Is the new Buell 1125R sport bike the riding experience that young riders were looking for? For the 1st time at Buell, the 1125R is powered by a liquid-cooled engine (Twin side mounted radiators). It is a 72º V-Twin “Helicon” fuel-injected built in Austria by BRP-Rotax. Bore and stroke are 103 x 67.5 with a compression ratio is 12.3:1. Transmission is 6-speed with final belt drive on the left side. The aluminum frame is also the fuel tank and holds a capacity of 5.6 gallons. Wheelbase is longer than before: 54.6” and weight is only 375 pounds. The front wheel (17”) is supported by 47 mm inverted forks. A new Buell ZTL2 front brake features an eight-piston caliper based on the brake developed for the Buell XBRR racing motorcycle. Buell Motorcycles.
Wow! Finally a Buell with engine performance to match the always superb handling and braking. Market success will depend on pricing, not on whether Buell thinks its chosen the right price point but whether buyers do!
Veeerrrry Interesting! Hey Eric! Nota Bene: Add adjustable footpegs for human sizes and GET A COLOR CHART!!!! I’ve now become accustomed to W.B.E. ( weird Buell esthetics), although this isn’t violently repulsive.Otherwise I hope it sells like hotcakes. All the whiners on the Superhawk Forum, who feel a motorcycle MUST spin like a Dremel tool, will have to SHUT UP, ’cause you’ve PUT UP, and stepped up! And one last thing: DON’T let it sound like a sewing machine!!! ( Listen to a Ducati GT 1000 !)Me? I’ll be a fan of the Sporster-motored S3T!
Ron
That lower font end looks to me like “…weird Buell esthetics…” are still part of the mix.
Ron,
Erik (note spelling) has already provided the 1125R with adjustable foot pegs. Check out the rest of the bike at Buell.com.
Doc,
Does 11K sound like a reasonable price point?
Greg
I hope this runs as good as the web site says. We may finally have a decent American made sport bike.
I have a 2006 buell xb9 and its going back to the dealer the day this helicon comes out. Im tired of being the slowest on the street.
i hope it is really good in performance cause i find it ugly.
Not complaining, but don’t Harley-Davidson have a Water cooled v-twin. Why is Buell using the Rotax engine instead of the Vrod engine. The horsepower number sounds good though (146bhp)
The V-rod motor is too long and heavy to be a viable sportbike motor. On the performance side I’ll know more when I get back from testing one in August in CA.
But that black thing above the front wheel looks like a large mouth Bass getting ready to suck up a frog.
I agree! I like the profile of the XB12R better, with the lower meaner more stream line look of the head lights. I have been screaming for years for Buell to use a water cooled engine with some real HP. I really appreciate the innovation Erik has put into his bikes.
Kenn the vrod motor was a sportbike motor (vr1000 superbike in the ama superbike series) How can you say it is not a viable sportbike motor?
The Vrod was not the Superbike motor that was in the VR1000. Harley went to good ol Porsche to build that motor.. Do your homework!
Meant to say the Vrod was designed by Porsche. The VR1000 was all Harley. As for the Buell I would spend an extra 2,500 and get the Aprilia Mille. Same motor and you get full Ohlins Suspension.
Blake I did my homework at MMI and as a certified Harley-Davidson technician. I’m not going to argue with you on details. Harley worked with Porsche to help with the watercooling issues, they did not design the engine the basis for that was the vr1000 engine.
Aprilia has 1000 cc and the Buell 1125 , different V angle , way more torque , acouple or 3 more Bph etc = not the same
The v-rod motor WAS Designed and built by PORSHE !!!! They took one look at the blue prints of the VR1000 motor and pissed their pants laughing,,, and said we will build you a motor our way. Air cooled push rod stuff is JUNK !!!
Hardley,
You are wrong on all points.
“and said we will build you a motor our way. Air cooled push rod stuff is JUNK !!!”
If you are saying that the VR engine was an air cooled push rod bike you are really wrong. Porche made the VR streetable and more reliable than the race motor. They also removed much of the hp. See the following. http://motorcyclemuseum.org/classics/bike.asp?id=2 The essence of the V Rod motor is probably older than you by the sounds of it.
Marty
Ken, Blake, & Hardley………..Where do you people get your information? Please show some reliable facts…….can you? Are you three the same person?
If I am wrong I will apologize but you three need to do some accurate research.
Good reply Marty!
Brian
I believe it was Cycle World that had an article on the Aprilia motored Buell. A motor specified by HD (something like a 72degree V) and a very impressive performer it appears to be.
And wasn’t it the discovery channel that aired the story on V-Rod motor? Watched it 3 times! Love the design work, the story behind it and the overall appearance.
-nicker-
hey guys fun reading all your comments.. i have yet to even ride a street bike.. the xbr12 looked cool and im sure sounds bad @$$ but after reading about the 1125 how could a guy pass that up? who wants to ride jap bikes or italian bikes when theres a buell that looks very worthy.. and is that 375lbs correct?
Yes or no? Is the Buell 1125R the bike to have? Will anyone who has owned one for a while plese give me some input? Did you still like it after owning it for a month? Does the right foot peg still get excessively hot from the exhaust pipes? Is there a serious problem with back tire hop when down shifting through courners? Anything someone could tell me will be appriciated before I make my decision to buy own. All the performance specs sound excellent to me.
Rollin,
You may want to read this ride report to add an additional base your decision.
http://hellforleathermagazine.com/2008/11/2009-buell-1125cr-vs-new-jerse.html