| Posted: 08 Feb 2010 04:58 | [?] |
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| So that is the question. I recently decided to learn to ride and took the local MSF course. In addition to that I have some experience on my friends 07 CBR600RR. I was busy shopping CL for a bike and stumbled across an 08 Buell 1125R. The bike is basically new (less than 100 miles). I really like the looks, but I am wondering if a liter bike is a good choice for someone as novice as I am. I have no urge to track the bike what so ever. I am a decent sized guy 6'0 185lbs and I want something that will fit me well. The CBR is ok, but honestly not as comfortable as it could be. I think Buells are gorgeous bikes, I just am not sure if the big Buell is a good choice for me at my current riding level. I am 30 so there’s no doing 150 on the freeway and splitting traffic in my future. I want something reliable and with good handling for driving around town. | |
| Posted: 08 Feb 2010 05:10 | [?] |
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| You're kidding right? The 1125R is NOT a starter bike for anyone regardless of age. And if you're thinking you "won't" be trying to race it every once in awhile, you've definitely not mature enough. Be aware that Buells are no longer in production, so parts will begin to be hard to find in a couple of years... just my 2 cents... | |
| Posted: 08 Feb 2010 05:21 | [?] |
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I say get a xb12r firebolt. Start off driving it real easy. You will get comfortable with it, with in a month. Make sure you adjust the suspention as the book says for you weight. Have fun. You wont have a need for an 1125. Not by the way you describe yourself. I have a firebolt xb12r and it is as much as I will ever need. It has plenty of torque with out the uncontrollable HP serges, to pull your ass around.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3aUObJIEnM |
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| Posted: 08 Feb 2010 05:21 Last Edited By: BuddhaBuell | [?] |
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if you want to have a great bike and your days of tearing up the freeway @ 150mph are past you then maybe one of the XB's would more suited for you, fantastic handleing, tons of torque and a more relaxed riding position...
I am 6'2" @ 205# and ride a XB9sx with no comfort problems... http://www.facebook.com/VIMMA.BootCamp.ca?v=a ... aside from that edjamacate yourself aboot everything Buell.. welcome to the best Buell forum out there and when you decide which one your getting, post pics 
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| Posted: 08 Feb 2010 05:25 Last Edited By: brightbuell | [?] |
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Here is another vid of a Firebolt. Just to show you how the chicks dig it.
Oh yea, and welcome. It you get a Buell this will be your second home. This is the best Buell site ever. i learn so much here. Its great. Every one here help everbody else save time and money with there combined knowlege. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Pz6F50RFyA |
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| Posted: 08 Feb 2010 05:59 | [?] |
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Wow funnythebunny I think your reply was pretty dickish. Thanks for the welcome to the forum. Thankfully you have my maturity level (and everyone elses) all figured out. Good to know.
As for everyone elses replies I appreciate them. Being new to riding is fairly daunting with all the bike options and choices out there. I am always glad to find a well informed supportive community. I will look into the XB12R. I liked the reviews of the 1125R because they mentioned this being the first Buell with a different engine and it is liquid cooled? |
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| Posted: 08 Feb 2010 06:13 | [?] |
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BucBrew, it would be very unwise for you to start out with an 1125. I got myself into all sorts of trouble with my first bike, and it was only a 650.
You're the only one who knows what you can handle, but for what it's worth, I wouldn't even suggest starting out on an 1125 to someone who has YEARS of off-road riding under their belt. It's just not a good choice. Dick or not, funnythebunny makes a good point. |
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| Posted: 08 Feb 2010 06:18 | [?] |
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Buc, check out mod Stevenc150 profile it has a ton of links, saves some time when your searching for something..
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| Posted: 08 Feb 2010 06:39 | [?] |
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| As far as the water cooled. You might want to know the firebolt might be oil colled but it also has an oil radiator and oil in the swing arm wich keeps it a lot coller then a Harley. Plus it has a cooling fan that kicks on and off as needed. You can also add a right side scoop to cool it even farther. I will never sell my firebolt. Its a keeper for life. There a lot of buell owners who feel the same way. | |
| Posted: 08 Feb 2010 07:04 | [?] |
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| If you like the looks of a naked rocket..go for the firebolt. If you think that you can take it easy on the 1125 until you get used to it..more power to you. Money IS an issue nowadays. If you think that you're just going to upgrade to the 1125 anyway, save yourself some money and get it now. I learned how to ride on a Ninja 250. The first bike I bought was a GSXR 750 when I was 17. I learned a lot about the good and bad of having a bike that goes fast. You'll discover your limitations quickly, just respect the power that it has. | |
| Posted: 08 Feb 2010 07:19 | [?] |
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| Buc I was pretty much in your shoes 4 months ago. I'm 34 so the urge to be really stupid has mostly passed my by. I bought a xb12scg for my first bike and am very happy with it. I haven't come close to pushing the limits of that bike. The firebolt has a more aggressive riding position compared to the xb otherwise they are virtually the same bike, with some minor differences. I really don't see you regretting not getting the 1125. Guys, please feel free to correct me if i'm mistaken about any of this (bit of a noob here). Just trying to help the guy out. | |
| Posted: 08 Feb 2010 07:20 | [?] |
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I disagree with everyone. If you want it, buy it. If you don't think you're gonna race it, then you won't. All sorts of people get all twisted up on thier first bikes, regardless of the size. Yes, you will get in much much much more trouble when that day comes if you're out there trying to be Mr. MotoGP on it. But, if you're just commuting and having some fun, it doesn't matter how fast it is.
I had the same dilema (although not for my first bike) and I rode both; I think Firebolts handle better, cost less, have more parts, are cheaper to insure, aren't as bulky, and sound 10x better. Every now and then I wish I had more power, but then again, I also go 140 on the freeway. So, to each their own. For what its worth, the only reason I was between an 1125 and an XB was that the 1125 was water cooled and I had riden an XB in the summer before. The 1125 was just as hot to me. |
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| Posted: 08 Feb 2010 07:23 | [?] |
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And to Scheusal:
No, the Firebolt and the 1125 are different bikes. The Firebolt is an XB. The Lightning is an XB12S(s)(cg) and the Firebolt is an XB12R. The 1125 is a totally different bike. It also has the same frame/gas tank section, but the rest is different. |
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| Posted: 08 Feb 2010 10:05 | [?] |
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| Get it.Just take it easy and work your way into it.Remember its powerful and fast.Whtch you tube motorcycle crash videos before you go hot roddin!!! | |
| Posted: 08 Feb 2010 10:15 | [?] |
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Bucbrew
146 hp bike is ALLOT and why buy Cl when you can get them from a Dealer for 6500-7500 OTD if your not in cali with a full 2 year warranty I would point you toward a xb9 if you like sitting more up right and driving mostly around town a Cityx Mchenry in illnios has a demo 2004 couple hunderd miles for 3995 and tax and it has never been titled. if you haven't seen this yet. buell locater is here http://www.buell.com/en_us/tools/find-a-bike/ ... |
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| Posted: 08 Feb 2010 13:02 | [?] |
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I have an XB9R Firebolt and an 1125CR and you can get into trouble on both if you ride like an idiot. Same goes for the other side of the coin. If you ride responsibly and respect it, you will be fine with either. Get whatever suits you best. We all learned to crawl before we walked and walked before we ran. Just my .02 cents.
I can also say, since buying the CR last October, I have ridden the Firebolt twice. The 1125 is that good. |
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| Posted: 08 Feb 2010 15:11 | [?] |
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I agree with most of what has been said. It would be best to start out with a less powerful bike, but hopefully with your age comes a certain amount of self control.
You might consider taking one of the rider courses just to give you some insights into general safety issues. |
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| Posted: 08 Feb 2010 15:42 | [?] |
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| Get a Suzuki Sv650S. Great bike, lots of aftermarket support. | |
| Posted: 08 Feb 2010 16:18 | [?] |
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| I'm with afinley, buy the bike that you want. My first bike is my 08 XB12S. A lot of people told me to start off with something smaller, but I got the bike I wanted. As long as you take it easy and learn your bike and your limits before you open it up, I don't see the problem. | |
| Posted: 08 Feb 2010 17:10 | [?] |
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| I think I may have some insight. I'm 22 (yes, young and somewhat dumb) and have a xb9sx and 1125cr, both sides of the fence. I won't lie, I've done everything from splitting cars at 110+ to "separating myself" from you know who at speeds that promise bad health. Now with that being said, I did start ridn at 12 on a dirtbike and crashd it a lot, so I had some exp bfore i bought my xb. i rode that for a wile and bought my cr bout two months ago and have nuthn but a blast wen i get on it. Great bike! ive gotten the stupid outa my system and actually am now a BRC coach. I love ridn and my ability to walk, plus i paid too much money for this thing to be stupid on it. Long story short.......Get what you want. If you take it slow, anything is possible. I do agree though with the gents above though, an xb12r is more than enough for anyone. Hell I want one. | |
| Posted: 08 Feb 2010 18:18 Last Edited By: Buellysses | [?] |
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Bucbrew: Welcome to the forum, always glad to have a new poster. You will have to excuse some of the non polite posters, for the most part the people on this site are pleasant, knowledgeable, and happy to answer any questions. Just try to use the search function before asking questions, some of the questions get posted have been answered many many times over.
Now, to answer your question... The bike you get is nothing more then a personal preference. The only thing you can do is ride the bike to see what feels right. If you are just puttering around town you may not even like the riding stance of the 1125r (or the xb12r), it's a pretty aggressive stance. Riding safely is all about knowing your ability, and not doing stupid stuff. The majority of the people that hurt themselves do it while attempting to do something stupid or something that is beyond THEIR capability as a rider. Does the 1125 have a shit-ton of power? Yeah, it does. Would it be really easy to get yourself into a bad situation in a big hurry? Most certainly. If you use your head all the time is the 1125 "too much bike"? No. Whatever you get, make sure you take the time to learn your bike. |
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| Posted: 08 Feb 2010 20:26 | [?] |
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| Buc: A few months back I was kinda in your shoes. I just started riding & months ago. I bought a '97 ninja 600. Wasn't much bike for my size (6'2" 240#) but I had never rode anything with 2 wheels and an engine before. I loved riding but wasn't comfortable on the bike. After looking at every brand bike in sizes from 750-1200 and after much research and debating between the 1125 and the XB12 I decided on the 1125R and I haven't regretted my decision for a minute. It handles so much better than the 600 ninja did and because of that I feel more comfortable laying in a curve and have learned a l ot on the bike. I took it very easy at first and still do somewhat in comparison to what the bike will actually do. It's a comfortable ride for me and I do mostly in town riding. I've never rode the XB but if the quality is anything like the 1125 (and I'm sure it is) I think you would be happy with either bike. Just take your time to get familiar with whatever you get and don't try to ride above your limits. Best of luck to you and happy riding. | |
| Posted: 08 Feb 2010 21:38 | [?] |
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| Welcome to the forum. .. +1 buelysses and most every other poster here. every one will have a bit of a different opinion, whether good or bad, or if you, or anyone else likes it or not. ride it first or at least sit on it talk to other owners here look at the XB too. also think about your riding skills and abilities and know what your limits are and dont exceded them. also i got to say think about the cost of insurance payments, loan cost, and most of all the cost to repair it WHEN (NOT IF) you lay the bike down , because it will happen SOONER OR LATER , no matter what you think or others may tell you it hasn't happen to them, because it will. even if its when think your in complete control or even sitting at a stop light, or whatever. it your chioce in the end just make it a smart, well informed decision, like it sounds your trying to do . | |
| Posted: 08 Feb 2010 21:54 Last Edited By: browland | [?] |
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Quote:
Get a Suzuki Sv650S. Great bike, lots of aftermarket support.  
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| Posted: 08 Feb 2010 22:28 | [?] |
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Hey, great replies everyone. I am going to check out some XB12R's and a XB12s (lightning?). I want to stay within my limits for sure, if the 1125 R is not there then maybe one day I can graduaet to it. There are soo many options out there. If I end up with a japaneese sport bike it will most likely be a CBR600RR. I also am talking to a guy selling an Aprilla 750 Shiver, which looks pretty sweet. I am sure some of these bikes will simply not fit me, so I am going on looks and reliability reports online for now.
Just curious, the 1125R I was looking at was a 2008 with undre 50 miles on it for $6500. I checked KBB and I am thinking maybe it is not such a great deal I thouhgt it was. |
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| Posted: 08 Feb 2010 22:30 Last Edited By: Buellysses | [?] |
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Quote:
Quote: Get a Suzuki Sv650S. Great bike, lots of aftermarket support. Yeah, I wasn't going to touch that one. Just assumed "Kidder" forgot which forum he was on. 
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| Posted: 08 Feb 2010 22:33 | [?] |
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Buc;
Not sure how many of them are out there still (there was a link to check dealership stock) a bunch of 09 and 10 new ones out there for $6900 |
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| Posted: 08 Feb 2010 22:41 | [?] |
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just my opinion but if you're not taking it to the track... more fun to go fast on a slow bike than slow on a fast bike
i guess that would work better if the XBs were slow.. you get the idea though... |
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| Posted: 08 Feb 2010 23:32 | [?] |
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| If you want it, I would not count on getting an 1125 in the future. You do know the company is out of business, right? Because of that you can get new ones dirt cheap right now, and I wouldn't count on being able to score one down the road. | |
| Posted: 08 Feb 2010 23:39 | [?] |
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id get the 09. the 08s had a few bugs. most have been work out but the 09s are the premiere bikes of buell.
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