| Author | Message | ||
     Anonymous |
I bought the used 1190rs on ebay a while ago. I am halfway through the breakin now. I know that there are a lot of reviews of the bike out there by professional riders, some of whom have ridden/had 1125's. I still have two and have put about 20K on them together. I am not a racer and probably an average rider. I thought it might be interesting to hear a comparison from someone who has ridden them both in the same day and who has a few miles on Buells of all sorts. To start off, the 1190rs is a rocket. Even limited rpms during breaking, it is substantially different. On the second step of the breaking, where you are allowed 7500 rpms, it is scary. My 1125's are both chipped and piped. Not the same. The handling is clearly a generation ahead. Different stance, much smoother in the transitions and much more stable feeling. Ergonomics are better too and the seat pad is probably more comfortable over long runs than the 1125, at least for me because of the footpeg position and the narrower waist at the front of the seat. Braking is substantially advanced and don't feel like I will be doing stoppies under hard braking. It brakes flat and level. The smaller fairing doesn't seem smaller while riding and wind noise is minimal. I am short though so pretty much behind it. With the redirected airflow through the radiators, you don't need cold weather gear. Warm air flows around you. Site gauge for oil level is useless. Behind the lowers and covered up. Another arrangement needs to be found. All in all, it is all it is cracked up to be. Clearly related to the 1125r, but also evolved in every way. That being said, the 1125 is a remarkable bike. When compared to the best out there, it is not far off. Gives up power, handling, braking, comfort but not a snooze to ride. Erik did a remarkable job having been under the yoke of HD, and I can imagine the discussions had trying to improve it. Great job in a hostile environment. So, for me, an average rider, is it worth it? Clearly. It is a generation of improvement in everything. The package comes together to what I imagine is near perfection. I've ridden some other liter bikes and have had almost 30 different bikes over the years, and they are not contenders. | ||
| Kanatuna |
So...when you decide you no longer want that 1190, let me know. lol Good write up. | ||
| Mortbike |
Hello Anonymous- who does warranty work or service on the 1190's sold outside of Wisconsin? Mort | ||
| Smoke4ndmears |
Scary like zx-10 scary? Thanks for the words. Good news for the RX. If you ever get a wild hair it'd be interesting to know if the wheels would fit. Maybe even just a width measurement when you get around to changing the tires. | ||
| Jdugger |
Smoke, Front wheel fits with different bearings and spacers, I believe. Rear wheel looks like it would fit if you are using the chain drive kit. BUT, I'm not so sure about that open hub without some kind of cush drive. | ||
| Anonymous |
Mort, don't know yet. There is a prospective dealer near here, but they haven't given me the name yet. Needs backlight fixed on cluster but will talk with them and do it myself if possible. Never rode a zx-10, but it is R1 w/ power commander and two brothers scary and I am still 2250 under max torque. And it comes alive at 100. Will let you all know as it shakes out. | ||
| Figorvonbuellingham |
What Did it bring on eBay, if you.don't mind me asking. | ||
| Smoke |
listed on ebay for list price starting bid if i remember correctly. tim | ||
| Smoke4ndmears |
JDugger, thanks. I sort of figured this was the case. I don't think I'll have RX money, but maybe the guys in Wisconsin can sell me some parts to update the old girl some. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the 1125 chain drive kit and (from what I've seen/can remember) and the 1190 keep the cush drive on the output side? Maybe anony can chime in. If it's as fast as a tweaked R1 then color me impressed. Friends ZX10 is cat-cored, akropovic slip on and ECU tuned and is just brutal/mental/drool inducing. | ||
| Rodrob |
1190RS Front wheel won't fit 1125R without changing forks, as the front axle is bigger. 1190RS crush drive is in the output sprocket. As we've seen in the AMA races, the 1190RS does not have the top end horsepower of the AMA built IL4 literbikes, so falls a little short on top speed on the big, fast (Daytona) tracks. However, the bike comes off the line and out of the corners like a cat on carpeting. On the tracks I ride, I have never been out pulled by any bike. Watch the crotchrocket.tv video of the Streets of Willow Formula 1 race between Shawn Higbee on the (stock, race ECM, pipe) 1190RS, and "Aussie" Dave Anthony on his AMA built GSXR 1000. http://crotchrocket.tv/s02-e1190RSp9.html After the race Dave said "I thought I'd have something for you on the straits, but that Harley is fast!" Dave was not aware that EBR even existed. Now he is. | ||
| Anonymous |
Another thing: the updated, well entirely different slipper clutch is absolutely better. With that they jumped ahead several generations. Totally different feel. | ||
| Jdugger |
Anonymous... why are you anonymous? The 1190rs uses the Suter clutch, no? | ||
| Rodrob |
Yes. | ||
| Smoke |
no cush drive on the 1125 chain drive kit. hard wired comes to mind. tim | ||
| Jdugger |
> Another thing: the updated, well entirely > different slipper clutch is absolutely better. The suter clutch is available on 1125r bikes, BTW. And, yes, it's dramatically better and more adjustable. The OEM clutch on the 1125r isn't really a slipper clutch at all. The only drawback of the Suter is it's service-intensive if you really want it to perform it's best. The pressure plate bolts need to be shimmed each race weekend for a precision 38 - 42 -thousandths gap. It really is a race clutch. I'll be shocked if it's shipped in the production 1190 models. | ||
| Redbuell1203 |
I guess my opinion would be that being the 1190rs was purpose built to be "raced", I would say that it would not be a bike that the average person would be ridding in the first place. That being said I believe that their is a niche' for the 1190rs and serves well for what it is. I am in NO way putting it down. I am just being realistic. If I made the kind of money that it would take to own one, then yes I would have one because like purpose built. | ||
| Xtreme6669 |
I got the see/hear this bike in person yesterday... AWESOME!! This was the first time I had actually seen a RS and the small details were truly amazing! This bike has the Full Race exhaust and it was super mean and loud sounding, too loud for me for an everyday bike. | ||
| Whistler |
Loud race exhaust, yes, pretty dang full. Similar sound to the 1125CR with the EBR race exhaust but with more authority. More like an alert or warning than a sound. Comforting in a way. The RS is special, awesome is an appropriate word. Exhilarating is another. It belongs on the track but I don't have the time to track it so I hit the back roads for about an hour at a whack. She will definitely make one feel alive. Great machine. EBR is still making a few. Get 'em while you can. | ||
| Black |
Hey Anonymous, Congratulations on your purchase. I would recommend that you contact EBR and tell them you bought the bike. You can also ask who the dealers are or will be in your general area. Quite a few folks from this area (Wash DC) have ridden up to White's HD/Buell/EBR in Lebannon, PA (near Harrisburg) to see a very nice carbon 1190 in their showroom. I drove up yesterday to have a look. I understand that EBR has an owner's manual on disc also with break-in procedures. Sweet bike....congrats again! | ||
| Black |
Any more news on the new bike? | ||
| Anonymous |
Have been traveling and haven't ridden it much, but all things good so far. The backlight in the instrument cluster went out (cluster still works) and EBR is sending me another one. Both EBR and the cluster manufacturer said they have never heard of this happening. All in all, this is one of the most amazing pieces of technology I've ever seen, and definitely the nicest thing I've ever ridden. I think that if the upcoming RX is anything like this it will be huge hit. Definitely worth buying.  | ||
| Jgarner99 |
The upcoming RX? You mean the 2016 model? | ||
| Anonymous |
I imagine the 2016's will be an improvement over the 2015's and 2014's.  | ||
| Lospice1 |
My only issue with the 1190 is the electronics or lack thereof. $40k with no electronics is disappointing. Heck, a $12k zx-10r has a decent traction control option. It would be nice to at least have the option to turn it off. I think this deficit definitely cost EBR in last years races. The jap bikes w traction,wheelie, andlaunch control amongst other gadgetry really pushed them to the top. Imagine how well a 1190 w a full electronics package would do!! | ||
| Two_seasons |
No doubt during launch, traction control is very important. I'd bet the other teams wish they had the faster entry capabilities like all EBR 1190's have. There simply isn't anything else out there that can do that! | ||
| Anonymous |
Why is there a breakin if it was a used bike? New motor, or did the first owner not ride it? | ||
| Anonymous |
161 miles | ||
| Jdugger |
> No doubt during launch, traction control is very important. Eh, slows you down -- ask my buddy with the ZX-10. Now, coming out of corners at lean, yea, TC is pretty dang neat. | ||
| Rodrob |
I don't think lack of traction control is that much of an issue with the 1190RS. The very wide and smooth powerband really makes the bike very predictable out of the corners. You don't get the sudden burst of power like an IL4. Would it be nice? Yes, I would like to have the bike tell me when I'm at the limit, but the more I race the bike, the less desire for TC I have. Now after my giant wheelie at the start of last weekends Formula Twins Heavyweight race, launch control was on my mind, but that was my screwup as I left the field in the dust at the start of the previous race. |
