it and I am not an idiot on it. Give me a 250 ninja or a blast or something and I would probably be dead in a day because I wouldn't respect it. I was the same with cars. I kinda need something that is a "little scary" or I will be a fool. I have never been a squid doing 200 mph weaving in and out of traffic but just on short burst, light to light, I know that I can get stupid if I don't respect the machine. Respect it, always be ready to pull the clutch, take it easy and don't let getting a little more comfort fool you into thinking you can pull off the isle of mann tt and you should be fine. This bike is capable of making alot of widows, it is also capable of being ridden responsibly and is seems pretty gentle in the low rpms. I just started taking it to 7500 and don't really know when I will need any more than that though |
Fmaxwell
| | Posted on Monday, November 02, 2009 - 05:57 pm: |
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As someone pointed out, "respect" has nothing to do with it. You can "respect" the bike all that you want and still tuck the front by grabbing the brakes too hard. You can still loop it by a badly executed combination of throttle and letting the clutch out a bit too fast.
The problem isn't how you ride when everything is great, the birds are singing, the road is dry, and the traffic is light. The problem is how you react in an emergency. It's how you deal with a deer about to walk out in front of you. It's how you cope with the back end starting to get loose in the rain. And that's where learned reflexes come in. Do you reflexively grab too much brake? Do you apply way too much counter steering input because you got used to a slower steering bike? Do you turn the throttle too far and too fast to get out of the way of someone who's barreling towards you?
I don't think that any of us are saying that Tom's facing certain death, but his odds of an accident are not as good as I'd be comfortable with were I him. |
Moosestang
| | Posted on Monday, November 02, 2009 - 06:21 pm: |
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The car analogies are spot on. THink about it - in car terms, you have about as much experience as a month and a half of driving for most folks. If you had a 16-year-old kid who had been driving for a month and a half, would you hand them the keys to a Corvette and say, "Be careful"?
Plenty of parents buy their 16 year old kids 300+hp cars. I like to think it's natural selection at work. The really stupid kids will kill themselves and maybe a few of their stupid friends. Hopefully they don't kill me, my wife or any of my immediate family or I'll have to kill the parents.
I still miss my xb9sx. If it was not for Harley killing buell, I'd still be riding it. The CR is a great machine and the acceleration is mind boggling, but the xb was a better everyday bike for me. I'll probably pick up another one after the wife settles down about the new bike. |
Geforce
| | Posted on Monday, November 02, 2009 - 06:44 pm: |
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Hey man, enjoy the ride. I'm not going to tell you how to put your pants on.
Be safe, ask questions and get that thing on the track with some good instruction!
Most important thing I try to remember when I do stupid crap is... "If I do this(or don't cut it out)...will I get to ride tomorrow?"
(Message edited by Geforce on November 02, 2009) |
Whynot
| | Posted on Monday, November 02, 2009 - 07:04 pm: |
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Look for the book "Riding in the Zone; advanced techniques for skillful motorcycling" by Ken Condon (Whitehorse Press) -- comes with a DVD, too.
Something for those long winter evenings!
-Kurt |
Drhodes1970
| | Posted on Monday, November 02, 2009 - 07:13 pm: |
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There is a lot of real good information on here today. Think real hard about what has been said Tom. I'm going to do the same.Be safe EVERYONE! |
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