| Author | Message | ||
     Fio835 |
Hey guys, need some help here. I have the option to trade in a 02 sportster for a 2008 1125r black with 1300 miles. Have these bikes had any major problems/issues or are they pretty reliable. I want a reliable bike that I can ride every day and wont have problems with. Thanks any help is appreciated | ||
| Juniorkirk |
'08s are the best year, dont really have to worry about the stator problem. Just the clutch weep. But in all fairness, the clutch weep cost about $250 to fix, stator, several hundred more. Get it, thats a good trade, i would be all over that like white on rice | ||
| Fio835 |
Can you explain the clutch weep? Thanks | ||
| Juniorkirk |
*running out to bike to take a picture* | ||
| Juniorkirk |
Alright, there are tons of mathematically and scientific explanations for the clutch weep, but down and dirty, clutch fluid leaks past the o-ring and out of the breather hole on the clutch. The amount is small, and if you keep an eye on it you never have to really fix it, just keep putting clutch fluid in it. But it's better to fix it.  The little hole underneath the scratched puck is the clutch breather, and that is where it 'weeps' | ||
| Fio835 |
Ok I gotcha, should parts still be available for this if it occurs. Im gonna purchase a HD Extended Service Plan with the bike. Im just concerned the bike is an 08 with 1300 miles and I can tell by dust it has been sitting at the dealer for at least 3/4 months. The battery was dead when they tried to start it. Trough it on a jump and it started They told me they'll do a full service and replace the battery as well as add rear turn signals those seem to be missing? I did test drive it, and it was pretty awesome. Whatcha think man, I want something reliable. | ||
| Juniorkirk |
get the warranty, and if it does start weeping they will fix it free. They have a kit for it part number is X2086.1AM, just make sure you keep that number in handy if it does leak. The guys at the dealership i go to tried to just replace the o-ring to fix it but then i showed them part number and they actually had one it stock. They did it right then and there and was completely free. Mine has almost 10,000 FUN miles, and the only thing that really has been wrong so far is the clutch weep. Get the bike, it's reliable as hell, and they wreck pretty good too. that scuffed up puck is the last thing wrong with the bike after t-boning a car at about 25 mph. All the parts to fix the bike cost under $900 together. | ||
| Fio835 |
Anything else to convince me to go for it? | ||
| Juniorkirk |
I can understand questioning any big problems that the bike might have, but i've mostly put that out of the window. Plus with the warranty, anything that will break will probably do so under the warranty. If you test rode it and still need convincing, it's probably not the bike for you. I test rode mine when it had 56 miles on it, 3 days later i was back with a check in my hand and that bike left with me, i didnt have to think about it. If something was that fun i didnt need to be convinced why i should buy it. | ||
| Fio835 |
No no I love the bike, its just im scarred the bike I have now doesnt ride that great and Im concerned about making another investment when I know no one who has one. but I really appreciate your help. I think itll be a go if the price is exactly right. Thanks | ||
| Juniorkirk |
oh ya, my cluster tach needle slipped and now idles at -500 from what it says. Warranty is fixing that too. Still waiting for the cluster, but it doesnt bother me, i know about when my bike is about to head limiter and i shift, and if i bounce it a couple times of the limiter, oh well, she likes it. | ||
| Juniorkirk |
i just did a KBB search, a 2002 883 Sporty in good condition will get about $2,600 for trade-in. And a 2008 1125R retail is $5,480. I did that for a Greensboro area code. and if you get a 2 year warranty, i would say that MIGHT run around $1,000-$1,500 (i have no idea though, also dont know the model of your sporty). So i would say 2008 1125R+2 year warranty = 2002 883 Sporty+~$4,500 Thats what i would shoot for (Message edited by juniorkirk on June 11, 2011) | ||
| D_adams |
I've only got about 24,000 miles on mine so far. Major issues were the IC (instrument cluster) drained the battery, replaced both under warranty. Multiple clutch leaks, all warranty repairs although the last one was the one that fixed it. Water pump failed at about 15k miles, one blade on the impeller broke along with the mechanical seal. Again, warranty repair. That's the bad part. I have the extended warranty on mine also, it's worth the peace of mind, even though I'm more than capable of doing the repairs myself. The good part, it's a BLAST to ride. I think the 1125 was mis-named. It should have gotten the Blast name. Track days are fun, any twisty road is fun, even straight roads are fun when there aren't any cops around and you get to let it unwind some. I've hit 150+ at Blackhawk farms on the main straight. It's not the most comfortable bike to ride for extended periods, although there are things that can be done to alleviate that, such as lower foot pegs, higher bars, comfort seat, etc. Looking back, I'd still have bought mine when I did, even knowing that the fire sale was going to happen a year after I got it. It's just been that much fun. Sure, I'd love to have 2, but I'm content with what I've got for now. I got another chance to ride today, several hours of fun for only $10 in fuel. I didn't get much video since I forgot to clear of the SD card before I went out today.  Maybe next time. | ||
| Eddie |
Once you get it save up for an aftermarket exhaust and the Eric Buell ECM. You will be amazed with the results  | ||
| Froggy |
There are no major issues with the 1125, and the few common issues are well documented and are easy to fix. I commute daily on a pair of 1125s, I love every second of it. Keep in mind, it will be quite a bit different than your Sportster. That can be a good or bad thing, depending on your riding style and your ability to adapt to a bike on the opposite side of the spectrum. | ||
| Jcjohnson33 |
I have the '09 1125R. And other than the stater being replaced about a year ago and getting the harness up grade (non applicable to '08) and the very minimal clutch weep I have had no problems. I just hope I didn't just jinx myself. Lol | ||
| Therealassmikeg |
I love every moment I ride mine more than the last, except for the oh-shit moments then I love it even more... 2008R Twin Motorcycles tune and exhaust, runs perfect all the time. Always follow YOUR first instinct and nobody else's!! | ||
| Fio835 |
One more thing, are parts still being made for the 1125r and for how long? | ||
| Hybridmomentspass |
Fio - I am not far from GSO, half hour or so, Im just outside of Winston. I have a 08, outside of the clutch weep and an odd issue where the clutch resevoir started leaking, its been a blast. Both things were covered by the dealer. Oh, and the turnsignals. Parts - HD HAS to make parts for seven years. PM me, lets go ride. | ||
| Dannybuell |
Froggy is SO CORRECT we he stated ; "Keep in mind, it will be quite a bit different than your Sportster. That can be a good or bad thing, depending on your riding style and your ability to adapt to a bike on the opposite side of the spectrum" The 1125 is an engine where 3500rpm is the MINIMUM lug speed regardless of ECM, not the 2200rpm of a harley. | ||
| Zane_t |
Other than the minor clutch weep, which started last Fall and I still haven't fixed yet,(just more of a nuisance leak than anything else, haven't added much fluid at all), My '08 1125R has been incredibly reliable. I purchased mine a year and a half ago with only 650 miles on it. I've been wanting a sportbike for a second motorcycle for some time and this one far exceeded my expectations. Ended up being my main ride. Like others in this thread mentioned, the 1125R is way different from the Sportster. The riding position, ergonomics, etc. really have to be acquired, and takes some getting used to. | ||
| Dosmie |
Agree with Froggy. Black and white from the HOG. Went from a shovelhead to my 1125r. I would gladly do it again. | ||
| Duphuckincati |
Just curious Fio, what other motorcycles have you owned and had a chance to ride? | ||
| Fio835 |
Ive ridden all bikes, Sportsters, Baggers, and a few other sport bikes, Ninjas etc. Im not concerned about the bike, Ive been riding for over 10 years. I'm just concerned about the relibiity as I personally know no one who has an 1125. | ||
| Ratgin |
I don't know if id recommend an 1125 until there is a fix that works for the stator failures. It cant be relied upon and there isn't a true fix only a patch that postpones its demise. | ||
| Duphuckincati |
"Ive ridden all bikes, Sportsters, Baggers, and a few other sport bikes, Ninjas etc. Im not concerned about the bike, Ive been riding for over 10 years." That's good, I just worry about Sportster riders. | ||
| Froggy |
There is, and both of my 1125s are reliable. | ||
| Hybridmomentspass |
2008 with about 15k on her, no stator issues. | ||
| Fio835 |
Buddy of mine mentioned he heard something about having to let it run a little after u get off the bike after riding. Something about the plugs fouling? He said he heard this but has no idea how credible it is Anyone done/heard of this? | ||
| Juniorkirk |
i've never heard of it. Plus, the bike cleans it's own plugs if you start it and dont take it to normal op temp several times |
