| Author | Message | ||
     Milpowr |
Hello- Third bike in two years (first was an '83 Tempter and second was a 2003 BMW R1150R). Now, am on an '08 Buell 1125R. Took her out last night for a 120 mile run. Lots of fun. Lots of heat, too. So, aside from ensuring my map is up-to-date, and checking that "leaking" vent tube at the rear, any other suggestions for this "new" rider? BTW, bike is all stock save for the aftermarket fairing. Looking forward to learning from this site and thanks for having me! | ||
| Albert666 |
de-noid if it's not already been done, if it's on the stock exhaust the very least you can do is get some turnouts to direct the exhaust gases away from the rear disc/caliper, also how many miles has it done? around 7k you may start to get clutch weep on an 08, mine was right on the nail of when it was predicted to go | ||
| Clutchreaper |
As far as the vent line goes just make sure it allows for the vapors to escape or you will have massive fuel boiling problems. Do some searches of new owner topics and look through the stickys. You will find an abundance of info. Good luck and have fun with that machine! | ||
| Rogue_biker |
I see whom I have confused with this thread. Have any coolant there Clutch? Seriously now, the first thing I would do if I got an '08 is take it to the dealer (much as it pains me) and get a service history through a VIN search. This will hopefully reveal all the service, recalls, and TSB/replaced parts done to the bike. There was a host of important recalls for 2008's. Among them were for the aforementioned re-flash of the ECM, the kickstand mechanism, the clutch puck/master cylinder, and instrument cluster. I'm sure I'm missing a few others. Another common ailment was with the early rear turn signals failing, as well as the front turn signals. Personally, I would not bother having the dealer re-flash my ECM. I would simply replace it with the Erik Buell Racing ECM--so worth it! Also, I would not bother with replacing the turn signals and just go with aftermarket, as there are way more attractive alternatives. Here are my other recommendations based on personal experience: 1) Always use your rear brake! Using it prevents it from freezing up from non-use along with the exhaust soot build up. Then always keep it clean by washing it with a good motorcycle cleaner at least once a week. 2) If you haven't upgraded your '08 to the '09 instrument cluster, do it now. It gives you the gear indicator AND avoids the bad batch of '08 clusters that repeatedly drain the battery. 3) Get the Service Manual and learn how to do most of the work yourself. Unless you must, do NOT let dealers touch your bike. My experience with my local ones has never been positive. It's been a while since many mechanics have touched 1125R's so I'm sure by now the experience among mechanics is faded if not already gone. 4) Ride it. Ride it often. I ride mine almost daily and she has been very reliable. Of course mine has had all the recalls done. | ||
| Gasteward |
Milpowr: I have a few items you may want to consider, in addition to the good suggestions above: 1. If the bike is running on oil - change it to synthetic - way better protection 2. Learn how to measure your oil level - it is tricky, but there are posts on this site to guide you 3. I rotated my engine and replaced my '08 header pipes with '09s - don't do that. It works, but not worth the effort. 4. Do buy the EBR ECM, but choose your pipe first. I went through three and settled on the Barker - with the silencer, the others were just too loud and I saw no perceivable loss of power (check other posts, pipes can be discussed until you are numb) 5. I changed my grips - the stock skinny grips were painful. 6. In the future, consider changing your brake pads to EBR. The stock pads feel OK, until you run high speed twistys and they are less predictable. 7. Your exhaust can burn your rear swing arm, watch which one you choose.Once burned, it is hard to bring back. 8. Check your coolant level - it is harder to check with a fairing, and the previous owner may have neglected to do so. 9. Adjust the suspension to you - follow the manual, it makes a world of difference. I have 10,000 miles on my 1125R, no clutch issues, no stator issues, no issues at all. It is one of four bikes so I do not ride it as often as some, but you will enjoy this bike.  | ||
| Clutchreaper |
Just wanting to add to Gasteward's info on setting suspension: I don't know what the 08 manual looks like compared to an 09, which is what I drive, for suspension settings but the recommendations are pretty stiff. Mil, if you're a lighter guy like me you'll learn that you have to go even lighter from factory and the suspension has more give than it says. I'm actually backed out farther than the manual's limits. Take a look at some threads on here about that as they go farther in depth than I'm motivated to explain today. I need to do some experimenting with coolant...  (Message edited by clutchreaper on June 09, 2013) | ||
| Rogue_biker |
Coolant is sweet to the taste. Good snack! (I keed! Don't drink) LOL! | ||
| Zac4mac |
The sweet is the Propylene glycol. I can't smell anymore so I taste oil. A few toothpaste/mouthwash makers are using propylene for " sweetness". Propylene is very sweet. Burnt dino oil is more pungent then synth. Clean synth is sweet, burnt is "a little less sweet". Z |
