| Author | Message | ||
     Speedfreaks101 |
I have read that the 1125 frame is more ridged (and stronger) than the XB frame but how? Are they not built buy the same company and if so why are the improvements not able to be implemented to the XB line? Does anyone know what has been changed to improve the frame? When comparing the Buell's cornering and handling to the competition (any and all) where does it lack in comparison. Is Buell only surpassed in component part quality or outright design? (I am not asking about rider ability.) | ||
| Miamiuly |
They designed it to withstand 146 hp or whatever it puts out, xb line doesn't need it. I'm sure they have learned a few things along the way as well to allow them to improve their designs. I don't think handling has ever been the issue with buells and racing but they are certainly "surpassed" by the huge amount of money the big 4 and ducati put into racing at a factory level. And have been for longer than there has been a Buell motorcycle. (Message edited by miamiuly on August 06, 2008) | ||
| M1combat |
The frame has been redesigned... It certainly takes a lot of the same ques as the XB frame (fuel in frame etc...), but it has been redesigned to work correctly with an engine that was also engineered to work with the frame. I would think that Buell could (and has) improve on the XB frame while still retaining the air cooled engine. As far as comparing the cornering and handling to other bikes... I think it has to be accepted that the XB and the 1125 are "top shelf" in that regard. That's not to say they occupy that shelf all alone exactly, but there are always tradeoff's to be made. The XB and the 1125 are both very stable. The XB requires a bit more effort at the bars to turn in at high speeds than the 1125R (A BMW K1200R is between them BTW). The Buell design theories seem to make bikes that are very maneuverable yet also stable. About the only area I can think where the Buells really kinda had to trade is with brake distance. This isn't due to the ZTL at all, but due to the steep rake. You just can't quite stop one as quickly as a longer bike that has more rake. It's just a mechanical advantage thing... Has absolutely nothing to do with the design of the braking system itself. That said... Where they gained allows you to carry more speed into the turn so you still don't actually need to brake earlier, and you still get the payoffs of higher corner speed, more stability and more maneuverability mid turn. So it's really not a drawback as the benefit outweighs. Buell tends to put a good deal of mass forwards so they don't tend to suffer the short wheelbase "issue" coming out of the turn... It's win/win in my eyes compared to anything else. Some people say they handle kinda quirky... I say it just takes a bit of time to get to know them after riding "conventional" geometry. I don't think the build quality of the Buell is lacking when compared to other bikes of it's caliber and relative price range. It also has comparable parts quality when compared to bikes in it's price range. The 1125 is actually on top in this category I think. When you have to spend a certain chunk of money for another bike I think it's fair to allow the purchase of upgraded components for the lower cost motorcycle... Like letting you buy a full ohlins/penske setup or something for the lower priced bike. Comparing outright design... I think most companies hit their target pretty well first off. That said I think that the engineering that goes into the Buell line (all of it) is superb. Stuff generally takes an iteration or to in order to be "just right" and I think we see that with the ZTL2 and things like the swingarm mounted rear caliper. The rear caliper mount (or lack thereof) is utterly brilliant. There are many things about the Buell lineup that really make me think "Why didn't anyone else do that?" | ||
| Diablobrian |
The 1125 has the motor rigidly mounted, requiring entirely different castings for entirely different stresses than the XB's uni-planar mounting system. The revisions are not small where they count. Many people are looking at the external extrusions (side plates) and seeing them as being identical. Nothing could be further from the truth. The 1125 was a clean sheet design, that takes design cues from the XB (as it should). You cannot simply bolt the 1125 motor into an XB. It is not properly designed for that. | ||
| Krassh |
They are not built by the same company. The XB frames I believe are still built by an outfit in Italy while the 1125R / CR frames are built in the USA. | ||
| Miamiuly |
I still seem to remember reading that they brought all the frame production back to the U.S. for easier quality control. I know the xb frames were made in Italy, but I'm pretty sure that changed. | ||
| Court |
Things have changed and are changing. The 1125R frame is sourced in the USA, the XB in Italy. They are completely different frames with similar outward appearance. They work exceedingly well. | ||
| Greenlantern |
Of course the XB frames are Italian, they ship in boxes marked "Fragile"!  | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
"  A completely different, but similar looking frame. Made in Illinios. | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
another.....  | ||
| Miamiuly |
That "fragile" as an Italian word joke never gets old with me. Guess I stand corrected on where XB frames are made. Don't know why I would have imagined reading that they brought production here for qual control. Maybe I read it on the web and it was wrong. (Message edited by miamiuly on August 07, 2008) | ||
| Sekalilgai |
Gaming machines, Office furniture ... how about an 1125X? So pray tell, what is the name of the vendor at that booth? | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
 | ||
| Jlnance |
I have read that the 1125 frame is more ridged (and stronger) than the XB frame but how? Are they not built buy the same company and if so why are the improvements not able to be implemented to the XB line? Does anyone know what has been changed to improve the frame? As has been noted, they are not built by the same company. The new frame is constructed using an ablative casting process which probably accounts for some of it's enhanced strength. But beyond that, as soon as you build something like an XB (or anything for that matter) you gain the experience to make the next model better. Something would be wrong if the 1125 didn't have a better frame than the XBs did. When comparing the Buell's cornering and handling to the competition (any and all) where does it lack in comparison. It wouldn't be hard to make a list of the shortcomings of a Buell. The frame, the corning, and the handling would not be on that list. | ||
| Not_purple_s2 |
Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't the 1125R solid mounted (sure looks like it from the pictures). That could also account for some of the added strength. On a side note wouldn't that allow more exhaust mounting options (under-tail for example) since it wouldn't have to move with the engine like the older bikes. I know that goes against the Trilogy of tech but it might be cool for a custom look. | ||
| Swordsman |
Man, that's one solid, well-built-lookin' chunk of frame!  ~SM | ||
| Court |
>>>>A completely different, but similar looking frame. Made in Illinios. Interesting reading. (Message edited by court on August 08, 2008) | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
Partially? 100% accurate. Its not an XB frame, but it looks like one and it's made in Illinios. I spoke with owner of the company and took those pics. | ||
| Spatten1 |
Court, please add some details. Writing "partially accurate" or "this is not accurate" with no explanation just hammers on the previous poster with no explanation. It's not pleasant to be on the other end of those statements when no facts or back-up is offered. | ||
| 1313 |
And, what if, someone told you that the stiffest tuber frame was the S2? What would you say then? 1313  | ||
| Midknyte |
I hope the 09 and forward paint holds up better than the 08. The 08's that I have seen so far have had nicks and scratches around the gas caps and heads from test rides and sittings. Never saw that with the XB's... | ||
| Court |
(Message edited by court on August 08, 2008) | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
All you gotta do is look at the pictures. 1) Its not an XB frame, We know that it was specifically designed for the 1125, no "X". 2) It looks like one from the outside 3) Its made in the US. At least the one in the pics is, I don't know about now. 4) Enjoy the weekend | ||
| Rick_a |
Court, sometimes you just need to offer up your info or just keep it to yourself. To suggest knowing better and not sharing this knowledge is a little ridiculous. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Good thing they didn't source from Gnu-Way Industries. That would have been something completely different. | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
 | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
"There's no gnus like good gnus with Gary Gnu." | ||
| Buellinachinashop |
I've always thought actor Joe Morton looked like GG.  | ||
| Court |
>>>To suggest knowing better and not sharing this knowledge is a little ridiculous. You are right, absolutely right and I wish I could say more. Therefore I am apologizing and excusing myself from this discussion. Court | ||
| Swordsman |
>>>>A completely different, but similar looking frame. Made in Illinios. That is PARTIALLY accurate. .... You are right, absolutely right and I wish I could say more. Uuuuuh.... What's with the secrecy? I fail to see how the truth behind either of those statements would be "classified" info. ~SM (Message edited by Swordsman on August 08, 2008) |
