2009 Buell 1125CR
July 22nd, 2008 at 12:54 pm by Paul Crowe - "The Kneeslider"
The Buell line is expanding on the 1125R with the new Buell 1125CR “cafe racer,” a more street oriented version with lower gearing and a flyscreen instead of the higher fairing. The engine has been tweaked slightly with new fuel and spark maps, the new maps will be available for the ‘08 1125R. Judging from the 1125R’s performance so far on the track, this 1125CR should be a real contender on the street.
From Buell:
Buell brings superbike performance to the streetfighter category in 2009 with the introduction of the 1125CR, a new model featuring a modern interpretation of “café racer” styling and the power of the Buell Helicon 1125 liquid-cooled V-Twin engine. The 1125CR is one of nine 2009 Buell Sportbike, Streetfighter, Adventure Sportbike and Blast models.
“Part superbike and part streetfighter, the 1125CR is my vision of a 21st century café racer,” said Erik Buell, chairman and chief technical officer at Buell Motorcycle Company. “It’s got Clubman-style bars and a flyscreen instead of a fairing. Then we geared it down to optimize acceleration. With a class-leading weight-to-horsepower ratio, the 1125CR takes streetfighter performance to a new level.”
Also new for 2009 on the 1125R and 1125CR models are targeted fuel injectors, relocated O2 sensors, and updated engine spark and fuel maps. The combination of these features offers improved drivability below 6000 rpm, even crisper throttle response, improved heat management, and significantly improved fuel economy. The updated engine spark and fuel maps will also be made available for 2008 1125R models.
With a dry weight of 375 pounds, the 1125CR is the lightest liter-class streetfighter on the market, and combined with 146 horsepower, it offers the best weight-to-horsepower ratio in the category.
Buell 1125CR highlights
* Buell Helicon 1125cc liquid-cooled, four-stroke 72-degree V-Twin engine
* 146 peak hp @ 9800 rpm
* 82 ft. lbs. peak torque at 8000 rpm
* 76/27 final drive gearing optimized for acceleration
* Underslung muffler with Helmholtz chamber
* DDFI 3 Electronic Fuel Injection ECM
* Ram-air pressurized air box
* Twin side-mount radiators
* HVA (Hydraulic Vacuum Assist) Slipper Action clutch
* ZTL2 four-pad, eight-piston front brake
* Fully adjustable 47 mm Showa inverted fork
* Fully adjustable Showa rear shock absorber
* Fuel-in Frame 5.3-gallon capacity
* Dry Weight: 375 pounds
* Wheelbase: 54.5 inches
* Seat height: 30.5 inches
* Pirelli Diablo Corsa III tires
* Pre-Wired for Accessory Heated Grips
Posted in American Motorcycles, Motorcycle Business
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21 Responses to “2009 Buell 1125CR”
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July 22nd, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Pretty cool stuff, as usual, Buell always does original roadsters. But can we get rid of the bat-air scoops ?
July 22nd, 2008 at 1:46 pm
I like Buell, and I like cafe racers. The bike is nice but I’m not completely sold on those scoops. People keep telling me that you have to see them in person and they don’t look as bad as in pictures. But I’m not convinced. In fact I think with the lack of fairing on this model it makes them stand out even more.
I had a ’03 XB9R and I enjoyed it quite a bit. My only complaint was the heat from the engine. Now I just wish they made one of these with a smaller engine. I don’t need or want 146 horsepower. In fact I’d be happy with half of that. Where’s my 562.5cr?
July 22nd, 2008 at 2:08 pm
ugh. that’s been hit hard with the ugly stick.
I’m sure the after-market will fix it though
July 22nd, 2008 at 2:39 pm
Taxman - They do look better in person . My little brother picked up the 1125R a couple of months ago after comparing it to a R1 , surprisingly all that stuff on the front of it makes sense after you sit on one. The handling and torque feels and even sounds like my Ducati but he can leave me in the dust with his higher rev limit. The seat is uncomfortable and stiff and still has quite a bit of heat off the frame and engine but that is the only complaint I have. After thinking how ugly it was it really is nice to look at after you sit on it once. Also one thing I noticed was the over all build quality of this bike is top notch , especially for a first year model. I bet that the 1125CR will be nicer in person because the pictures are pretty rough.
July 22nd, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Oh how I wish they would define “greatly improved fuel economy” in numbers.
July 22nd, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Wouldn’t the full fairing model be more of a true “cafe racer” and this more of a “standard”? From what I understand, any bike that tries to emulate the look of a production racer is a “cafe racer”.
The next step is to raise the handlebars, lengthen the suspension (add blank number plates) and call it the Zeus.
-todd
p.s. I too would be much more intersted in a “half” version, 562.5 single.
July 22nd, 2008 at 5:15 pm
And I thought the original 1125R was as ugly as a Buell could get….
July 22nd, 2008 at 5:53 pm
As with the 1125R radiators and scoops are a poorly designed after thought. Someone do something about the exhaust too = Yuk!
Adside from those faults love the buell design ethos - central mass, fuel in frame and 250 gp geometry.
July 22nd, 2008 at 6:00 pm
I came pretty close to buying an 1125R a month or so back. And it is a much better looking bike in photos than in the flesh. And you can get (bring money, as CW would say) a full fairing kit for the 1125R thats cool. And Ive loved all the Buells Ive ridden. And I like the “standard” looks. And I don’t mind the scoops. Hmmmmmmmmm. A pattern may be emerging.
July 22nd, 2008 at 8:33 pm
That’s a cool looking bike, but I’m getting sick of companies slapping the name “cafe racer” to whatever sport bike they have to sell.
Calling it a cafe racer doesn’t make it one, it’s just more stupid marketing.
July 22nd, 2008 at 9:45 pm
this is a sweet bike!
i really have nothing else to say!
July 23rd, 2008 at 1:30 pm
Awesome! When I heard rumors of a “cafe racer” I wasn’t really interested, but now that I’ve seen it, I really like it.
With the low weight, torquey engine etc. of the 1125R and now the clubman handlebars and lower gearing (and it also looks like they did a lot to address the “Bugs” of in the fuel delivery etc), this bike should be a minimalist extension of the rider.
The 1125R was close to being everything I wanted, but I think this one nails it. As close to being just an engine and wheels as you can get in todays EPA/DOT restricted market.
July 24th, 2008 at 2:19 am
Totally ugly. Anonymous. A step back.
Calling it as “a modern interpretation of “café racer” styling” is just curious.
July 24th, 2008 at 6:11 am
Those radiator covers look like somebody melted the clay model…a little shape definition would be nice. And the exhaust just looks plain cheap, a little more detailing would make this bike really nice because the package is good.
I don’t understand why there is so little aftermarket stuff for this bike; new seat, airbox and radiator cover+ a differen exhaust and it can look completely different.
BTW the headlight somehow reminds me of the B-King
July 24th, 2008 at 8:01 am
One word…Ugly. I really hope those scoops look better in person!
July 27th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
Todd- A “cafe racer” refers to the bikes that guys used to race between cafe’s on the street back in the 60’s.
August 2nd, 2008 at 7:57 am
Buells, I love um. From the older tuber frames to the XB’s. Big VTwins in a nice handling chassis, but the Buell 1125 is just plain ugly, from that hideous muffler to those ugly radiator covers. I think a full fairing would have done wonders for this bike and the R. Lets hope they get the mapping right on this one though.
August 2nd, 2008 at 6:50 pm
Well I played a little with photoshop and the 1125R:
http://s3images.coroflot.com/user_files/individual_files/134713_BgRxjKua_G0nelUZCfPDN3k_u.jpg
changed small details but in the end that’s what makes the difference (like tilting the nose forward, less round radiator scoops, wider seat end an exhaust with a more defined shape)
August 3rd, 2008 at 7:45 am
Oops..link has changed: http://s3images.coroflot.com/user_files/individual_files/134713_awHTwRQLlwHzJzCGellE5eq1s.jpg
November 9th, 2008 at 11:34 am
I think the 1125r is a bit ugly, but in rescent races with a bit more fairing and a flat black, it is really pretty. That being said, I think the 1125cr is drop dead gorgeouse. the only thing I would change would be a seat/tail more like an xb that is shorter and stick way up in the air, or maybe like a ktm rc8. But the 1125cr is beautifull, and there is no naked bike that compares or even gets close to it now. The Suzuki B-king will be close, but power and torque to weight, the Buell still edges it out, and will corner 1000 times better. And it is far far cheaper. the 1125cr is amazing, and simply beautifull, and I don’t see how someone can have a problem with the scoops. they are reminiscant of late 60’s and 70’s hoodscoops on muscle cars, and they are savage.
November 15th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
I checked a red CR out yesterday, and it looks much better in person. I actually like the big scoops (in person), but the left side of the bike is very plain and uninspiring to me. A red one comes in month end and I may ride it to see how much vibration it has; there’s a slight chance the pricetag may convince me to take back my deposit on the Ducati Streetfighter…but only if it doesn’t shake my hands numb like the Super Duke did.