Motorcycle Message Board - Motorcycle USA

Motorcycle USA Forums : Join the Revolution

Motorcycle Message Board - Motorcycle USA > MotorcycleUSA.com! > Bike Reviews > 2009 Buell 1125CR First Ride

Forum Quick Jump

85 posts in this thread.
Viewing Page : 1 2 3 4

[ << Previous Thread | Next Thread >> | Show Newest Post First ]

Harley1
Forum Moderator

Date Joined Dec 2006
Total Posts : 247

Posted 10/13/2008 1:27 PM (GMT -8)

Say hello the the all-new 2009 Buell 1125CR. Part street brawler, part apex carver, the 1125CR is Buell's contemporary vision of a cafe racer.

Desmolicious
Registered Member

Date Joined Aug 2004
Total Posts : 4618

Posted 10/13/2008 1:44 PM (GMT -8)

Man, those things are already gathering dust on the floor of the dealership where I bought my bike from. In case you thought nothing could be uglier than the 1125R, the CR will prove you wrong!
I'm sure it's a nice ridin' bike blah blah blah, but so are lots of others that are also nice to look at.

Børk! Børk! Børk!

MechTech
Registered Member

Date Joined Mar 2005
Total Posts : 451

Posted 10/13/2008 3:22 PM (GMT -8)

The headlight is forgivable by itself (though not great) and the scoops just look fugly from all the angles. If someone could come up with a scoop setup that looked good I might consider one, but I'm not buying one as is.

"If it ain't broke, you're not trying hard enough"

Currently own
'82 Honda V45 Magna
'05 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500

ro7939
Registered Member

Date Joined Oct 2006
Total Posts : 57

Posted 10/13/2008 8:39 PM (GMT -8)

I seem to agree the scoops should go.

But I like the weight; and performance per dollar seems good from the as-usual fantastically well-written MUSA bike/ride report. You could never get that kind of power from the Hypermotard. Parts availability & prices were excellent for my Ulysses; my best estimate is Aprilia ownership is an absolute nightmare. My opinions of a few of the other competing bikes:
FZ1 too heavy & who needs that much power? Have to admit it looks pretty darn good though.
Monster water-cooled, waiting for 1098, outgoing model has too much exposed plumbing
Speed Triple too much exposed plumbing

Actually, the little Street Triple 675R has my eye, especially because of the R upgrades. I might find a 675 Tiger w/ USD forks/radial brakes irresistable.

Of all the street fighters the most attractive to me right now is the Monster 1100S. Regardless of it's far smaller performance envelope I like it's overall Feng Shui more/better. I also like it's greater fuel range than the Hypermotard; it may look as good or maybe even better in some ways.

Post Edited (ro7939) : 10/14/2008 4:44:26 AM GMT

Chaos
Registered Member

Date Joined Aug 2007
Total Posts : 989

Posted 10/14/2008 1:20 AM (GMT -8)

I don't know. I kinda like it. It looks alive and menacing. Almost like a decepticon. (evil transformer) Buell has a small but significant presence in South Africa. Just 1 more option for me to consider next year when I shop for a new bike. So far my choices are:

1. GSXR1000
2. Speed Triple
3. 1125CR

JoneZ
Life-long Student

Date Joined Oct 2007
Total Posts : 132

Posted 10/14/2008 6:57 AM (GMT -8)

I like it too. Never really minded the huge scoops. It does look mean from the right angle. ie, the picture on the motorcycleusa home page.

I gotta ask. Where is a video!? and a dyno chart!?

But thanks for your inputs.

2007 Harley Davidson FXD Super Glide.

Challenge your ignorance

Harley1
Forum Moderator

Date Joined Dec 2006
Total Posts : 247

Posted 10/14/2008 7:48 AM (GMT -8)

Hey JoneZ -

The video is on the way. Adam shot some onboard footage doing laps in Germany and the final pieces are being put together as we speak. As far as a dyno, we don't have that liberty at the press intros. We get saddle time, both track and street, but we don't get to throw them on the dyno until we get a test bike.

The reaction to the styling of the 1125CR is about what we expected. You either love it or you hate it. It's only the bike's second year and it's good to see it continuing to evolve. I'm still stoked to see an American V-Twin in the superbike realm.

Desmolicious
Registered Member

Date Joined Aug 2004
Total Posts : 4618

Posted 10/14/2008 8:53 AM (GMT -8)

Harley1 said...
I'm still stoked to see an American V-Twin in the superbike realm.

Rotax is American?

Børk! Børk! Børk!

GAJ
Registered Member

Date Joined Jul 2007
Total Posts : 4763

Posted 10/14/2008 10:11 AM (GMT -8)

Chaos said...
I don't know. I kinda like it. It looks alive and menacing. Almost like a decepticon. (evil transformer) Buell has a small but significant presence in South Africa. Just 1 more option for me to consider next year when I shop for a new bike. So far my choices are:

1. GSXR1000
2. Speed Triple
3. 1125CR

Wow, could you choose 3 more different bikes?

If you haven't ridden a big twin, you owe it to yourself...big grins.

Never ridden a big Triumph triple but understand they are awesome, in their own way, also.

And the gsxr is obviously an icon.

I kind of like this Buell though, even though it's no beauty; I think I'd spring for the taller optional bars which, unfortunately, weren't tested.

Harley1
Forum Moderator

Date Joined Dec 2006
Total Posts : 247

Posted 10/14/2008 10:27 AM (GMT -8)

You don't miss anything, do you Desmo? OK, an American-made superbike powered by a V-Twin engine.

And the video's up, so check it out. Some cool footage of Craig Jones doing some stunt riding on the new 1125CR and Adam up to his usual wheel-lofting antics.

JoneZ
Life-long Student

Date Joined Oct 2007
Total Posts : 132

Posted 10/14/2008 10:59 AM (GMT -8)

Awesome. Great video. I understand now that you guys weren't 'testing' on your playground. Which is why no D chart. Cool though.

+10 to Buell.

2007 Harley Davidson FXD Super Glide.

Challenge your ignorance

TheWall67
Registered Member

Date Joined Oct 2005
Total Posts : 140

Posted 10/14/2008 2:05 PM (GMT -8)

It's about time Buell was allowed to dump the ridiculous Sportster based engines. Rotax was an excellent choice to build a new one. Maybe Buell hit a winning performance/ergo's mix with this bike? Plenty of power and torque delivered only as a big twin can and ergos that are relaxed from super bike standards but still sporty enough to hold up to the track. Adam seemed genuinely impressed with the power. He's an admitted glutton for power so the bike must deliver. Sounds like the brakes and chassis are impressive as well. The review is good enough for me that if I was considering a big bore sport bike the CR would make my list for consideration. Can't say if it would win out without closer inspection but prior to this review Buell wouldn't even be considered for the list. Really good write up and video. Looking forward to you guys getting your hands on one of these for more testing.

Hey, watch this...

GeoffG
Harley Ninja!

Date Joined Jun 2003
Total Posts : 9193

Posted 10/14/2008 2:53 PM (GMT -8)

TheWall67 said...
It's about time Buell was allowed to dump the ridiculous Sportster based engines...

Hmmm...first off, the Sportster-based engines aren't "ridiculous," nor are they being "dumped." And the addition of the Helicon engine to the lineup has nothing to do with whether Buell is "allowed to" or not...Buell was an independent maker who chose to use H-D sportster engines long before H-D bought them...

I realize that the Rotax-built Helicon is going to attract some riders to Buell, who previously wouldn't have considered the brand because the engines...good as this is for Buell, I can't help feeling that many of these riders don't know what they're missing. Of course, they might say the same about me...

AdamW79
MCUSA - Associate Editor

Date Joined Sep 2007
Total Posts : 26

Posted 10/14/2008 9:33 PM (GMT -8)

Man if Dubya heard you say that kind of anti-America kinda bantor he'd exile you to central florida (motorcycle guantanamo bay)

Desmolicious said...
Man, those things are already gathering dust on the floor of the dealership where I bought my bike from. In case you thought nothing could be uglier than the 1125R, the CR will prove you wrong!
I'm sure it's a nice ridin' bike blah blah blah, but so are lots of others that are also nice to look at.

Chaos
Registered Member

Date Joined Aug 2007
Total Posts : 989

Posted 10/15/2008 12:44 AM (GMT -8)

GAJ said...

I've been thinking for a while, that maybe a big twin is exactly what I need. I will probably end up with the gixxer, but I definitely want to try and arrange a test ride on the other 2 bikes. Of the 2 naked bikes, I actually prefer the CR.

khill
Registered Member

Date Joined Sep 2008
Total Posts : 12

Posted 10/15/2008 5:46 AM (GMT -8)

I rode the Speed Triple and the 1125CR back to back. I really liked the Speed Triple and thought the CR was going to have a tough time, not so much. I liked the riding position of the CR better, the Speed Triple felt like a dirt bike position. I thought the Speed Triple would trounce the CR in the roll on test we did, but the CR beat it every time. The CR has a much better suspension set up as well, espcially with the front fork. My .02....

Ken

Chaos
Registered Member

Date Joined Aug 2007
Total Posts : 989

Posted 10/15/2008 5:58 AM (GMT -8)

The suspension on the speed triple is one of my biggest concerns. It seems the CR remedies this problem. It appears to have all the right ingredients to be top dog in the naked category. I suppose it's biggest competition would be KTM, Aprilia and Ducati.

Desmolicious
Registered Member

Date Joined Aug 2004
Total Posts : 4618

Posted 10/15/2008 10:20 AM (GMT -8)

AdamW79 said...

Man if Dubya heard you say that kind of anti-America kinda bantor he'd exile you to central florida (motorcycle guantanamo bay)

Hey, I just bought a 'Murican bike! But the truth hurts. These bikes are fugly and the ones languishing in the showroom proves the point. Maybe it is a great bike (I'm sure it is) but the level of finish is so far behind the competition it's sad. The paint looks dull and flat - as if they benchmarked my Yam TTR dirt bike as the standard of comparison. The switchgear is unbelievably lame - feels like little lego pieces. Harley switch gear in comparison feels like a million bucks (I aint kidding). The way it's all held together is just off. And that's before you even look at those massive jowels hanging off each side of the bike.

Børk! Børk! Børk!

jon
Registered Member

Date Joined Aug 2004
Total Posts : 4569

Posted 10/15/2008 10:41 AM (GMT -8)

khill said...

I thought the Speed Triple would trounce the CR in the roll on test we did, but the CR beat it every time.

the cr has a better power to weight ratio so i can see that.

AdamW79
MCUSA - Associate Editor

Date Joined Sep 2007
Total Posts : 26

Posted 10/15/2008 12:26 PM (GMT -8)

What?! Dude, the fit-and-finish is damn good now--definitely on par with other foreign streetfighters--100 percent. The paint on all the bikes we rode was immaculate and the matte black finish they use on the frame and swingarm not only looked sharp but it seemed to resist scratching quite well. I'm with you on the lame switchgear however. It's pretty retarded that Buell would use such a high-end Magnetti Marelli gauge package and then pair it up with switches of a Kawasaki GPZ1100.

Desmolicious said...

AdamW79 said...

Man if Dubya heard you say that kind of anti-America kinda bantor he'd exile you to central florida (motorcycle guantanamo bay)

Desmolicious
Registered Member

Date Joined Aug 2004
Total Posts : 4618

Posted 10/15/2008 1:06 PM (GMT -8)

Adam, Adam, Adam... unless the paint is different between your test bikes and the ones that I sat on in the showroom, I stand by my statement. Very dull and unimpressive looking.
I would agree with you that the finish on the frame, swing arm is nice. And the wheels too.

Børk! Børk! Børk!

louemc
Registered Member

Date Joined Mar 2003
Total Posts : 15448

Posted 10/15/2008 1:11 PM (GMT -8)

But the Jowels, the Jowels. Good God Almighty the Jowels.

Focus the forces, Be The Force

Dr. Sprocket
Registered Member

Date Joined Jul 2004
Total Posts : 88

Posted 10/15/2008 2:35 PM (GMT -8)

We must be from the same generation, because I get that same feeling. The first time I saw that thing, I was thinking "Transformers" and that ain't so bad. Perhaps the designers are our age as well. Of course, if you are any older than four-o you probably don't get the Transformers... and consequently don't get this bike either. I would buy one (if I didn't just get a Uly)! scool

It's not old... it's "classic."

GAJ
Registered Member

Date Joined Jul 2007
Total Posts : 4763

Posted 10/15/2008 4:01 PM (GMT -8)

Someone just called, um Desmo and Lou, old!

Young whippersnappers!

You guys must LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE THE B-King then.

Desmolicious
Registered Member

Date Joined Aug 2004
Total Posts : 4618

Posted 10/15/2008 6:38 PM (GMT -8)

GAJ said...
Someone just called, um Desmo and Lou, old!

I didn't hear him, he needs to speak up....

I think the BKing looks a heck of a lot better than either one of the Rotax Buells. Take that how you will..

Børk! Børk! Børk!

85 posts in this thread.
Viewing Page : 1 2 3 4

Forum Information

Currently it is Saturday, November 21, 2009 3:51 PM (GMT -8)
There are a total of 447,378 posts in 35,241 threads.
In the last 3 days there were 14 new threads and 218 reply posts. View Active Threads