Buell 1125R

T

talongirl57

New member
I had a Harley salesman tell me he thought the new 1125R was competition for the 1098 LOL


Introducing the Buell 1125R
An all-new model set to break the convention of the superbike category, the Buell 1125R is powered by the Buell 1125R Helicon engine, an 1125cc DOHC liquid-cooled V-Twin cradled in a Buell Intuitive Response Chassis. The Helicon was specified by Buell and designed in partnership with BRP-Rotax, one of the premier recreational engine manufacturers in the world. Utilizing the Buell Trilogy of Tech principles and computer-modeled aerodynamics, the 1125R is designed to deliver the precise handling that has defined Buell for 25 years with a new level of engine performance. Buell developed this powertrain to meet a customer experience specification. It delivers the power of a superbike with the abundant torque characteristics of a V-Twin for outstanding overall performance and tractability.
 
Panman,

I don't know...I woudn't start polishing my trophies yet. The styling isn't for everybody, but Erik Buell is one smart guy. I've got a buddy who's been racing Buells for years, and he swears by 'em. He's tested the 1125R and he tells me that the 1125R is a match for the 1098. Not quite as powerful, but very nimble, and in the right hands, likely to compete with the Ducati.

I can't keep up with my buddy on the air-cooled Buell he's running right now, so I know I won't be able to outride him on the 1125. Like I'm fond of saying, a great rider on an average bike will ride circles around an average rider on a great bike.

I wouldn't be too dismissive about the 1125. I think this an important motorcycle. The first truly competitive American-made sports bike. My hat goes off to Erik Buell.

Elton
 
This is a Ducati forum and it sounds to me we are diminishing the name Ducati a great deal....now we are even bring similarities between a Harley Davidson and a Ducati??????? not even with my 40 years old DUCATI SCRAMBLER!!!!!
 
They should turn in their Ducati's for some other bike. I believe in BRAND LOYALTY. Ducati till I DIE. (UNLESS i need a stunt or track bike).
 
Guys,

I agree that esthetically there's no comparason. The Ducati is beautiful. It's sexy. It's poetry in motion. And the Buell, (to my eyes, at least), is ugly.

But let's give Erik Buell his due. The Buell has some very clever innovations. The front brake, for example, which grips the rim directly via a rotor attached directly to the rim rather than the traditional disk brake, (which grips the hub via a rotor attached to the hub, and then transfers the stopping energy to the rim through the spokes), is one fantastic innovation. In addition to applying the stopping force more directly to where it's needed, Buell's rim rotor has the added advantage of more rotor surface area owing to it's larger circumference. More surface area means a cooler rotor and more stopping power. IMO, it's impossible to be a fan of mechanical engineering and not be intrigued with the Buell's front brake.

Other innovations include an exhaust sytem placed below the bike, and storing fuel/oil reserves in the frame, both of which act to lower the bike's center of gravity.

Esthetics aside, Buells are well-designed and well-built. Until now, the HD engine was always the weak link. But the 1125 runs an Austrian built, water-cooled, Rotax engine. And with this change, the Buell is no longer even a Harley anymore. Rotax builds fantastic engines. I know people are skeptical...It's hard to get past the "fugly" look, (to use buckeye's word). But there's a certain esthetic to functionality. Seen from that perspective, I can understand why some people find Buells beautiful.

I'm not rushing out to trade my 1098s in for an 1125, (or anything else for that matter!), but you gotta give credit where credit is due. Erik Buell deserves some credit. He's an innovator. A visionary. And now that he's running a Rotax engine, the Buell is no longer a Harley, so we can all open our minds to it a bit. Give it a look; a bet you'll be impressed with some of the design features on the 1125.

Elton
 
Alfredo - clearly Panman has his allegiances spread through different camps and that's OK. I think he was simply passing on the Buell salesman pitch with an LOL. If Panman thought it was better he probably wouldn't own a 1098. You and I know that there is no comparison

In my mind it is no longer a 'Hog' because they have given up on the only thing left that was clearly identified as 'harley' - the motor. I have a great deal of respect for Rotax motors, if I was going to fly a recreational aircraft I would definitely be choosing the Rotax motored one.

I agree with Elton about Eric Buell and the concept of the bike, it is pretty 'trick' when you just look at it for what it is. A great concept but NOT a Ducati. It a bit like comparing a fully fledged eagle with a newly hatched chick. Its still gotta lot of 'proving to do'.

Elton - your mate, is that a 'worked' air cooled motor? And only in the 'twisties'? In my experience the 'old' Buells are very capable in the lower speeds and the tight stuff but once the road opens up that's where it ends! The ol lumpy twin just doesn't have the legs and the 'radical' rake and trail just isn't as stable at higher speeds.

In agreeance with Elton again about good/bad riders and good/better bikes, Im sure there are going to be some very surprised 1098 owners getting caught out by the new buell, but I cant see it ever 'equalling' a Ducati in any form of 'superiority' contest.

Alfredo - I see the 'triablism' force is strong in you! Don't lose that passion, not that suspect you will by the sounds of it.
 
brett,

Yeah, I'm talkin' in the twisties, and yeah, he runs a worked engine. But if truth be told, I wouldn't be able to keep up with him if he were riding a stock Buell. He's a better rider than me. And that short wheelbase along with the low center of gravity makes the Buell one quick turning bike. Of course, in the long straights, he doesn't have the horsepower to match the Duc.

Elton
 
Back in my earlier flying days, in Ypsilanti, MI, I accumulated a number of hours in a Rotax-powered Diamond Katana DA20-A1. The thing ran like a top, never skipped a beat, and was as simple as a stone to operate. One day while doing my pre-flight, a guy pre-flighting an ANG C-130 walked over and we traded questions and adulations about each other
 
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