1125R In Person

[Rogue]

So my local dealer finally got an 1125R to stick around long enough on their showroom.

I was really surprised how this bike looks so much better in person than it does in pictures.  I didn't even notice the pods a few here seem obsessed about (any moment now Brad will post up his photo-chopped picture of an 1125R)    .   Up close and personal, the bike looks longer and lower.  The "Diamond Blue" finish on the perimeter frame, swingarm, and wheels look really nice.  It is something I have not seen before and it really looks good yet subtle.  It is a great contrast to the gloss black bodywork.  The fit and finish on the engine and dash were also very good.  No urine cups!  Instead, it has the VFR-like painted aluminum reservoirs for the clutch and brake fluids.  The triple clamp is the best I've seen in the minimalist theme within the sportbike world.  

The bike's riding position is definitely sporty but not extreme.  My Firebolt with the Helibar triple clamp is still more comfortable.  The bike is roomier in the seat than my Firebolt.  The upper fairing on the bike is pretty big and it just about covers everything from the waste up to the helmet.  I expect that fairing to provide class leading wind and weather protection.  Unfortunately, the size of that upper fairing made the bike's nose look huge especially up close.  It was like staring at a Hammer Head shark!  

That one particular model I sat on had spongy, long travel front brakes.  It felt like there was lots of air in the system.  I pointed it out to the young salesman and the prick didn't believe me, insisting it was normal.  I insisted in return that it was not and I told him to go feel the front brake lever on that Lightning next to him then tell me what is normal.  The guy changed the subject.  I also pointed out that the 1125R didn't do too well against the Ducati 848 in the latest Cycle World test.  Their 1125R exhibited Fuel Injection mapping issues.  I was surprised to hear the young salesman admit that early 1125R's left the factory with FI mapping issues and they simply download the latest mapping from Buell and that solves the problems.  I had BMW K1200S de ja vu as he was telling me this.

I didn't ride the bike as they were only offering it to serious buyers and I was not one of them.  I will test ride one someday.  I am quite impressed with the bike's looks and fit and finish.  Somedays, it may well be a replacement for my Firebolt.  However, I am disappointed with Buell by allowing 1125R's with FI issues to go out to the buying public AND press fleets.  Unless Buell does some major damage control and makes sure every bike sold has a proper FI mapping already downloaded to it, sales of their 1125R will flounder.  That would be ashame because Cycle World really liked the bike at the track and preferred it over the Ducati 848.  That's saying a lot.

[gtmg]

There is a new map out there and no bikes are supposed to be sold without it. If you actually read the article they were impressed with the 1125R except for stated electrical/mapping problems that this should solve. Big lead flag on Badweb about it.

[Rogue]

I read the whole article.  In fact, Buell techs admitted even more that a batch of 1125R's came out with bad stators and bad fuel pumps.

I think that the 1125R will be the beginning of more great things from Buell.  It is also what will shut the mouths of whining biotches who complain endlessly about the Firestorm motor of the XB.  The same whiners who then turn around and praise Guzzi's similarly "old fashioned" aircooled Vtwin.    Personally, I have no clue what these people are bitching at because I love the Firestorm engine and its personality and power delivery, especially its simplicity and low maintenance.  Although, having an extra 40 hp and even more revs definitely gives the 1125R the performance to at least stay with the competition.  And if the handling is as good as they say, the bike has a lot going for it.  Nevertheless, Buell should have gone to great pains and made sure the 1125R came out without ANY issues.  First impressions usually make or break a bike's popularity.  

[Brad1445]

lol, Rouge, thats not a photoshop picture I have posted, it's real.  It's just the angle that show just how on the cutting edge the styling is compared to others, in particular the Italian bikes.  Those wacky elves, gotta love'em.

For the record, I love the thought of owning a ROTAX engine with Buell handling. I dreamed of such a bike for years but yes even after 5 New Buells I dont think I could ever buy this one even as bad as I want it.  I can  handle Busa Ugly,  but not parts bin ugly.

[Bueller]

I found the front brake feel pretty soft as well Rogue.  It worked but was disconcerting.

[Sound Uly]

I must be one lucky SOB.  My 1125R has run perfect right from delivery in very early Jan. I am almost afraid to take it in for the remap afraid that it won't run as smooth.

This is somewhat the problem with a bike that is 'rushed' to market, and I do agree that it was rushed, in that it's almost a crap shoot whether you get one with problems or not.  I think the soft brake feel may be a trait of this bike.   I have asked the techs to take a look at it twice now and they come back with the same response "everything is good".  They work very well but take some getting used to for sure.

Unlike Brad, I like this bike because the styling IS ugly and controversial!    Oh, and it has unbelievable power and handling!

Cheers!

Ron

[atadaskew]

Holy crap Ron you own a BMW R12000GS!  Was that made special for you?
I read the test comparing the 848 to the 1125.  The 1125 makes a lot of powah (it is a much bigger motor than the 848), but they said that for racers the 848 is faster on the track, as borne out by Canet's times, while for normal peeps it would be the 1125, cuz it has more torque.
The 1125 did have a lot of reliability issues, as well as heat and vibe issues.  Think about it, if this factory prepped for the magazines bike runs like this, imagine how much worse the regular bikes are that customers get. Really seems to be a beta tester bike for now.
Personally I would never get a first year bike from any mfg, having suffered through that mistake once before with a dearly departed Suzuki.

[Sound Uly]

Holy crap Ron you own a BMW R12000GS!  Was that made special for you?

No but I sure have customized it on the rocks a few times. Cute!  I can't believe no one called me on that one sooner.  It's only been on my sig line that way for 5 or so months now.  

Fixed now though.    

[DannyZRC]

those lap times in the review were at the horse thief mile.

I humbly disagree with it being used to evaluate the relative racetrack performance of the 1125r and the 848.

[Kinger]

I rode the 1125 at the local dealer last weekend.  I liked the power and handling.  The bike I rode didn't appear to have any FI issues.

The dealer had put on an after market pipe, don't recall which one.  It was loud.  Not a bad loud, but piss your neighbors off at 6 a.m. loud.  I did like the slipper clutch.  Downshifts were really smooth.

The ride was aggressive, but comfortable.  Once used to the bike, I could ride it all day.

Now, put this motor in my S3 and I would be really happy! :Dp

[falcofred]

I attending a Buell Inside Pass track day at VIR on May 19th. I'll be on my Daytona 675, but 1125's will be available for demo rides on the track. It will be interesting to compare the 1125 big twin to the 675 high revving triple.

[Rogue]

The 1125 makes a lot of powah (it is a much bigger motor than the 848), but they said that for racers the 848 is faster on the track, as borne out by Canet's times, while for normal peeps it would be the 1125, cuz it has more torque.

They also said the 1125R was easier to ride fast at the track by none racers than the 848 is.  

[atypical1]

Yeah but Horse Thief Mile? Not exactly a suitable track for those bikes. Try Big Track or Streets and then evaluate them.

james

[atypical1]

No urine cups!  Instead, it has the VFR-like painted aluminum reservoirs for the clutch and brake fluids.  

You've officially become the Larry of "urine cups".  

james

[Rogue]

You've officially become the Larry of "urine cups".  

james

I don't have that many ignoring me......yet!  

[atadaskew]

They also said the 1125R was easier to ride fast at the track by none racers than the 848 is.  

Which is why I wrote "but they said that for racers the 848 is faster on the track, as borne out by Canet's times"

[Rogue]

You said the 1125R is easier to ride fast on the track by none racers because "it has more torque".  

The article said nothing of that sort.  It's just easier to ride fast by none racers.

Are you arguing for argument's sake?  

Goodnight.

[atadaskew]

?  If I was mistaken by adding the torque bit, then I stand corrected.  I just read the article in the store and then put it back!
I think that we can agree then what they said was that for racers the 848 gave better times, for non racers it was the Buell.
 
Dammit, now I'll have to buy that issue!

[Rogue]

Well the Ducati DID win the comparison.  

I knew that would happen.  The 1125R needs more work, probably another 6 mos or so of development time to iron out the rough spots.  I also think Buell needs to test side by side with Ducati's and BMW's because this is the market they compete it.  They're no longer just a niche competitor but now competing against big names.  Releasing a bike that is 80% complete is not an option.  Look what happened to the Firebolt....it took them another 2 years to get it completely right.

Having said that, I still like the bike's looks especially in person.  For some weird reason, it just looks better than the pictures suggest.

[atadaskew]

Having said that, I still like the bike's looks especially in person.  For some weird reason, it just looks better than the pictures suggest.

It does.  And I think it would look better in any other colour apart from the black.  A wikkid metallic orange or red would go great with that blue frame.  This is not a bike for wallflowers!  Give it paint to match it's performance!

Ok , so this is a sponsor bike, but still I think it looks better than the dowdy black: