| Author | Message | ||
     Bwbhighspl |
I've moved from an XB9 to an 1125, and I'm looking for advice on a safe transition, as well as what to expect. As far as I can tell, the riding positions are identical. Maybe if you're shorter/taller there's a difference, but for me (6'1"), it's the same. That might change once I can actually take it outside without walking it over the sheet of ice in my driveway, but for now, it's the same. The XB9 has the D&D exhaust, and I liked it. How will this sound in comparison? Is the D&D for the 1125 comparable? How about the shaking? Is it really that bad? Remember, this is relative to the XB9R. What about the HP difference between the two? I don't want to kill myself. I've had a street bike for over 10 years, and have rented Road Kings and Electra Glides for longer trips, but I've never been on a bike with this much HP. The closest I've gotten is a v-rod, but I don't think that will compare to this. Is it hard to keep the front tire on the ground? I've lifted it on the XB9R, but never on purpose, and never more than a couple of inches. If that tire comes up 3 feet the first time I take off, I will not be a happy camper. I could gun it without fear on the XB9R, but I think that would be an unwise move with this one. I want it to start every time, so recommendations in that department would be nice. I'm looking for adjustments that were needed when moving from an XB9R to 1125r. (Message edited by bwbhighspl on March 06, 2011) | ||
| Zane_t |
There's no need to worry about the 1125R getting away from you. The extra horsepower is in the extra RPM's you have to play with, rather than in the low end torque. Very predictable. As far as shaking goes, it will be much smoother than the XB as a result of the shorter piston stroke and the balance shafts. It will also sound different from the XB9 if you modify the exhaust. | ||
| Mountainstorm |
You will need a powerful suction cup to pull your nuts out of your body. They will fully retract when that front wheel comes ALL the way up at WOT.  Just exercise a little restraint when using the throttle. There is a rush of HP and Torque from 5K-8K that is unlike the more plotted ramp up in power of the XB9. Something about the tune of the stock ECM coupled with the airbox, exhaust, engine character will make for a big lump of power right at 8K RPM. In 1st and 2nd this translates into either a huge stupid grin or a shrivelled nut sack...depends on the rider. The bike will always start. Mine has started every time no matter the weather conditions or temperature. | ||
| Ratsmc |
Do not put a D&D on the 1125. The bike becomes deafening and you will actually lose power. | ||
| Brumbear |
If you are not used to the helicon engine Do not go WOT comming outa turns it will bite you on the ass!!!This is the only thing I have seen because the power is so evenly delivered is the mistake of going WOT coming out of a turn on the XB you could flog hell out of it and not really worry about breaking the tire loose on the 1125 models this is not the case the extra revs and extra 50 HP makes for a moment or 2 of PUCKER until you get used to it!!! But this is really not an issue unless you are running real hard. | ||
| Juniorkirk |
I went from a 12R to the 1125 and i was instantly comfortable. I'm 6'5" 220lbs and this bike fits like a glove. The only difference i saw/felt when i got on it was the HUGE fairing and it was a little fatter. The first weekend i had it i was up on Ortega Highway (Spirited curves) and was right at home, road it just like i road the xb and it felt perfect. As for the HP difference....HUGE. You can feel the extra pull, it's just amazing, and i was going from the 12r. In the end, all i would say, ride it just like your ride your 9R with a little more throttle control until you get a good feel for HOW MUCH power it has. P.S. As for the shaking, just as much as the xb, just at different RPMs. 12R vibrated at low RPMs, 1125 does it at high RPMs | ||
| Rpm4x4 |
The biggest and hardest obstical for me to overcome was power delivery in the corners. On my 9 I felt like an AMA superstar but on the 1125 I had a hard transition. I think the Erik Buell Racing ecm is a must for this reason. It calms down the power delivery at the lower rpms. That helped me with my cornering alot. I added a Keda rt1 pipe, that combined with the Erik Buell Racing ecm made the power smooth like my XB9, but far more powerful. I find I have a hard time going back to my 9 now. | ||
| Ratbuell |
Ride the 1125 like you're on the XB9...in the rain. Or snow. Seriously. Behave like the road surface sucks and you have no traction. THAT will let you get used to the bike gradually. Set the suspension on the softer side of where the book recommends for your weight. Many folks here (myself included) have found the 1125 settings to be fairly harsh. I weigh about 200 in gear, but have my suspension ('09 CR) set for the 170 range. Above all, though...use Common Sense. I know...we're rapidly breeding it out of society...but try it. You'll be fine, if you pay attention and don't get stupid. The bike won't bite...unless you tell it to. | ||
| Pmjolly |
I'm not sure if he is worried about the engine shaking or the whole bike shaking. I have had just a very slight head shake two different times. Both times were wide open throttle in third gear as the front wheel was trying to come off the ground. I'm the same way about wheelies. I avoid them, but the bike wants to do them anyway in first, second, and sometimes third. If you whack the throttle in first gear, you WILL either point towards the sky, or spin the back tire out from under you. Just use a little caution and roll into the throttle. It's all fun. I think the fact that he is asking these questions means he will do just fine. | ||
| Jules |
Is it hard to keep the front tire on the ground? I've lifted it on the XB9R, but never on purpose, and never more than a couple of inches. If that tire comes up 3 feet the first time I take off, I will not be a happy camper. I could gun it without fear on the XB9R, but I think that would be an unwise move with this one. No it's not hard to keep the front end down, it all depends on your throttle control. I occassionally feel the front end lift but it's normally because I have snapped the throttle just a little bit harder than usual. a D&D would be a mistake (IMHO) they're obnoxiously loud and sap power. Are the shakes you're refering to "head" shakes or just vibes? I've never had an issue with the head shaking on this bike, it's very stable. The vibes are pretty good (for a V Twin) too. Mine starts every time I want it to as well so you shouldn't have any issues there :-) | ||
| Dannybuell |
+1 on all of the above. Ratbuell's rain advice is super. Some differences: The 1125 throttlebodies are 2x+ larger than an xb9. Throttle inputs are at LEAST 2x+ more responsive. This makes a very rev happy engine at ANY rpm. comparing my 09 CR to my 96 S1; at 4000 rpm top gear throttle roll on things start happening very fast. just rolling the throttle on from 70 to 100 the CR is more than 2x+ quicker than the S1. Unless you are an experienced motorcycle racer, you are making a VERY BIG mistake grabbing a handful of throttle on an 1125. | ||
| Froggy |
Which XB9 did you have, and which 1125 did you go too? The egros on a 1125R or clubman CR are a little more relaxed than the Firbolt, but lower than a Lightning.
The D&D is stupidly loud, avoid at all cost. Sometimes I wish I could beat every D&D owner with a mallet, as it does nothing but look ugly, make the bike loud, kill power, and piss off everyone.
Engine vibes? None. Or do you mean steering head shakes? None here either, but I have my suspension dialed in correctly.
The 1125 has about twice the horsepower, but if you treat it respect, you will be fine.
No, unless you are a retard trying to kill yourself.
Ride it. Get a battery tender to extend your battery life. Ride it some more. It isn't some carbed piece of junk where you have to guess if its going to start or not. Also, get a Erik Buell Racing Race ECM even if you are running a stock exhaust. It is just that much better. | ||
| Bwbhighspl |
The shake I'm referring to is vibration. I'm not worried about the head shake. The D&D is that obnoxious, huh? What sounds like the D&D on the XB's? I love that low end thump-thump sound -- the deeper the better. I don't care if I lose horsepower. What would be closest to that? | ||
| Bueller4ever |
If you gun the 1125cr in first gear, you will flip the F over. Even if you shift aggressively between 1st and 2nd gear it will pull the front tire and could loop. It will never sound like your xb. | ||
| Froggy |
Yes.
Absolutly nothing. Totally different motor makes a totally different sound. The engine idles twice as high as my XB, it sounds more like a helicopter than having the Harley putt putt | ||
| Ratbuell |
I don't care if I lose horsepower. What would be closest to that? Keep the XB. As noted above...you are NOT going to make an 1125 sound like an XB. Period. A louder 1125 is going to crackle; a louder XB will rumble. Its the engine architecture and DOHC setup, not the exhaust. Personally? I loveloveLOVE the way my CR sounds, with stock pipe, at just about anything over 6k or 7k on the tach. Musical. | ||
| Fresnobuell |
Engine vibes? None. Or do you mean steering head shakes? None here either, but I have my suspension dialed in correctly. Hyper-milers wouldn't suffer from engine vibes unless its from lugging the engine and how would the suspension help with engine vibes in the first place?} | ||
| D_adams |
Want a deep toned one? Sorry, couldn't resist plugging this one. Sounds better than a D&D, makes a LOT more power. Some guys like it, some don't. You won't find one with a deeper note though. www.keda-design.com | ||
| Froggy |
The original post never made it clear if he was referring to the engine or suspension.
Good to know, one less thing to worry about!  | ||
| Bwbhighspl |
D_adams -- Yeah, I've seen the keda designs videos. Do you have that exhaust, or know someone who does? It's really hard to make comparisons from those video clips. Thanks for the advice on riding, and what to expect at the different ranges. Anymore input in that would be good. Unrelated note: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/4062/619585.html?1299435847 (Message edited by bwbhighspl on March 06, 2011) | ||
| Ratsmc |
D_Adams is Keda Designs. | ||
| Xb1200rick |
The biggest and hardest obstical for me to overcome was power delivery in the corners. On my 9 I felt like an AMA superstar but on the 1125 I had a hard transition. I think the Erik Buell Racing ecm is a must for this reason. I completely agree . The XB railed through the corners and you could pin it coming off the corners. The 1125 does not feel as solid IMO and if you pin the throttle you better be hanging on.  | ||
| D_adams |
Yeah, that's my personal one. I have a few prototypes, Erik Buell Racing has 2 of them right now. From personal experience, you "hear" the jardine/fmf/d&d. You "FEEL" mine, in addition to hearing it. Until you actually hear one in person, you won't believe it. When Erik Buell Racing gets done with the RT-1 & 3, I _might_ send them out as test pipes for guys that are on the fence. They're prototypes, so they don't look perfect, although functionally they perform the same. The finished versions are considerably cleaner welds. I think the RT-1 has 3k miles on it or so, the RT-3 has at least 750+ miles now. Both have been abused pretty hard on the dyno. | ||
| Bwbhighspl |
D_adams - Keep me in mind for the prototypes! RPM4x4 -- "It calms down the power delivery at the lower rpms". What happens at the lower RPMs....? | ||
| Ratsmc |
Fueling is a little rough and twitchy at lower RPMs. Running under 25MPH is kind of a pain. | ||
| Bwbhighspl |
So, a "friend" of mine has the D&D sitting in his garage.....along with the Remus Powerizer. My friend was waiting for the weather to get better (still below about 20 degrees here), and then putting them both on. My "friend" really liked the D&D on my XB9, and he figured it would be about the same. He watched the videos of the different exhausts. Erik Buell Racing didn't offer a map for the D&D, so he got both parts with the intent of putting them on together. Anywho, because my friend doesn't read this board, please refrain from criticizing his choice in exhaust. | ||
| Fireboltxb9r |
I went from the XB9R to 1125R with no problem. I kinda had the same concerns with the power increase, but you simply need to treat the 1125 with respect (as you should on any bike). I had a 1982 Suzuki RM250Z motocrosser which was known for spitting off novice's with regularity. This thought was present riding the 1125 for first time, but the bike is very predictable and the control is all in the wrist. Use common sense and with your 10 years plus riding experience you'll adapt just fine. I will add, hopping back on the XB9R is a bit anticlimactic. Still a great bike and a riot to ride, but anemic in comparison to the Rotax!  | ||
| Bwbhighspl |
Fireboltxb9r -- Do you miss the XB? Have you ever considered going to a 12R? I've heard people talk a lot about the 1125r seat....is it as comfortable as the XB seat? | ||
| Juniorkirk |
I had an XB12R before my 1125R. I started riding the 1125 all the time. One day i thought i would take the xb out since i hadnt ridin it for awhile. Rode it for 10 miles and parked it and got on the 1125. 3 days later, sold the xb to a buddy of mine and havent ridden it since. It's not the lack of fun, its the lack of RPM, you get use to the 10,500 redline and when you ride the xb and it stops at 7,100 it just pissed me off for not going anymore. | ||
| Jules |
Anywho, because my friend doesn't read this board, please refrain from criticizing his choice in exhaust. Ummm no.. If he doesn't read this board then (a) he won't know if it is being criticised and (b) everyone is entitled to express their opinion as to whether a particular part is good or bad (in their opinion) so it's unlikely you'll get anyone to stop criticising D&D for producing a poor product. No offence mate but it's a free country/world... |
