OT: Buell 1125R first ride and video

RC51DRAG · 09-11-2007, 08:22 AM

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/Article_Page.aspx?ArticleID=5256&Page=1

BSnyder · 09-11-2007, 09:03 AM

Thanks for the link. Videos are not working for me. Can you see them?

RoLoo · RoLoo's Garage

...strange...
...the 'first ride' video gave me a Kawasaki Vulcan...

R111S · R111S's Garage

Vids work fine for me...Glad to see Buell finally having their place in the Sun.

cyotee01 · 09-11-2007, 09:47 PM

Wish I could have those ponies in the BCR...

Nitro · Nitro's Garage

The major problems Buell had in the past were mostly engine related...that thing should belong in a museum not on a bike. I was the unfortunate owner of a Cyclone...let's not go off track...

Now they have an engine built by one of the best manufacturers out there and Buell had more than a decade of experience to work out major bugs on other components.

I bet this one is going to be a reliable sweet-ass ride.

I'll keep my eyes wide open...

BSnyder · 09-12-2007, 04:53 AM

Nitro - The XB series engines have been reliable. I agree...this will be one sweet ride. Just wish there was another way to get air to the engine without the anteater snouts.

Nitro · Nitro's Garage

Quote:

The XB series engines have been reliable

Well...I got two buddies with XBs, they got them brand new...major oil leaks on both...In one they have to replace the pistons because the seals went to hell...Both bikes have been in the shop more than 5 times in three months...and they still leak...Lemon probably but gee two-out-of-two...

I don't know...squeezing out 100+ HP out of an engine designed to output half as much is not the best route for reliability IMO.

I'm glad Buell went the Rotax way.

BSnyder · 09-12-2007, 09:18 AM

Two-out-of-two that you know of. Make it 2 out of 3 if you count me.

Then visit the badweatherbikers site and see how many XB's have reliably reached 20k+ miles.
You'll always have some bad apples in the bunch but I think Buell has done a good job of making the XB engines reliable. Of course, I believe the move to Rotax will definately prove to be a good one.

Nitro · Nitro's Garage

By the way...I really do like this bike a lot! If I was shopping for a bike right now it would be like top three on my list.

jduke · 09-20-2007, 07:00 AM

BSnyder, nothing personal here, but notice that you seem to be proud of the fact that "many XB's have reliably reached 20k+ miles".
Every BMW I've owned took 20,000 miles just to break in the rings.
But I do agree that this new engine might be the REAL bike Buell has been trying to make since they began.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BSnyder

Two-out-of-two that you know of. Make it 2 out of 3 if you count me.

Then visit the badweatherbikers site and see how many XB's have reliably reached 20k+ miles.
You'll always have some bad apples in the bunch but I think Buell has done a good job of making the XB engines reliable. Of course, I believe the move to Rotax will definately prove to be a good one.

BSnyder · 09-20-2007, 07:48 AM

I dont take posts on internet message boards personally.
I didn't mean for my post to come across as me being "proud of the fact." I was mearly informing you where you could go to add to your limited collection of reliability data on the XB.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jduke

BSnyder, nothing personal here, but notice that you seem to be proud of the fact that "many XB's have reliably reached 20k+ miles".
Every BMW I've owned took 20,000 miles just to break in the rings.
But I do agree that this new engine might be the REAL bike Buell has been trying to make since they began.

ExarKunONe · 09-20-2007, 01:37 PM

If only that front end wasnt so GIGANTIC. I like the bike though. I still wonder why Buell cant create their own american made engine.

on2wheels52 · on2wheels52's Garage

I read Kevin Cameron's article in Cycle last night. I'm much more interested in a Buell with a Rotax.
Jim

hawkeyejohn14 · hawkeyejohn14's Garage

I believe they are heading in the right direction, but.... Moto GP tried gas in the frames but the machines handling changed too much during the race due to changing of center mass. The brakes would have to change to some nice radials and the looks definitely would have to change, just not my cup of tea.

BSnyder · 09-20-2007, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hawkeyejohn14

The brakes would have to change to some nice radials...

Whats wrong with the 8 piston radial brakes that are on it?

hawkeyejohn14 · hawkeyejohn14's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by BSnyder

Whats wrong with the 8 piston radial brakes that are on it?

They're still running the disc on the outside of the rim, that is the part I don't believe gives any benefit.

mfbRSV · 09-20-2007, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ExarKunONe

If only that front end wasnt so GIGANTIC. I like the bike though. I still wonder why Buell cant create their own american made engine.

At least this one has real American engines.

ExarKunONe · 09-20-2007, 09:30 PM

Hey, that looks like the Coronado bridge! I see you have the Touring Sport credentials, I used to live in Travelers Rest. Is Andre back from deployment yet?

1967 R50/2 · 09-21-2007, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ExarKunONe

why Buell cant create their own american made engine.

Probably not a matter of ability...probably more a matter of budgets. Buell is a niche player. And even if the mother company H-D is a massively profitable concern, Buell is not likely to have a business case that benefits from economies of scale like Honda, etc.

It surely is cheaper to buy off the shelf then develop from the ground up. That's reflected in the moderate price too. If you want an exclusive engine, you'll pay an exclusive price.