| Author | Message | ||
     Beefsupreme |
So I rode an XB12R and fell in love with the handling immediately. You've all heard the story. I test rode the 1125R, and though I did like the handling a lot more than, say, every jap liter bike I've ridden, it doesn't compare to the XB on the street. It's heavier and stiffer; much more capable on the track of course, but it doesn't feel like the XB at all. So I'm stuck between having the best feel I've ever had on two wheels, or having it's younger stronger faster brother that's better in every measurable way. Of course, of the two I'm going to pick the XB... UNLESS there's a way to tune the suspension of the 1125 to offer a lighter more responsive feel to the handlebars. Has anyone done this? Can you get the same feel you'd see in an XB? They cost the same, so if I can get them close in that regard, and have it come with an extra forty horse, I don't see why I wouldn't! | ||
| Froggy |
Simple solution - Tires. The shape of the stock Pirelli Diablo Corsa III's causes the handling you describe. Swapping nearly anything else on will improve it greatly. I personally recommend the Pirelli Angel tires, they handle great, offer more than enough grip for street use, and they can easily last the better part of 10k miles before replacement. | ||
| Jdugger |
The XB has some aspects that are simply not going to be duplicated on the 1125r. The short 52" wheelbase, for starters. The XB has higher pegs and slightly lower bars. It's a much more sporting position than the 1125r in stock trim, IMHO. The 1125r is better for track duty with a change to clip-ons and the rigid pegs. The XB is a nice machine for the street, IMHO. I actually think out of the box it's better than the 1125r ergonomically for the track, but the motor is not durable enough for track duty without some work. | ||
| Beefsupreme |
>Tire shape Definitely viable. I had a Hayabusa that handled like... you'd think a Hayabusa would with some Avon STs. Threw my favorite set of tires Mich PR2s on it with a taller rear, and it was a completely new feel. Would you say it's similar to the XB then? | ||
| Thefleshrocket |
Raise the triple tree so the fork tubes are flush with the top of the triple. That's how I've got my R. Rode a buddy's CR that's at stock height--it was fine in high speed sweepers but a like a bus around town. The most nimble tires I've used are Pilot Power 2CTs. Second are Pilot Pures, but they've been discontinued. I have a set of Q3s waiting to go on my Speed Triple. | ||
| Rogue_biker |
So you say the 1125R has a heavier steering feel? Or heavier in that it doesn't respond as quickly as the XB? I had my XB12R tuned perfectly for my liking. Tires made a HUGE difference. The best tires on her were the Pirelli Diablo Rosso. But I also tuned the suspension by following the Buell owner's manual for my weight. It took me a bit of trial and error to get my 1125R to handle exactly as I want. It's because I'm at the limit of its minimum weight settings (I weigh 160 lbs.) So even the base setting on my '08 was too stiff! So I had to find a balance of compliance, light steering effort, and high speed control when cornering. But it is possible because I believe I got it. I use Pirelli Diablo Rosso II's now. But I also got good results with Bridgestone BT016's. My favorite on it however were the plain old Pirelli Diablo's. I'm still not 100% happy with the ride on really rough roads but then again, it doesn't have Big Piston forks and shocks either! LOL! | ||
| Jdugger |
Just keep in mind tires and geometry work together. Changing brands of tires is often also changing geometry. It's a system, it all works together. | ||
| Evc17 |
I agree with Froggy, those Pirelli Diable Rosso Corsa's really work awesome(even in extreme wet) and i am not kidding. They are a track/street tire. I still am working on my set up too, I guess it's a hobby. Cheers. | ||
| Sir_wadsalot |
Froggy said the Corsas work like crap (slow/heavy)....I disagree, I've never heard anyone complain they make a bike handle slowly. They usually get dinged for being "twitchey". 1125R suspension settings are too soft stock (by the book), and most people can't tune suspension to save their life. The one you rode was probably set up too soft in the rear. XBs are set up with super steep rake to overcome the engine's weight and give it a decent turn in. I even think the XB's "feel" is freakish compared to the 1125, and the 1125's wierd compared to everything else. XB's are twitchy to ride, it's one of the reasons they never cought on with the sportbike crowd. (Flame away). It's the reason the 1125 is less sharp, they put the front end collets or whatever it was on the DSB bikes to lessen the rake, and the 1190 is closer to "normal sportbike" front end geometry. Turning in fast isn't worth much if the rider isn't confident in the "feel". It's not that everyone else's bikes handle wierd, it's that XB's handle wierd, so "normal" feels weird to you. Still, an 1125 is going to be as close as you get to what you like with a water cooled engine. Set it up properly and you would probably like it. Any bike will feel like shit with no pre-load on the shock. Mine squirmed and wallowed, right up until I tripled the rear preload for two up riding and tuned everything else "race hard". I would love an XB for a second bike, and learn to ride to it's strengths, and that's all it is... tune the suspension properly, ride it to it's strengths. | ||
| Froggy |
I never said that  The Corsa III tires that came stock were fine, but the life wasn't that long, and they take too long to warm up in my opinion. They are a good trackday or aggressive street tire, but for the other 99% of the riding they were just going to waste. My comments regarding their handling is due to their shape. They have a very "U" shaped profile, while many other tires have more of a "V" shape allowing them to feel more responsive. Doesn't really matter now anyway, as the Corsa III was discontinued a few years back. | ||
| Sir_wadsalot |
As a certified Pirelli fanboy, I really don't feel much difference between the Corsa3 and the Rosso Corsa, though supposedly the Rosso's profile is supposedly less agressive to appeal to a broader array fo street riders. At least that's what Pirelli said when they released the Rossos. I have a set of like new Corsa3's on my crashed SV1K (storage for four years)... I'll check back to back when I run them next year! Scratch that, I'm running a leftover OEM Corsa3 now...I guess I haven't run the Rosso Corsa yet.... |
