Erik Buell Racing EBR 1190RS - First Look

[Rogue]

Koot, the issues with the '08 1125R had absolutely nothing to do with H-D's decision to close the brand.  That's a fact.

Now I'm not trying to talk you into getting an 1125R.  I just enjoy talking about it.

I agree with you that most manufacturers have given up on the smaller displacement bikes for the N.A. market.  However, you do notice some attention in the sub 800 cc class.  The BMW F800ST/a and F800R, the Triumph's success with the 675 and entry into the 800 cc Adventure Bike, and now MV Agusta's 675 triple.  I think what's happening is that manufacturers are noticing that people WILL buy smaller bikes IF they put high quality parts on it and don't de-tune the engines.  Just because it's a 675cc doesn't make it a beginner's bike!  That's the same reasoning behind the existance of the XB9R in the first place.  

So having said that, the 1125R is built on the same principle of a motorcycle as a whole package.  It's not a track bike but it can be.  It's not an ST bike but it has great wind protection.  It just is a great sportbike for the street.  The 1125R is not that much larger than the XB12R.  It weighs the same with the same ergos.  But it does have that longer wheelbase, which helps the handling tremendously with just a bit of sacrifice in slow speed manuverability.  It does give me the illusion of being bigger due to that large front fairing, which in turn is what gives it the phenomenal wind protection.  Going from one bike to the next, you will feel right at home.  It is the way they feel that gives each one their distinct character.  The XB12R is more relaxed, while the 1125R feels much more frenetic, lively, with quick responsiveness to handlebar inputs and throttle.   You really owe it to yourself to ride one for a whole day.  I suspect that the power will seem overly dominating to you but after you get over that initial "shock" of going so much faster, the rest of the bike will come together, and that's when you say, "Oh yeah.  Now I understand why they did this and that."  Kind of like when I had to fix the pods after a 0 mph drop, then I understood why they are there.  Or when a truck in front of me hit a huge puddle and sprayed gunk all over the front of the bike yet I remained dry....then I understood why that fairing is big and the pods too protected my lower body.  They're all there for a reason, not just to irritate Brad!    

[Roadscum]

If I were trying to start up a bike company like EBR, I would go with mostly online selling.  Sure, I'll have an actual showroom somewhere.  But online is where he can reach a ton of customers with parts, bikes, etc.  It's done by a few vendors like AAA for cars.  Of course they partner up with actual dealers to deliver the bike.  But this business model, partnered up with existing dealers across the country has the potential to revolutionize the industry if it can be made to work.  Especially so if EBR does not over charge potential dealers to have EBR as their other franchise brand.

.... and online service too!    

[Roadscum]

  They were a profitable division for H-D up to that point.  

What part of that don't you understand or want to hear?  

Yes, I hear ya Roque, but it's only sizzle not bacon.  My dealer, and the lady in my life for several years, lost a sh$t of $$$$ on the Buell brand.

Show me the numbers so I can understand  exactly how profitable BMC was, and don't forgt the R&D cost that H-D put into the brand.


Regards, Pauil

[Brad1445]

.......... and that's when you say, "Oh yeah.  Now I understand why they did this and that."  Kind of like when I had to fix the pods after a 0 mph drop, then I understood why they are there.  Or when a truck in front of me hit a huge puddle and sprayed gunk all over the front of the bike yet I remained dry....then I understood why that fairing is big and the pods too protected my lower body.  They're all there for a reason......  

Help me understand, is the 1125 series

1. This perfect bike you just described?
2. The bike that was held back in so many ways because of Harley, Eric did not want pods etc?
3. The Bike the press said had so much potential but was ugly and ran poorly?

Most points in this thread have been the 1125 could have been better if not for Harley, then they show pictures of the Barracuda that was developed on Harley's dime...

If the 1125 needed no improvement and was selling well why come out with the Barracuda?  The lightning was still the best selling Buell, The Ulysses was #2 and they were old designs.  Why did the 1125 not sell? 1? 2? or 3?

[xbud]

 It might not look pretty, but my god does it run, and handle.  

[Brad1445]

lol >>  XBud's avatar

I have a Busa they are hard on the eyes.  And no Handling.  I'm a huge fan of V-Twins torque and totally sold on belt drive!  A Black CR almost made me open my wallet.  Its far more balanced styling (weight/bulk) then the R

[Roadscum]

 It might not look pretty, but my god does it run, and handle.  

 
Indeed they do!

Regards, Paul

[Squidbuzz]

BWB is a fickle place, yes indeed.  I got toasted there a time or two when questioning about excess funds from the last ride down to the factory.  So I can relate.

[Tpoppa]

So having said that, the 1125R is built on the same principle of a motorcycle as a whole package.  It's not a track bike but it can be.  It's not an ST bike but it has great wind protection.   

That's pretty accurate.

It's not a pure trackbike, but can be used as an effective track tool.  I look at it kinda like the 2011 Ninja 1000, but with better suspension and 100lbs lighter.  I happen to use mine as a sport tourer.  Wind protection is better than most sporbikes & and the ergos are liveable for long distances.  My only comfort addon so far has been a Corbin seat.  I've done nearly 700 miles of twisty backroads in a day in relative comfort.  I couldn't ride my F4i that long or as quickly through the corners.

[Rogue]

The 1125R wind protection is simply wonderful.  It extends down to my lower legs too.  Yes, thank you Pods.  It has BETTER wind protection than my VFR800!  I really was astonished by this.  Quiet Rider Zone indeed.  A lot of people who focus only on looks wonder why it has such a big fairing up front, which makes it look unorthodox if all you look at are sportbikes.  Well, you won't get great wind protection with a windscreen smaller than your chest!  

That's one thing Buell kept on doing....they were willing to give up some aesthetic appeal for more function.  For better or for worse, love it or hate it, they did that on a regular basis.  On the other extreme of that principle is the Confederate Wraith or the Wakan.  It's either pure function or pure design excercise; nothing in between.  Love it or hate it, they look the way they look because Confederate and Wakan chose that route regardless of what others think.  If you want mainstream then get a Japanese sportbike.

[Brad1445]

The 1125R wind protection is simply wonderful.  It extends down to my lower legs too.  Yes, thank you Pods.  It has BETTER wind protection than my VFR800!  I really was astonished by this.  Quiet Rider Zone indeed.  A lot of people who focus only on looks wonder why it has such a big fairing up front, which makes it look unorthodox if all you look at are sportbikes.  Well, you won't get great wind protection with a windscreen smaller than your chest!  

That's one thing Buell kept on doing....they were willing to give up some aesthetic appeal for more function.  For better or for worse, love it or hate it, they did that on a regular basis.  On the other extreme of that principle is the Confederate Wraith or the Wakan.  It's either pure function or pure design excercise; nothing in between.  Love it or hate it, they look the way they look because Confederate and Wakan chose that route regardless of what others think.  If you want mainstream then get a Japanese sportbike.

A fairing does not just need to be big to be effective,  I believe my Lightning was a cleaner airstream than my Firebolts and my Ulysses.  I think the 1125 fairing was designed extra wide to help try to incorporate the pods with the far more narrow "Naked Firebolt" Tail.  By not following any exisiting  lines or angles on the rest of the bike or connecting it to the bike it looks way top heavy almost as an aftermarket or add on piece. It has to be nearly as wide as a Goldwing upfront. The CR comes off as a better design because it made the fairing look good pods width be damned.



FYI, We want to buy American are we would not be here.  I will pay more any day to keep the money here in the US but PLEASE try to be competitive and take pride in your work.

Good enough?
never is.

[Tpoppa]

That's one thing Buell kept on doing....they were willing to give up some aesthetic appeal for more function.  

Yep.

From a cooling perspective the pods work quite well, too.  I was riding with a buddy on an SV1000S.  While at speed, the coolant temp was consistently 20 degrees lower on the 1125.   Maybe SV1ks just run hot, I don't know.      

I would agree that the CR is the better looking of the two.  I could have bought either for the same price.  After I test rode the R, I went for the wind protection.  My typical ride is 400+ miles of mostly twisites.  For me, few bikes can come close to the combination of handling, comfort, and wind protection.  If not for the 1125R, I would probably be riding a 2009 GSXR750 with Helibars, a Corbin, and an aftermarket windscreen.  If they could shave some weight off the Ninja 1000 I might own one, actually I may still buy one.  

[Rogue]

Agree with that Tpoppa.

Before my friend dropped his 1125R on my lap with an offer to sell, I was looking around to replace my XB12R Firebolt.  Nothing wrong with the Firebolt, I just wanted something faster.  

I looked at the CBR600RR.  I was really drooling over the new, cross-plan crankshaft R1.  There was also the RSV4, and then the Triumph Speed Triple.  I wanted the Triumph badly but I realized I only wanted the looks of it.  My friend and ex-co worker warned me about its lack of wind protection and after riding his for a day, I realized he wasn't kidding.  On a windy day it was very limiting in the freeway.  Anything above 80 was a workout.  Then I sat on the R1 and RSV4....no way man!  Those things may "look" comfortable and are comfortable only when you compare them to Ducati's!  The CBR600RR was the only one that came close enough but another rider warned me about how it would lack torque compared to my Firebolt.  One ride on his CBR600RR and it confirmed it for me.  Coming off the Firebolt that bike simply needed more work to ride fast.  Needs lots of revs.  You get used to it but still...my VFR800 feels livelier and requires less shifting.  

So when the 1125R was offered to me I rode it for a couple of weeks before deciding.  I was very hesitant due to Buell being out of business, lack of dealer support, reliability, etc.  That's why I asked for that extended test ride.  In the end, if I were honest with myself, I realized the 1125R fit my wants and needs perfectly.  It is a better Firebolt in every way except maintenance.  It has the torque AND the top end power I wanted.  That wind protection was just pure perfection since I needed a lot of high speed freeway work in between twisties.  Then there was the black and blue color of the '08.  I wanted the color, the stealth looks, and pretty much the whole package.  

Bought it before the two weeks were up.

If Buell had the Barracuda in black, I would have bought that bike!

[Brad1445]

..........

If Buell had the Barracuda in black, I would have bought that bike!

We all would have.