1125r places 2nd in German endurance race

[st ryder]

As posted on the Kneeslider site:
http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2008/03/27/buell-1125r-takes-2nd-and-5th-in-first-race/

"Buell press release:

BUELL ON PODIUM AT HOCKENHEIM 1000
New 1125R Makes German Racing Debut on Easter Weekend

The brand-new Buell 1125R delivered a stunning debut at the start of the German racing season on Easter Saturday, posting 2nd and 5th place finishes on Hockenheim’s demanding Grand Prix circuit.

Over the past 33 years, the 1000-km of Hockenheim has not only become the established prelude to the German motorcycle racing season, the traditional endurance race is also considered the most important German production-based racing event for motorcycles. This year, BMW and KTM each supplied selected teams with extensive factory support, both competing in Class 4 for four-stroke motorcycles of unlimited displacement with three cylinders or less that features the best and most popular riders. No fewer than four BMW HP2 Sports and five KTM RC 8s claimed chances to win in a grid of 32 motorbikes that also held numerous Ducatis and Aprilias.

But as it turned out, others were to provide the true sensation on March 22nd – the only two competing Buell 1125R, entered into the race by the Buell dealers of Bonn and Hannover. Both bikes had only arrived in Germany three days before Easter, but despite minimal preparation, caused a stir right from the start with scorching lap times at low ambient temperatures on a dry track. In the sprint race over 14 laps, riders Axel Reimann and Ray Buchmann realized the 1125R’s full potential and left nearly the whole field behind, beaten only by the factory supported BMW under former Moto GP racer Jürgen Fuchs and professional racer Marcus Barth.

Volker Schirmer, manager of Buell Hannover, could not disguise his enthusiasm over his team’s second place finish. “I am absolutely ecstatic. The 1125R is a quantum leap in output and performance. The 146 hp V2 engine, developed by Rotax to Buell specifications, is a perfect match for the best chassis that Erik Buell has ever designed.”

After coming in fifth, riders Julius Ilmberger and Martin Kratzer were also delighted with the new Buell. “With slightly harder tires, our chances would have been even better,” said Andreas Binner, boss of Buell Bonn. “But even so, I am really happy – my boys have done a fantastic job, and the 1125R is up for success.”

[Sound Uly]

Just to show everyone that the German race wasn't a fluke Buell decides to repeat in the ProTwins at LeMans.   It was Ducati 1098R/Buell 1125R/Ducati 1098R/Buell 1125R at LeMans on Sunday.   2nd place Buell was only .034 seconds off the #1 Ducati!   This is very exciting for our little American manufacturer.  

Ron

[Towjam]

Just to show everyone that the German race wasn't a fluke Buell decides to repeat in the ProTwins at LeMans.   It was Ducati 1098R/Buell 1125R/Ducati 1098R/Buell 1125R at LeMans on Sunday.   2nd place Buell was only .034 seconds off the #1 Ducati!   This is very exciting for our little American manufacturer.  

Do you have a link to the final results?  I'd like to see if BMW was running the HP2 and if so, how far back it finished behind the Buell.

Exciting times indeed for Erik and the elves!!!!

[Sound Uly]

There is some discussion on Badweb that includes the results from the race.  Doesn't appear to be any HP2s involved.

http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/290431/348850.html?1207099118

Cheers!

[naustin]

Fricken cool.  I believe there were HP2s in the German race...  But I don't have a link...

[bubba zanetti]

 

Very cool. Nice to see this engine doing so well.  

[Brad1445]

 

Very cool. Nice to see this engine doing so well.  

+1

[nanbil]

 

Very cool. Nice to see this engine doing so well.  

+1

Hey Brad it is probably due to those "sexy radiator pods" that you like so much.

[Brad1445]

Those pods are my friend.  They have saved me $11,999 so far.



It takes a lot to keep me from that Rotax engine, but those lil fellers do it

[st ryder]

I think it's safe to say the good results for Buell are based on more than just the Rotax engine. With only 3 days prep time for the German endurance race, it seems the bike will work *very* well out of the box for street riding, and also that the much maligned pods seem to work well *at speed*, since there were no DNF's for Buell.  I didn't notice any comments/reports at the Ducati, Buell or BMW factory sites re the Lemans race. I find it interesting that Buell has always marketed this bike as primarily a street bike built for rider comfort, though it has a "R" designation, and debuted at the track. I guess these results debunk that quizzical approach. Too bad it's still butt ugly. I'm also interested in reading about how the engine sounds after it has a few thousand miles on it. But, good for Buell and the 1125r. Give credit where credit is due.

[bomber]

this is very cool news, indeed! the elves certainly deserve the kudos

[naustin]

Not only did the bikes arrive in Germany just 3 days before the race, they were also previously part of the pre-production Press Test Fleet.  Those same bikes were flogged by magazine writers on multiple track days before they went to that endurance race.  Now that's impressive!  

[Kootenanny]

I think it's safe to say the good results for Buell are based on more than just the Rotax engine.

Thank you--I was gonna post something to this effect.  Despite what Bubba and others might think

[atadaskew]

I think it's safe to say the good results for Buell are based on more than just the Rotax engine.

Yup, it's that Italian frame to go with that Austrian motor... go USA!

I keeed, I keeed!  Seriously though, from whence does the major componentry beckon? Wheels?  Tyres? Suspension? Brakes? ECU? Side pods?

Edited to add:  I see the suspension is Showa/Japanese, Italian Pirelli tyres

[bubba zanetti]

No bashing intended and I realize that it takes more than an engine to win a race and more than a bike alone as well. I just find this engine quite fascinating and have always followed Rotax developments with interest.  

So .... pooh on you !  

[Brad1445]

It was the engine and the rider.  This engine rocks!No offense to Buell but they just basically made a Frankenstein  bike with old parts and a few new ones.  The engine is the story.  IF Buell wanted to own the market they would have designed a new bike to surround the engine to develop a total package.

[atadaskew]

It was the engine and the rider.  This engine rocks!

Ok, so so far I've got an American success story that consists of a couple of German riders, an Austrian engine, Japanese suspension, an Italian frame, Italian tyres, Goodyear USA final belt drive...

[st ryder]

Ok, so so far I've got an American success story that consists of a couple of German riders, an Austrian engine, Japanese suspension, an Italian frame, Italian tyres, Goodyear USA final belt drive...

May as well throw those hose bag Canadians in there since they own Rotax.  

[Kootenanny]

Ok, so so far I've got an American success story that consists of a couple of German riders, an Austrian engine, Japanese suspension, an Italian frame, Italian tyres, Goodyear USA final belt drive...

Just FYI, although the frame on my 03 Firebolt is Italian (as is the swingarm), I believe the frame for the 1125R is being built in the US.  Oh, and those Italian tires?--Pirelli owns Metzeler, and AFAIK all Pirelli motorcycle tires are made in the Metzeler facility (which I believe is in Germany...I don't think it's in Italy...)

And the belt drive is American, and the bikes were raced with the stock belt drive AFAIK, but pretty much any Buell racebike is gonna be modified for chain drive (for quick gearing changes).

[naustin]

It was the engine and the rider.  This engine rocks!No offense to Buell but they just basically made a Frankenstein  bike with old parts and a few new ones.  The engine is the story.  IF Buell wanted to own the market they would have designed a new bike to surround the engine to develop a total package.

I'd contend that this IS the total package that Buell has been trying to bring to market for 25 years.  It isn't all "New" because they couldn't do everything they wanted to do all at once.  They got the frame into production before the motor.  But they aren't going to ditch the frame just because it has been around a while.

Look up some of Erik Buells patents from 25 years ago.  Its fricken cool to see.  Or, pick-up a copy of the new book coming out.  "25 years of Buell"  Available on Amazon now...  Written by two guys who have seen it all, from the days of hand building bikes in a barn when there were only a handful of Buells in the whole country, right up to today.  There are even rumors that some light will be shed on the fabled one-off VR1000 powered Buell...

Its been a long road.  Erik finally got the bike he wanted all along.  I can't wait to see what comes next.


Re: USA production, the 1125R Frame IS made in USA.  The only reason the prior XBs weren't is that there wasn't a factory in the states that had the technology to build it until now. Its not something the average machine shop can do, and the few places that have the right stuff, tend to be short on extra capacity.

The motor is Rotax, but it was a collaboration and don't doubt how much input came from Buell.  Are there any American manufacturer's of high quality, mass produced Forks?  Brakes?  Tires?  I mean seriously?  How many of us have Goodyear's on our bikes?  

Its a pointless arguement.  In a global economy, very few complicated machines are made in only ONE country.