| Author | Message | ||
     Bahnzii |
I'm looking at some used 2008 1125r's and wanted to know if there are any special things I should be on the look out for? Also, is an '09 version better, assuming the same mileage? I've read on here about some of the stator issues and heating. Were there any running changes from the factory to address those issues? Thanks for any and all advice!! | ||
| Jules |
There were very few changes between them, if you use the search function on here you'll see that's been asked and answered previously, but assuming the 08 has the latest flash in the ECM it'd be good to go (same applies to an 09/10). The 08 doesn't suffer from the same stator issues as some of the 09/10s do but it has a stator with a lower power output to start with (not really an issue though). 09/10 have targetted injectors but that's available from Erik Buell Racing as an "upgrade" if you felt it necessary. On balance I don't think an 09 is "better" but I prefer the frame colour on my 09 to the blue 08. | ||
| Rsh |
If the 08's you are looking at have all the latest updates, or you have a dealer that supports Buell that will perform the updates for you, you can probably get a good deal on a 08. The 08's also have the clutch cover weep issue, same as the 09's. There is a fix for it. The 08's instrument cluster is slightly different in operation to the 09 cluster, the 09 displays what gear you are in. 09's have different color body work, and a black frame. 09's have frame insulation to help with heat. Overall IMHO, once Buell straightened out the 08 fueling issue with the latest ECM flash, the 08's seem to have less problems. You just have to like black and blue. | ||
| Badlionsfan |
I think these stator issues have made the 08's the better bike. | ||
| Jules |
I think these stator issues have made the 08's the better bike. That being the case it's just a simple swap to fit the 08 stator, rotor and cover to an 09 if you feel it's warranted. | ||
| Vinb |
O and the white ones are the fastest. | ||
| Badlionsfan |
Well my 08 came with the 08 charging system so I'm good there. I'd buy an 08, and spend the stator money on an ebr ECM and ride happy. | ||
| Avc8130 |
I own both an 08 and an 09. I would buy an 08 100 times over before even considering an 09. My 08 is a better bike. This summer with the 09: 2 weeks in the shop for "charging harness" 3 weeks in the shop for "stalling" 3 weeks in the shop for stator replacement X weeks in the shop for clutch weep This summer with the 08: 5k miles while the 09 has been in the shop! Comparing the two: The 08 stator works. Who cares about the output? Mine doesn't complain about heated grips and a GPS, what more do you need? The 08 runs WAY cooler. Seriously. Not by the temp gauge, but by "felt" heat. My 09 will boil the blood in your leg, the 08 doesn't. Screw the targeted injectors. Both bikes will clutch weep. I had the 08 fixed early last summer and *knock on wood* it has been great for 8k miles. Take whatever you like, but if I was adding another R, I wouldn't even look at the evil black-frame bikes. ac | ||
| Froggy |
I have both the 08 and 09. Both run great. Both have been reliable. Both will take me coast to coast without worry. One is a R, the other is a CR, both are great depending on my mood.  | ||
| Chris_motion |
i have an 08 and two 09s. i rode the 08 for a while then when i got my first 09 i felt it pulled i little harder - wheel wanted to come up easier. i've had the ECM upgrade and the brake line fix to the 08. my 09 stalls sometimes when i pull the clutch in (i've read about the loose wire problem and just got my torx security bits to check it out) - other than the stalling, i feel my 09 is a bit more powerful. | ||
| Nightripper |
I would stay away from a used 1125 either year, unless you steal it for he price etc. If you buy one I would rather buy a new one from a dealer with less than a 50 miles on it. While the 1125 is a great bike, it seems to have to many glitchs and small part failures that will drive you crazy correcting. Remember most ppl are selling a bike,car. truck etc. because there is something that no longer makes them happy owning or driving the vehicle. So you really have to know he history and the buyer history of ownership before you buy it. One simple way of finding out the history of the bike is to get the VIN # and have a buell service manager run to vin and it will tell you its exact problems and service history. | ||
| Jules |
Umm - do you have an 1125 (your profile doesn't say if you do)? That's reasonable generic advice for buying any vehicle, buying a used anything is a calculated risk, but a well cared for used bike from a private seller is normally a whole lot cheaper. It did remind me of one thing I'd forgotten.. If you by an 08 the warranty won't have long to run on it (if any time at all) whereas an 09 might still have some remaining (unless there's an extended warranty in play somewhere) | ||
| Nightripper |
read all the problems with the 1125. if you can read you tell alot of ppl are dumping them, due to the fact that there are alot of problems with the bike and parts that are hard to get with 90-180 day leed times or availability. Why buy someone elses problems. | ||
| Badlionsfan |
Some parts, but not all. I had my clutch fix parts in two weeks. | ||
| Guard_rail |
I'm not trying to be rude but I don't like your tone of text Mr. Night Ripper :-( | ||
| Froggy |
If by "alot", you mean about half a dozen, then yes. The vast majority have been happy with their bikes and don't plan to sell.
Please, name one part that currently has a 90-180 lead time.
Many times, someone else's problems are user error. The rest are easily fixed under warranty. | ||
| Father_of_an_era |
Well, I have an 08 R with over 9000 miles on it and would not part with it unless it was providing me with a lot of grief do to ongoing problematic issues. But, since I have had very few issues with it and it is a blast to ride, I plan on owning this bike for a very long time. To make blatant and ill-advised statements of discontent without actual proof of what you are saying is nothing but ridiculous blabber! While its true that there are quite of few people on here who have had some issues with their bikes, if you measure the amount of of bike that have been produced and purchased against the amount of unhappy owners, then I believe that the numbers would suggest that a person would be very happy owning the 1125R and/or CR or both! Do a comparison of owner's negatives and positives and you will have a pretty clear understanding of what the Buell 1125s have to offer you as a potential owner. Just remember that no bike is without its flaws be it American, Italian, Japanese or other... | ||
| Aussybenxb9r |
Its a complex, high performance machine, of course there will be problems. I had a clutch weep on my 08R and it was fixed in 3 hours, in Australia! The small niggles are worth the unique bike and the ability to stand out in the pack, plus it goes like stink. Buy one, Ride It, enjoy the experiences.. | ||
| D_adams |
I've got over 18K on my 08 R and I'm trying to sort out how to get my hands on another one. Sure, it's had some issues, but they're worth it overall. I have absolutely NO plans to give up the one I've got, I want a 2nd one, even a 3rd if I could swing getting it. I think I'll need a bigger garage though. | ||
| Dannybuell |
The 1125 is the best bang for your buck out there. go for it! | ||
| Rsh |
Unfortunately very few 1125's in California go for the "fire sale" prices seen in other parts of the US. | ||
| Jules |
read all the problems with the 1125. if you can read you tell alot of ppl are dumping them If you can read you'll also note that there are a lot of stupid people spouting ill-informed and ignorant nonsense on the internet. These blanket "all 1125s are bad" statements are bad enough coming from someone with personal experience of issues. From someone who doesn't even own one they're just pathetic whining. | ||
| Avc8130 |
As the owner of a pair I think I can speak from experience. Knowing what I know now, having EXPERIENCED what I have experienced now, I would NOT buy an 1125 again UNLESS you are CERTAIN of the following: 1. The price is worth it. 2. You can deal with your bike sitting at the dealer for weeks/months if you need a component. The bottom line is that parts ARE backordered. I waited 4 weeks for a stator. I am waiting 6 weeks for clutch weep components. The thing with lead times and backorders is that they are all time dependent. One guy could have the issue as soon as the last part in stock is ordered and wait the full 30-120 days. Another guy could have the failure right as the part is coming off backorder and only be down for one day. This is why you get the great discrepancy, clearly one guy will be happier than the other. 3. IF you have warranty, you are stuck dealing with the dealers, so you better make sure you have a GREAT dealer. 4. IF you don't have warranty, you will most likely need to shell out a few bucks for parts. IF you can do stuff yourself, that is somewhat affordable, but if you have to pay the dealer it will hurt badly. Froggy, your claim that they have both been "reliable" is subject. You ARE on your 2nd stator. Court, where did your post go? It showed up in my email subscription, but it is MIA in the thread... I am not trying to sway you one way or another, but research your decision. Which is clearly what you came HERE to do. People claim you see a high percentage of issues because this is where people go to complain...this is also where people go to talk about how much they love the bike and how perfect it is. Somewhere in the middle is what I call reality. I am trying to help you find reality. ac | ||
| Froggy |
So I had one part replaced once, that makes my vehicle unreliable? If thats the case most cars are unreliable then. My vacuum cleaner is unreliable then too. Actually, my CR also burned out a tail light bulb, I replaced it with one I had spare, so yes my bike is officially unreliable.  | ||
| Avc8130 |
Froggy, I didn't say it made it unreliable, I just wanted to make sure the OP realized your bike has had issues. Had you not owned 2-3 other bikes you would have been MUCH more upset as the bike was down during prime summer months. I tolerate A LOT because I have the 2nd bike I can ride. If I didn't have the backup, and I missed out on 8 weeks of summer (how long my bike has been in the shop THUS FAR WITHOUT COUNTING THE ONGOING DOWN TIME RIGHT NOW) I would have been much more upset. I guess the moral of the story is "buy 2". ac | ||
| Poppinsexz |
I have an 08 1125r so far only had the bad rear turn signals. I did have a small leak at the water pump weep hole, but it seems to have cured itself. With all the stator complaints, 08 seems to be the one to have. Time will tell as I only have 3000 on it. | ||
| Stevek1125r |
IF you can get the bike for a decent price, don't mind the fact that it could be a while for parts/service and just really like having that different bike , then go get one..08's have their quirks, 09-10's have theirs... it is a crap shoot.. I would like to say that the majority of bikes don't have issues... remember there are a TON of people who own these bikes and do not post up.. on the average less than 10% of owners sign up to item specific forums... i would say this board probably has a higher ratio... lets says 30%... that still leaves 70% of owners out there who are probably just enjoying their bikes... More often than not, users on forum boards visit those boards to research issues they are having... lets says 50% of this board has decide to condemn their buell... that really isn't many owners.... it just happens to be alot of forum users, which looks bad to others who are just surfing the net..For me i only believe the statistics that i have manipulated... I have an 08, i love it when it is running.. My bike has been one of those weird problem childs... it has been in the shop since April... now for me, i don't care because i'm way far away from it. i know it will be straighten out once i get home, but it does suck that it has taken months to recieve parts... oh well i got time... If anyone is considering one of these bikes for PRIMARY transportation.... i would reconsider. if your the type that is impatient and must have your toys NOW, i would also reconsider this bike. But if your willing to Embrace the good and deal with the bad, then Get the 1125... I love my bike, i just hate HD for the lag time on parts. | ||
| Badlionsfan |
What have you been waiting for since April? | ||
| Nightripper |
See this is exactly what I was telling the prospective buyer. When you buy a new or slightly used bike shouldn't have to deal with all these problems. Last october I warned allot of local friends that wanted to buy buells that I wouldn't trust harley in the long for warranty repair and the 8 year parts replacement on closeout buells. The real proof of a manufacturer or company is how they handle these repairs and how fast they get the parts for the customers bikes. If a manufacturer and dealer can not get a bike fixed with in 30 days of servicing the problem, then they have failed to live up to their end of the warranty agreement. It would also be great if some of the members and moderators would stop the flaming of ppl for just stating simple facts. This is supposed to be open forum for discussion and sharing views, not a board to screw with ppl. | ||
| Jules |
It would also be useful if people didn't just keep posting from a position of ignorance. If you don't own one of the bikes your experience is anecdotal. It is an open forum, people post drivvel and others openly respond to tell them it's drivvel. |
