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New bike: Buell 1125r

Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 8:17 am
by koji52
Well, I was able to hammer out a great deal on a 2008 1125r on Tuesday. I was sad to see the Sporty go but there's no way I'd sell it at a price acceptable to me given the flood of XLs on the market. I finally had the chance to clean her up, take some pictures and then "push" it on the road. The bike is incredibly well balanced. At 1 mph this bike has no problems standing upright. It doesn't feel like it's falling over at all. At speed, the bike handles very well. Maybe I just don't know "handling" but the bike is very light and agile. Finally having lean clearance is amazing. The 1125r flies around the corners and follows a line around curves quite easily. Brakes are nice and sharp (better than the Brembos on the vrod). I was on 295 at some point and couldn't help myself but to crank up the throttle. I hit 135mph in sixth gear at 7k rpm. With 3k rpm left, I'm kind of scared to see where it redlines. At 135 the bike is very stable. THere's no headshake. Tucking in behind the windshield, there's very little wind resistance hitting the body and helmet.

I'm still a cruiser guy, but I can now see why the sport bikes are so appealing.

Here come the pictures (I have to brag after buying one of these):

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Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 2:04 pm
by bandit600
Congrats!! Happy New Bike Day :motorcycle:

I heard the new Buell's are a blast. Ride Safe and enjoy.

Was the bike brand new? If so it sounds like someone wasn't patient enough to follow break in procedures ;-)

Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 2:25 pm
by RhadamYgg
Awesome!!!!! Man, I wish there was a chance in hell I'd get a good trade-in on my B-King, either the bike you got or the CR - I would love to have!

So, which would you take on a SS1000?

RhadamYgg

Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 2:49 pm
by koji52
Thanks guys...

Bandit - Brand new bike...had 15 miles before my test ride and purchase on Tuesday. Now has over 200 miles. I just couldn't help myself. I had to rip the throttle. I've generally been good about not going over 6k RPMs though.

Rhad - Yea, actually a V-Rodder friend of mine and his uncle just pulled another two from that dealership so they're flying out the door...I think there may be a one or two left though.

I'd have to take the V-Rod on an SS1000. The sportbike position is a big change for me and I feel like the bike requires a good amount of upper body strength just to sit on it for an extended period of time. I actually went to the gym on Wednesday like usual, tried benching and my back cramped. Shoulder blade was jabbing into the bench. Needless to say, it was extremely uncomfortable and I gave up.

Posted: Sun Oct 25, 2009 3:26 pm
by RhadamYgg
Yeah, your bike has a much more sport seating position than mine.

What dealer? I forget what part of NJ you are from.

Oh, you are in Trenton area, but that turns out not to help me.

RhadamYgg

Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 1:21 am
by koji52
Brian's HD in Langhorne, PA. Right across the bridge from Burlington

Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 5:36 am
by jstark47
koji52 wrote:The sportbike position is a big change for me and I feel like the bike requires a good amount of upper body strength just to sit on it for an extended period of time. I actually went to the gym on Wednesday like usual, tried benching and my back cramped. Shoulder blade was jabbing into the bench. Needless to say, it was extremely uncomfortable and I gave up.
I have no actual experience with sportbikes, but I've read you're supposed to use your abdominals and core muscles to support you and keep weight off the bars. (I'll never actually find out 'cause the sport riding position requires neck hyperextension which is a big No-No for me with herniated discs in my c-spine.)

Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 7:58 am
by koji52
jstark47 wrote:
koji52 wrote:The sportbike position is a big change for me and I feel like the bike requires a good amount of upper body strength just to sit on it for an extended period of time. I actually went to the gym on Wednesday like usual, tried benching and my back cramped. Shoulder blade was jabbing into the bench. Needless to say, it was extremely uncomfortable and I gave up.
I have no actual experience with sportbikes, but I've read you're supposed to use your abdominals and core muscles to support you and keep weight off the bars. (I'll never actually find out 'cause the sport riding position requires neck hyperextension which is a big No-No for me with herniated discs in my c-spine.)
This was my first sportbike and I learned quick that what you say is true. My hands were real sore after the first day. Now my core muscles are sore.

Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 2:28 pm
by RhadamYgg
koji52 wrote:Brian's HD in Langhorne, PA. Right across the bridge from Burlington
Wel, hey that's not too far.

Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2009 3:12 pm
by Flesher
Grats on the new bike!

bandit600 wrote:...I heard the new Buell's are a blast.
I see what you did there :laughing: