Buell 1125R - Is this 'the American Sportbike'?

WebTyrantMedia, Inc. ^ | Tuesday, 10 July 2007 | OWD/Buell Press

[BraveMan]

With Buell’s announcement of the 1125R the company seems set to give reviewers exactly what they asked for – a host of Buell innovations wrapped around a proper liquid cooled engine. The BRP-Rotax engine cranking out a claimed 146hp at the crank, which may not be “set to break the convention of the superbike category”, it certainly fits the “sportbike” descriptor. For Buell though, whose marketing has played the patriotism card in the past, the 1125R’s outsourced engine presents a represents a gamble, namely will the bike be “American” enough to woo the home market? Core to that issue is the poser; does it matter where the components come from?

[BraveMan]

Sweet . . .

[BraveMan]

Please ping the Hooligans. I want their opinions . . .

[org.whodat]

I think you are suppose to pay to advertise.

[martin_fierro]

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[pikachu]

I can not see the local H-D dealers who barely tolerate the ‘Sportster’ engined Buells now going all warm and moist over a Rotax engined bikes. Maybe this will also kill off the ‘Harley wants to buy Ducati’ rumor.

[HOTTIEBOY]

>>>>>>Please ping the Hooligans. I want their opinions . . .<<<<<<

I have tested quite a few Buells and they always fall well below other Japanese models. Never ridden this model so I cannot say.....the numbers look impressive though.

[BraveMan]

Does being a monthly donor count?

[BraveMan]

I have tested quite a few Buells and they always fall well below other Japanese models.

In what way? Just curious . . .

I can appreciate the opinion of someone whose actually ridden one (or more), as opposed to those who spout off with no actual experience.

[BraveMan]

whose = who’s

[SFC Chromey]

Considering this is the preview, no one has publicly has ridden this bike, not motorbike media, etc. So far it is a pre-production bike, ridden by Buell’s test riding staff.

[HardStarboard]

Front disk mount looks inovative....mounted to wheel rim rather than the hub. First time I've seen that wrinkle - moves point of pressure outboard - might increase braking power.

I'm a bit out of date on bike technology - is this new or just something I missed before.

[HOTTIEBOY]

I do tire evaluations and different aftermarket evaluations. Not that I am an expert or anything, but they just need to say that the product was tested by a “professional rider”. I would not even consider myself a pro. The real pro riders are too expensive and demand too much. I just go through the motions and tell them what I think. Then they fill in the blanks with what they wanted to hear. But at least they can say it was tested.
Its not my day job and I haven’t done it in a while. They just need someone whose name is out there and is cheap that will tell them what they wanted to hear.
Buells are alright bikes when standing alone. But when compared sidebyside to other makes in the same category, their flaws become apparent. If someone road a Buell exclusively, they might never see those flaws. But if you take a Buell XB around the track, then jump on a GSXR1000, the difference is night and day.

[BraveMan]

I understand that.

I’m referring the HB’s riding experience and subsequent negative opinion.

DISCLAIMER: I am the owner of an ‘06 XB12SS Lightning Long. I enjoy the bike immensely, but then again I’m old and slow, and no threat to anyone on-track.

[HOTTIEBOY]

Nah, its been around a few years. Its a Buell design. they also put the engine oil in the rear swingarm and the gas in the frame.

[Melas]

Why oh why would Harley want to be involved in this? Then again, I never thought Harley should have made Buells or the non-Harley V-Rod in the first place.

[BraveMan]

That was the most artful sidestep I’ve seen you dance in a while . . .

C’Mon! Be specific.

[BraveMan]

I would imagine many dealers (like the local House of Harley-Davidson) DON’T want to be involved. I know I wouldn’t want to buy a Buell from the House; their support is abysmal and their parts inventory non-existent. However others (like the local Hal’s Harley-Davidson) embrace them because they add significantly to their bottom line.

Hal’s is into Buells in a big way, with speed (and Dyno) clinics, Thursday night hands-on seminars, weekend group rides and special access to track time for owners.

[Cogadh na Sith]

I don't like the big scoop-box thingey on the front. What is that thing?!

Looks like one of those lizards that can puff its neck up.

[HOTTIEBOY]

What? I’m serious. I would ride one as a daily commute. Torque is great for around town. Also, on the litre+ models, when aggressively riding on a track, the dead spots caused by having only two cylinders firing enables the rear tire to gain traction when exiting an ess. Unlike the wheel spin that a 4cyl with a smaller dead area produces. Same reason I love launching Ducatis out of turns ~ alot more traction and no need for traction control.
The frames are also alot more rigid in the Buells to account for aesthetics which in turn dampens feedback that the rider gets from the pavement. Like I say, the daily commuter would never see these things.
FROM MY EXPERIENCE (for what its worth)....the GSXs and the CBRs in the market eat the Buells up on the track. They are in a different league.

[Clam Digger]

My experience with ROTAX engines is 100% positive. I had several in my kawasaki-colored and stickered race machines. Then again, that was all 2-stroke stuff, offroad.