| Author | Message | ||
     Buell77 |
I've been taking my CR to the track and love it. Both riding at the track and my CR! I've been thinking about getting a track bike. I love riding my CR but for sure would like a fairing. I havn't rode any other bike at the track so I don't know how they compare to the Buell. I ride in intermediate so not against race bikes. The 600's i blow past on the straightaways and don't get passed back in the corners. The literbikes pass me on the front straight but I pass most of them right back before corner 1. I can only get about 250 on the front straight. I think the liter bikes get between 275 and 300. They brake to early or their bikes don't handle like mine because I can brake way later than they do and pass them back. I don't have much problem passing them in the corners either. I don't know if it is because I'm a better rider or have a better bike. What other bikes have you guys rode and how do they compare to a 1125R. What kind of track bike do you guys recommend? I really don't think I want to race but I love going to trackdays! I wouldn't mind a little more power and speed but at the same time don't need 200+ hp at the rear wheel. Also best bang for buck? | ||
| Stirz007 |
If you like your 1125, you might consider EB's track-ready 1125R. For $10,500, it has me looking real hard at it. (ebracing.com). Otherwise, you can find some good deals at the track if you ask around. | ||
| Kicka666 |
I run a CBR600RR for my tracky, used to have a GSX/R1000 b4 that with 180bhp. I find that I am alot faster on the 600, as the thou used to spin up to much when I got on the gas to early & I have also found I can carry more entry & corner speed. The litre bikes eat me on the straight but I get them under brakes or through the corner as I can gas it up alot earlier. I wont use my 1125CR on the track cos if I throw it away I wont get another one.. | ||
| Smoke |
used 1125R, maybe one that has already been on the track and is track ready. the used ones are cheap right now. buyer's market. have fun! if you want to really develop some skills grab an ex race sv650 and take on the 600's and 1000's at the track! tim | ||
| Mark_1 |
There are 2 buell race/track bikes on ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Buell-Buell-XB12R-2 003-Buell-XB12R-Race-Bike-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQitemZ 180550313108QQptZUSQ5fmotorcycles http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Buell-1125R-Buell-1 125R-race-bike-track-bike-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQitemZ 180551348312QQptZUSQ5fmotorcycles Dont know if these are what you are looking for | ||
| 99buellx1 |
That 1125 is Buell101's, I'm sure he would answer any questions you have on it. | ||
| Jng1226 |
That 1125R on eBay has a neat setup with R1 forks and conventional dual-brake discs. Maybe hints of a possible future Barracuda? | ||
| Redbuelljunkie |
At JenningsGP ( a tight, technical track), here's how it has turned out for me on various bikes: (fastest to slowest) 1. Triumph TT600 2. Triumph Street Triple R 3. Aprilia RSV1000R 4. Buell XB12R 5. BMW R1200S Chassis/suspension/weight/balance has proven to be more effective for me than outright power- which you will find to be an almost universal truth at most tracks. Unless you always ride at a track with log straights and sweeping turns, a well-sorted chassis/suspension is going to make you faster than more power. A track bike should be lightweight with a solid chassis, quality suspension (properly set-up), rpm-happy engine, and have readily-available/affordable parts to ease maintenance and repair. This is why you see so many Japanese 600/650/750 supersport track bikes- they fit the description perfectly. But notice there are none on my list- ride what makes you happy. | ||
| Pizzaboy |
fairings are incredibly nice to have. you can practically build a walmart inside of the 1125's fairing, its so huge.. not sure still if thats a good or bad thing. i am finally confident enough in my track skills that i could trade bikes with other guys and not worry about yardsale-ing their bike... and thats exactly what i did last weekend! i rode: 06 GSXR 600 06 GSXR 1000 ducati 748 ducati monster 696 the monster was entertaining as hell riding around, but pretty •••••• on the high speed straights. each bike has its strong points and weak points, as redbuell above me said "ride what makes you happy". assuming youre good enough to keep a fast B group pace or a slower A group pace, most people will be happy to swap bikes with you for a session. i guarantee you'll learn a lot about your bike in comparison to other more common bikes AND i also guarantee that many others at the track have a serious curiosity about yours. i got a lot of feedback from everyone else about what they thought about the 1125 after last weekend, and it was all good! | ||
| Thefleshrocket |
Pizzaboy, I'm kind of surprised to hear that people are willing to trade bikes. I could maybe see trading if it was with a riding buddy who I knew and trusted (and knew he had the cash to fix my bike if he crashed it) but I couldn't see asking someone I hardly knew to swap bikes. | ||
| Pizzaboy |
all of the people i traded with are good friends of mine... the track day was put on by our local club. trading bikes involves common sense. the agreement that if you crash it you help fix it. also by the time youre fast enough to ride in A group, your fellow riders are trustworthy enough to know their way around two wheels. dudes that dont belong on a bike at the track have already been weeded out by destroying themselves and/or their bikes in C group. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
most people will be happy to swap bikes with you for a session Unless it's setup for you, I can't see where you will get a good comparison...then figure the comfort and familiarity factor you will not have with the new ride and it seems it would be easy to get the wrong impression of any bike. Also, I can see friendships fading fast once a bike is wadded and 4 figure repair bills are floating about. I would personally would never want to put myself or my friends in that situation. "If you crash it, you help fix it?" That's WAY too vague to end up working out in the end. | ||
| Badlionsfan |
A popular entry level race or track bike is the Suzuki sv 650. Lots of them at the local club races in my area. | ||
| Jng1226 |
Buell77 - this is the wrong forum for this question. With a few exceptions, you're getting armchair commando advice here. Go here: http://forums.13x.com/forumdisplay.php?f=12 WERA (www.wera.com) is one of the oldest and largest motorcycle racing sanctioning bodies, and the forum above is full of people that absolutely live racing and track days. The "Bikes for Sale" section of the forum is your best bet for buying a sorted track bike with spares and the like for a the right price. As with any used bike purchase, do your research well. | ||
| Pizzaboy |
"If you crash it, you help fix it?" That's WAY too vague to end up working out in the end. ok how about this: dont crash =] to use the 'its not set up for you' argument is tough, since you as a rider can adapt to more than you seem to give yourself credit for. as long as your not pushing your limits the same way you would with YOUR bike, taking it down a couple notches for intensity will result in some seriously fun times and education. a good comparison is inevitable. the moment you throw your leg over a ducati and take it around the track you'll instantly know how it makes power and how it feels to sit on and hang off of. how the handlebars feel. how exactly do you think the rags make their motorcycle comparisons with a dozen new bikes every year? you need to give yourself more confidence and credit than you currently do. its really not that big of a deal. two of the bikes i traded last weekend were even reverse shift and my slow learning mind was able to wrap its mind around it well enough to make some fast B group hot laps on them!! its less expensive than buying 5 different bikes to figure out which one you like example:  me on my bike  me on a gsxr 600  me on a slightly modified gsxr 1000(holy power batman!!)  gsxr600 owner on my bike  gsxr1000 owner on my bike (Message edited by pizzaboy on August 27, 2010) | ||
| Nattyx1 |
ex race bike as track day bike is a good idea I think ... this one on ebay looks pretty sweet. No idea what condition the important bits are in, but he does have all the "right stuff" on it. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_trksid=p4340.m748&item=180551348312&viewitem=&_trkparms=clkid%3D6074926410652306873 My choice as been one bike for $ reasons: I put together a cheap "track kit" for my 1125cr.  | ||
| Jng1226 |
Cool bike Nattyx1, never seen that style of number plate before. That trackside photographer did a great job on that photo, too. | ||
| Duphuckincati |
What would you experienced track guys say is the difference in handling characteristics with the Buell compared to the more common inline fours? After 75 motorcycles and some racing in the eighties I have found the Buell to feel unique among motorcycles. Just wondering when you are able to really push it on the track how it feels, relatively speaking. | ||
| Nattyx1 |
Thanks jng. Its an old buell s1 race fairing held on with a few pieces of sheet metal. I pulled the headlight and flyscreen so if I crashed there'd be less to replace, and needed something to cover the nose. All the bodywork was used pieces of various colors that I wetsanded and sprayed flatwhite and then flat clear over. Its pretty from 5yards but if you get too close you start seeing the warts. I also got some used wheels and put race tires on for better grip. And I pulled off my stebel horn because that weighs like 5pounds and you aren't supposed to be honking at people on a track anyway. :-) What else... Ebr rotor remount kit and lindall gold pads... Some fiddling with damping and preload and she's a sweet trackie. I am in search of a steering damper solution and a set of low/clubman bars so I can get under the paint on the straights. | ||
| Rodrob |
Since sucking a valve in my motor, I have been looking for a track bike as well. I rode a Daytona 675 yesterday. Very light, nimble, but it just felt like a toy compared to my 1125r. It's really hard to give up all that torque once you've had it. That being said, it was fun once I got used to all the shifting. Anybody have track experience on this bike? | ||
| Jng1226 |
I've wanted a 675 since they came out, but too many bikes already and the 1125R deal was crazy to pass up last year. I've heard them on the street and they sound sexy with pipes, like a Ferrari 360 with Tubi exhaust. I was thinking about trading one of the fleet out for a CR, but damn that Street Triple R is almost too badass to pass up:  I've saved you a Google Search: http://www.triumph675.net/forum/ | ||
| Buell77 |
Thanks for all the replies but nobody has actually compared a buell to anything else. I asked a racer from a local performance shop and he recommended an 07 cbr 600rr. He said it is an amazing track bike. His opinion was that a buell wasn't a good track bike at all. The fact that I could pass most of the riders in my group had nothing to do with the bike. All rider. Now I can understand that the buell might not be the best for racing because it is under powered. Steve Crevier rode a buell in the canadian superbike series and i guess got his ass kicked but was probably running a 1125r against liter bikes so really not that fair. At the same time I don't want to race especially with a liter bike. But how would a buell like the Erik Buell Racing track bike compare to say a 05 cbr 600rr with an ohlins shock and steering dampner, exhaust and power commander? I can get the rr for 4500. I really like riding my CR at the track. With 2cts I love the way it handles. I love the torque. I don't have to be changing gears all the time. The only thing I don't like about the CR is the lack of fairing. At 250 there is alot of wind! | ||
| Dktechguy112 |
A buell 1125 will be faster then the 600 jap bikes, but slower then the 1000 cc jap bikes. | ||
| D_adams |
Watch some DSB races, the 1125 did pretty well against factory 600's when Eslick ran it last year. I haven't been keeping up this year though, too much on my plate. I think Eslick's bike was only putting 140 hp to the wheel, so what you've got is comparable or darn close to it. Any 1125R will do the same, add a good pipe like what you've got and ECM. I guess you'd pick up about 15-20 mph top speed maybe? I came off a SV650, so it's not much of a comparison. All the other IL4's I used to work on were from the early to mid 90's, so I can't really tell you if the current crop of 600's are better or worse than the 1125 for handling/speed. | ||
| Nattyx1 |
Buell77. This is actually a huge question you're asking, and it's one that can't be answered generically. It's like asking, "what's the best house" without telling anyone about the size of your family or how much stuff you need to store in the garage. It depends on who you are, how you're built, and what you want to work on. Still: I ALWAYS recommend this to people and it never fails: Unless you're a pro rider, a full-on Jap literbike is going to be way more likely to scare and/or injure you than a 600. (IF you have a lot of money, you can obviate some of that by getting the bmw with all the electronic nannies and let their staff of engineers ride along with you). IF you have a big ego and can't stand the idea of someone passing you on a straightaway, (I'm not saying this is wrong), then you need something with TRACTABLE power not PEAKY power. Buell, Ducati, Aprilia - any sport twin is a good call here. But if you are going to track days to work on improving your riding skills in general, then any bike making around 100hp at the rear wheel will be fine. If your home track is a monster like RA or Brainerd, then you're gonna want 100+. If it's tight and twisty like Infineon or Barber, then you'll probably never see 5th gear anyway. I personally love the Buells at track days. It's irrelevant to me if someone drafts past on a straight (and usually it's only the race-prepped GSXR1000s etc that do that). Any twit can open a throttle when the bike is pointed forward. What I want in a track bike is a machine that can be tuned to my size and style AND to the conditions easily (good suspension with wide adjustment range), a strong motor that won't snap up and bite me if I roll the throttle on a smidge too fast (I'm not saying you can't high side a buell, just that its harder than on a gsxr), and an overall chassis that rewards good riding skill (smoothness, balance, body position, lightness on controls, etc) without punishing mistakes too heavily. IMHO, the 1125 answers all those questions correctly. Plus it's more 'crashable' (short of something catastrophic where the front end rips off) than a japanese sportbike if you're trying to keep the OEM plastics pristine. Last thought: The 675 daytona is also great motorcycle. Easier to ride fast than an inline four because of the extra 10ftlbs of torque. I had one at a couple of trackdays in 09. | ||
| T_man |
Buell77: I'll be brining my 1125R to the track this Thursday, perhaps we can swap out for a few laps and at least you can try the R version of the 1125. | ||
| Jng1226 |
Buell77 - all the questions you have asked have been answered in the recent posts and other good tidbits in previous ones. If you are bench racing and want a professional comparison of a STOCK 1125R vs. a top-rated Japanese 600, read this review and track test between an 2009 1125R vs. 2009 ZX-6R vs. 2009 Aprilia RSV-R: http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/9/3317/Motorcycle-Ar ticle/2009-Daytona-SportBike-Comparison.aspx The unequivocal truth to your question is that you are new to the track. Buy a track bike that you can AFFORD and is in good running order. Save money on "upgrades" like power and suspension and spend it on a good setup, racing/track schools and good race rubber. Until you get to within 5-10 seconds of the race group lap times, a stock bike will be perfectly adequate. Try to avoid comparisons with "literbikes" or "600s" at the track, as you should concentrate on your individual performance (faster lap times from previous days) and comfort level. As you can probably confirm from your first track events, you will learn more in your first 2 years at the track than your entire previous riding career, and also what direction you want to take with your track days/racing. That experience will tell you what bike you need/want. I went to my first track school in 1988 and went through this first hand. Then I went on to turn so many friends on to track days/racing and have seen the process above repeated many times. An 1125 is now a great option as a track bike because they are very inexpensive, but parts may be harder and harder to come by. Go to the WERA website I linked to earlier and you'll find tons of track/race bike packages for the same or better money. Perhaps the biggest advantage of a Japanese machine is the availability of spares and lowest running costs/least downtime. If you're the only 1125 at the track and bend a brake/clutch lever, footpeg, etc. your day could be over. On a popular Japanese platform, you'll likely have paddock neighbors that have spares to get you back up and running. Simple summary - a properly setup bike in each of the categories (600, liter twin, 1000 four, etc.) at your skill level will likely result in lap times within a second of each other, so get what you "like" and can afford. Spend any surplus on quality rubber and track/racing schools and I promise whatever you're on you will get to the fast group the quickest. Good luck and have fun! | ||
| Buell77 |
Nattyx1: I know its a tough question. Almost like whats better between Ford, Dodge, and Chev. Thanks for your answers. Jng1226: The magazine article was exactly what I was looking for. Answered my questions perfectly! In the article the buell turned in quicker and was more flickable than a zx6. Mid corner speed same as zx6. Better tire wear than a zx6. Almost double. More power. I wanted to know if I'm on better or worse equipment than the others. I'd have to say I'm on better equipment. T man: see you at the track! I'll be riding in intermediate. | ||
| Buell77 |
Does anyone have a link to the ebr track bike. I've seen the specs for it before but now can't find it anywhere. | ||
| Rodrob |
I've have tried several bikes trying to find a better track bike than my 1125r. I finally bought a fully tricked out track only SV650 and took it to a track day Monday. I'm still looking...  | ||
| Buell77 |
Rodrob: How do your lap times compare? What other bikes have you tried? | ||
| Rodrob |
I've tried a Daytona 675, liked it, Kawa 6r, good, Ninja 250, more fun than I thought it would be, BMW 1000RR, awesome, SV650, fun, and my 1125r. Now I am 57 and still a novice, but I am running a respectable 1:32 and change on the big track at Willow on my super stock 1125r. I almost bought the BMW after spending a couple of days on it. But then I got back on my Buell and had more fun. What makes the 1125r work so well for me is the rider position, handling and torque. I am sure the BMW has more potential for a seasoned racer, but I am faster on the 1125r due to the accessibility of the power. I shift less, can race in a higher gear range which makes the bike relatively forgiving. It's like poor man's traction control. My tires last longer that other liter bikes (or 600s) as well. Plus I have to admit that I like being on something different. Something American. Simply, the 1125r is just the best balance of power, forgiveness, handling, comfort and value that I have found for me. Younger more seasoned racers might be faster on one of the above bikes, but so far, I have been giving all but the pro level guys a good race. PS. Some don't like the Buell brakes. But so far, I like the way they feel and stop. For example, the SV650 I just bought, has been built with GSXR forks an R1 brakes. Huge stopping power. But the other day I almost went over the bars as I hit a rough spot just as I was braking into the turn due to the initial bite being so strong. The 1125 brakes have a soft initial bite which for me, is more predictable and forgiving when braking hard and late. So far I have never felt like I don't have enough brake. Perhaps as I get faster, that will change. I hope to find out. (Message edited by Rodrob on September 10, 2010) | ||
| Catalan42 |
Rodrob - Thank you for the comparison. Going to Willow next month. I can't believe how much different (better/racier) the 1125R is compared to the Lightning. | ||
| Jdugger |
> A buell 1125 will be faster then the 600 jap bikes, but slower then the 1000 cc jap bikes. Not really. Too many variables, mostly around the rider, for that to be broadly accurate. |
