The Buell 1125CR test

[carver]

No such thing as a shit motorcycle that's made by the main companies anymore mate. Purely personal preference. Talking shit is another matter all together...that's alive and well.

there is no such thing as a shit motorcycle if your not critical enough.
the injection setup is a massive flaw for a road bike, it is worse than the KTM 690 i rode.

if you think that shit bikes cannot be made, you will just accept that every bike is the way they are, and all of them are all ok.

manufacturers still miss the mark, whether it be style wise, price wise, sure some of that is taste.
hyosung are a good example

[Crasherfromwayback]

there is no such thing as a shit motorcycle if your not critical enough.
the injection setup is a massive flaw for a road bike, it is worse than the KTM 690 i rode.

if you think that shit bikes cannot be made, you will just accept that every bike is the way they are, and all of them are all ok.

manufacturers still miss the mark, whether it be style wise, price wise, sure some of that is taste.
hyosung are a good example

I'm actually highly critical. I've also been round long enough to know that any bike (wether that be a KTM 690...or an 1125cr) if it ain't right is not great.

It's people that miss the mark more often that not. If you try and ride a Fatboy over the Takas at speed..it's total shit (unless you're Aaron Slight on his). And if you try and ride a modern 450 motocrosser from Auckland to Wellington you'll pull over half way here and set the fucking thing on fire rather than continue.

So...you select and purchase a motorcycle that's the LEAST compromise (as all motorcycles are a compromise in some way right) for what you want/need it for...then ride it accordingly!

Easy. And no more bitching!

[AllanB]

I dismissed this thread as a big wank earlier today and then re-read it this evening.

While I agree with most that modern bikes are all very good (and well beyond my average abilities) the Buell offers a definite option to the other 20k ish sports bikes.

Reading between the lines of the original post (Big Dave does not need to worry about his job here) if you consider that this IS Buells response to the GSXR, CBR, R1 etc and Crasher actually rides (on one wheel anyway - pick a wheel!) a GSXR then there is some substance to the comment 'could not wait to get back on my bike'.

Personal tastes really and a hour in the seat of a bike set up by god knows who is never more than an indication of it's potential.

What I question most about the 1125 is how do Harley justify it's low price? Considering compared to the big bore twins they produce in mass at $25-$30k (plus) how do they price the relatively low production, high spec 1125 for $20K?
Is chrome really that expensive?

[hospitalfood]

there is no such thing as a shit motorcycle if your not critical enough.
the injection setup is a massive flaw for a road bike, it is worse than the KTM 690 i rode.

if you think that shit bikes cannot be made, you will just accept that every bike is the way they are, and all of them are all ok.

manufacturers still miss the mark, whether it be style wise, price wise, sure some of that is taste.
hyosung are a good example

there is no way to talk yourself out of the huge fuckup you made dissing the buell mate.

we all know its a great bike, not only that but great value.

its a shame you don't have the skills to get the most out of it.

i have met you at the kiwi, i have offered you support on tours ( it still stands ) and i like what you do with your vids and reviews, but you simply got it wrong this time.

I suggest that you get on another buell ( the cr or whatever, does not make a difference ) and try again, when you learn to ride a twin and come back with a similar opinion to everybody else we can take your crit seriously. until then you are mugging yourself.

[Crasherfromwayback]

What I question most about the 1125 is how do Harley justify it's low price? Considering compared to the big bore twins they produce in mass at $25-$30k (plus) how do they price the relatively low production, high spec 1125 for $20K?
Is chrome really that expensive?

Interesting question it is too! The chrome on Harleys really IS expensive...as it's tripple plated. Notice how much more durable it is compared to the chrome on Japanese cruisers?

But...in my experience in the bike industry...manufacturers and distributors will price a bike at what they consider the local market will/can handle.

[AllanB]

The chrome on Harleys really IS expensive...as it's tripple plated.

Funny thing the advertising about triple plating and chrome - good chrome is all triple plated - this refers to the 2 base coats (forget what the first one is, then nickle) and the final third 'chrome' coating.

I believe if you are a cheap arse you can ditch one of the first two. Also a consideration is the time spent in the coating baths as this dictates the thickness of the coating.

But first the chrome is only as good as the metal polishing under it - a chrome turd will still be lumpy unless you have polished it smooth first.

Nickle coating cafe racer frames was popular years ago - it has a nice softer yellow colour than 'chrome' and apparently has less risk of stressing the metal than 'chrome'.

I dealt with chromers through work a year back and it was quite interesting.

Unsure how they chrome plastic etc - in the USA they can chrome anything (probably a turd if it is dry).

[Drogen Omen]

The front end disappeared as I sat on the bike, I turned on the key, and the fans started their fucking annoying whining before I even started the engine.
The ignition switch pressed, the engine fired up and idled at 3500 rpm, the dash proudly telling me this bike was made by Buell in Wisconsin.
On idle it sounds like a overlocker on full tilt.
The engine needs revs to keep going, it lugs badly below about 4000 Rpm.
It’s a bit like a 450 MX bike engine, your either on the gas or off it.
This bike is like fucking some annoying slut that wont shut up.
I found myself yelling at it to perform.
Its frustrating to ride, in town its terrible, on the open road its ok, nothing great.
It handles ok, the brakes are nothing, nothing, nothing…..then severe fork dive and they bite too hard.
The mirrors belong on a coke heads table, they are fucking useless.
It wheelies ok, but I ended up wheeling it out of frustration.
Apparently its thirsty too….
The headlight does the job, bit like the girl next door-its nothing special.
The styling is ugly, and far too overdone.

So there you go, another American piece of shit that misses the mark badly, and should be used as a urinal.

This Guy (Girl more like it) obviously doesn't know how to ride and must have either just got his full license and has no big boys bike experience or is an old timer who just retired and is getting back into it and has forgotten how to ride a good bike.

[Crasherfromwayback]

Funny thing the advertising about triple plating and chrome - good chrome is all triple plated - this refers to the 2 base coats (forget what the first one is, then nickle) and the final third 'chrome' coating.

I believe if you are a cheap arse you can ditch one of the first two. Also a consideration is the time spent in the coating baths as this dictates the thickness of the coating.

But first the chrome is only as good as the metal polishing under it - a chrome turd will still be lumpy unless you have polished it smooth first.

Dunno enough about it (obviously)...but I do know that the Japanese manufacturers don't seem to be able to get chrome to stick to aluminium for any great length of time as compared to HD.

[carver]

I dismissed this thread as a big wank earlier today and then re-read it this evening.

While I agree with most that modern bikes are all very good (and well beyond my average abilities) the Buell offers a definite option to the other 20k ish sports bikes.

Reading between the lines of the original post (Big Dave does not need to worry about his job here) if you consider that this IS Buells response to the GSXR, CBR, R1 etc and Crasher actually rides (on one wheel anyway - pick a wheel!) a GSXR then there is some substance to the comment 'could not wait to get back on my bike'.

Personal tastes really and a hour in the seat of a bike set up by god knows who is never more than an indication of it's potential.

What I question most about the 1125 is how do Harley justify it's low price? Considering compared to the big bore twins they produce in mass at $25-$30k (plus) how do they price the relatively low production, high spec 1125 for $20K?
Is chrome really that expensive?

yeah, your right on the personal opinion, i guess i just expected so much better, the local harley shop seemed to think it was pretty good.

there is no way to talk yourself out of the huge fuckup you made dissing the buell mate.

we all know its a great bike, not only that but great value.

its a shame you don't have the skills to get the most out of it.

i have met you at the kiwi, i have offered you support on tours ( it still stands ) and i like what you do with your vids and reviews, but you simply got it wrong this time.

I suggest that you get on another buell ( the cr or whatever, does not make a difference ) and try again, when you learn to ride a twin and come back with a similar opinion to everybody else we can take your crit seriously. until then you are mugging yourself.

dude, your misunderstanding me
im not digging at you, im justified in saying what i have, its rare for me to get a bike i want to get off and stop riding, but this was one.
i would not slag it off if i didnt think it deserved it.
i would actually like to ride another buell, i have a offer to re-build a old 9x and charge the parts back and use it for a while.
i have ridden and owned plenty of bikes, i have no problems riding a twin, in fact, i love parallels to be honest, and triples.
when i ride a bike like this, i keep a open mind, but i could not like this bike, its just not sorted enough.
i ride a 8 year old GSXR 1000 with 54,000kms on it, and when i brought it, i loved it straight away because it was

• smooth
• mechanically tight
• east to ride slow
• easy to ride fast
• lots of down low grunt

i brought i and paid cash after 15 min of riding it.
i didn't need ages to like it, you either like it or you dont, and i didnt

which is a shame.
but dont take it personally.

This Guy (Girl more like it) obviously doesn't know how to ride and must have either just got his full license and has no big boys bike experience or is an old timer who just retired and is getting back into it and has forgotten how to ride a good bike.

hahahahahahahaha.........
talk to beyond about me, go on, ask him.

Dunno enough about it (obviously)...but I do know that the Japanese manufacturers don't seem to be able to get chrome to stick to aluminium for any great length of time as compared to HD.

apparently triumph have the best chrome plating.
just what i have heard around.

[Crasherfromwayback]

apparently triumph have the best chrome plating.
just what i have heard around.

I sold both side by side for years. It ain't so.

[carver]

I sold both side by side for years. It ain't so.

so you would find harley to be better?

[Crasherfromwayback]

so you would find harley to be better?

As far as the chrome thing goes...hell yeah.

[carver]

As far as the chrome thing goes...hell yeah.

interesting seeing as the brits use salt on their roads in winter.
why do you think i found the buell to be so....rubbish?

[McJim]

I think I'll save up and buy one.

[carver]

I think I'll save up and buy one.

haha....so long as you can get used to the FUCKING ANNOYING fans