It takes a big man to admit he's wrong...

[atadaskew]

and as I'm not a big man, I'm not going to...  
all kidding aside, I rode up to Newcombes Ranch today and lo and behold, there was a 1125r sitting out front.  I actually thought it looked pretty cool.  DAMMIT!!!
Much much better than in the magazines, because those shots are either from angles that you would not normally see i.e. side profile on your knees, or they seem to be close up shots with a wide angle lens.
This bike reminded me of my old Suzi Tl1000s - a bike that in no way was a looker, but it still was cool.  What Buell needs is different photos to hit the press.
Also, I don't think the colour scheme helps it at all.  The dark blue frame is neat, but the black bodywork that goes with it just looks really dowdy.  They need to spice it up.  A dark metallic red, with pretty heavy metalflake would look crazy with that dark blue frame, as would a metallic orange.  Or metal yellow.  Heck, a nice metallic blue would too!
Nah, the bike looks chunky and purposeful.  Chunky in a don't f with me way.  Just give it some paint already!

p.s. the ride to Newcombes flippin sucked. While it was gorgeous out, the top half of ACH was basically rivers from the melting snow running across the road.

[Brad1445]

If you can admit it, than so can I!  , YOU were wrong.  Gee, your right, I feel better aready.

[Rogue]

I have yet to see one in person.  I guess I'll either have to huff and puff it to San Diego Buell or wait for OC HD/Buell get their next allocation.  I really do NOT like the OC dealer much.

I will try to be very neutral when I judge it.  Although I don't hate the pics.  I thought the Hayabusa was butt-ugly when I first saw its pics!  But I ended up really liking its unique looks.  Some bikes are just really good looking.  Some are just downright ugly.  Some requires time to grow on you.  It is usually bikes that look very different and unique that are the polarizing ones.  

Who was it that mentioned in here:  vehicle designs that look contemporary are usually liked by a larger audience.  But its overall design will fade very quickly.  Vehicles designed with a much more different, unconventional, and more avante guard looks tend to polarize an audience--some will like it, some will hate it.  But it is this design that stands the test of time.

Examples would be Cadillac's angular body, Porsche's 911/928, Hayabusa.  I'm not saying the 1125R's design aesthetics will stand the test of time, but it is certainly polarizing!  

[R Doug]

First time it saw it in a mag, I thought, "yuck"

Then, I saw one on the showroom floor and thought, "that looks pretty good in person."

Finally, I saw it again at the bike show and thought, "what was I thinking, that's ugly."  


 

The verdict is still out for me.  But, I would LOVE to ride one and PRAY they put that engine in a Uly sometime in the near future.

[Snowbird]

The verdict is still out for me.  But, I would LOVE to ride one and PRAY they put that engine in a Uly sometime in the near future.

Does a bike with the Uly's mission need that engine? Isn't the extra hp an overkill and isn't air cooling better if there's a chance of dropping your bike regularly?

[bizarro]

I saw it at the Moto Show in December. I thought it was fucking hideous. The 'Bolt is a much better looking bike.

[R Doug]

Does a bike with the Uly's mission need that engine? Isn't the extra hp an overkill and isn't air cooling better if there's a chance of dropping your bike regularly?

I think it depends on the mission.  I know the thing is billed as a go anywhere bike, but I would never take it off paved roads.  I like it as a naked touring bike which would be better suited w/ the rotax.  

[atadaskew]

I saw it at the Moto Show in December. I thought it was fucking hideous. The 'Bolt is a much better looking bike.

There ya go, someone to carry that torch for me now that I'm on the sideline on this one!

[bizarro]

There ya go, someone to carry that torch for me now that I'm on the sideline on this one!

It's a pretty light torch to carry, that is one ugly damn bike (even if it is probably fun to ride).  

[Brad1445]

Put the torch it, it looks best in the dark.