With our recent post on no rules racing and the current flap over Matt Mladin’s crankshaft, I thought this new ad for the Buell 1125CR was appropriate. The words are on a scale from, “Follow the rules” to “Write your own.” The Buell is positioned well into the “Write Your Own” side of the scale. Neat and very timely.
Whiskthecat says
Schweet!
Derek says
i love my Buell!
FREEMAN says
Sexy.
tom w. says
I’m looking forward to see what Buell does with the new AMA format.
Keeping my fingers crossed that we’ll see some nasty, American bikes mixing it up with the usual suspects next year.
jb says
but it’s still ugly….
and expensive….
Dodgy says
I ride a LOT of different bikes in my job, and have always found Buells a little disappointing; but the 1125R is in another category. It’s pathetic, or at least the demonstrator I rode was. I cannot imagine anyone riding one prior to purchase, actually buying one. Sorry…
FREEMAN says
Then don’t buy one, Dodgy.
guitargeek says
It’s still not a cafe racer.
DP says
Buell has always been a brand that was a little “out there” owning and riding a Buell will mark you out as a individual
still a own a 98 s3t which aside from the apalling build quality provided me with some of the most rewarding riding i’ve ever done in a way that “big four” or european brands never could
some day i may again reinvest
Derek says
Can it survive without the air scoops?
B. Case says
I like the ad, and the quick evolution CR shows they’ve got more up their sleeve. I never did like following rules… Of course, in hindsight, maybe there were one or two rules I should have followed…
See, that whole “no rules” strategy can really get you into trouble. I mean, imagine if everybody wrote their own rules…complete chaos!!
Yes, you could argue that all civilized societies will have a majority of people who follow rules like they’re supposed to. Those who march to a different drum seem to always be in the minority, but, even the minority can’t resist human instinct to want to belong to a tribe of other like-minded individuals. Those who rebel against a tribe, usually just want to run their own tribe, and so on. But then there’s the whole cult thing, and I’ve got to get back to work.
Anyway, nice ad.
Nicolas says
Interesting opinion from Dodgy, usually on this site Buell are more likely praised … Can you share your analysis/experience, Dodgy ?
Sean says
Thing is, most motorcycle manufacturers use the theme of freedom and rebellion when marketing their product. Slick, but not the most original. I’ve always loved their Sum – Parts ad campaign myself.
Dodgy says
“Can you share your analysis/experience”
OK, Buell are building a ‘Superbike’ yes? (And I’d like them to succeed BTW) but the one I rode sounded as if the engine was on its last legs (5,000 miles), the noise it was making was not right. The fueling was terrible, at small throttle openings it would bog down making it impossible to find a line on the street, and it didn’t make up for it with GRUNT either. I actually found it sorely lacking under about 7,000 RPM. Eriks great fuel tank idea really doesn’t work IMHO, surging in the frame seems to be a real problem and has been with all the others, EFI may make it worse I think. The switchgear must have been bought sight unseen from China, and the instruments looked like an afterthought. Interesting that it had instantaneous and average fuel consumption but no gauge or distance to empty (HUH?).
It was a while ago if I’ve forgotten some things, but it felt like a home built prototype that was two generations away from production (for real world use)
Jeff says
GO Buell !
Ry_Trapp0 says
maybe you should ride another, that sounds nothing like any buell review ive ever read.
taxman says
i’ve owned a buell and ridden buells that belonged to friends of mine. i have also test ridden many buells at dealerships.
i’d have to say that what Dodgy is describing is more common that i would like of dealer demo bikes but very uncommon among any of the bikes that i’ve ridden where the owner follows any type of maintenance schedule.
honestly dodgy i think that if you were to give it another shot, try a different dealership, you would find that the problems you described were not normal.
i don’t currently own a buell, but mainly because there isn’t a buell dealership within a reasonable distance to me. but there are two HD dealerships near and if either of them start selling buells again i’ll be one of the first in line.
Derek says
opinions are like… just kidding.
i own an ’07 XB12Ss. I sold an ’03 Dyna (1450cc) with S&S Gear drive cams / Screamin Eagle Pushrods / S&S carb, manifold and air cleaner / exhaust…
the Buell (1203cc) stock blows it out of the water.
Jeff says
I’ve riden and owned many makes and by far the most fun I’ve had is on my Buell Firebolt . I hold my own on the local back twisty roads with the likes of the Ducs and the Ninja types . Sure they can out run me on the straights but in the turns well it’s a different story .I like the fact I don’t have to shift all the time the power band it perfect for the street and the handling is great and the brakes do the job . The only weak link for Buell right now is dealer support . I’m lucky enough to have a HD dealer close enough that does support Buell . I’m sure there will be some who will never accept the fact that there is an affordable sportbike built in the USA . I say GO BUELL !!!!
tom w. says
If there ever comes a day when there aren’t Buell haters out there, it will be a lot less fun to own one.
Let’s hope we don’t see that day anytime soon.
Jeff says
I agree Tom 🙂
Dodgy says
As I said, I would like them to succeed, and maybe I rode a bad example.
But surely they can do better with switchgear and instruments? Both feel cheap and instrument functionality is very poor compared to any of the bikes the 1125 is being compared to.
But, to be realistic, I have never ridden any other sportsbike in its class (recently GSXR1000, Speed Triple, CBR1000RR, S4R Monster) which felt as bad.
As for the preparation of demo bikes (it’s what I do for a living), I would NOT have let that example out… And I get the impression that they are all different out of the box, and have to be ‘set up’ properly. The competition is usually 99% there every time, and stopped building ‘Monday’ bikes years ago.
FREEMAN says
DODGY, I think it’s interesting how you say you ride “a LOT” of different bikes at your job and you’re so quick to bash all Buells, especially the 1125R, and yet you say you’ve never riden any bike of its class. Maybe you shouldn’t be so quick to judge all 1125Rs based on a demo model, especially since I get the impression it was one of your demos.
Clive Makinson-Sanders says
I would like to see a comparison between the 72, 45, and 90 degree piston configurations outside of a working chassis.
Dodgy says
Sorry Freeman, not one of mine; as I said, I would not let a bike out that didn’t feel, sound or work right. In other words, the bikes I look after here are ‘as good as they can be’, regardless of any design or build quality limitations. I get the feeling the demo I rode was not prepared that way, and as such was way off the mark. Japanese bikes (surely Buells biggest competitor?) are invariably near perfect straight from the crate.
Nicolas says
Freeman, Dodgy said ” I have never ridden any other sportsbike in its class … which felt as bad.” Doesn’t sound to me that it was a free and quick bashing.
I personally always appreciate to have a feedback from an “insider”, which is professionally related to the motorcycle world, it usually differs from the general opinions you collect at the local beer joint, and gives other lighting on the subject.
tom w. says
Dodgy,
While some people may choose Japanese bikes over Buells, I don’t think they’re really Buell’s direct competitors.
Buell only sells 10,000 bikes a year, so they appeal to people who want something different, a little unusual, something unique – and people who want those kind of bikes are usually willing to put up with some quirks that you may find more negative than the typical Buell rider.
Buell is more competitive with European bikes – Ducati, Aprilia, KTM, Benelli, Triumph and maybe some BMW’s. I think if you rode many of those bikes, you’d find that they also fall a little short of the Japanese bikes in terms of fit and finish, but they really offer different products to different markets than the Japanese brands.
I think the typical Buell rider likes the fact that he/she is riding something that may be a little more rough around the edges, a little quirky and may require a little more TLC than a Honda.
To a Buell rider, doing a little work on the bike is often part of the experience. I think you’d find that Buells are much more often modified than Honda’s and that just gives you a little insight into the different types of consumers that buy the different brands.
Hondas are great bikes. Buells are great bikes. They simply appeal to different types of riders.
It would be a pretty boring world if everybody rode Hondas, wouldn’t it?
Jeff says
Tom you are probably correct . That’s what attracted me to the Buell brand . I like unique motorcycles . I sold my mint 1976 Honda 750 and kept my crusty 1972 BMW R75/5 so that would sort of tell you what kind of motohead I am . Plus I picked the Buell over a Ducati . I sold my HD when everybody was doing it . I like being differnt and each bike reflects its owners personality at least that’s my opine . I’m not a real techy kind of motorcyce owner I just like to ride and have fun the simpler the better .
ROHORN says
Yeah, there’s no better expert on motorcycles than the punk who busts the bikes out of crates and the kid who washes them, usually one and the same.
They are the TRUE insiders.
Several years of Buell dealership, group demo runs, and ownership mean my opinion doesn’t count….
FREEMAN says
DODGY, NICOLAS – Yeah, you’re both right. Sorry for my misunderstanding.
Jasalich says
Over the last several years I have noticed a trend when it comes to the Buell. The company is really starting to focus on fit and finish. Not just making a machine that works for a few, and that most people would not give it a second glance. Take the 1125CR for example, with all the little details that have gone into making the lines clean with out having large fairings to cover up things. I own two Ninjas…07 ZZR600 and a 08 ZX14. However after test riding the 1125CR, I sold the ZX14. OK I know yes the 1125CR over all will not out perform the ZX14 in the straights, But take the two down the same 17 mile twisty back road and you will find why Buell has built this bike. Not to say the ZX14 is designed for the twisty roads but when you compare the two bikes over all power, torque, ergos, and handling, I was sold. I am now proud to say I own a Buell. Yes and a Ninja but hey why settle for just one type. Like anything else in life when the mood hits sometimes you just have to be different and hope on a Buell.
But hey that is just my opinion.
Chris Bazany says
I have to say that many of you are sold on the new 1125CR as a great bike to have fun on, I own one myself just resently. Although, I have own many over the years, Cyclone’s, X1W’s, ST3’s! I have a 2004 FLHT for a cruiser, but wanted a fun all around bike for short runs and fun runs through the Texas Hill Country. My CR gets 50 mpg on the hwy, and 44 mpg in the city. When I run with the Duck’s and the Aprilli’s they laugh at first and take a hard look at mine after our runs. They ain’t laughing then, especially after I tell them what I paid for it. Thats my favorit part of the day! But it is great ot have two in the stables to ride when ever I want to. I cahnged out my handle bars to the tall bar that Buells makes, I have to say it helps but, I’m looking at Pro Tap for a set of Wood’s Hi bar which allows the 1 1/8th clamps and the 7/8th control heads. They are 2 inches wider but 3.74″ tall, compared to the Buell set that is 1.7″ tall. When I’m done I will sed a pic of the finished CR. You all take care!