| Author | Message | ||
     Hdmc_in_cider |
OK guys. HD dealer called me today and I told him I was out. Looks like a run to Action Powersports in Waukesha, WI for me to check out / purchase a 2016 - 17 SX or RX. Buells I have owned are 1995 S2, 1999 X1 and 2009 CR1125. I know the 1125 had cooling issues with the stator or rotor / charging issues and cam chain tensioner failures. How solid of a powertrain is the 1190? Comfort of the RX vs the SX (I'm 55)? Any issues or complaints? All opinions appreciated - good, bad and the ugly. Also, your thoughts if EBR is in it for the long haul with LAP. | ||
| Hughlysses |
You'll probably get more replies if you post in the EBR sub-forum. I don't own one yet, but I have followed them closely. The engine seems to be very solid. I have seen rare reports of cam failures (spalling is found on the lobe face when checking valve clearances at ~10,000+ miles), but that seems to have been a short-term QC issue. I haven't ridden an RX, but the peg placement is the same as the SX, and those pegs are noticeably high. Apparently lower replacements are pretty easy to source. | ||
| Hdmc_in_cider |
MOVED TO EBR Forum..... OK guys. HD dealer called me today and I told him I was out. Looks like a run to Action Powersports in Waukesha, WI for me to check out / purchase a 2016 - 17 SX or RX. Buells I have owned are 1995 S2, 1999 X1 and 2009 CR1125. I know the 1125 had cooling issues with the stator or rotor / charging issues and cam chain tensioner failures. How solid of a powertrain is the 1190? Comfort of the RX vs the SX (I'm 55)? Any issues or complaints? All opinions appreciated - good, bad and the ugly. Also, your thoughts if EBR is in it for the long haul with LAP. | ||
| Hdmc_in_cider |
Moved to EBR sub forum. Thanks Hughlysses. | ||
| Johndd |
What about the Black Lightning? •Stealth blacked-out treatment •Motorcycle has been lowered 2 inches •Seat height is 2 inches lower (with stock seat), 30.5” vs. 32.5” •Optional Corbin Seat, increasing comfort and style •Handlebars are 2 inches higher with a new, more comfortable bend •Footpegs are 1 inch lower •Revised gearing for improved torque and acceleration | ||
| Ljm |
I have about 7,000 miles on 1190's but not the same one, so longevity-wise, can't say. No engine problems for me though. Many of the problems of the 1125's worked out in this version of the engine, esp. the stator problem. With the reflash of the 14 ECM and new display software, better fueling and eliminated the early comm errors. I am older than you are. The SX is a little better by virtue of sitting more upright, but the RX is not uncomfortable by any means. I have to admit though like I've said before, the RS seat pan and pad actually fits me the best. Get a powerbronze windscreen if you get an RX for more wind protection. I never like the 1125 windscreen and changed them all to double bubble, and don't like the RX windscreen either. A few of us with 14's have had chain rub wear. For me, only on RX, not the SX. I may have it worked out (fingers crossed). Not great support though to resolve it. Overall, I like the bike, and the SX is probably my favorite. I've had 13 Buells and EBR's starting with a 2002 X1. Like them a lot. Don't know about LAP over the long run, but have corresponded with Bill. Seems like a standup guy. My .02 Larry | ||
| Crusty |
I am far from an expert, but I'm willing to give you my opinion. I'm going to buy an 1190 SX, put the taller bars, lower foot pegs and 44 tooth sprocket and chain from a Black Lightning on it. I'm planning a few more modifications, as well. All of which are for the express purpose of making it better for a ride to the Arctic Ocean. Well, the Beaufort Sea, actually which is part of the Arctic Ocean. All told, it will be something like a 10,000 mile trip. I don't expect any trouble from the bike. Between the bars, pegs and the Corbin seat, which I also plan to put on the bike, I think it will be quite comfortable to ride for that distance. I'm 66, if that helps to allay any fears about comfort. | ||
| Reepicheep |
If you are in a position to buy a newish bike, and have any kind of interest in high performance, the current package from EBR is nothing short of staggering in terms of what it does versus what it costs. It's a no brainer. There is some risk with warranty / parts / future resale. But I think it is more percieved than actual. It isn't that the risk isn't there with EBR / LAP. It's that the risk is more there than you think with "everyone else" also. I believe it is almost trivial, and fairly common, for dealers to screw people on warranty claims for high performance motorcycles. Find a way to not cover it, find a way to add costs, bake costs into normal work, cobble a fix until it is out of warranty, etc. Used high performance bikes are a trainwreck of resale values no matter who makes them. Failures arent that common, and your up front costs are pretty low anyway, so even if you do have a $4000 engine repair, are you really that screwed having a $15K 1190SX as opposed to a $9k 1190SX? And I say that as a guy with a 2007 Uly in the garage, with a replacement crank on the workbench, who "lost" this particular lottery already. I paid $5k for the Uly with 10k miles on it. I put 20k miles on it. I'll put another $2k (cash) and 40 hours (labor) in it by the time I redo the heads, valves, split the cases, and refresh everything that looks a little worn. Kinda sucks, but kinda "meh". Several years of happy Uly riding for $5k. OK, fine. It's probably more emotional than anything. It's a little scary. But it will also be a true hand built exotic in both performance and unusualness. And Id argue they are now the best Buells EVER made. | ||
| Zacks |
James at Action Powersports used to work at EBR. His enthusiasm for the brand shows. I test drove both the RX and SX at Hal's. Neither was setup properly, so left there with still a question mark regarding ownership. Figured an hour in the shop with the wrenches would have either set up like I preferred, but from that ride wasn't impressed enough to move on from the 1125 and plunk down the cash. Then ran into a 'you got to take this bike' deal from another dealer, so an RX joined the stable. Currently there's an XB12R, 1125R and RX sharing quarters. So opinions: To ME, the SX looks unfinished. And it's likely what I'm used to, but the riding position on the RX doesn't bother me. You could talk me out of keeping the 1125, but the Firebolt and RX are staying. If you wrench on your own machines, I don't see an issue. If you depend on a dealer for service work, that's something you have to take into consideration. I bought mine when EBR was closed down and figured it was a gamble (parts etc) I was willing to take. That hasn't changed. The 1190 is shrink wrapped. Had the devil's own time trying to run a power line up to the heated grips. It WILL not go up the left side and on the right side you have to watch out for the exhaust. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Fair point about dealer dependence, but that's not unique to EBR. I live pretty near Cincinnati, OH. Not what you would call a minor city, particularly in the midwest. My neighbor has a BMW bike. His nearest dealer for an oil change is about 90 minutes away in Columbus last I checked. If I bought an EBR, my local dealer would be about the same distance (near Indianapolis). Both dealers are inconvenient. Both dealers have very good reputations. I'll take the 4 hour round trip every time if it means the work will be done right. Compare that with my "local buell dealer" when I had the M2. Read: Harley Dealer. They were 9 minutes from me. And when I had them put on a new front tire, they managed to put on two different sliced tires and to bend the rotor before I got the bike back (seriously). Anyway, I guess the point I am making isn't that getting an EBR serviced will be easy. It's that getting anything serviced well these days seems hard. | ||
| Hdmc_in_cider |
Thanks for the input guys. Going to talk to James tomorrow. Much appreciated. | ||
| Twirlin |
+1 to the comment about James @ Action, and his enthusiasm for the brand. I fee as confident as I've ever felt on a Buell product, and with Action backing them, even more so. Tell him Nick says hey. |
