| Author | Message | ||
     Gpb |
Hiya all. This is Pippo, 52 years old italian biker, currently very satisfied owner of a 650 Suzuki V-Strom. I've always been a fan of Buell bikes, and since I was considering getting my first sport bike before getting too old, I'm thinking to buy a 1125 R which I think is a very cleverly designed bike. I'm thorn between buying a used 25th anniversary model in "as new" conditions, 4800 km, and a new one. Cost is likely to be 5K Euros for the used and 8K for the new. Are there significant differences between the two models such that I might choose to buy the new one? ANd since I'm here: what should I expect from this bike? Is it a wild bronco or a well mannered vehicle? I tested a Yamaha R-1 so I have hints of what a rocket bike is, but what about this one? Thank you all! | ||
| Northernyankee |
Hi Pippo, Welcome to the badweb, here is agood link with the differences by Model Year. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/290 431/525783.html?1262280061 As for what you should expect, it is relatively well mannered around town, but is a fire breathing beast when you want it to be! With an Slip-On Exhaust and a tune you can see 135+ RWHP which is right in line with a stock 1198. Only "major" issues with the bikes are the 09/10 have issues with the charging system which is fixed by having the stator rewound. And clutch fluid weep on all models, but this seems to have been brought under control with the new repair kit. | ||
| Dktechguy112 |
Welcome to the forum! The buell 1125 is an amazing sportbike. The best way to describe it is that it corners like a 600 sportbike, but with power closer to a 1000 sportbike. The 1125's are very solid bikes, on the 08 check if the recalls have been done. Common problems on the 2010's are stator issues and clutch leak, but I have not had either of these problems on my 09 1125 cr. Also, the 2010 would get a 2 year warranty, and that is big advantage. As far as the "25th aniverary" , its not a big deal, it just means the bike is a 2008. It gets a special sticker on the triple trees, and the frame, swingarm, and wheels are blue. Either one of those bikes would be great IMO. | ||
| Curve_carver |
Great bike but poor service. | ||
| Father_of_an_era |
Hey Pip, I have the 08 R and like the other have said, its a great bike. With the addition of the Erik Buell Racing ECM and after market exhaust, the bike runs just perfectly. Big power if you want it and fantastic handling. I have 11,000 on mine now and have not experienced the problems some some on here have but you should definitely check and make sure all of the recalls have been taken care of. You are going to love the bike!  Oh, I highly recommend the Erik Buell Racing ECM. It really smooths the bike out at lower RPMs. | ||
| Gpb |
The two year warranty is one of the reasons why I tend to prefer the new 2010 bike even if at a higher price. I once had a bad experience with an used bike and do not want to repeat it... Are the clutch leak and the stator issues going to be solved under warranty? I mean, how serious should I expect the warranty coverage to be from the HD network? BTW, I see that you guys are all in the USA. I'm in San Francisco right now for a conference but haven't seen a single buell up to now... plenty of HD, many japs, some ducati... (Message edited by gpb on December 13, 2010) (Message edited by gpb on December 13, 2010) | ||
| Dktechguy112 |
with production numbers at around 9k total, its not a bike you will see all of the time, however, I still see them. Its cool, it's like seeing an exotic sports car. Production numbers: 1125R - 5836 1125CR - 3099 1125RR - 3 The warranty coverage is great, the main problem is making sure you have a good buell dealer. Most harley dealers have good harley techs, but a good harley tech is not necessarily a good buell tech. Overall, I am very happy with my 1125. | ||
| Gpb |
Well, folks, this morning I went to the nearest HD dealer (located in Bari, Italy) and signed the check for my brand new black 1125R... should be ready in a few days... | ||
| Dannybuell |
congratulazione!! | ||
| Fresnobuell |
Is it a wild bronco or a well mannered vehicle? As with any sportbike, it's all about your right hand and your level of self control. At 52, you should have mo problems keeping things smooth and safe. that being said, the factory fueling has come ALONG way from the beginning. Early 2008 owners know exactly what I am talking about--low RPM fueling was horrible, but it made big power up top. Aside from the stock fueling,you have a wonderful option with Erik Buell Racing's tuned ECMs. It's pretty much unanimous around here that a Erik Buell Racing ECM is the first and best thing you can purchase for your new ride. Good Luck! It's great to see an new Buell in the fold. | ||
| Rogue_biker |
The 1125R I am looking at has gotten the latest ECM re-flash from Buell. Is the Erik Buell Racing ECM better than this? The 1125R is an '08 and is completely stock. | ||
| Gpb |
What exactly is this ECM? Is it a plug-in device? And what about the warranty? | ||
| Rogue_biker |
ECM = Engine Control Module. It is the bike's computer; basically its brain. It controls just about everything engine related. It is connected to various sensors throughout your engine, reads them, monitors them, then adjusts fuel/air mixture, ignition, etc. depending on what the sensors are telling it. It also interfaces with the Instrument Cluster and gives out messages there. Without the ECM, the engine will not run. The software that dictates how the ECM functions can be changed by "flashing" it; as in downloading updated software. Replacing the ECM will do the same thing. All modern vehicles today is run by an ECM or multiple ECM's (powertrain, body, climate control, etc). When the 2008 1125R came out, the software on their ECM's were not correct. Buell corrected this software several times during that year and into early 2009 by a series of "re-flashes". It takes a few minutes for the dealership to connect your bike's ECM (through an electrical plug/harness) to their computer and re-flash the ECM. It is covered by a warranty and should not cost you anything. Buell required ALL DEALERS to re-flash ECM's on all 2008 1125R's prior to releasing these bikes to customers, new or used. (Message edited by rogue_biker on December 22, 2010) | ||
| Duphuckincati |
I'm 55 with a 650 V-Strom also. You'll do real well with the Buell. Under 8k rpm it's a real easy motor, after 8k it starts to get serious. "There" becomes "here" real quick. Only things I'd say to be aware of is the clutch does not engage until the handlebar lever is beyond half-way out, and the very first initial movement of the front brake lever is stronger and more sensitive than the V-Strom by quite a lot. So give yourself time to get used to those things and it's all good. But keep the V-Strom too if you can, it's a perfect complement to the Buell. All your street riding needs will be met with these two V twins. Ciao. | ||
| Gpb |
The bike I purchased is a 2010 model, brand new. In fact it has a flycut ZTL-2 logo on the front brake caliper casting: a 2010 mark according to the Buell web site. The bike had just arrived at the dealer. Do you think it might need the reflash anyway? Duphuckincati: thanks for your points. I'm thinking to keep the V-Strom as you suggested... (Message edited by gpb on December 22, 2010) | ||
| Rogue_biker |
If it's a 2010, it does not need anything. Ride it and enjoy. If it's a 2008 model, it will need all the factory mandated recall work done on it. | ||
| Gpb |
Well, got it  this morning. Drove my first 100 km. Great bike. I did not expect that. Fantastic motor, comfortable enough, good wind protection. I'm not sure about the model year: looking at the VIN it's a 09 model, but it has the flycut ZTL2 logo on the front brake caliper... Anyway, it's a great bike... | ||
| Dannybuell |
a 2010 1125 has an oil level sight glass on right side of motor. (Message edited by dannybuell on December 28, 2010) | ||
| Buellmojo |
Gpb, Congratulations on the new 1125R, I hope you enjoy it! By my understanding there were a few other upgrades made to the engines on the 2010 models other than just the oil site glass, at least from what I have read, and what I have been told...Regardless best wishes with the new bike, and I too would consider keeping the V-Strom for a change of pace sometimes. | ||
| Gpb |
Reading the manuals side by side, the are a few differences. For example the 2010 engine oil tank contains substantially more oil.. who knows why. My bike has a stick oil gauge, I do not see any glass window... | ||
| Rex |
Congratulations and welcome to the fans of Buell motorcycling....A great group of folks. Question for some of you guys. Can you add the new oil site case to other years? REX | ||
| Redbat |
No, you can not add the oil sight case to other years. I believe it's part of the 2010 engine block, so you can't just bolt one on. | ||
| Gpb |
While I was driving home (about 60 km from the HD dealer) I've been careful not to pass the 6000 rpm limit. In 6th gear however this means going faster than 160 km/h, while the V-Strom goes about 130 km/h at the same regime...  | ||
| Dktechguy112 |
The sticker on the frame has the build date on it, your bike could be a 2010 model that was built in 2009. | ||
| Gpb |
Mmmmhhh... based on the VIN, it's a 2009... | ||
| Court |
The frame will not only have the VIN . . it will have the YEAR. | ||
| Rogue_biker |
It's not uncommon for manufacturers to build a bike for the next year, during the prior year. What is important is that your bike, which is designated as a "2010" model, has the 2010 upgrades. | ||
| Gpb |
Actually it is not designated as a 2010 model. I thought so but it looks like a 2009 based on the VIN and on some features. | ||
| Buellmojo |
The oil level site glass is the tell tale sign for the 2010 engine...If it does not have the site glass, located on the brake side lower part of the engine, then it is definitely a 2009 engine. Some lines run along side, or near the site glass,they very well can cover it up at first glance if you are not aware of it being there, or searching for it...The window is tucked in a bit. The extra oil capacity you mentioned in the manual for the 2010 compared to the 2009 model is to accommodate for the oil level site glass installed on the 2010 models. | ||
| Jules |
Welcome to Buell ownership, I'm sure you're goint to really enjoy the 1125 it's a fantastic bike. Opinion is divided (quite strongly) over how best to break in a new motor, some stick rigidly to the 6000 RPM limit, others ignore it and some just occassionally wander over it. You're really going to like how well the motor performs in the upper limits of the rev range. The Erik Buell Racing ECM is a pretty good upgrade, if you do decide to get one make sure you tell them it's a Euro spec bike, I am assuming you have both a catalytic convertor and a sidestand swithch (?) |
