Rode a Buell today
Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2009 2:06 am
One of the local HD stealers had a Buell demo ride event today so a buddy and I couldn't resist going to see if they're worth a darn. Since I first saw an 1125R in person I've been very intrigued, there is a certain bent appeal to the styling and engineering; the kind that makes you wonder if Eric Buell is a maniac or genius. We sign our lives away and hung out until we could both get in on an 1125R. My first thought watching the the group ahead of us take off was, "geez, these things are noisy, like a tinny-sounding Harley." I also noticed that when a group would come back and shut the bikes down the cooling fans would run for quite a long time (my Honduh fan doesn't kick in until the coolant temp hits 220F).
I climbed on and went to pull the bike up off the kick stand; I had to take another shot at it since it has a lot more mass to it than my CBR. Shifting was very smooth, to the point that I had to hope that the lever had engaged because there is no feedback feel. Power delivery seemed pretty consistent, although the big twin is way torquier (sp?) than the I-4 I'm accustomed to. Overall it didn't seem like the bike was any quicker than my 600, but it felt like it pulled harder, probably just the difference v-twin torque messing with my head. One of the Harley guys on the ride ahead of us was complaining that the clutch needed adjustment because the engagement was right at the end of the lever release. I thought it felt just about the same as my bike. Braking was exceptional, seemed much better than my CBR in this department.
I went there expecting the "demo ride" would be a trip around the block. I was pleasantly surprised that they had about a 25 minutes route that they were running with some "higher speed sweepers and low speed twisties." It was a pretty nice course, but their idea of a "twistie" is a little more watered down than mine. The bike handled very predictably and was a real easy ride. If I had to compare it to my Honda I would call it "sports car vs. freight train with character;" with my old fizz being somewhere in between the two. I was also pleasantly surprised that it wasn't a wimpy "posted speed limit" demo ride. I was right behind the ride leader and had trouble keeping up with him. I would come out of a corner and open it up, and by the time I matched his speed I was turning 95-100.
Final thought, the 1125 still intrigues me. I don't think I'd mind having one; but I'm not going to run out and trade in the CBR to get one. I would call it something like "second sport bike material after Tom gets a cruiser."
Anyone else have any on-bike experience with Buells (hearsay and BS magazine reviews don't count)?
I climbed on and went to pull the bike up off the kick stand; I had to take another shot at it since it has a lot more mass to it than my CBR. Shifting was very smooth, to the point that I had to hope that the lever had engaged because there is no feedback feel. Power delivery seemed pretty consistent, although the big twin is way torquier (sp?) than the I-4 I'm accustomed to. Overall it didn't seem like the bike was any quicker than my 600, but it felt like it pulled harder, probably just the difference v-twin torque messing with my head. One of the Harley guys on the ride ahead of us was complaining that the clutch needed adjustment because the engagement was right at the end of the lever release. I thought it felt just about the same as my bike. Braking was exceptional, seemed much better than my CBR in this department.
I went there expecting the "demo ride" would be a trip around the block. I was pleasantly surprised that they had about a 25 minutes route that they were running with some "higher speed sweepers and low speed twisties." It was a pretty nice course, but their idea of a "twistie" is a little more watered down than mine. The bike handled very predictably and was a real easy ride. If I had to compare it to my Honda I would call it "sports car vs. freight train with character;" with my old fizz being somewhere in between the two. I was also pleasantly surprised that it wasn't a wimpy "posted speed limit" demo ride. I was right behind the ride leader and had trouble keeping up with him. I would come out of a corner and open it up, and by the time I matched his speed I was turning 95-100.
Final thought, the 1125 still intrigues me. I don't think I'd mind having one; but I'm not going to run out and trade in the CBR to get one. I would call it something like "second sport bike material after Tom gets a cruiser."
Anyone else have any on-bike experience with Buells (hearsay and BS magazine reviews don't count)?
that's funny!
