| Author | Message | ||
     Poppawheelie |
After a whole summer on the 1125cr and clocking around 5000 miles, i have to say i still prefer the xb. i know, i know the cr is faster, more powerful and really just cooler but the xb is like an old glove, it just fits! I have clocked over 25000 miles on my 2008 Firebolt with no problems. I catch myself so afraid of even touching the cr while ridding cause it scratches so easy it definitely seems more high maintenance. I can totally push the xb to the limits, the cr i am still a little scared of honestly. Don't get me wrong the cr wins hands down in every category but like my dear old wife, the xb may not do everything right but what she does right, she does very well. | ||
| Jng1226 |
I have to agree a bit. There was a discussion earlier this year but it bears repeating. I have more fun pushing a machine comfortably to its limits than I do reaching my limits while the machine isn't even breaking a sweat. Perhaps its the sense of "man conquering machine" or reaching the "zone" when the machine is an extension of your body. I grew up surfing and often think of backroad scratching on 2 wheels as truly the asphalt equivalent of that graceful art. My XB9SX turns Lightning-quick (bumdump-bump), and has fantastic midrange and decent top end that makes every ride fun. The 1125R can get you into trouble really quick to get the same satisfaction, since the limits are so much higher. It's why its difficult for me to enjoy my MV Agusta F4 on the street. The 1125R is much more accessible in performance terms, but you look down and you going waaay to fast than is prudent for the street. | ||
| Dannybuell |
I respect my S1 and will always enjoy it's company. The CR is like walking on eggshells in town, you have to give it plenty of respect. Out on the road same respect just more room to get about. With the S1 when you want to pass you work on it, with the CR when you want to pass just roll on the throttle and you're gone. | ||
| Jules |
I think quite a few people will agree with you, it'll be a long time before I give up my R but I have recently found myself looking lustfully at Ulyses as a stablemate. If I had to have just one bike it probably wouldn't be the R, only because it's not ideal for the short commute I have to work. But on weekends/early evenings it's just awesome and I wouldn't give that up. A second Buell, with the old thumper motor in seems the ideal solution.... just need to find one in my price range now, and boy are they holding their value! | ||
| Baggh |
+1 Poppawheelie... luv my XB12S for all the reasons already stated. I don't really miss my CR (traded it in about 3 weeks ago after putting 10,000 miles on it)... sure I miss laying the hammer down with the intoxicating power that the CR offers but laying the hammer down on the XB just feels... well.. right. Everything about it fits like a glove. (Message edited by Baggh on September 21, 2010) (Message edited by Baggh on September 21, 2010) | ||
| Jng1226 |
Jules - get the Uly. I lament having sold mine. It was my wife's favorite bike of mine and it really was awesome with the Hepco + Becker bags. I almost didn't need a car with that bike! | ||
| T_man |
F*#! that noise! There was nothing more frustrating than slamming into rev limiter just when things started to get good on the Firebolt. I don't miss that ol' Harley lump at all. Since I've swapped a fresh set of tires on my R, it now handles as well as the 'bolt did and has the juice a proper superbike should have. Don't get me wrong - I liked the XB but I would never ever consider trading back to Harley tech go-power. I agree its satisfying to reach the limits of the bike before your own on the track - but given the option, I'll take the more capable bike any day of the week and when considering any XB vs any 1125 its simply no contest. My 2 cents. | ||
| Jng1226 |
T_Man - I meant its satisfying to probe the limits of a bike on the street, which is much easier on my XB9SX than the 1125R. For track riding there is definitely no comparison and my XB9SX would actually be annoying with its lack of power and flighty steering at triple digit speeds and relatively soft suspension calibration. Also, there is no way my 1125R steers as fast as my 52-inch wheelbase XB9SX, no matter what tires I put on it. That is one of the things that make it more fun on the street for me. Simply put, the 1125 is a superbike, the XB9SX is a sportbike. Different horses for different courses. | ||
| T_man |
Fair enough, valid points. Since I started racing I never have pushed any bike to its limits on the street - I just can't justify it. Nevertheless, I still found the XB's engine so much of a letdown (even on the street) I don't miss it - but of course, thats just me. | ||
| 1_mike |
My CR's been sitting this week too. It's hard to give up the 49 mpg that my XB12S gets. Will be back on the CR next week.... Mike | ||
| Xb1200rick |
I must admit that after getting my Uly last month the 1125CR does not get out as much as it used to, but I still love to ride it . I just feel guilty using it(the CR) for mundane task . It just wants to run hard and fast and the trip to work and back don't cut it , sot the Uly gets the everyday riding and the 1125CR gets the weekend fun runs. Yes ,I realize there are worse things in life to complain about  | ||
| Boogiman1981 |
love my R endlessly this thread reminds me of a saying i heard once "it's more fun to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow" | ||
| Dc29 |
For me it's not how fast the bike is it's how fast can you ride the bike. Took me about 4000mi. on my R before I could do the same as on my 12s. Now with 15000mi.I can do any thing smoother and faster than on my XB. Takes a while to find the right body position and settings for it all to come together and get adjusted to the power delivery. Don't ride the XB much any more, the R is just addicting. | ||
| Duphuckincati |
Much as I'm diggin the CR my old beater 900SS Ducati feels great too. My other primary rider is my naked-ized 650 Suzuki V-Strom. Very Uly-ish with zero bad traits. Love it too. Great complement to the CR. Sometimes you feel like a nut... (go ahead, flame away) | ||
| Mls1 |
Over the last month I have had a renewed love with my 96 S1. For my daily commute through traffic there is nothing better than the torque and flickability thru the lanes. That being said when I put the 1125R into a 75mph sweeper I can't help grinning like a chesire cat! I am keeping em both til I can replace the 1125 with an 1190RS... | ||
| Rpm4x4 |
I love them both. Thats why I kept my XB9sx when I bought the 1125r. They both are great. I like the 9 for the local commute for flickability and stoplight to stoplight action but for the long hauls and bad weather the windscreen on the 1125r owns. | ||
| Zac4mac |
I traded my XB9R to my little brother when I ordered Loretta. For 2 years after that she was my only bike and she has 26 k miles to show for it. Last May, I got an 09 Uly and I LOVE that tractor. Best all around "motorcycle" I've ever owned. As long as I can keep both, that's ALL I need. Thanks Erik and Elves. Z | ||
| Cobradave93 |
Best all around "motorcycle" I've ever owned. I agree Zac. I had an 08 1125r and an 09 cr, traded the 08 for a xb12xt, and love it and ride it far more than the cr. Plus a few weeks ago I rode with my Dad (on his Ultra)from here in PA to Milwaukee and back (1600 miles total) on the Uly and it never missed a beat. When I got back, the first day I rode the cr to work, the stator died. | ||
| Maximum |
They are totally different bikes...really not fair to compare the 1125 and the XB. I bought the 1125R because I wanted something that would be a great track day bike....but if I could only keep one bike, it would be my Uly. The XB12X is just too dang versatile! | ||
| Froggy |
My XB hasn't seen much use since getting the CR. I remember right after test riding the CR, my XB was in the shop getting a stator and I told the service manager to keep the XB. |
