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I was out taking advantage of the last good riding day of the year before putting the Kat away for the winter and I found myself in the showroom of Western Reserve HD/Buell in Mentor.
I cannot remember the fellows name, but he owns one of the several 1125R's on the floor. He noticed I rode in on a sport bike and figured I was interested in the Buells. After a little talk, I mentioned that I wouldn't be buying before next summer as I still am paying on the Katana. He offered to let me have a test ride, and I said that would be great.
Ergonomics:
Outside, the 1125R fired right up and the V-Twin rumble was very different than the Kat or the Ducati S4R Monster I tested last year. Throwing a leg over, the shorter wheel base is immediately apparent, but the overall riding position felt very familiar compared to the Katana. The reach to the bars was actually a bit shorter, and the pegs were a bit higher, which I prefer. I usually ride on the balls of my feet with my ankle flexed to raise my knees, I would prefer the Katana pegs to be an inch or so higher. The Buell pegs were more where I like them. The only part of the riding position I didn't like, is that the seat is higher in relation to the bars, shifting more weight onto your arms. It didn't bother my wrists at all during the 30-45 minute ride, but my shoulders and upper back became a little tense from supporting more weight (or maybe just from holding on for dear life, but I will get to that in a minute). I imagine I would easily get accustomed to the position the same way I had to get used to the Katana, or else I would switch to handlebars like the 1125CR has to raise the grips. Doing that and a gel seat would probably make it more comfortable than the Katana. Yes, the seat was a little firm as well. The Kat felt plush by comparison when I got back on it.
The Ride:
First off, the people at Western Reserve HD are awesome. They are into the Buell line more than most HD dealers I've seen, they are Buell riders and it shows. They were happy to let me take the bike for an extended ride. They suggested a route which would take about 20 minutes, get me some freeway and city riding but then said, "if you want some twisties, you can just continue south into the country for a while". Just great.
I had heard a lot about the fuelling problems, so I paid close attention to how the bike handled at low revs. The 1125R launched easily at a stop. I expected to stall it a couple of times getting used to the throttle, but the throttle is really accurate and easy to modulate. I never stalled it or overreved it getting a launch. There is a lot of shove available RIGHT NOW if you want it, but only if you ask for it. The twist grip seems to be calibrated specifically for street riding. It actually handled great going slow. The slow speed fuelling problems seem to be totally fixed. The bike was totally happy cruising at 3000 rpm in 35 mph zones. It became snatchy riding through a school zone at 25 in second gear and about 2500 rpm, but my carbed Katana does exactly the same thing, and smoothing out the throttle application eliminated the lurching.
On the highway, at higher revs, the bike is smooth, with way too much acceleration available. Ton up speeds are only a quarter twist away. I was too timid to whack the throttle open enough to get a wheelie, but I definitely felt the front get light under hard acceleration. Unlike the Monster S4R, the 1125R is less prone to wheelie, which is a good thing if your goal is to go fast, but it has more than enough power to pull it up if you want.
With all the power there and the awesome V-Twin torque, I was surprised that the thing that impressed me most was the suspension. The ride was taut, but very well set up for the street. It soaked up bumps far better than the softer sprung Katana, making the ride very comfortable while still feeling sporty. The steering was accurate like a laser. Just turning corners in traffic were a pleasure, because the bike went exactly where I intended, no mid-corner corrections to account for the wallowing suspension like the Kat.
On the brakes, with light pressure, they are a bit weak stopping like the Katana, but at 90 plus on the highway, I gave it the habitual four fingered grab I usually have to use...boys, meet airbox cover. Squish. Not painful, but attention getting. The brakes become very grabby if you just grab a handful, but they ARE effective!
The only previous criticism of the bike (besides the looks) that I can confirm is the heat issue. It was about 60 F out, so the heat was not uncomfortable, but about 20 minutes into the ride, I could feel the frame heating up between my thighs. I am sure at temps above 80 degrees, it would get pretty uncomfortable. Most people had said that the ECM reflash had solved the problem, but apparently not on this bike. I would want to try a 2009 bike before I passed judgement regarding this.
Final Impession:
I came away REALLY impressed with the 1125R. The power and the way it is delivered is awesome. The suspension is fantastic for quick street riding, and for a performance bike, it is quite comfortable for long rides. My only complaints were the pressure on my arms due to the riding position and the firm seat (both easily adjusted to or fixed), and the excessive heat through the frame. You might also argue against the looks, but it has grown on me and after riding it, I think it looks cool the way a Mustang is still cool sitting next to a Ferrari. It is definitely an American hot rod.
Dealers are running ridiculous specials on them right now. They list for $12k, but you can get a 2008 out the door for under $10k right now.
I cannot remember the fellows name, but he owns one of the several 1125R's on the floor. He noticed I rode in on a sport bike and figured I was interested in the Buells. After a little talk, I mentioned that I wouldn't be buying before next summer as I still am paying on the Katana. He offered to let me have a test ride, and I said that would be great.
Ergonomics:
Outside, the 1125R fired right up and the V-Twin rumble was very different than the Kat or the Ducati S4R Monster I tested last year. Throwing a leg over, the shorter wheel base is immediately apparent, but the overall riding position felt very familiar compared to the Katana. The reach to the bars was actually a bit shorter, and the pegs were a bit higher, which I prefer. I usually ride on the balls of my feet with my ankle flexed to raise my knees, I would prefer the Katana pegs to be an inch or so higher. The Buell pegs were more where I like them. The only part of the riding position I didn't like, is that the seat is higher in relation to the bars, shifting more weight onto your arms. It didn't bother my wrists at all during the 30-45 minute ride, but my shoulders and upper back became a little tense from supporting more weight (or maybe just from holding on for dear life, but I will get to that in a minute). I imagine I would easily get accustomed to the position the same way I had to get used to the Katana, or else I would switch to handlebars like the 1125CR has to raise the grips. Doing that and a gel seat would probably make it more comfortable than the Katana. Yes, the seat was a little firm as well. The Kat felt plush by comparison when I got back on it.
The Ride:
First off, the people at Western Reserve HD are awesome. They are into the Buell line more than most HD dealers I've seen, they are Buell riders and it shows. They were happy to let me take the bike for an extended ride. They suggested a route which would take about 20 minutes, get me some freeway and city riding but then said, "if you want some twisties, you can just continue south into the country for a while". Just great.
I had heard a lot about the fuelling problems, so I paid close attention to how the bike handled at low revs. The 1125R launched easily at a stop. I expected to stall it a couple of times getting used to the throttle, but the throttle is really accurate and easy to modulate. I never stalled it or overreved it getting a launch. There is a lot of shove available RIGHT NOW if you want it, but only if you ask for it. The twist grip seems to be calibrated specifically for street riding. It actually handled great going slow. The slow speed fuelling problems seem to be totally fixed. The bike was totally happy cruising at 3000 rpm in 35 mph zones. It became snatchy riding through a school zone at 25 in second gear and about 2500 rpm, but my carbed Katana does exactly the same thing, and smoothing out the throttle application eliminated the lurching.
On the highway, at higher revs, the bike is smooth, with way too much acceleration available. Ton up speeds are only a quarter twist away. I was too timid to whack the throttle open enough to get a wheelie, but I definitely felt the front get light under hard acceleration. Unlike the Monster S4R, the 1125R is less prone to wheelie, which is a good thing if your goal is to go fast, but it has more than enough power to pull it up if you want.
With all the power there and the awesome V-Twin torque, I was surprised that the thing that impressed me most was the suspension. The ride was taut, but very well set up for the street. It soaked up bumps far better than the softer sprung Katana, making the ride very comfortable while still feeling sporty. The steering was accurate like a laser. Just turning corners in traffic were a pleasure, because the bike went exactly where I intended, no mid-corner corrections to account for the wallowing suspension like the Kat.
On the brakes, with light pressure, they are a bit weak stopping like the Katana, but at 90 plus on the highway, I gave it the habitual four fingered grab I usually have to use...boys, meet airbox cover. Squish. Not painful, but attention getting. The brakes become very grabby if you just grab a handful, but they ARE effective!
The only previous criticism of the bike (besides the looks) that I can confirm is the heat issue. It was about 60 F out, so the heat was not uncomfortable, but about 20 minutes into the ride, I could feel the frame heating up between my thighs. I am sure at temps above 80 degrees, it would get pretty uncomfortable. Most people had said that the ECM reflash had solved the problem, but apparently not on this bike. I would want to try a 2009 bike before I passed judgement regarding this.
Final Impession:
I came away REALLY impressed with the 1125R. The power and the way it is delivered is awesome. The suspension is fantastic for quick street riding, and for a performance bike, it is quite comfortable for long rides. My only complaints were the pressure on my arms due to the riding position and the firm seat (both easily adjusted to or fixed), and the excessive heat through the frame. You might also argue against the looks, but it has grown on me and after riding it, I think it looks cool the way a Mustang is still cool sitting next to a Ferrari. It is definitely an American hot rod.
Dealers are running ridiculous specials on them right now. They list for $12k, but you can get a 2008 out the door for under $10k right now.
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