| Author | Message | ||
     Philp |
I've been wondering this for a while but Capt. America's post about bike night inspired me to enquire within this mighty forum. I like my 1125R - the motor, ergo's, design - a lot. I'm starting to deal with some electrical gremlins and the discussions on this board feed my paranoia.  And being on the lean side, I've also never felt as comfortable with the stiff suspension response compared to other bikes I've owned. All that said, I can be a fickle owner and right now there is an RSV out there calling my name. But when I discussed a trade with the dealer he was reluctant to take the Buell. And if he does, he's worried about giving me the KBB trade value. This surprised me so I visited some other dealerships including a local Kawi dealership. Feeling the waters on a ZX6R, the dealer said he takes trades but "won't touch Buells"... his words. So I've posted on the BadWeb's classified board this past week but see mine and many others have no responses. Now I agree with the Capt. that wherever I go, I get positive feedback on the bike. But it still seems no one is interested in owning one of them. Even though they sell for 1/2 the price of any liter bike competition and close to the that for 600cc class. So... wassup? I thought low sales had to do with HD dealerships not getting behind the marque - and I still think there's truth in that; however, it seems there is a little more. What do you guys have to say? Thanks in advance for your thoughts. Cheers, Phil | ||
| Rpm4x4 |
I think it scares a lot of people to buy a bike that is not manufactured anymore. | ||
| Thefleshrocket |
Yeah, nobody wants to buy a bike that seems like it doesn't have a strong support network. An rsv? The 1125 is an all-around superior bike. But I guess if you want an Italian exotic with even less of a support network, then I guess that's the way to go. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Soften your suspension. It's all adjustable. Set it by the owners manual for a rider one or two weight ranges lighter than you are. | ||
| Syonyk |
Support network options: 1. If you are lucky enough to live near one of the few Harley dealerships that still loves Buells, and has a skilled Buell tech or two, you have awesome support. 2. You don't live near one of those dealerships, you take it to a Harley dealership, and get the attitude of "Some jack*** brought in one of THOSE bikes again... what's the least we can do to get rid of them?" Service sucks, if it happens at all. 3. You live near an independent shop that loves Buells & can work on them. Rare. 4. You work on it entirely yourself. They're not the easiest bike to work on - not terrible, but "rotate the engine down" starts to scare off a lot of people. I'm not surprised. If I hadn't found a good dealership, I doubt I'd still own any Buells. I'd probably have gone to BMW. Oh, yeah, and the book settings are "summer track day stiff." Back 'em off for the street or the cold. | ||
| Dirty_john |
Altering preload will not effect the spring rates, reducing compression damping may have an effect but first make sure your bike suspension is set up for the correct static sag etc - good luck | ||
| Philp |
There probably is something to the fact that they aren't manufactured anymore. I guess I'll have to hold mine until it's "rare"  Agreed, the RSV is another quirky bike but I'm not shy about them - hey, I own a Guzzi! In reality though, I would have very good local support. For my Buell, I need to go 60 miles one-way. That's better than some of y'all but trailering a bike to and fro is a waste of my time. As for mechanical, I'm not shy and do most of my wrenching. Sorting electrical problems just doesn't appeal to me. But maybe it's not too late to learn something new! :-) Regarding suspension, I have read and participated in several threads on this forum. I know my '09 is supposed to have softer springs but fully geared up, I still can't get decent sag with the front end fully softened. On the track, I'm OK but if I hit an irregularity in a lean on the street, the bike wonks all over... no fun. I've also had two suspension shops check my sag. They get what I get. I've played with the dampings and am happy with the response otherwise. My option is to change the springs, which is what I'll do if I keep the bike. Cheers, Phil | ||
| Xodot |
Phil - I hope this not a highjack, but you raised the subject and it's your thread - what are your Comp and rebound settings? X | ||
| Usanigel |
You all said it! Limited product support, stator issue, clutch leak, always was a small company making it rare item. Puts many off, another reason for the extended warranty, might make it easier to sell when the day comes. For the street the suspension needs to be set for a very light rider. I enjoy riding it, but takes a few miles to get into it again. Maybe if it could be down graded to insane..... | ||
| Duphuckincati |
I enjoy the challenge and differentness of owning the Buell. But I also consider it my "hobby" bike and my V-Strom is my "regular" motorcycle. I would still be bored with just riding the V-Strom only so having the two is a great balance. So maybe just get a second bike to complement the Buell experience. | ||
| Mountainstorm |
More bikes. That would be best  | ||
| Bueller4ever |
It's hard to sell anything right now. If you have the rear compression damping set by the book, then you are going to pee blood! I think mine is 2 clicks away from full soft on the rear. | ||
| Philp |
"Posted on Friday, May 13, 2011 - 08:02 am: Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only) Phil - I hope this not a highjack, but you raised the subject and it's your thread - what are your Comp and rebound settings? X" X, I don't want to turn it into a suspension thread but I'm willing to share my setup. At 155-160 + 15 lbs gear, I have the front PL 1/2 turn in with 2-1/2 turns on both compression and rebound. With that PL, I get ~23 mm sag. I have lowered the front forks flush with the trees,which made an incredible difference in handling as did minimizing the PL. In the rear, I bumped the spring up to the third notch to balance the geometry of flushing-up the front forks. When it was on one, I got about 32 mm sag. I don't know what it is now. I have the compression at 22 turns and rebound at 2-1/2. The dampings were set close by suspension guys but I tweaked them a little by going out for short rides with a screw driver one day. The compression and rebound responses feel right considering. I'm sure what I need is softer springs in the front - something that gives a little more sag and helps the geometry. I know there are others out here with about the same body weight who somehow get decent sag numbers. I don't know how you do it. Like I said, I've had the suspension set by experts and they get the same sag numbers I do. The 23 mm number might not even be so bad if it was in the middle of the PL. But being at the end of "adjustability" leaves the suspension no where to go. | ||
| Philp |
Duph and MtnStorm, More bikes is ALWAYS good. But with five of them in the garage, space has become an issue - as has the "rape" costs of registration in Harris County TX.  | ||
| Duphuckincati |
No room in the house? Or are you married? | ||
| Trekerguy |
I can only say what I just went through. Just traded my 09 1125CR on a new KLR and the dealer said its the banks lending money on the Buell is limited because of the " No longer in Business " Cant blame them really . They have to turn your trade in and most of the time people have to get financing . I took the deal so its goodbye to the Buell its been fun. Back to my roots and a Dual Sport bike . Goodbye to all Mark- | ||
| Bueller4ever |
Raising the front end is going to lower the amount of sag. | ||
| Guard_rail |
If I had the money I'd but six more buells!!! So I could have one for everyday of the week. I love that bike. And I would pay ebr to turn three of them into 1190's | ||
| Thefleshrocket |
Sag is a function of rider weight, bike weight and spring preload. Raising the front end alters the steering geometry but does not affect sag. | ||
| Bueller4ever |
Lowering the front end puts more weight forward, so the sag is going to be more, not much, but some. So raising the front will put more of your weight on the rear and affect front and rear sag. | ||
| Philp |
Bueller4Ever, Your sag comments sound good in theory but I can tell you first hand that I neither gained nor lost sag when I moved the forks. But we're off the thread topic. Trekerguy's comments were interesting but I am a bit surprised anyone would take a loan for one of these bikes. At $5-6K for a 2 year old liter bike, they're practically free. From a fiscal responsibility standpoint, I could never take a loan on a supersport bike because then the bank forces me to take comprehensive and collision. If you saved the amount that insurance companies charge on sports bikes, you could have another one paid for in cash in two years or less - one year for a used Buell! Liability, however, is only about $70/year... just my two cents. I'm beginning to think the others have nailed it - it is more a function of the economy coupled with the Buell's "quirks" and being "out of business". A real shame because they are cool bikes. I was riding this weekend and had a blast on the 1125. Made me question whether I really want to sell. | ||
| Dannybuell |
Philp. Save your money and buy outright. Drop the collision and save thousands in the process. Prudence is a virtue in short supply these days. Good stuff. | ||
| Xodot |
Philp - thanks for sharing the suspension settings. Yours are the same as mine @ 185 body weight, just a touch off full soft compression and rebound front and rear. I did not make any fork height adjustments. It's reassuring to see my settings are common. Thought I was weird!  | ||
| Rideecono |
What's your price point? Bikes are harder to sell but sell they will at the right price. I feel sorry for anyone selling any type of Buell they payed full price for. That being said, I sold a 2009 CR for $5200 recently. The bike was pretty much stock with some after market accessories. I basically sold it for how much I owed on it. I didn't lose anything but I didn't gain anything. I miss that bike so make sure you really, really, really want to sale yours. |
