My New-To-Me 1125R

[Rogue]

I figured a new thread was approprate.  I finally got a chance to ride the bike extensively this weekend.  Unfortunately, the mountain roads are still filled with snow and run off from the last big storm system, and now the rain has returned to SoCal.  I did get the pictures I wanted.   The bike looks, well…..the same as any other 2008 1125R!  It’s all black with Diamond Blue frame and wheels.  Compared to my Firebolt, which is all cheerful in red and bright orange, the 1125R is all dark fits right in inside Batman’s garage!  Along with a black leather jacket and black helmet, it completes the stealth look and helps me a bit harder to spot by the ever present and hungry highway tax collectors.  This bike needs to be stealthy because it is evil!  The last bike I had that was this evil and wicked fast was the Hayabusa.  I was at the verge of loosing my license back then.  The 1125R has once again put me on notice.  Not that I was good with my Firebolt and Interceptor.  Nevertheless, compared to the “R”, those last two bikes were a model of good citizenry with their paltry under-100-rwhp and whisper-quiet engines.  The “R” is the complete opposite.  This bike gets off the line and catapults itself down the road with evil abandon!  It sounds evil too especially at higher RPM when that liquid cooled, multi-valve, V-twin starts to bark.  The sporty riding position makes tucking in natural and normal, and the chassis response is even more immediate than the Firebolt’s.  Luckily, in the highway it has an early warning of impending jail time as the engine transmits more vibes above 5k RPM, which is around 85 mph.  From there, 140 is a just a flick of the wrist away!  I understand Buell’s desire for that wide front fairing because the rider needs it.  This bike has phenomenal wind protection for a sportbike—better than the Interceptor!  

Aside from some fading of the fasteners, muffler, discoloration of the headers, and dust in the nooks and crannies, she looks almost as good as new.  I will say that this bike was not pampered like my Firebolt.  A few more years with its previous owner and I think the bike’s finish would have gone towards the point of no return.  So it was fortunate enough to come home with me just in the nick of time!  Now she is shiny and clean like the day she came home from the dealership!



I fitted the bike with a Zero Gravity “stock height” windshield, although it is not stock height.  It actually is a bit higher than stock with a more pronounced hump in the center, further improving wind protection!  The OEM windshield had too many hairline scratches for my taste.  Those headlights are a HUGE improvement over the horrible Firebolt headlight!  Now cars can see me approaching just like they do on my dual headlight Interceptor!


I took this picture so that I can show my hard work, on my hands and knees, scrubbing that rear wheel clean of road grime and brake dust that got caked on over a two year period of no cleaning.


I call this “The Brad shot”.  I think you all know what I mean!  LOL!


A rarely seen side of the 1125R.  Pit Bull had to make a purpose built rear stand for the 1125R, which also fits the Ulysses and the Ducati 1000 Classic, due to these bike’s unusual swing arm shape and width.  Believe me when I say it is a must-have item if you intend to remove that rear wheel for servicing.  

[garry]

Congrats! Great way to start off the new year.

[ANZAC]

Shes a beauty    You did good in cleaning her up and its easy to see why that rear wheel got so dirty with those exhausts right there.

[Tyrroneous]

She looks great Rogue.  

 I think you're going to find the VFR becomes redundant.  At least for me, the 1125R was ALMOST as comfy as my VFR but without the extra 100 pounds the VFR carries.  

[st2sam]

  Good luck with her!
Whats first Rogue, exhaust system?
How loud is the stock system?  I'd love to hear one get redlined thru the gears....

[Rogue]

The OEM exhaust is nowhere near as loud as an aftermarket, un-restricted, exhaust system.  But it is noticeably louder than the VFR's exhaust, and probably just a tiny bit louder than the Firebolt at WOT.  The Helicon engine actually sounds more like a Ducati with stock exhaust at WOT than any liquid cooled V-Twin that I've heard.  

No plans to install an afermarket exhaust.  I've seen them all in pictures, heard them all online (thank you American Sportbike).  Except for maybe two very rare brands, none of the aftermarket exhausts hold any interest for me.  I want to maintain the stealthiness of the bike so the OEM exhaust stays.  Besides, it gives me that all important front jacking point for front wheel removal.

[Bueller]

Congratulations Rogue.

Looks good.  I always liked the diamond blue frame.  The ZG blue screens pickup pretty well with the blue in the frame.  You might want to check the blue out next time.

[Spiffious]

Tell me what you did to get such a nice shine on the black plastic body work?

[Rogue]

The ZG blue screens pickup pretty well with the blue in the frame.  You might want to check the blue out next time.

Thanks Bueller.

I actually did look into the Hero Blue ZG Screen.  Someone at BWB just put one on.

Nah!  Not for me.  

[Rogue]

Tell me what you did to get such a nice shine on the black plastic body work?

Diligent application of Protect All, spray on plastic polish.  

[Bueller]

This is a friend's ST screen

I thought the blue looks pretty good.

[Rogue]

Still not convinced.  

It's just a bit too bright for my taste.  It would look better in the white color 1125R.

I prefer the stealth look with the subtle Diamond Blue highlight against the frame and wheels.  If available, I would have asked for a light tint on my ZG screen instead of medium tint.

[scottzilla]

Congrats!
The black does a nice job hiding the ugliness.

[Bueller]

There's nothing ugly when you're on one  

[Rogue]

Bueller, ignore him.  He likes being an asshole.  

[scottzilla]

Well yeah, this Buell talk is really serious business.

[2DFlyer]

Nice to see you're out and about and didn't stray too far Rogue.  Congrats!  Black on black on black is just right.

[Rogue]

Thanks.

It was too good to pass up.  I was all set to get either a Triumph or BMW but this dropped onto my lap unexpectedly.  

[2DFlyer]

Thanks.

It was too good to pass up.  I was all set to get either a Triumph or BMW but this dropped onto my lap unexpectedly.  

Funny thing happened to me one day on the way to an XB12Ss.  A left over Speed Triple got in my way.  One day...

[Rogue]

I hear yah.

I wanted something new to play with.  Although there was nothing wrong with the Firebolt, I was getting bored with it.  I was wishing for more wind protection in the highway and more horsepower.  I got both now.  LOL!

[sammyseaman]

I was all set to get either a Triumph or BMW but this dropped onto my lap unexpectedly.  

   Sorry to hear that  

[Rogue]

I'm not!  

[skater69]

Congrats! Nice choice.  I almost bought one barely used off a private party.  I just decided I didn't want another sportsbike.  But I was super impressed with the 1125R.  Goes like a bat out of hell.....awesome sound too and torque.  Comfortable for a sportbike and light and tossable.  The looks kinda grow on me too.  Enjoy it...I'm sure you will!

[Brad1445]

Congrats! Nice choice.  I almost bought one barely used off a private party.  I just decided I didn't want another sportsbike.  But I was super impressed with the 1125R.  Goes like a bat out of hell.....awesome sound too and torque.  Comfortable for a sportbike and light and tossable.  The looks kinda grow on me too.  Enjoy it...I'm sure you will!

Here are some on ebay.

http://motors.shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=1125r&_sacat=6024&_dmpt=US_motorcycles&_odkw=&_osacat=6024&bkBtn=&_trksid=p4506.m270.l1313

Here are recent closed auctions..

http://motors.completed.shop.ebay.com/Motorcycles-/6024/i.html?LH_Complete=1&_trkparms=65%253A13%257C39%253A1&rt=nc&_nkw=1125r&_dmpt=US_motorcycles&_sticky=1&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_sop=2&_sc=1

[CLAY]

Hey Rogue (or any other 1125 owners)- how about an update?

[Rogue]

I've put 4,500 miles on mine so far (it now has 16,500 miles) with no issues.

Well okay.  A bolt came loose on a ride and I needed to tighten it.  When I got home I checked around the area near the loosened bolt and found another bolt coming loose.  My only conclusion is when the dealership rotated the engine on its 12.5k valve inspection they forgot to tighten those two bolts.  I re-torqued everything else I could get to they all came up to spec.  Coming up on replacing the Pirelli Diablo Rosso tires.

I had to adjust the suspension to a level below my actual weight to get a good compromise with ride and handling.  I think I'm there.  The bike has a very supple ride now without being unstable at deep lean angles.  Before the suspension felt a bit too firm when set at my weight.  

I may have posted this pictures before but ah, what the hell!    Here's the lastest photo.  
 

[cbsnbiker]

What a bummer that Buell went out of business.    

[R Doug]

   PODS!  



j/k

Congrats on the ride.  I test rode one at a Buell demo once.  That bike is a hoot!

[Castaway]

I've put 4,500 miles on mine so far (it now has 16,500 miles) with no issues.

Well okay.  A bolt came loose on a ride and I needed to tighten it.  When I got home I checked around the area near the loosened bolt and found another bolt coming loose.  My only conclusion is when the dealership rotated the engine on its 12.5k valve inspection they forgot to tighten those two bolts.  I re-torqued everything else I could get to they all came up to spec.  Coming up on replacing the Pirelli Diablo Rosso tires.

I had to adjust the suspension to a level below my actual weight to get a good compromise with ride and handling.  I think I'm there.  The bike has a very supple ride now without being unstable at deep lean angles.  Before the suspension felt a bit too firm when set at my weight.  

I may have posted this pictures before but ah, what the hell!    Here's the lastest photo.  
 

Good to hear of your continued enjoyment. It's a cool bike in my book.

[jfusaro]

Nice ride, almost pulled the trigger on one in 09, could not come to grips with a belt drive sport bike.  Good luck with it, its a beaut.

[Rogue]

Thanks guys.

So far so good.  Anything that goes wrong with it is going to be on me.  I have no plans to ever take it to a dealership.  I'm married to it...no warranty.  I got it for a bargain so I'm okay with that.  I'll enjoy it for a few years, put some miles on it, then decide what to do with it later on.

I came close to pulling the trigger on an R1 with the Cross Plane engine before the 1125R fell on my lap so to speak.

[Kyle401]

Nice ride, almost pulled the trigger on one in 09, could not come to grips with a belt drive sport bike.  Good luck with it, its a beaut.

  Were you planning to turn it into a track bike?

[Tpoppa]

The belt drive is fantastic, and has a few advantages over a chain.  Belts last longer than chains.

The only downside is you can't change gearing.