Triumphrat

Old Scratcher · 05-13-2008

One of the advantages of being a notorious big-ticket impulse buyer, is that the local bike shops are always happy to let me loose on the latest "must have" piece of exotica they have on the floor.
So while I was in having my Street's 10K klm service done, the salesman virtually insisited that I take the new Buell 1125R superbike for a flang. "It's got a Rotax V twin motor making 146hp, & it handles better than your Street!" He enthused "& you should feel this thing when it gets over 7K revs. It's effin awesome!"
Well you don't have to ask me twice, with an invitation like that. So I snatched the keys off him, before he had a chance to change his mind, & went looking for a road where i could confirm his 7K revs story. & yes, it's true. It's an absolute beast over 7K. & dispite the extra weight, it does corner every bit as hard as my Street.
The ride position wasn't as uncomfortable as a D675, but I don't think I could live with it, as a daily ride. I also found the seat height a bit tall for me, & it's a bit too top heavy. But my greatest gripe is about the cooling fans, which keep running for a good 2 min after shutdown, & sound like a noisy old vacum cleaner. They'd be the centre of attention wherever you pulled up, & are sure to garner lots of negative comments. So don't expect to look cool on your Buell, when you pull into your favourite hangout, at least not until the fans shutdown.
Apart from that, it's an awesome machine alright. But I'm still very happy with my lithe & light Street. So it's No Sale, for now. Although they were just unloading the new KTM RC8 when I was leaving, & I really hope they offer me a ride on that one.
I took it up to my favourite city lookout (closest decent twisties), & took a few pics

Then I took it back home to see how it looks in my garage

Nice. But not for me.

bovefrankj · 05-13-2008

It looks as though they've put the panniers at the wrong end. Otherwise it looks quite nice.
Just a couple of questions:
Do all Buells run hot? I've heard the cooling fans on them running for a long time.
How long have Buell used Rotax engines? Must be a move for the better.

Old Scratcher · 05-13-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by bovefrankj

It looks as though they've put the panniers at the wrong end. Otherwise it looks quite nice.
Just a couple of questions:
Do all Buells run hot? I've heard the cooling fans on them running for a long time.
How long have Buell used Rotax engines? Must be a move for the better.

The "front panniers" are the radiators & cooling fans, & they sound as bad as they look.

This is Buell first use of a Rotax motor, & they chose it, specifically to go racing in the WSB series. So this bike is aimed directly at the Ducati 1098S & the KTM RC8, but is much more keenly priced. eg a 1098S is $32000 in this country, & an RC8 $28000, but the 1125R is $19000 on the road. at that price, they should sell boatloads of 'em.

bovefrankj · 05-13-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old Scratcher

So this bike is aimed directly at the Ducati 1098S & the KTM RC8, but is much more keenly priced. eg a 1098S is $32000 in this country, & an RC8 $28000, but the 1125R is $19000 on the road. at that price, they should sell boatloads of 'em.

Some way to go to match them on aesthetics (and dynamics I would guess) but certainly in the right direction.

ruscook · 05-13-2008

Good info Scratch, thanks for sharing. Shame those rads make it such an ugly mother

Russ

StreetT675 · 05-13-2008

OS,

Not bad for the money I guess but time will tell on the Rotax engine, hope the garage don't spend too much time looking at your streeties puter they might not lend you another bike again after they see the max speed

HiDesert · 05-13-2008

hidesert here, boldly forging into (or hopefully out of) the vale of ignorance. What is the pink and yellow tag on the side of the bikes?

Give it a few more weeks, and somebody in the aftermarket will come up with mufflers to quiet the cooling fans.

Great comment about panniers, bovefrankj! That's exactly what it looks like.

Old Scratcher · 05-13-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by hidesert

hidesert here, boldly forging into (or hopefully out of) the vale of ignorance. What is the pink and yellow tag on the side of the bikes?

Registration label. The colour changes every year, & the large number indicates the month of expiry. Costs $385 per year to update (in Qld) though that also includes 3'rd party insurance coverage.

HiDesert · 05-13-2008

Somebody should start a petition to require all art collectors to register their paintings and sculptures. Make the registration tag comparably ugly, and see how long it takes people to object. Tragic.

Old Scratcher · 05-13-2008

Never really thought about it that way. Every vehicle (car, truck, bike & boat) has to wear one over here, to be legally allowed on the road/water. So I think a bike/car looks naked without one. & when you've paid that much money for a little piece of plastic, you tend to look at them with something bordering on affection.
I agree though. They could make them a little better looking.