I'm in the privileged position of own both an R and a CR - I am surprised about the amount of difference there is between what is essentially the same bike - the gearing on the CR makes it much more user friendly in traffic whereas the longer gearing on the R makes it better for longer distances - it is not so easy to use "round town".

So it really depends on what sort of riding you do - an R isn't so commuter friendly - but then again, I wouldn't have thought that the Ducati was either ...

I test rode one when they first come out. Loved it but it nearly spat me off when changing up the 2nd and cut out. Laugh............not really.

The Ducati wasn't commuter friendly TBH but for me, the corner is king hence the reason I'm looking at Buells.

So that'll push the servicing costs up a bit then

I don't see much of the traffic on the R -it's just a blur!

Notice that I'm not putting my feet down much at traffic lights/roundabouts.. maybe because the weight is quite low down?

Its definatly an enthusiasts bike, but buy a workshop manual and as long as your mildly competent you will be fine doing most things yourself.

As for the Suzuki TL1000 my uncle has one and its not got a chance of keeping up in the straights or round a bend, but he only ever puts fuel in it and the occasional chain adjustment.

I love my 'R' the amount of attention it gets is shocking........ stand out from the flock, go Buell

recently came to the buell family when i got my 2009 1125r in november. yes price was the key but like you i wanted something a bit different and after doing 2 track days on them at mallory i fell in love. im a sports bike fan coming of a zx6 and having previously owned big v twins and a v4 ( my beloved vfr750 which some bastard nicked from donnoington!). i find the comfort and power delivery spot on for a big twin. i have owned a aprilla mille and the 1125r is more comftable ( even though its physically smaller) and a lot more rider friendly. only got out a couple of times since ive had it but all i get is looks and questions about the bike, mine has the lower fairing kit on which completly changes the apperance of the bike.
last i heard chapel ash harley in wolverhampton had 1 or 2 left in red at around the 5k mark - speak to craig the sales manager, he is the man.

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izzy,wizzy lets get busy............SOOTY AND SWEEP SHOW
jesus wants me for a sunbeam! I think?

That's good to hear as it's certainly different to my my experience of their technical knowlege a couple of years ago. Pleased to see there's been a turn around - although time will tell (I believe some staff have moved on )
To be fair, I took my 1125 there for the latest flash and they told me that the part number I quoted for the flash didn't exist. When I insisted they rechecked, they found out I was correct and gladly did the reflash - so they do actually listen
On the back of that, I bought several sets of their cheap Buell leathers which were good value for money but no where near the quality of my Arlen Ness leathers I keep for the track. As Spen pointed out, calling these things 'Race' leathers is very misleading, as I wouldn't want to go tarmac surfing in them .

As for Warranty stuff being carried out on my Helicon, I can't praise Mchr HD highly enough, they are knowlegable and helpful to the extreme

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

i was thinking of an aprillia rsvr after having had a falco but with deals on the 1125's i'm glad i got another buell, the prilla may well be better, who knows, but i'm more than happy with my 1125r, at least its not gonna get replaced by a newer model

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Buell X1
Buell xb12s
Buell 1125r
Ebr 1190rx
Bimota Db7
Norton v4rr??



http://www.aph-performance-engineering.com

falco - now theres a good bike. i was loaned one when my millie went in for a service once. loved it! so underated, if maybe looking a bit dated now

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izzy,wizzy lets get busy............SOOTY AND SWEEP SHOW
jesus wants me for a sunbeam! I think?

The Falco reminds me of the starship enterprise! Couldn't quite bring myself to buy one though... Was considering a Mille as "something a bit exotic" when I found the 1125r -there's a comparison of the two bikes floating round on the web somewhere. The 1125r is quicker. Glad to read it's a bit more comfortable too -I hope to tour at least once a year.

Took my CR out for its first proper "spin" today - I cannot believe how much smaller and nimble it seems compared to my R - at times I really thought that I was on my Honda XR 250 !

London traffic was a real hoot - went from home to TVHD in slough, and then on to Warrs in chelsea and lastly to the west end - traffic was geat fun and so much easier to get through then my R. And I was taking it easy as it only had about 100 miles on it ...

Thanks for the replies chaps.
Any experience / prices on servicing of the 1125R?
Went to Dockgate 20 today to have a look. i think the bike looks much better in the flesh than in pictures. They'd sold one but still had one left though at £5,995.
Loathed to pay that when you hear of people paying £5,000 or less recently though

There may be a brand new 2009 red 1125CR still available from the guy i got mine off ...he was asking £5250 including the high bar kit

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2001 X1 2009 1125CR 2006 Uly X3 2010 Uly a fully Maz'd S1 and a 1991 RS1200 Westwind.

Offer them £5,000 - if they want a sale ...

It's still a lot of bike for £6k, and still £4k cheaper than most Jap litre bikes. 1125 Prices dropped before the factory closure announcementto just over £6k, so now the closing down sale has finished, the bikes are finding there true value again. I woudn't have paid full RRP for my bike but I did buy it before the closure announcement, and I'm not unhappy with what I paid.