| Author | Message | ||
     Polcat |
For those of you that have or had both a 1125 CR and a XB12, what do you prefer more for street riding and why ? I'm on the fence as to buying a CR to use for everyday type street riding. | ||
| T_man |
I've had an XB12R & now a 1125R. The XB was better around town, my 1125 just can't match the XB's low end fueling. However as soon as the road opens up its no comparison. Where the XB ran out of steam at 7K - the 1125 takes off. Much more satisfying. Depends on how often you like to ride fast - if not at all - the XB might be superior - if monster top end thrust is what your after, even once and a while - I would certainly go with the CR. | ||
| Jdugger |
I've owned and XB12r and now three 1125r bikes. The 1125r has a lot more "range" to the motor. Many more use revs that provide fun, and if you do track days at all it's a non-contest. The 1125r is way better. The XB was so nimble and fun in the twisties, but really insisted on being ridden at a constant speed. The 1125r is a lot more forgiving and provides much better acceleration. So, while I enjoyed the XB in the twisties more, unless you have a really skills group of riding buddies, it can be frustrating because it's so hard to make up that momentum you gave up following a point-n-shoot rider into a corner. XB costs a lot less to insure... | ||
| Xl1200r |
My 1125 costs less to insure than my XB12R did, though it's within a couple dollars a year. Here's the basic breakdown - speed, accelerations, handling, braking... the 1125 does it all BETTER than the XB. The XB is better in an urban/stop-n-go setting. | ||
| Darkitekt |
I've had both an XB12scg and now 1125R. For in city riding, the XB was a little better but if your definition of "street" ever opens up to highway or long twisty backroads, the 1125R is more fun. Don't get me wrong, the XB was a blast in the twisties but those darn curves always open up to a straight eventually. | ||
| 1_mike |
Pol - They both have their pluses, neutrals and minuses. I currently own both a CR and an XB12R. While they look much the same chassis wise, they handle somewhat different. I consider the XB like a mini-bike. VERY fast in its handling manners. With the tune-up I currently have in it, it pulls away from a stop VERY fast with little throttle input. Around town it's great. It's freeway manners are split. Again, its quick handling is great for dodging traffic. But it's power is a bit lacking. Even with the fuel right and the ignition timing up very high, its power is just down a bit for So. Cal. freeway traffic. You HAVE to think one step ahead of the bike. The CR on the other hand, feels a bit large in comparison. Not hugely, just a bit. It's overall handling is also just a tad slower in comparison. But...it's power makes up for any little handling situations in most cases. It feels a little top heavy, so in some situations, you have to be easy on the throttle to keep the rear tire planted around town on cold tires. For me...I like'em both for the reasons noted. I'm more comfortable on the CR for going back and forth to work (daily). It has the required power and overall handling to feel good in heavy or light traffic. In "mostly" street driving, go for the XB. But if you're gonna be on the freeway much, get the CR. Be advised, a new copy of either will most likely need aftermarket help to perform its best as far as fuel (and ignition timing). Espicially if you go to the aftermarket for exhaust and the "gotta-have to be cool" K&N air filter. You'll have fun on either. Mike | ||
| Xl1200r |
Mike, that's not my impressions. My CR feels quicker and lighter in the transitions that my XB did. Keep in mind the 1125 is a good 20 lbs lighter than an XB. | ||
| Tyfysh |
The XB and the 1125 are both extremely affected by your suspension settings. They have the potential to be almost identical in handling traits except the 1125 has about a 2 inch longer wheelbase. The wheelbase should make it steadier but not as flickable. But since it does weigh less it still feels very light. To me it feels as responsive but a little more planted in the turns and stable at high speeds. | ||
| Chessm |
i have an xb9s and a CR ( ya i know not a 12 but close enough) - and since getting the CR, everything that ive always loved about my xb has been highlighted. i agree w/ 1mike that the xb feels smaller (helps that it has the 9 frame and not the ss frame). its even easier to push around in the garage. the xb also feels like it turns just a bit sharper. and since the xb doesnt have the power, curves have to be taken with planning. the low redline means you have to stay in the higher gears and carry speed like crazy through turns if you want to keep up with that CBR. its very rewarding. up to say 60mph, i give it to the xb hands down and at speeds above its all about the CR. while the xb is an awesome goat road motard hauler, the CR is a sweeper sportbike passer. while it can be ridden on goat roads as well, it just doesnt feel like its at home like it does in the fastest sweepers. want to change lines in the middle of a 100 mph sweeper? ya sure why not. freeway runs remind me of being on an r1, speed just builds up quickly, and looking at the speedometer is always greeted by numbers much bigger than when you last looked at it a half second ago. i love both bikes. i love having the choice between two different tools based on the task at hand. my GF has a z1000 and last weekend, we went out for a ride and she rode my xb and i was on the CR. during the ride, the xb got more stares and when we parked. two people came over and started talking to us about the xb! we were getting the usual questions like, 'how many ccs is that?' and 'what kind of bike is that?' no one batted an eyelash towards the CR. i thought it was very funny. | ||
| Chadhargis |
I've owned both an XB12 and an 1125...so I can give you my impression. 1) Engine Absolutely NO comparison. The 1125 motor is better all around than the XB. Those who are saying low end fueling is bad haven't got the latest flash or something. I can chug around at 3000rpm all day long (which is a relatively slow speed on the 1125) and it's smooth as silk. At a stop light, the engine doesn't try to rattle my fillings out or break off the turn signals. The only areas where the XB motor is better than the 1125 is fuel mileage and maintenance requirements. Other than that, the 1125 is a slam dunk winner over the XB motor. It's like comparing a Ford Pinto motor to a Corvette LS1. 2) Chassis They both feel very similar to me. My XB was a Ulysses, so it was substantially heavier than my CR. The CR will ride circles around a Ulysses (with equally talented riders on board). 3) Transmission The 1125 is again, LIGHT YEARS, ahead of the XB. The transmission is almost telepathic. Switching gears is so quick and easy that you sometimes question if it actually shifted. The vacuum assisted clutch is wonderful too. Makes even a sloppy downshift feel buttery smooth. And THANK GOD for a hydraulic clutch. No cable to break or adjust and no cable obstructing your instrument panel. THANK YOU GOD! Some other observations I have between the two: 1) The 1125 starts up QUICKLY and settles into a nice high idle to warm up. The XB coughed and chugged and sputtered and damn near bounced around until it got warm, then it ran fine. The 1125 is truly a get on and ride...but I always had to warm up my XB while I got geared up. Even then it would cough back through the airbox on occasions. 2) The 1125, being liquid cooled, excels in slow moving stop and go traffic. The XB would overheat and ping like mad, but the 1125 takes it in stride thanks to it's pods. The fans are even set to blow forward so the heat goes away from you. Even when I wasn't stuck in stop and go traffic, but it was hot and I was beating on the XB good...I'd get some light throttle pinging. The 1125 has never run any way but spot on perfect. 3) The oil checking procedure on the 1125 sucks. It's much easier on the XB, but the oil change is about the same as you have to remove the chin fairing on the XB to get to the filter where you have an extra drain plug on the 1125. 4) Having to fool with coolant is both a blessing and a curse. It makes things better when you are riding, but when it comes time to change it, say for a track day, I can tell you that the left radiator is a BEEYOTCH! 5) The belt change on the 1125 seems to be a little easier, although I've not done it yet. Instead of having to remove a big piece of the swingarm to get the belt out, there is a little plastic insert that you slip out after removing a couple of screws. It looks to be a simpler solution, but I won't know until I try it. 6) The instrument cluster on the 1125 is, once again, FAR superior to the XB. Nice big tach, with a digital speedo, gear indicator, fuel mileage figures, coolant temp, intake temp, and lots of other goodies in diagnostic mode. You can even have the odometer and clock up at the same time. YEAH!!! Now that's progress! I know the XB platform has it's fans, but for the life of me, I can't figure out why. Unless you are touring and want the extra fuel mileage or you're putting on a lot of miles each year and don't want to fool with the valve adjustments, the 1125 is a better bike in every area. | ||
| Xl1200r |
Chad - I wouldn't go so far as question why anyone even likes the XBs - given the opportunity, I'd own another. It's a different ride. I recently picked up a tuber and it reminds of my XB in a lot of ways and end up missing my old ride from time to time because of it. I still don't understand the folks who think the 1125 feels slower in the transitions. The suspension was pretty dialed in on my XB and only running the factory settings on my CR, and the CR just feels better all around. Yeah, it 'feels' bigger because the pods make a visually larger motorcycle, but the chassis is just better and feels more flickable to me. Maybe mine's a freak, but I have no problem on the goat trails. | ||
| Dirty_john |
I was lucky the overlap with my XB12R and buying the 1125R was one year before I sold my XB12R to buy a cruiser for her indoors. Both bikes are truly excellent and up to selling the XB12R I had spent a small fortune on exhausts, race ECU,K&N, uprated front and rear suspension and 1125R front brake and m/cyl etc The XB roll on torque made riding fast down twisty roads very easy but the 1125R made me feel like a youngster again with its close ratio gear box and ample power delivery, I used to ride the XB on a Saturday and the 1125R on a Sunday over the same roads, I found that the XB handled a little better but the 1125R has more power and I found that I was riding the 1125R more than the XB a little unfair since the suspension on my 1125R is stock as yet, I couldn't afford to keep both so the XB had to go, a sorry day and I thank Erik and the elves for both bikes (Message edited by Dirty_john on December 09, 2009) (Message edited by Dirty_john on December 09, 2009) | ||
| Chadhargis |
I think the perceived handling deficiency is also due to the fact that the 1125 reaches triple digit speeds so fast and so easy, that you come into turns faster than you think you are. Same on exits. Grabbing a big turn of the happy handle is going to have the 1125 getting very light on the front end and will cause it to stand up, which might make it feel heavier. I think the XB had a lot more user friendly power...similar to the way an SV650 does. You can ham fist it and not worry about doing much damage. You have to have some restraint with the 1125. But comparing the two engines, even with the same power output, the 1125 would be the better motor. I'd take a detuned 1125 over an XB motor any day. | ||
| Vagelis46 |
" I used to ride the XB on a Saturday and the 1125R on a Sunday over the same roads," That is great for giving "real" feedback for the bikes. Same tires I guess, right ? The XB motor might be weaker, but it is more "big bang" that definately helps rear traction. Also an "upgraded" XB stays very close to the stock 1125R up to 200km/h They also weight the same....http://www.sportrider.com/weights_measurements/146 _motorcycle_weights_measurements/buell.html The XB is more "mass centralised", than the 1125R. You can tell I own an XB12R, dont you ??  | ||
| Xl1200r |
Also an "upgraded" XB stays very close to the stock 1125R up to 200km/h I'd have to argue with that. If the 1125 wasn't allowed to rev past 7,000 rpm that might be true. After that, game over. As far as the weights, most of the specs on that table are way out of whack, so I'm forced to disregard all of it, including that the weights are all way high. Buell's own specs puts the 1125 at 20 lbs lighter than the XB. And what makes an XB more mass centralized? | ||
| Vagelis46 |
The XB has no pods......nore centralised I think Buell used the good old jap technique, for the weight of the 1125R. No fluids, no air. | ||
| Froggy |
You do know the point of the pods was to improve mass centralization? It allows the engine to be placed more forward right where Erik wants it. Also the weight - According to Buell.com Dry Weight 1125R 375 lb. (170 kg) XB12R 395 lb. (179 kg) Both are measured the same way. | ||
| T_man |
I really liked my Firebolt 12R - but when I traded for a naked SV thou'.. within 2 miles of ownership on the ride home after the trade I had hit the XB's absolute top speed. It was about a 2hr ride home and most of it was spent at roughly 6000rpm. Not a big deal until you consider that is approximately 90% of its entire rev range. Therein lies the XB's weakness. I did think it handled better than the 1125R though - it was dead stable when powering out of corners and had none of the 'oh why god didn't this bike come with a steering dampner stock?' popping into my head with the 1125. Personally I would love to own a XB for the track and the 1125 for the road. I know it seems counter intuitive but its the road where I need more power - on the track I can live with less power and squeeze more outta the bike & myself. | ||
| Littlebutquick |
1st buell i had was a xb12s that ran a best et of 11.3 @ 123mph 1125r 9.92 @140mph both with after market exhausts ,air filters and fueling aids both stock motors .i loved the xb but if you want to go fast you have to add water  | ||
| Yugi |
From 2009 manual the wet weights in pounds: XB9SX: 454 XB12R: 459 XB12Scg: 459 XB12Ss: 469 1125R/CR: 455 | ||
| Chessm |
You do know the point of the pods was to improve mass centralization? It allows the engine to be placed more forward right where Erik wants it. compared to other liquid cooled bikes, then sure. the side radiators are definitely more mass centralized. but compared to the original (non SS)XB, which already has mass centralization (MC) as a central tenet in the design, the pods make the bikes slightly-less MC'd. the nice thing though is that extra mass is front biased. but this is like comparing a ninja sword to samurai sword, both will still slice and dice very effectively. | ||
| Chadhargis |
I've pulled out the entire radiator and such from the pods. If I had to guess, I'd say the radiator, empty, weighs less than one pound. It only holds a small amount of water. Maybe a couple of pints. The weight of the pods is located very close to the center of mass. Now, the oil tank on an XB being in the swingarm adds to unsprung weight. I'm betting a couple quarts of oil weighs more than the radiator full of water. If not, it's damn close. | ||
| Moosestang |
No way the 1125 is lighter than an xb. maybe on paper as far as the claimed dry weight, but with full fluids the 1125 is 450lbs. I know my xb9sx was a lot lighter. The xb sounds better with a drummer. The xb can idle at 900 rpms without complaint. My CR idles at 1500 rpms, which seems to high to me, but it's the norm. I liked the gearing on the xb9 much better. Call me crazy, but i'd love to lower the gearing on the CR, just a tad. The CR has stiff springs, so if you are light like myself(140ish), you'll need to change the fork springs to get the proper sag. I'd wager that 60% of people on here haven't measured the sag, so that may not be a big deal. The xb is virtually maintenance free. The cr needs valve adjustment every so often and you need to check the coolant. The CR is ridiculously fast. | ||
| Moosestang |
1) Engine Absolutely NO comparison. The 1125 motor is better all around than the XB. Those who are saying low end fueling is bad haven't got the latest flash or something. I can chug around at 3000rpm all day long (which is a relatively slow speed on the 1125) and it's smooth as silk. At a stop light, the engine doesn't try to rattle my fillings out or break off the turn signals. The only areas where the XB motor is better than the 1125 is fuel mileage and maintenance requirements. Other than that, the 1125 is a slam dunk winner over the XB motor. It's like comparing a Ford Pinto motor to a Corvette LS1. Well I could cruise at 1,000 rpms on my xb9, try that on the 1125. I did change a lot of the fuel and timing maps, but I don't think all the tuning in the world is going to make this thing happy at 2000rpms. The 12 must rattle more than the 9 because mine was nice and smooth everywhere. I forgot about mileage. I got 50mpg consistently on my 9 and that's riding it like I stole it half the time. Best i've gotten on the CR is 35mpg and I was not riding it very hard for that tank. I can't speak for the 12, but the 9 was and is a great bike. I'll likely by another in the near future. If it had the horsepower numbers and top speed of the popular 600's, then more people would know how great it is. Unfortunately you need those numbers to attract the school kids. The kids I know all ask "What's the top speed?", pretty sad IMO. | ||
| Blackflash |
Valve checks are not a big issue on the r. I just talked to a r owner with 40 k on his bike and it is just starting to tick.he never performed a valve check.  I performed my first 14 k valve check and it showed my valves were on the tight side.Valves seated in nicely .Keep your clearances logged.I do agree with the xb chugging at startups and rough running. I had a 07 .On my r I have the o s b tune and 2500/ 3000 isn't a issue to tool around town in my r over stock. All in all I chose the 1125r over my xb. I wieghed mine at the track and it wieghed 440 wet . Full tank. | ||
| Froggy |
Assuming the numbers post above are accurate, the 9sx is a pound lighter wet. I got a feeling having 2 less gallons of gas had something to do with it. My XB12SS feels heaver than my 1125R and CR.
Indeed it does, I love the XB sound.
I would love to drop the idle on my 1125's a bit, but I assume the engineers knew what they were doing.
I debunked this a while back, the 1125 has less maintenance. Over the course of 20k miles, you will have done more work on the XB if you followed the book. No primary fluid, no primary chain, no clutch cable to adjust, no scheduled replacement of the air filter, less consumables like sparkplugs and oil filters. You will spend more time on the road and less time in the garage with a 1125.
Running a OEM street legal tune on my 08 R, I can ride at 2500rpm fine. 2000 might be doable with tuning.
My CR only gets 53mpg  | ||
| Moosestang |
From 2009 manual the wet weights in pounds: XB9SX: 454 XB12R: 459 XB12Scg: 459 XB12Ss: 469 1125R/CR: 455 Has anyone actually weighed their bikes? I find it hard to believe the wet weights of the xb's. Assuming the dry weight of 390lbs is correct for the xb9, figure 6 lbs for 3.5 quarts of oil and 24 lbs for the 3.82 gallons of gas, that's 420 lbs. If the dry weight doesn't count the battery, it's still not even close to 450 lbs. | ||
| Yugi |
> Has anyone actually weighed their bikes? I find it hard to believe the wet weights of the xb's. Assuming the dry weight of 390lbs is correct for the xb9, figure 6 lbs for 3.5 quarts of oil and 24 lbs for the 3.82 gallons of gas, that's 420 lbs. If the dry weight doesn't count the battery, it's still not even close to 450 lbs. Add another 2 pounds for a primary/gearbox oil, another pound for the fork oil, etc, etc. I have XB9S and 1125CR, and I feel that XB is a bit lighter. I don't have a manual for it, but the spec I found on the internet says that it's 386 lb dry and around 425 lb wet. 2005 manual says that 2005 XB9SX weighs 450 lb wet. | ||
| Moosestang |
I added the primary oil in my original post, 3.5 quarts. I forgot about fork oil. I could see 425, but not 450. My CR only gets 53mpg \blue I'll assume you are serious and that is all highway mileage. Now is this calculated mileage or you reading the instant mileage on the gauge cluster? I suppose it's possible to get 53mpg on the CR, but I never got less than 45mpg on the xb9. The xb's are better commuters.} | ||
| Froggy |
There was next to no highway that tank, and its calculated. I kept the instant at 99 for a good portion of that tank.  I use my Blast and its 85mpg and $100/pair tires for commuting. |
