Hello,

I'm not yet a Buell owner but I'm test riding one of the 1125R's at the weekend. There are some cracking deals about at the moment but before taking the plunge I'd like to know what they are like to live with.

My current bikes (which will both go to pay for the Buell) are a Daytona 955i and a YZF750R.
How does the 1125R compare ride wise and power delivery wise with these?
What's it like on fuel?
What's the tyre consumption like?
Do belts really work long term?
What are servicing costs like?
What's parts availability like?
Are the electric's better than italian electrics?
Would you consider riding across Europe to do a trackday or the ring on one?
What are they like on the daily commute, filtering?
How does it cope with British Winters?
What are they like 2 up?

Thanks for your input,

Steve

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FUBAR pilot

You only need two bikes in life-an S1 and a Multistrada!

It's not a class leader on fuel consumption but later ECU flashes reputedly give better mpg. They can drink a bit if you thrash them, but it's so much fun, fuel economy is the last thing on your mind.
Tyres are the same as any grunty bike, you can chew them up quickly if you get jiggy with the throttle.
Electrics are better? than on my Ducati but there's nothing really wrong with them either.

There's very few bikes on the road they won't easily keep up with and they're really easy to ride fast with that big dollop of mid range grunt. Buy a 2010 model, I think the'll be pretty sorted by then

I've had loads of niggly shite go wrong, several times in some cases , but Mchr HD have taken me under their wing and have sorted it out for me under the Warranty. With a good dealer support near you, even the early '08 ones can be great bikes

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If your dreams don't scare you, they are not big enough.

As a new owner I'd say the 1125R is relatively comfy. I'm 6'2" and I've been OK on the few runs (160 miles max) I've had so far, and the 1125 seems better or more suited to road use than other 'sports' bike I've looked at / tested recently. I cant comment about riding one to the Nurburgring, I'd prefer a van and decent (track) rubber to hand, but I'm sure it would be OK compared to other bikes if riding is the only option. The OE Pirelli Diablo Corsas seem to get touted as being up there with the best, so unless you're a confirmed ringmeister / tyre geek / hero you should be OK tyre wise for a bit

The handling is in a word 'immense', but might benefit from a steering damper for serious track use, although I haven't experienced any problems on the road (yet?). But then I'm still running in at 70 - 80 + (:)) mph, and I'm an old fart whos last sports bike was a gixer 1100

I wouldn't personally want to seriously commute on the 08 1125R, even with the latest flash, but then again it depends on the commute. My bike is still not 'really' happy at 30 - 40 mph, even in first, but it's certainly drivable. The new bikes I believe have diff oxygen sensors, fuel pump and injectors, and a few other mods. These are supposed to cure the known low speed running issues. The fairing seems to do the job and I'd personally take the R over the CR for serious speed or distance use.

I had a demo 09 CR for a bit, and I cant say my 08 is much different to ride, so don't let that put you off getting a bargain, but then it's only a toy for me, one that I can afford to have sitting idle if problems arise .......

And last but not least, if you get a 08 (or any year), make sure you get written confirmation that the bike is sorted recall wise, especially the 2 VOSA (you might die horribly ) safety ones.

Oh, and make sure your dealer knows the downs about their 165 mph + BRP Rotax powered Buell, make really, really, really sure, and get it all in writing. It's certainly not a 'HOG'

Trust no one

Have you seen the 1125R for sale at Silverstone Harley-Davidson in Towcester? (01327 353444)
Not a million miles from Didcot.

Price: £4,495
Reg: KX08EYA
Mileage: 3000 miles
Color: BLACK
Details: BUELL 1125R, 2008 08 Reg , 3,000 miles, MIDNIGHT BLACK.

A bloody Bargain, if you ask me,....... Oh you didn't,...? Well there it is!
No I don't work for them or have any connection with anything related.
I just bought a 1125R last month for £4995 (From a different Dealership) and thought I'd done well!

Have a look.

http://www.silverstoneharley-davidson.c ... &orderby=1

Monty.

Had my 09 1125R from nov 08 and apart from a few minor issues as has been said it is a great bike, will easily keep up with any other bike through the twisties, if you are worried about fuel consumption then buy somehting else.
Penny pinching by Buell using cheap fasteners on the cycle parts - stainless steel would have been a far better bet and in this the 1125 are not a patch on my old Firebolt.
The rear brake pivot should be a long shoulderd bolt but a set screw has been used, there have been problems with rear brake pads wearing due to a number of factors.
The rear brake calliper being hidden behind the swinging arm is a bad idea for those of us who like to check that the pads etc haven't seized regularly.
Standard exhaust blows crap all over the rear calliper which doesnt help.
The 2010 models have a third bearing in the rear wheel which hopefully will address an issue with what seems to be premature wheel bearing failure accross the Buell range - but no changes to the front wheel bearing arrangement have been made.
The 2010 will use a new Instrument Cluster, there have been issues with condensation in the IC and last winter I had a problem with the engine check light/low fuel lamp illuminating due to cold fuel overcooling the sensor - it remains to be seen if this has been cured.
Have ridden up to 300 miles a day with no aches and pains, never ridden it two up and never will, thats what a Harley is for.
No other issues with the electrics although there have been reports of front and rear indicator failure, horn is useless and needs uprating (easy).
Handling seems a little frisky compared to the Firebolt

However I would buy another 1125R tomorrow without hesitation.

and my brother has a 955i and whilst a great bike it is nowhere near as agile or quick as the 1125R

ive had an 08 model purchased new in March09. Had a couple of small issues but besides that its great. I commute on mine without trouble. On cols mornings the dash does show an engine check light but it goes away once the fuel is warmed up. Thatsa non issue for me though.

Im 4000 miles in and have just changed the rear tyre for another Corsa 111. Ive done a few long jaunts on mine and its great. The best bike ive had in ages. The exhaust does need a bit of TLC but mine still looks as new coz I clean it down and then wipe ACF-50 over it once a month.

The bikes build quality is good and I do like riding something different. dont be afraid to stand out of the crowd...

Buy from there at your peril

Is it a Buell Experience day bike?

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08 Specialized Langster

Dunno? I only saw it on 'tinternet.

Silverstone H-D is the nearest dealer to me and I was going to go to them for servicing etc,... I'd like to know what's what with them and why I should avoid them?
Any reccomendations for servicing in the Northampton area? Uppingham is the next nearest to me, are they any good?

Great bike you'll love it; you will get problems everyone has had them, if your buying 2nd hand make sure all recalls have been done. As for the belt be very wary riding the bike through winter; belts and road salt are not a good combination, if your doing a lot of miles it will wear and fail. I'm waiting for a side stand switch as I write this; the dealer dose not have one in stock although it's a known fault. Choose your dealer carefully.

That's the very advert that got me looking at Buells in the first place. Oxford have got an unregistered 08 bike for £6200 and there are plenty of unregistered ones about for £6500.

Are the 2010 bikes really worth the extra?

I assume you've bypassed the switch so you can carry on riding the bike...