Buell 1125R Review

[marko138]

I had a chance to ride the new 1125R back in September at a Buell sponsored track day at Pocono's East Course. The bikes were pre-production models and the Buell reps asked us to fill out survey's after the ride and let them know of any issues we had with the bikes.

My initial response to the bike was that it was ugly. The radiator scoops on that thing looked hideous in pics. However, that feeling disappeared when I saw the bike in person. The scoops and nose fairing aren't nearly as huge in real life as they appear in pictures.


Now let's get down to business...


On the track this baby rolls. The exhaust sounds good, but not overly loud. Handling is typical of the Buells. Goes where you want it with little effort. Pulls like a freight train from just about any RPM and any gear. It's a total joy to ride. Very forgiving and very easy to go fast on. Nice top end on it too. A lot more so than the XB's. The slipper clutch was really nice. A lot of guys where saying how flawless it was when just clicking down a gear and dumping the clutch. As a guy who blips on the down shift it worked very well for me. The stock Pirelli's have great grip. Ergo's are pretty comfortable as well.

The best thing about this bike, and most v twins for that matter, was the torque. Buell claims something like 83 or 84 ft lbs of torque. It felt like it too. The front end gets very light between corners.

The ZTL brake on the front does an incredible job of slowing that sucker down at the end of the straight. It's easily a 1 or 2 finger job to slow it from triple digits.


There were a few things I didn't like about the bike. First...they were all running sort of hot. Around 200*. Although after some discussions with Vtwin owners, 200 doesn't seem to be a concern. This was the end of September, so air temps weren't hot at all. The Buell rep down played the 200* and said it wasn't an issue. Also, all the demo bikes had a nasty black scuff of the right side of the swingarm from the rider's boots. It was odd to feel the swingarm moving against my boot. And my other complaint was that the rear brake pedal was sort of tough to reach. It was placed oddly behind the clutch cover and took a very deliberate movement to reach.


The bottom line was I LOVED the bike. If I had the cash I woulda dropped the money right then and there for the 1125R. It was a BLAST to ride. Insanely fun. But then again, most V's are.


Here's two shots of me on the 1125.

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m95/markgraves138/bike%20pics/Q2.jpg

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m95/markgraves138/bike%20pics/P2.jpg

[marko138]

Also....Buell is claiming something like 134hp to the wheel. And 82 or 83 ft pounds of torque.

Well they aren't far off. I've seen a 1125R dyno sheet. Hows bout this: 141HP and 80 ft lbs. BIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIITCH! Buell FTMFW!



Torque curve damn near flat as a fucking board from 3k all the way to the 10k redline.

[Rider]

What is MSRP on those things? If I remember right they are around the $11.5K range?

[marko138]

What is MSRP on those things? If I remember right they are around the $11.5K range?

It's either 11.5 or 11.9.

[marko138]

Here's the dyno sheet. I blatantly and shamelessly stole this from a Buell board:

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/134/322963tq2.jpg


And for comparison:

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/Photos/37453Aprilia_RSV_Ducati_1098_hp.jpg

http://images.sportrider.com/bikes/146_0310_z+twin_dyno_horsepower+.gif

[dReWpY]

200* aint bad for a vtwin truthfully

[Mr Lefty]

damn the 1125R is looking sexier and sexier:drool:

[Gas Man]

I didn't get to ride it but it is one sweet bike in person.

[Mr Lefty]

what does the 1098 put down for Torque? damn the Buell numbers are quite impressive! can't wait to see the thing in RL!

[Rider]

what does the 1098 put down for Torque? damn the Buell numbers are quite impressive! can't wait to see the thing in RL!

If I remember correctly its about 90.

[marko138]

If I remember correctly its about 90.

Maybe the new hopped up 1098. But no way the standard puts down 90.

[Rider]

Maybe the new hopped up 1098. But no way the standard puts down 90.

Right off the Ducati site:

90.4 lb-ft @ 8000rpm (At the wheel of course)

And thats the standard 1098, not the 1098R ,that puts down 99.1lb-ft @ 7750rpm

[marko138]

Right off the Ducati site:

90.4 lb-ft @ 8000rpm (At the wheel of course)

And thats the standard 1098, not the 1098R ,that puts down 99.1lb-ft @ 7750rpm

Thats impressive. I'd like to see a dyno sheet. Have you ridden one?

[Rider]

Thats impressive. I'd like to see a dyno sheet. Have you ridden one?

Me too, No I haven't ridden one, but I'd love to. I have a Demo set up to ride the 848 in the spring.

[marko138]

Me too, No I haven't ridden one, but I'd love to. I have a Demo set up to ride the 848 in the spring.

NICE! That thing sounds like a great bike. The SR article about it says it is way easier to ride than the 1098. I want to ride a Hypermotard. Those are insane.

[Rider]

NICE! That thing sounds like a great bike. The SR article about it says it is way easier to ride than the 1098. I want to ride a Hypermotard. Those are insane.

I saw one sitting right next to the 848 at the bike show this weekend. Very nice. I dont really know anything about them, but I'd ride one given the chance.

[marko138]

I saw one sitting right next to the 848 at the bike show this weekend. Very nice. I dont really know anything about them, but I'd ride one given the chance.

I sat on one...never rode. They are small. And tall. It's almost like nothing is there. Wide bars. Would probly have tremendous leverage. But I'm the same height as you and I can't flat foot at all.

[Rider]

I sat on one...never rode. They are small. And tall. It's almost like nothing is there. Wide bars. Would probly have tremendous leverage. But I'm the same height as you and I can't flat foot at all.

Sound just like a dirt bike. :dthumb:

[marko138]

Sound just like a dirt bike. :dthumb:

Exactly. With an enourmous Vtwin in it.

[Rider]

Exactly. With an enourmous Vtwin in it.

Must wheelie like liter bike with a dinner plate sprokett. :dthumb:

[marko138]

Must wheelie like liter bike with a dinner plate sprokett. :dthumb:

Every vid I've ever seen of it the thing is on one wheel. Front or back....doesn't matter. It's got the 1098 brakes on it...which are overkill for that bike.

[Rider]

Every vid I've ever seen of it the thing is on one wheel. Front or back....doesn't matter. It's got the 1098 brakes on it...which are overkill for that bike.

Thats insane.... :kawi:

[marko138]

Thats insane.... :kawi:

Yeah. I'm hoping to ride one on a Duc demo day this year.

[Rider]

Yeah. I'm hoping to ride one on a Duc demo day this year.

Then a full review will be expected.

[marko138]

Of course. I'm doing the Vtwin tour this spring. :lol:

[Mr Lefty]

Yeah I love the new 1098 and 848... they've got everything in my opinion... (except all day comfort :lol:)

[marko138]

Yeah I love the new 1098 and 848... they've got everything in my opinion... (except all day comfort :lol:)

Thats where the Buell comes to the rescue.

[Rider]

Yeah I love the new 1098 and 848... they've got everything in my opinion... (except all day comfort :lol:)

Does any SS have all day comfort?

[marko138]

Mine has about 10 minute comfort.

[Rider]

What about that Buell though? All day comfort?

[dReWpY]

Does any SS have all day comfort?

im hopeing mine has an 8 day, 5000-6000 mile comfort

[Mr Lefty]

Thats where the Buell comes to the rescue.

I've heard the Buell was just as hard as the rest... :idk:

Does any SS have all day comfort?

depends on what define as an SS... I think mine is pretty damn comfortable... Drewpy apparently does with his... that or he's just fucking insane for going cross country on that thing...

(I'm going with the latter... and I'm jealous as hell! of him... not the bike:fu2:)

Mine has about 10 minute comfort.

I thought your's would be one to last all day on for sure! :wtf:


What about that Buell though? All day comfort?

:withstupid:

[Mr Lefty]

yup multi quote works :dvrofl:

[marko138]

What about that Buell though? All day comfort?

I think it's pretty comfortable...I've read the same from alot of other places too.

[Cutty72]

200* aint bad for a vtwin truthfully

right... my SV generally runs about 200 on a hot day
180 when runnin on the highway

[Cutty72]

What is MSRP on those things? If I remember right they are around the $11.5K range?

$11990. And i've heard of places getting OVER MSRP for them.

have to see what kinda strings i can pull.

[marko138]

$11990. And i've heard of places getting OVER MSRP for them.

have to see what kinda strings i can pull.

Yeah...our local dealer is running 12,995. Motherfuckers. I'll cut them.

[Cutty72]

Yeah...our local dealer is running 12,995. Motherfuckers. I'll cut them.

no fucking way i'm paying OVER MSRP!

[marko138]

no fucking way i'm paying OVER MSRP!

Me either. I'll fight them.

[Captain Morgan]

wow, they let you test it on a track? Sweet!

[marko138]

wow, they let you test it on a track? Sweet!

Yeah and they are doing the same thing this year.

[vabarber2]

:drool: lucky you!

[jalaan1]

Yeah and they are doing the same thing this year.

they are?
gotta check into that. would love to test ride one.:drool:

[marko138]

they are?
gotta check into that. would love to test ride one.:drool:

Buell.com. Look for the Inside Pass track day.

[jalaan1]

thanks, on there now.

[jalaan1]

they've got one scheduled in Oct. @ that new track that's being
built in NJ.

[Mule]

doing it tomorrow.... Homestead-Miami Speedway Buell Inside Pass track day!!!!!

[jalaan1]

^^^^ good, will need a review from you as well sir!

[vabarber2]

^^^^ good, will need a review from you as well sir!
Yup!!

[Mule]

^^^^ good, will need a review from you as well sir!

i demo'd this bike back in december and found it really hard to go back to riding my XB after that....

i agree with everything that Marko said, with the exception of the clutch controls and foot positioning....I didn't find any

[marko138]

they've got one scheduled in Oct. @ that new track that's being
built in NJ.

Yep...and I believe the novice group is already filled.

[Cutty72]

Found a write up on a journalist that low sided a 1125R at an inside pass track day

here's the link.

http://www.2wf.com/content/view/1366/44/1/0/

[JoJoYZF]

Its funny that this thread came back today. I actually just saw and sat on an 1125r today for the first time (first time seeing in person) and it is pretty damn nice bike. I have to agree too that the front intakes arent nearly as ugly in person and it was relatively comfortable. The only thing I didnt really like was how tall it was. I could put my feet down, but I was still on my toes. Other than that I wouldnt mind one.

[Cutty72]

Its funny that this thread came back today. I actually just saw and sat on an 1125r today for the first time (first time seeing in person) and it is pretty damn nice bike. I have to agree too that the front intakes arent nearly as ugly in person and it was relatively comfortable. The only thing I didnt really like was how tall it was. I could put my feet down, but I was still on my toes. Other than that I wouldnt mind one.


They are a BLAST to ride...
Hit 100 miles tonight before I got chilly.
Power seems to just keep building as I get more miles on it!!

[dReWpY]

come to the gap. i cant wait to pit the rc against the new contestant.... can i lure you into a corner by chance....

cutty, u a knee dragger?

sparky's for the mother fucking win...

[Cutty72]

come to the gap. i cant wait to pit the rc against the new contestant.... can i lure you into a corner by chance....

cutty, u a knee dragger?

sparky's for the mother fucking win...

uh, knee dragger... not yet. Remember, I live in ND, land of no corners.

There are a couple 1125's at the gap, saw the pics on killboy.
one stock colored, another repainted the black to a burnt orange.

[dReWpY]

that exhaust needs to get gone

[JoJoYZF]

that exhaust needs to get gone

Agreed. Im not a fan of the look of it.

[Cutty72]

The look isn't as bad in person. It kinda blends with the bike.
My biggest worry with changing it is losing the kick ass torque curve... or line in this case.

[Mr Lefty]

that blue frame with the burnt orange looks like SHIT!

[Cutty72]

that blue frame with the burnt orange looks like SHIT!

yeah, looks better black.

He's talking about doing frame and wheels black over the winter... but with the frame as the gas tank, it's harder to find a powder coater to do it.

[BobTheBiker]

I took a look at one of these today at the harley dealership, it sits like a KLR650, but it feels so nicely balanced, and light. I mean you'd think it was an EX500, not a big fucking 1125.

I talked to the sales rep a little, and am thinking seriously about buying one for myself now, just to play with it. they seriously look VERY VERY VERY good in person. everything I looked at was just so nice, clean and refined. a fender eliminator is ALL I"d need to do, and its perfect.

[Cutty72]

I took a look at one of these today at the harley dealership, it sits like a KLR650, but it feels so nicely balanced, and light. I mean you'd think it was an EX500, not a big fucking 1125.

I talked to the sales rep a little, and am thinking seriously about buying one for myself now, just to play with it. they seriously look VERY VERY VERY good in person. everything I looked at was just so nice, clean and refined. a fender eliminator is ALL I"d need to do, and its perfect.


and that's the thing I like... of all the factory bikes out there, the buell has one of the cleanest tails out there.

[Dave]

They are a BLAST to ride...
Hit 100 miles tonight before I got chilly.
Power seems to just keep building as I get more miles on it!!

uh 100 total? i hope thats a typo

[Mr Lefty]

uh 100 total? i hope thats a typo

to be fair he does live in ND... and shit gets fuck'n cold and windy there...

but yeah... 100 is pretty weak... :lol:

[marko138]

Cutty...have you had the latest re-flash done? I'm reading it makes the bike all but perfect!!!!!

[Phenix_Rider]

I took a look at one of these today at the harley dealership, it sits like a KLR650, but it feels so nicely balanced, and light. I mean you'd think it was an EX500, not a big fucking 1125.


...or a 650R... It feels a whole lot like my bike with the lower bars I put on. More comfortable than the 'Bolt, because you don't have as much of a stretch to the clipons. If your feet are any bigger than about a 10, you'll have to remove the passenger pegs to avoid getting hung up.

[JoJoYZF]

uh 100 total? i hope thats a typo

Im gonna go out on a limb and say that was for just that ride.

[jeeps84]

I want to ride a Hypermotard. Those are insane.

I got to ride a Hypermotard at the VIR race this year. It would suck off road. Too damn heavy and torquey. Loads of fun on the street tho.

I still havent scored a ride on 1125 yet. I do like it tho.

[marko138]

I got to ride a Hypermotard at the VIR race this year. It would suck off road. Too damn heavy and torquey. Loads of fun on the street tho.

I still havent scored a ride on 1125 yet. I do like it tho.
It's just want the Hyper for street duty. The 1125 is sick. But I love my Firebolt.

[jeeps84]

NICE! That thing sounds like a great bike. The SR article about it says it is way easier to ride than the 1098. I want to ride a Hypermotard. Those are insane.

I would rather have a Monster. Slightly more versatile.

[Cutty72]

uh 100 total? i hope thats a typo

Yes it was 100 total. Remember like Ebbs said, I live in ND... there was still snow on the ground when I bought the bike (like lots of snow) and it was cold as shit. I was working from dark to dark basically, so no sun = colder temps too. and at that point, I had the bike for 3 days!
Sorry, to me, I'm not going to risk my brand new bike on icy roads just cause it's new... there was lots of summer left and the 7K on it now attest to that.

Cutty...have you had the latest re-flash done? I'm reading it makes the bike all but perfect!!!!!

No... just got the info on it. Probalby going to wait till I park it before I send it in to get that. Any time it goes to the shop, I'm w/o it for 3+ days. Granted... with farming now, I'm not really riding anyway...
I guess I may have to get it in and then ride it a bit to see the difference. But with highs in the 60's and lows in the 30's... heat isn't an issue right now anyway :lol: