Rode the 1125R on the track last week

[1KPerDay]

I rode the new buell for 4 track sessions at miller last week. We were the first non-journalists to get to ride them.



It




ROCKS.







A LOT of people were there, from all walks of moto-life. All were very impressed. That bike is huge fun to ride. Huge power, torque everywhere, stellar chassis, stellar brakes, awesome, neutral, stable handling from vertical to leaned waaaaaaay over. Trail braking no problem. Clutchless shifting no problem. Ergos very reasonable. Slipper clutch RULES. Sounds great, looks sinister and cool in person.


Overall the best bike I've ever ridden.    


I think they'll sell a lot of them, particularly to people who attend these buell trackday demos. If there's one close to you, or not so close.... DO IT.

[ksann]

No pics?



I also love that bike, I dont forsee owning one, but it is hott.



ken

[DogBoy]

I rode the new buell for 4 track sessions at miller last week.

I hate you.

[Rincewind]

[Snowbird]

I know one thing for certain: No way no how is Buell going to go to all the trouble of bringing out a new engine and have that engine in only one bike. You can bet your sweet ones that there's a proper sport-tourer in Buell's future... and that is the bike I'll buy.

I can harldy wait to be a one-bike guy again.

[JamesG]

Yup. This is why I didn't buy an '08 Uly.  I'm waiting for the rotax version.  

[Bueller]

I hate you.

+1

[Thunderbox]

Yup. This is why I didn't buy an '08 Uly.  I'm waiting for the rotax version.  

Well I'm 3 years ahead of your thinking.  I got an 06 Uly and it is awsum.  I will be looking at a new one around 2009 or 2010.  Just in time for the new Uly.  I have to say it's not a done deal I need to ride one and not the 1125R but a Uly with that engine before I make up my mind.  Looks good but I am already spoiled.  I stoped looking at other bikes 3 summers ago.

[WarER4X]

Maybe if I owned one of these, my future in-laws wouldn't make fun of me as much (they're a Harley family).  Then again, my fiance things that big guys on small bikes looks silly.  I'm hoping they'll have one to sit on at this winter's IMS.

-SR-

[1KPerDay]

Here's the only pic I managed to take of the buells...



Here's the big heavy (fast) pig I rode for the first session...   I should have left the saddlebags on.

[bizarro]

Interesting.... wish you'd gotten more photographs. And further observations other than 'it rocks!'? How was the fueling? Ergos? Do you think it would be comfortable in traffic?

[Rincewind]

Here's the only pic I managed to take of the buells...

   Looks like a bunch of extras for a Star Wars movie.  

[Jake Harsha]

 

I beg to differ.  This thread was better off without 'em, sez I!  


Jake

[Busy Little Whiner]

Yup. This is why I didn't buy an '08 Uly.  I'm waiting for the rotax version.  

I'm waiting for Erik's V4 version...

[1KPerDay]

Interesting.... wish you'd gotten more photographs. And further observations other than 'it rocks!'? How was the fueling? Ergos? Do you think it would be comfortable in traffic?

2 of the bikes I rode had no fueling problems; one had a stumble at about 8500, but only if you held it there. It also felt like it was starting to run out of fuel on my last lap at about 10K, but we checked and it was fine. They're 'prototype' bikes and they say the fueling niggles will be worked out before full production. Off idle was great, pulled like a train from about 2K to redline at 10.5K. Minor drop in power at about 10K. I bumped the rev limiter a couple of times in fast corners but I was a gear or 2 low... I rode the first session behind one of the buell guys and he was HAULING. I kept the revs up and was riding at about 100% of my comfort level/ability. The next session we had a different leader and he took better lines. I decided to stay a gear or 2 higher and it didn't make any difference... the laps were at least as quick but I didn't feel harried. The engine is stellar; no driveline lash at all (which is amazing, particularly after being used to big ZX-11 based Kawis with a bit of lash and tons of power right off idle). The buell accellerated at least as hard if not harder than my ZZR (which pulls very strongly) due to it being at least 150 lbs lighter, if not 200. I'm guessing wet weight is in the 420lb range. Diablo Corsa III tires stuck like glue and I felt absolutely confident leaning way over.

Mid-corner corrections weren't a problem, and even when I got sloppy with the throttle mid-corner it just gave one wiggle and settled down.

I actually almost highsided early on before I'd learned the east half of the track adequately (I'd only ridden the west half before and at the buell day we ran the full track, which is serious fun). I came out of a fastish left hander and the road sort of goes away grade-wise there and I got out onto the rumble strip... the rear slid a bit and the bike gave one good shake (re-tearing my shoulder muscles in the process) but settled right down. I was very surprised to find such a short bike was so stable and forgiving of stupidity.

The pegs are high but not so high that you say 'holy crap' when mounting the bike, and if anything they're too far forward for me... an inch or so rearward would fit me better but would hurt your knees. The bars look forward but the seat/bar distance is short so it's actually pretty comfortable. At full speed on the long straight I couldn't get behind the windscreen fully (I'm 6'3" with a long torso) but it was only the mid/top of my helmet getting ripped by the wind. If I could have slid back a couple more inches in the seat I could have gotten behind the windscreen but I was as far back as I could go.

Brakes are really 1 or 2 finger stoppers, and the thing just STOPS. One guy complained about funky braking but he was the only one; I suspect that disc had been abused by the motojournalists and was warped or something. The bikes didn't get a break and were run very hard for about 8 straight hours... no issues I was aware of.

I was wearing thin Darien pants and could feel some heat through the frame rails but nothing close to painful... it's similar to the heat through the rails on my ZZR; perhaps a bit warmer. I noted NO radiator or exhaust heat. They really routed that air well.

It sounds vaguely rattly and fluttery at idle, kind of ducati-ish, but it really sounds meaty and good when you're on it or listening to others pass at speed.

Since we were doing roughly 20-minute sessions it's kind of difficult to discuss street ergos; however when sitting on the 675 I felt almost immediately that this bike was not for me; the buell feels very plush in comparison.

A couple of times the 1125 groups would catch up to coaches or buell riders on XB12s... I'd try to get past them after a corner but those bikes have serious squirt out of low to mid-speed corners, at least as much as the 1125. However, once speeds get above 100 or so (I'm guessing) the 1200s seemed to hit a wall while the 1125s just keep ripping all the way down the straight. There's really no comparison.

I really wanted to ride the entire fleet of Buells (last spring they had all their models available) but they decided to just bring 1125s, and I'm not disappointed in that regard. The bike is seriously quick and handles unbelievably well. I want one.

[bizarro]

How are the vibes at idle/low rpms?

I really appreciate the regular joe reviews (not that 1k is by any means regular... ). Though I think it's an ugly bike you're getting me really interested in test riding one of these.  

[MisterSmooth]

1K, I'm really pleased to see this bike produced.  It seems like one of the best parts of the Tuono (the kick-ass engine) mated to a chassis that deserves this engine.

It's fantastic that Buell exists at all (an American company making mass-produced sportbikes) and maybe this will be the big sales winner that will get Erik a little further out of the "quirky" niche and a little more into the mainstream.

I hoped that the Uly might be the breakthrough bike, but it remains a bike for people who want something different from a GS, rather than something better than a GS.

Wouldn't it be great if people bought Buell 1125's because they were better than a 1098 instead of different from a 1098?


Thanks for posting your impressions.  The Avocado of Death scoops the entire freakin' world!  

[1KPerDay]

How are the vibes at idle/low rpms?

I didn't notice them at low or mid rpms but you do notice them at about 8K and up, but by then you have other things to worry about.

[Rogue]

How are the vibes at idle/low rpms?

  You oughta be used to vibes by now.

[bizarro]

  You oughta be used to vibes by now.

Oh, I am.  Actually, the Goose isn't too bad once it's warmed up. It's a bit vibey at idle, but the real vibes are at higher revs and mostly just in the right foot peg.

[xbud]

I know one thing for certain: No way no how is Buell going to go to all the trouble of bringing out a new engine and have that engine in only one bike. You can bet your sweet ones that there's a proper sport-tourer in Buell's future... and that is the bike I'll buy.

 Amen brother...With Ducati Dropping the ST3 the hunt for a new Twin Sport Tourer is on.  

[1KPerDay]

http://www.dvkphoto.com/BUELL/070906/eventindex.html

Some pretty good shots in intermediate 1
http://www.dvkphoto.com/BUELL/070906/photodetail_intermediate1_BY.html

I'm in the moldy blue stich.

[R Doug]

I just want to chime in to say, "you suck!"  

[Lon]

Noice, 1K!

I'm insanely jealous.

Your review is hurting my wallet already.

[Snowbird]

 Amen brother...With Ducati Dropping the ST3 the hunt for a new Twin Sport Tourer is on.  

What's your guess for a time frame? Spring 2008 or fall 2008?

[nanbil]

I've read that the 1125R is actually fairly comfortable and could be used as a long distance mount.  What is your assessment regarding using the 1125R as a sporty sport-touring bike?

[Kootenanny]

Nice review.  Quite a different tone in this thread than the one on that "other" forum, eh?

I, too, am jealous of you, but I do appreciate the review.  Since I already own a Firebolt, and don't find myself wanting more power, I doubt I'll be buying an 1125R anytime soon--much as I appreciate what Buell's doing with them.

[Snowbird]

What is your assessment regarding using the 1125R as a sporty sport-touring bike?

That's going to vary rider by rider. You're going to have to sit on one yourself, unless you happen to know that whomever your question is addressed to has identical criteria as your own.

It doesn't take a second look at the pictures of that bike to know that-- for me-- the bike is a no-go.

[nanbil]

That's going to vary rider by rider. You're going to have to sit on one yourself, unless you happen to know that whomever your question is addressed to has identical criteria as your own.

It doesn't take a second look at the pictures of that bike to know that-- for me-- the bike is a no-go.

OK that's fair enough; how does its ergos compare to your Futura's ergos?

[1KPerDay]

You'll have to wait until he sits on an 1125R. I understand the 1125 is relaxed a bit from the Firebolts, and people tour on those all the time. If anything the 1125 should be better regarding wind protection, and ostensibly fuel range. It carries about 2 more gallons, but it remains to be seen if it'll get the stellar mileage the air-colled buells do. I'm guessing it won't.

[heinee]

You lucky bastard

I hope you get a rusty bottom  

[MisterSmooth]

You'll have to wait until he sits on an 1125R. I understand the 1125 is relaxed a bit from the Firebolts, and people tour on those all the time. If anything the 1125 should be better regarding wind protection, and ostensibly fuel range. It carries about 2 more gallons, but it remains to be seen if it'll get the stellar mileage the air-colled buells do. I'm guessing it won't.

I'm guessing you're right.  My Tuono is kind of a pig for a motorbike:  30 mpg in town regularly.    And it's got a similar engine.

[pearsonm]

What’s the clutch like? The Firebolts and Lightenings I’ve tried on the showroom floor feel like the cables are seized.

[1KPerDay]

Buttery. I didn't have to think about it.

[Kootenanny]

What’s the clutch like? The Firebolts and Lightenings I’ve tried on the showroom floor feel like the cables are seized.

Wimp  

Yeah, the clutch on my Firebolt is stiff, but I only notice it when I get on something else with a lighter clutch.  Honestly, when riding I just don't notice the clutch pull (of course, I seldom ride in traffic )  The new (06+) Buells all have much lighter clutches, anyway--and as for the 1125R, well since the engine/transmission is all new, why would any attributes of the air-cooled Thunderstorm engines carry over?

If you really want a light clutch, ride one of the smaller (620-695-800cc) recent Ducatis.  These things have clutches so light, you think it's not working at all!

[Rogue]

What’s the clutch like? The Firebolts and Lightenings I’ve tried on the showroom floor feel like the cables are seized.

'06 and later Buells have revised trannies with smoother shifting and much lighter clutch pulls.  Mine is as light as my VFR.

[xbud]

What's your guess for a time frame? Spring 2008 or fall 2008?

  Just guessing (Of Course), I would think early fall 2008, they are going to want the 1125R absorb as many sales as possible, and give it some time for aftermarket mods to come out before releasing a new "Lightning style 1125R".

[Snowbird]

  Just guessing (Of Course), I would think early fall 2008, they are going to want the 1125R absorb as many sales as possible, and give it some time for aftermarket mods to come out before releasing a new "Lightning style 1125R".

I can't wait!  

[DannyZRC]

Re: ergos, based on sitting on one at the USGP, I'd say it's about 1 click further down the insano scale as compare to my VFR, certainly liveable for me as a 2nd bike, not in the same league as the racer reps in terms of pretzeling.

manageable for a long day, but certainly not for long dayS.

I can't wait to ride one.

[MilleArp]

I was never into cruisers or V-twin tourers.  Even if I was, would prolly buy Victory, just because.

The 1125R is the first "American" bike that truly has my interest as a bike I'd purchase.

(This is my first post in a Harley-eque forum !)

.

[spinalator]

I of course missed this thread, but am happy that 1K was able to sit his sensitve bottom on a cool new bike.

[theroamr]

I rode it at mid Oh 10-04-2007

[1KPerDay]

  So whadja think?

[theroamr]

Power is great and linear. Handling was set up for a 170-190 lb rider, Im 215 and it still felt great. Was fairly comfortable. I was impressed with the overall bike quality, just seemed put together well. It would easliy walk away from my xb 12 now, it walked away from other inline 600's. I didnt get a comparo vs a inline 1000.