| Author | Message | ||
     Family_buells |
My '09 1125R is the nicest bike I've owned in 30+ years of riding, but.... (IMO) it's more suited to the racetrack. I have an SV650 for that and I'm not interested in racing a nearly new bike. This bike would be fun on some really twisty roads, but my wife has an '83 sportster and I need something that's more rideable when I'm out with her. We did a 100 mile ride last Friday and it was painful to ride at her cruising speed. I tried squeezing the bike with my knees and using my stomach muscles to hold myself up but that only worked for short periods. I thought of making some bars with risers on them, but it's more than that. I'd like to change the gearing, but that's a tough route. The bike pulls like an angry tractor, but I rarely had the bike higher than 3rd gear and I couldn't seem to find a speed that made the motor happy. I would have loved to get the bike out on the racetrack for a trackday, but I've decided to sell it and buy a Monster S2R or a Hypermotard. Don't get me wrong, I think that this bike would be an absolute weapon on the racetrack. I just want a more streetable bike. I would like to thank the forum members for great advice and information sharing. Best of success to you all. (Message edited by family_buells on April 08, 2010) | ||
| Aeholton |
By the wife a 1125CR and tell her to keep up.  Just kidding. I understand. I've had similar experiences riding with my wife. I just look at it as practice in patience. Good luck with whatever you buy. | ||
| Mountainstorm |
I know that feeling. I have a friend who rides at a leisurely pace. I found that I prefer to ride alone. That was my cure. Hope it all works out for ya. | ||
| Jdugger |
Yup. It's a sportbike. It can be a little frustrating to ride it like a recliner. Just isn't fun. | ||
| Motorhead102482 |
I've found that I ride around 55-65mph even when I'm just cruising. The bike just isn't happy unless it's going fast. I'm in the military and I don't usually leave 1st gear on base when I drive back and forth to work, but the twisty roads on my 15 min drive back and forth make it worth it. | ||
| Kirb |
The CR with some high bars and the lower gearing is much better for slower riding. Here in MI, riding freeways at 80mph is still around 5k RPM, so it's not bad at speed either. The high bars let you sit upright. Add 1" drop pegs for more room. I've found the bike to be very comfortable even with the stock seat. More so than my old Cyclone. You have a little more trouble with the clip-ons, but you might want to try the American Sport Bike risers. jtk | ||
| Sportster_mann |
Buy a CR - the slightly lower gearing makes a big difference to low speed drivability. Or you could convert to CR gearing - although it will cost ! | ||
| Pattio |
I had to go buy my 1125r at the same time that my riding buddy bought a KTM LC4. He's loving life on our favorite back roads (here in New England that means blind corners, frost heaves, sand, mud, manure etc) and I'm stumbling around in 2d gear. Luckily he's not my wife (not that there's anything wrong with that) so I can lobby for different routes. I'm planning some longer trips so I can stretch this bike's legs and enjoy it more. | ||
| Redbuelljunkie |
Just FYI... Ducatis are terrible at low speeds- especially the desmodue engines. Operating below 3,500 rpm requires either feathering the clutch or just dumping it. It's quite frustrating when a bike's design makes an experienced rider appear amateur because its almost impossible to ride smoothly at low speeds. The culprit is the extremely light flywheel- great for racing, terrible on the street. Definitely test ride these bikes before you find yourself in the exact same predicament you're in now. For smooth, comfortable operation you might want to consider Triumph. | ||
| Family_buells |
Redbuell, Thanks for the heads-up. I'll be keeping that in mind. | ||
| 1324 |
Timm, That was quick! Sorry to hear it didn't fit your needs. Nothing wrong with 'down-grading', though... | ||
| Metalrabbit |
I ride alone mostly but if you do ride with someone you'd do well knowing the strengths of each other and they're bikes. My best rider friend (only) has a problem with down hill corners and he knows to get behind me when we crest the mountain top. The 1125 can close in on many bikes very quickly in the corners. Not a very good place to find the other guys weaknesses on the hwy. | ||
| Hogzilla |
I'm still trying to get comfortable on my R as well. Have the drop pegs on order. Hopefully that helps. I have a hard time parting with it because it's a blast to ride, but I end up in pain after a short while. If I don't get used to by this year it may end up being sold next. We'll see. | ||
| Froggy |
Thats why I got the 1125R and 1125CR. I use my CR as one of my slow bikes because it absolutely sucks above 50mph, while the 1125R is at home above that.  | ||
| Ride4life |
RedBuell, I agree with the comments on Ducs at low speed. Just sold my 848 as I bought a CR. Dropping the front sprocket to 14T is the best (and cheapest) street mod you can do on them...I did it on the 848 and it made starts and slow, around town, and in traffic driving much, much better. FamilyBuells, keep this in mind...I almost bought the Hyper (and will own one some day) but I felt it was too much $$ for the HP...the CR is freaking amazing...I owned 2 Buells (CityX and XB12R) before the 848 and none of them compare to the combination of comfort, unique styling, and lusty engine the CR provides. | ||
| Boogiman1981 |
yup slow bikes fast are much more fun than fast bikes slow. | ||
| Duphuckincati |
Something fun/sporty to run with the wife? Might find some deals on the XR1200 since the fringe and apehanger crowd walk right past them. A Ducati will be just as out of sync with the wifey as the Buell. And I own and love my 900SS and think Sportsters suck. Except maybe the XR. | ||
| Hogzilla |
Saw a XR1200 at the local dealer for under $10k last week. Still sitting. | ||
| Keys |
I test road a new Hypermotard a few weeks ago. Had no problem at any speed. I would seriously consider one if I could get a chin fairing mounted to protect that exposed header at the bottom. It was a joy to get a free ride on. Very comfortable, great street manners | ||
| Easyrider |
Hogzilla look here: http://www.twinmotorcycles.nl/artikelen.asp?aid=71 | ||
| Jdugger |
Monster 696 might be good at slower speeds. It's aimed at a newer rider. I rode one at a Ducati test day as was pleasantly surprised. Sure, it's not real powerful, and the suspension is basic, but as an easy to manage motorcycle that's fun at casual speeds and nice to look at... Hey, I liked it. | ||
| Thruster |
+1 on giving Triumph a look. I've been commuting 50 mi/day on my '08 Uly for a few years and was about ready to get an '09 CR as a second bike just as the factory shutdown was announced. I even had a long test ride on a CR and really liked it. However, due to the uncertainty of Buell's future, I instead decided to diversify my motorcycle holdings, so I got a new Speed Triple just a few weeks ago. It feels light, nimble, and plenty torquey. Ergonomics are a little more upright than the CR, the flat 3 engine is far smoother and more linear than a V-twin, with a very broad powerband, and the 6 gears are so low and close together (for street riding) that the engine is comfortable in more than one gear at any given speed, even going slow. It's also great at sustained highway speeds, with plenty of headroom. The 2 bikes are very complementary, and I couldn't be happier. The Uly is a moose, whereas the Speedy is a wolverine, both very respectable creatures, each supremely suited for its purpose. | ||
| Skntpig |
S2 or M2 Tuber FTW | ||
| Easyrider |
My daily driver is à Red/white limited edition S2 (-; | ||
| Hogzilla |
Easyrider, that thing is a BEAST! Man would that be a riot. | ||
| Milleniumx1 |
You can't begrudge a person for buying and riding what they like and are most comfortable on. Coming off of 20+ years of H-D big twins, I wasn't so sure about my '09R that first 100 miles or so. But now it just seems to fit me like a glove and the local twisties and I have developed a nice relationship! Mike (Message edited by milleniumx1 on April 08, 2010) | ||
| Easyrider |
HogZilla that is our prototype still testing | ||
| Hogzilla |
Mike, I agree. I'm hanging in there and plan to put a lot more miles on before making any rash decision. I love riding it too much and so far has made up for any discomfort. I want to put on a few 200-300 miles days to see how it feels. Even though I have a nice comfy Dyna sitting right next to it, I still pull out the keys for the R half the time. | ||
| Johnnys999 |
RedBuellJunkie stating Ducatis are terrible at low speed is just not true. Yeah, the older ones could be jerky, but the newer models perform great at any speed. If you do have a problem with slow speed issues, especially on the 2V models, just slap a cheap FatDuc 02 manipulator on there and the bike transforms into a smooth machine. Its something V Twin motorcycles have issues with, no big deal though. My 999R believe it or not handles beautifully at slow speed, no problems at all. However, it wouldn't and isn't my choice for dinking around town, the Buell does that for me. If I didn't have the Buell I would likely pick up a Sport Classic or Monster, something with upright ergos. No matter what Ducati you choose, they all have race bred trellis frames and adjustable suspensions. The Buell has good adjustability except for the rear shock. | ||
| Xb9er |
Buy an XB. Sounds like you need a lightning |
