1125r lovers... talk to me

[inspector gadget]

The 1125r may be one of the ugliest bikes of all time. It does not have the razor edge sportbikle profile. But i'm told it cuts corners better than a crackhead running from the cops. I must have it! :cool: But tales of boiling fuel in the frame and fuel dripping onto the exhaust have me more than worried. So, I have some questions for you guys:

1) are all Harley dealers authorized to sell Buells? if so, since I don't know anyone with a buell how do I spot the dealer that is willing to sell me a bike but doesn't know how to fix it?

2)is there a list of RELIABLE Buell dealers on this forum somewhere? Or, at least a list of those to avoid?

3) for those of you who got the lemons but stuck with them were there early warning signs (from the bike) that you ignored?

4) how serious was Buell corporate with resolving any issues with the new bikes? did they ever offer to exchange a lemon for a peach or did they just continue to try to iron out the problems?

last but certainly not least...

5) why Buell? why the 1125r?
and if you had problems with the 1125 why did you stick with it?

[Zack]

1) no
2) no, but try Uke's in Kenosha, VERY strong Buell dealership.
3) n/a
4) Buell/HD Customer Service has contacted ME several times to ensure resolution of any issues.
Mine had trouble "learning" spark/fuel maps due to my riding habits...
5) Not "cookie cutter", Made in USA(assembled by hand, no robots in East Troy).
Handles like nothing I've ever ridden with beaucoup power.
Helicon motor is very strong and compact, nothing like its HD predecessor.
Very comfortable for a "sportbike/superbike", I've done over 900 miles in 24 hours.

My fuel "boiled" once, in March I think.
I'm convinced it was "winter" gas with a lower boiling point.

Zack

[Dodsfall]

Kegel HD/Buell in Rockford is a pretty good dealership. I don't own a Buell (yet :)) but they are on the ball with the Harley stuff.

[chevycummins]

Even with all the problems I have had I think I would do it again. I would get the 2009 model though. It does handle great, and is comfortable for me to ride. Buell has tried to resolve most of my problems but my dealer may not be the best place to take a Buell. I have been told they are good with Harley.

All I can say is go test ride one and you will know if its for you or not.

[sbkal08]

You guys are braver and more faithful than I am. I like my XBs (they'll be the last I own) but I'm not married to any brand. If it works and works well, then I'll be more likely to stick with it, until something better comes along. In the end, I don't think Buells will ever match the engineering, R&D, and race track heritage of the Big Four. The Japanese manufacturers are just too huge (global) and they're pockets are too deep. And after all, aren't motorcycles all about performance? Why not own the best?

[buellosaurusrex]

Because it's not about owning a bike that is a "race-bike" clone; it's about owning a bike that is born & bred in the U.S.A.-a bike that oozes attitude from the looks down to the V-twin sound. It's about the nimble handling and freaky-quick cornering, the raw torque of a 6500 rpm torque band, the whole attitude thing. If you don't know what I mean I can't explain it other than this;
I picked the Hemi 'Cuda over the Maseratti.
I take nothing away from other motorcycles; I own 3 at present. But I'd never get rid of my Cyclone.

[PassioneDucati]

Because it's not about owning a bike that is a "race-bike" clone; it's about owning a bike that is born & bred in the U.S.A.-a bike that oozes attitude from the looks down to the V-twin sound. It's about the nimble handling and freaky-quick cornering, the raw torque of a 6500 rpm torque band, the whole attitude thing. If you don't know what I mean I can't explain it other than this;
I picked the Hemi 'Cuda over the Maseratti.
I take nothing away from other motorcycles; I own 3 at present. But I'd never get rid of my Cyclone.

Certainly. Buell, perhaps more than any other motorcycle brand, is about the image and the experience more than the measureables. And therefore, there are sometimes sacrifices to be made in terms of performance, reliability, value, etc. The Buell 1125R will never be as fast, reliable, or cheap as a GSX-R1000, for example. However, there are a devoted few who would gladly overlook these shortcomings in favor of the Buell's unique/thrilling design and feel.

[sbkal08]

So, it's really about image, huh? Looks and sound. Wow, that sure trumps engineering and R&D. This "If I have to explain it to you..." stuff sounds like HD gibberish. Yeah, that's the jargon HD guys resort to when they're faced with cold hard numbers. They also claim the Big Four's offerings have no character and liken them to "clones". If you think you can ride an R1 and then hop on a Gixxer and not tell the difference, then you don't need to be on a bike! LOL BTW, I made my old Kaw ZX9R handle "freaky quick" with minor suspension settings and decent tires. It took a bit more suspension fiddling for my Gixxer 1k, but it finally came around. I've got some more news for you, a 6500 rpm torque band sucks ass when the road straightens out! I notice the avatar above shows a Duc, not a Buell. Would you trade your 1098 for a 1125, PassioneDucati? I bet you're not one of the "devoted few", eh? Well, I suppose you can't tell a folks what to do with their money, right? In the end, I still would never keep (or fix by myself) a brand new bike that boils its fuel and leaks gas onto the exhaust pipe. I guess I'll just stick to what works and works well, Japanese race reps.

[Dodsfall]

I think it's time to agree to disagree about some of the details here.

People like different bikes for different reasons. It's not always about how fast you get there, sometimes it's about the ride. It's not "all about performance" to the majority of riders on the road.

Let's keep it civil folks.

[sbkal08]

Oh, I'm being civil, no nastiness or name calling here, just playing devil's advocate. I like to call people out and I like being called out when I'm talking crap, too. This all started when a member posted this horror story about his 1125 boiling the fuel within the frame and then dripping fuel on the exhaust pipe. With only 700 miles on the clock, he tried to fix the problem himself! I would've trailered that thing back to the stealership and demanded my money back. Then I get this whole "You wouldn't understand..." tripe! ROLF!!! I own a Buell and I sure as hell will criticize its deficiencies as well as laud its virtues. I won't however, vow my undying loyalty to it or any other brand. That's just silly.

[buellosaurusrex]

I won't however, vow my undying loyalty to it or any other brand. That's just silly.

Nor would I. I own 2 other Japanese bikes, one which is my daily rider. I love the M2 for what it is.....and forgive it for what it is not. Sure, there are other bikes that will out-perform it; it is, after all, almost 10 years old.
Nobody's jumping on you for having an opinion. Just keep it civil, please.
BTW, I don't own a Harley and don't have a relative that works for Buell to brainwash me with MoCo "gibberish". My opinions are my own and I stand by them. If we all rode the same thing this would be a boring world, indeed.

[inspector gadget]

Uh... wow.
Ok guys. I enjoy the passion that surrounds some of we motorcyclists. I agree with both points of the most recent exchange of opinions. My favorite bike of all time was my '00 Ninja ZX9. It was comfortable. It was fast. Sure, the Gixxers and R1's out there beat it on the track but that is not why I bought it. I bought it because it was comfortable for me and my riding style. However, when that baby developed an electrical problem that the shop couldnt fix then off she went to the nearest wanna-be stunter. Last time I saw my former love she was in the shop with a destroyed fairing and a cracked carbon fiber exhaust. Felt bad for it but then again it had to go. I have since purchased another Ninja. This time the '07 ZX10. Talk about night and day! It handles! Again, sure the press beat it up for not posting the top numbers and not being the best all around bike for the model year. So what. It fits me.
Now back to the Buell issue: I have never owned a twin but have ridden them many times and I love them and the sound they make. I didnt want a Ducati because I am not the kind of guy who wants to be "that guy who owns the Ducati." Sweet bikes for sure but just not me. I like the look of the Buell Firebolt and the newer liquid cooled 1125r. One of these two will be my next purchase (unless Aprilia rolls out something pornographic for '09).
I am with you saying that I would NEVER accept boiling gas issues from my new bike but applaud you who ventured out to solve the problem on your own.
Which bike to own is a very personal issue. The passion you poured into this thread lets me know I joined the right forum. You guys can ride with me anytime. Screw that! Maybe I'll be luck enough to ride with you!

[PassioneDucati]

So, it's really about image, huh? Looks and sound. Wow, that sure trumps engineering and R&D. This "If I have to explain it to you..." stuff sounds like HD gibberish. Yeah, that's the jargon HD guys resort to when they're faced with cold hard numbers. They also claim the Big Four's offerings have no character and liken them to "clones". If you think you can ride an R1 and then hop on a Gixxer and not tell the difference, then you don't need to be on a bike! LOL BTW, I made my old Kaw ZX9R handle "freaky quick" with minor suspension settings and decent tires. It took a bit more suspension fiddling for my Gixxer 1k, but it finally came around. I've got some more news for you, a 6500 rpm torque band sucks ass when the road straightens out! I notice the avatar above shows a Duc, not a Buell. Would you trade your 1098 for a 1125, PassioneDucati? I bet you're not one of the "devoted few", eh? Well, I suppose you can't tell a folks what to do with their money, right? In the end, I still would never keep (or fix by myself) a brand new bike that boils its fuel and leaks gas onto the exhaust pipe. I guess I'll just stick to what works and works well, Japanese race reps.

You, my friend, are ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. I'm not one of the "devoted few" and I would never trade a 1098 (which I don't have) or any Ducati for an 1125R (or any Buell). I love Japanese sportbikes almost as much as I love Ducatis and I think a Yamaha R1 or a Gixxer is absolutely scintillating, not boring at all. I would never buy a bike with the apalling R&D deficiencies of the 1125R.

All I intended to do was explain the almost inexplicable obsessive loyalty some people feel toward Buell as a brand. Others feel an irrational loyalty to another brand (H-D is a good example). If we can all just agree to disagree we'll all be much happier.

[buellosaurusrex]

Allow me to explain, if I may.....

Buell is, and always has been, an "underdog".
Erik Buell started BMC up to his eyeballs in borrowed money. The early machines were hand-built, based on Erik's past experience as a motorcycle racer and a former HD engineer. His ties with HD rewarded him with an opportunity to purchase surplus engines from the MoCo to use in his newly hand-designed bikes......the R&D for developing your own powerplant is what has driven the final nail in the coffin for many a fledgling MC company....and even so, Buell would have likely followed suit had not HD recognized the importance of the niche he was attempting to fill; that of creating a viable AMERICAN sport bike; something that had not been accomplished with any longevity previously. Something designed around the basic concepts of the Vincent Black Shadow; the Britten, the Crocker, the Nortons, and a host of other marques no longer with us. To his credit, Erik pulled it off...at great personal sacrifice...and at this time, not only has the only mainstream American Sportbike in production, but has made the leap from one-at-a-time hand built motorcycles to producing cutting edge sportbikes that are giving the huge, deep-pocket gargantuan mega-companies a run for their money. In a time span of less than 20 years!
Brand loyalty? For me, it's more of a "back the underdog" thing. 'Cause if you or I decided to start a motorcycle company, we'd be up against the same odds.
Could YOU pull it off?

[sbkal08]

Man, I would love to have a Duc. Just as I got used to the weirdly attractive 999, Ducati goes and introduces the drop dead gorgeous 1098! I still plan on owning a 999, though. Maybe by now more 999 owners will be looking to dump theirs for the latest and greatest. I passed up a chance at a '05 ZX10R last fall. That's a decision I regret. Kawis definitely have character despite what the HD crowd will have you believe! I applauded Buell for developing their own engine and distancing themselves from HD. I would expect some first production run problems like electrical glitches or such, but the boiling/dripping gas thing just blew me away. I just don't think an owner of a brand new machine should have to resort to fixing something like that themselves. That's craziness. This is my Buell. A cool bike within its design limitations (read HD lump), and as I mentioned earlier, 6500 rpm redline sucks when the road straightens out!

[buellosaurusrex]

......but the boiling/dripping gas thing just blew me away. I just don't think an owner of a brand new machine should have to resort to fixing something like that themselves. That's craziness.

Agreed....100%. Hats off to chevycummins for his inventiveness and seat-of-the-pants inginuity (McGuyver, anyone?) for coming up with a fix. Me, I woulda drove it to East Troy and parked on the doorstep until it was fixed......correctly.....at Buell's expense!

Sounds like you are still having trouble getting used to the whole vee-twin thing, the low rev redline and all. I adapted to it like a duck to water and enjoy not having to screw the throttle against the stops and wait for the thing to wind it's way up the power band. My Seca will howl like a banshee but do nothing until upstream of 7K (past the Cyclone's rev limiter!) Maybe what you're craving is a high-winding V, like the Ducati. Nothing wrong with that!!! They are astounding machines, as are the Aprilias.
You mention having a 6500 redline on a straight road sucks...why? On my Cyclone, redline in fifth equates to approximately 131mph according to my sources. I can't verify that....the highest I've ever tempted fate was 110 on a long, desolate straightaway and I ain't likely to go that route again any time soon. Slap the dog once too many and you're gonna get bit. The ER's around here are full of screaming Sausage Creatures all summer long. For me, riding a 'busa that tops out at 200+ is a waste of time, talent, technology and cold cash. I am not a racer. I don't do track days on closed circuits. The highest legal speed limit in the two states I ride is 65mph. My M2 setles into it's pace at 70 and can purr along all day there. It flicks in and out of turns with little or no downshifting and rolls right out with a twist.....all while getting equal or better gas mileage than my inline fours with half the cc's and horsepower!!! For the type of riding I do, this is a perfect fit. Maybe we do two totally different styles of riding?

[sbkal08]

Race reps don't have a wait time to hit the powerband. It's merely a thought, and you're there, buddy. That's a myth HD guys subscribe to! LOL Litre bikes aren't the least bit slow below the powerband. The '98 ZX9R was the first production bike to do a 9 sec. 1/4 mile. I rode one for four years and sold it in favor of a new GSXR1000. The Kaw transformed me as a rider and regularly did 150mph with more throttle left to go. Wait time? No such thing. The gixxer was light years ahead of the Kaw. One bike on my list to own is a Duc 999, so no, I'm not writing off a V-Twin as an acceptable sport bike. My friends and I ride pretty hard and when the road straightens out, our only thought is to get to the next set of twisties, so we wind 'em out. An XB in the company of in-line fours is like being a back marker. It kinda sucks to watch a 600 get real small real fast. So, yeah... LOL

[inspector gadget]

Guys, we all know that the Japanese have engineered some awesome bikes. In fact every contributor to this thread affirms this by extolling the virtue of the asian bikes that that either own or have owned. I love my ZX-10!

But I'm looking for a twin. A unique twin...and this 1125r has caught my attention. The critics and some very noteworthy racer types say that its a blast to ride and the rotax has power to spare. I am not expecting a Buell to slice open a Duc on a straightaway or turn. I am not looking for a dragrace. I am looking to have some high-speed fun on the twisties and the occaisional track day. I trust that the evil genius that is Eric Buell will flail his engineering staff chanting "the beatings will continue until morale improves!" in the effort to correct the seriously scary problems that this new baby of his has shown. AND I know that the Zuks, Kaws and Hondas have powerband and redline and top speed that is unimaginable for cage drivers. But i'm looking for a twin. They stand out in their uniqueness in this V4 world. They sound different and are torquey. I'm in the market now lest this money burn a whole in my pocket or I spend it all on caramel corn. So, in this world of limited twin-ness would you:
A) wait for the 1125r to have its problems ironed out?
B) go for the more time tested and therefore more reliable, Firebolt eveen though the Thunderstorm is a different, more long in the tooth animal from the Rotax?
C) hold your cash and go for a more tightly wound and higher revving twin...say Aprilia?

[chevycummins]

Call me crazy but I test rode a 2008 Ducati 1098S and picked the Buell 1125R. The Duc just had more vibration at low speeds from the engine, the seat got really hot in a short time from the under seat exhaust and who really needs a race bike to get to work?

The Buell was just a better bike all around for the commute around town and some fun once and a while. Trust me I wound not have bought the bike if I knew it was going to have that many problems right out of the box. Michigan does not have lemon law on motorcycles, I checked. With the hassle of a lawyer I being a mechanic decided to fix it myself. The dealer had the bike for 14 days with no fix. I fixed it in about 6hours. It made sense to me at that time. Since then I have ran into some other problems that have been corrected, and some that have not. At this time the money is already spent and I would loose money putting it up for sale. I like a good challenge and this bike has been that.

As for the 6500rpm red line that is not correct. Its over 10,000rpm. The bike starts to pull really strong at 6500 through 10,000. It will go over 150mph and has impressed a few jap bikes recently. Soon it will have a new fuel and spark map and that should fix the low speed problems.

I guess at a minimum these problems have given us all something to talk about and discuss our view points on.

[inspector gadget]

i understand this model has had a couple of fuel/spark mapping changes already. is Buell playing fast and loose or do they have any idea how to fix these issues?
where is that moderator with the connections at Buell when you need him??

[Zack]

We are waiting for an ECM re-map that will address fuel/spark issues.

A significant number of '08 1125Rs are running lean enough to get abnormally hot.
The heat exacerbates any fuel smell, engine smoothness and rider comfort issues.

So far BMC has provided one re-map that ONLY addressed battery maintenance issues, not fuel/spark.
The new flash should be at dealers this week.

It should be very similar if not identical to the ECM firmware on the 09 Rs and CRs - we have a CR on the floor now.

BTW, we just ran a STOCK 1125R at Bonneville - avg speed 158 something.
Best run, a tad over 161mph.... on salt... at 4200 ft elevation.

Z

[buellosaurusrex]

i understand this model has had a couple of fuel/spark mapping changes already. is Buell playing fast and loose or do they have any idea how to fix these issues?
where is that moderator with the connections at Buell when you need him??

Right now he's sitting at his computer with a 101 degree fever and the flu.
But I promise he'll check into it.

[chevycummins]

Just got the reprogram today. What a huge difference in a positive way. The bike runs perfect at cruise, can run 6th gear at 50mph and is smooth. The in town seems much better now also but still has a slight surge. I am happy with the way it runs now.