1125 Report

[Sound Uly]

Over the past weekend I put another 800 'trouble free' miles on the 1125.  Trailered the 1125 down to Infineon to meet up with some friends.  Rode lots of sweet roads on Friday including Skaggs Springs and spent Saturday at the races.  3 of us decided to skip the races on Sunday and go for a ride instead.  We ended up doing highway 128, highway 1, and highway 36 ending up in Redding for the night.  Sunday ended up being a 450 mile day of VERY aggressive driving.  I was tired by the end of the day but not sore.  The guys with the trailer picked us up in Redding and we trailered back home.

You anti-1125 guys can dis this bike all you want but, without doubt, the bike just works.  I'm either very lucky or the bike's problems are being blown a little out of proportion by the unlucky few who have received bad examples of the bike.  I have not had a single issue with this bike riding in temps ranging from 30's to, this past weekend, in excess of 100 in everything from stop-n-go to speeds well over the posted limit.  Even with temps in the triple digits I didn't feel that this bike was any more uncomfortable than any other bike I've ridden in that kind of heat.  One of the guys I was riding with was on a well sorted RC-51.  We switched bikes for a while and both agreed that the 1125 was easier to ride fast.  Don't get me wrong, I really liked this guys RC-51 and would not mind owning one at all.  It was a sweet bike with great handling and really good power but the 1125 just felt more nimble especially on transitions.  The 1125's ergonomics and wind protection are better too.  Like I said above, after 450 miles of aggressive riding I was not sore from riding the bike.  Fatigued - yes, sore - no.

The 1125 absolutely rails in the twisties and I rode some of my personal best on this trip.  I can ride the 1125 better faster and carry more speed through corners than any other bike I've ridden.  I am more pleased with my purchase now more than ever.  It's too bad this bike is getting so much bad press.  This bike could really appeal to the more mainstream sport bike riders given the opportunity..... but Buell needs to make sure their friggin' press bikes run properly so they can get a good review first.

Cheers all!

PS:  The statements above are my opinions and should be regarded as just that - opinions.

[blackbuell]

Uly,

What bikes have you had prior to the 1125R and how do they compare?

Jon

[atypical1]

Good report.

james

[1KPerDay]

Cool.

I assume they're done with the construction on CA36?

[Sound Uly]

Uly,

What bikes have you had prior to the 1125R and how do they compare?

Jon

Jon - The bikes that I have had that are comparable in any way include Daytona 955i, Aprilia Mille, Ducati PS1000LE, and Buell XB12X Ulysses.  I have also spent time on the RC51 and CBR 600RR but not enough for a fair comparison.  The Aprilia was an '01 and the Daytona was an '02 while the Ducati and Buell are both '06 models.  First thing you notice on the 1125 is the power, way more acceleration than any of the bikes that I can personally compare it to.  The Rotax engine is a beast.  I would say the engine refinement was better on the Aprilia and Triumph but not so on the Ducati and Buell.  The 1125 shakes a bit at idle and seems to clatter and clang under hard acceleration but definitely no more so than the Ducati or Ulysses.  Suspension setup is such a huge part of a bikes handling so we do have a variable in my handling comparisons but I would say that the 1125 out turns any of these bikes and, as I stated in my original posting, transitions are extremely quick on the 1125.  I personally think the 1125 feels a little heavy until you start moving and then it suddenly feels light.  One of the main reasons that I bought the 1125 was the ergonomics and I am not in the least bit disappointed.  Compared to the Ducati the 1125 is a Cadillac and much more comfortable than the Aprilia or Triumph for that matter.  The Ulysses is even more comfortable but it doesn't have the ergonomics for really aggressive riding either.  Another subjective matter is the wind protection.  Some people want it while others don't.  The 1125 has enough wind protection that riding in cold weather isn't nearly as bad as on the other bikes.  Even without heated grips my hands stay relatively warm since most of the air is directed out and away from them (note the wide frontal section).  Yes - I am a happy with my 1125!

Hope this info helps just a tad.

Cheers,
Ron

[Sound Uly]

Cool.

I assume they're done with the construction on CA36?

No construction on any of the roads.    CA36 does have some dirty corners to watch out for but still an amazing road!  

Ron

[Rogue]

The added noise from the Helicon engine is due to the finger-follower type valvetrain.  Buell used this to ease maintenance--no need to remove the camshaft if a shim needs to be replaced.  The downside is valvetrain noise (more moving parts and more clearance between parts).  Perhaps Buell should have fitted it with noise reducing cylinder head covers?

I'm glad you are enjoying your 1125R.  

[atadaskew]

The added noise from the Helicon engine is due to the finger-follower type valvetrain.  Buell used this to ease maintenance--no need to remove the camshaft if a shim needs to be replaced.  The downside is valvetrain noise (more moving parts and more clearance between parts).

Hasn't that design been used by all the big 4 mfgs?  I remember it being like that in my ZX10 and 11 when I serviced them.  Those engines weren't noisy at all.

[1KPerDay]

Wear earplugs.

You have to also consider that the helicon has one cam driven by a chain and the other driven by a gear in the head. And it's a completely new design and it's doubtful they really cared much about clattering and clanking.

Now if we could just be assured that the FI was sorted...

[Sound Uly]

I don't have any problem with the engine noise.  As a matter of fact, I kind of like it - it just adds character.  

I haven't had any problems with my bikes FI mapping up to this point.  Buell has come out with a remap that is supposed to help with problems that some are having but I'm going to wait a bit before doing any remapping.  I'm afraid they'll mess up a good thing....  

Cheers!

[1KPerDay]

2 of the bikes I rode on the track (pre-production, press examples) had no FI issues I noted, and one did. I loved the bikes... I don't know what it would be like to live with one on the street, but I'm glad buell made this step.

[Rogue]

Hasn't that design been used by all the big 4 mfgs?  I remember it being like that in my ZX10 and 11 when I serviced them.  Those engines weren't noisy at all.

I didn't say the Helicon was noisy.  I only read about them generating a bit more noise than others in its class.  The reason for that is more valvetrain gear.

Honestly, I had a ZX11D and that I'm sure it used shim under buckets and required camshaft removal if shims needed replacement.  I could be wrong.  Even then, that ZX11 made some valvetrain noise.  In fact, it was enough that I remember being a bit concerned about it although it wasn't excessive in any way.  I have no clue how that compares to the 1125R.  Unless I hear them side by side, I will never know.  

I would gladly take more valvetrain clatter for easier shim replacement every year.  Remember, I have a Thunderstorm engine.  Although that engine has very little valvetrain noise (not much valvetrain to make noise), it is pretty mechanically noisy because it's aircooled.  Especially compared to my VFR800, which is very quiet up until the VTEC kicks in.

Anyway, it's all relative.

[1KPerDay]

Honestly, I had a ZX11D and that I'm sure it used shim under buckets and required camshaft removal if shims needed replacement.  I could be wrong.

You are.

[atadaskew]

 Remember, I have a Thunderstorm engine.  Although that engine has very little valvetrain noise (not much valvetrain to make noise), it is pretty mechanically noisy because it's aircooled.  

It's weird but I love the noises that an a/c engine makes.  Something just raw and elemental about it.  My 800ss is a/c and it gives me such a different kick listening to it than does my St4s.
Kinda like a "I don't need no stinkin' finishing school!"

[jpfive]

My report would parallel Sound Uly's.  I am very happy with the bike.  It pulls like a freight train, and handles like a 600.  As far as engine noise goes, I like it....it's a Rotax, after all, and quieter than the last one I owned (Aprilia Caponord).

Jack