Topic: Buell 1125R (Read 14758 times)

Puzzled · « **on:** May 03, 2009, 03:27:14 pm »

As I posted awhile back I sold my 06 GSXR 1000 just before Easter. Not wanting to be without a bike that I can get REAL aggressive on I started looking at sport bikes again. Dollar for dollar the Import in-line fours are the best bang for the buck. However that just isn't what I wanted. I admit I cruised all of the major manufactures web sites just to take a look. I than moved on to Ducati's! The big bikes are just way more bike than what I feel I'm really after. The 848 seems like "The" bike. I was set on one.

What I like about the bike is the lower power level which will make me ride the bike a little harder to keep up with the liter bikes. Out on the straights they will be gone. In the corners my old ass should be able to out ride most of these younger guys around here. There are a few which I know I can't keep up with.

So after doing all of my research I'm ready to hit the dealership. Dam it is a Monday and the dealership is closed. No big deal.

Looking around on the Internet and I see an ad for Buell's. That's right they have the 1125R's now, a liquid cooled bike. Ah it is worth another look. I was set on one last year before the GSXR came along. After a short time of looking around the web site I started comparing bikes. I'm sure there is no comparison between a Ducati 848 and a Buell 1125R but why not look.

Jumping forward, in my own mind either one of these two bikes would satisfy what I'm after. I took a ride down to my local Buell dealer, Schoch's HD and grabbed a salesman. They shot me a number on an 08 left over that I thought was pretty good. Far less than a Ducati. (the Ducati and the Buell 1125R are both right around 13K). We figured out all of the numbers and are good to go. On my way home I call a couple more Buell dealers "just to see" what they are getting for their left over bikes. The place where I purchased my Screamin' Eagle, Electric City HD, had a better price by about $225. Enough of a difference that I'll drive the extra 25 minutes. I called Schoch's HD to see if they can match Electric City's number, after all it is only $225. Nope that is their number, fine. So if Electric City was that low is there any better deals out there? Off to the Internet I go. I hit the forums, classifieds and anything that has a bike for sale. I found some great prices on left overs however the travel or shipping would negate the good deal. I was comparing apples to apples so to speak. I found a decent deal in Ohio that I'd chase after. So I call Electric City and give them the number, the one with the travel included (remember apples to apples). The salesman says a number at about the time I finish speaking. The price is close enough for me. Wrap it up, I'll take it.

When all was said and done I picked up a 08 Buell 1125 Rfor $9322.50 Out The Door, about $425 less than Schoch's. Sure its not an 09 but it is brand new. I won't pick it up until next week sometime as it was still in the crate and needed to be prepped as well as have any and all of the updates and recalls done.

Now what direction to go with this bike? Leave it alone and ride the wheels off of it? Set it up for Road Racing which is what they were intended to do? Stretch and slam it just because you don't see that done to these bikes?

Dave · « **Reply #1 on:** May 03, 2009, 05:59:42 pm »

thats a good deal.. that v-rod r-chop had was a slammin deal too.. not sure if he still has it.. i'm sure you'll sort out what to do with it.. but we'd shore like to see a pic. of that baby when you pick her up..

Rchop · « **Reply #2 on:** May 03, 2009, 10:05:21 pm »

Leave it alone and ride the crap out of it...for a while. I've made the mistake too many times, just jumping in with mods to a brand new bike and then wishing I would have left it alone

You will be riding the bike differently by the end of the summer, so just make any upgrades a winter project...you'll know for sure what you want to do with it by then IMHO.

BTW great bike! I'd have picked that one over the Duc, also.

Dave, the night-rod is long gone

Puzzled · « **Reply #3 on:** May 03, 2009, 11:00:27 pm »

As for a direction you are correct in waiting.

What I do have planned is the exhaust, air box mods if any, any EPA crap I can shit-can, adjustable levers, adjustable rear sets and lower body work. Really that's all....

Dave · « **Reply #4 on:** May 05, 2009, 09:48:01 am »

those are understandable changes.. i wish i could have gotten that night rod..

Puzzled · « **Reply #5 on:** June 10, 2009, 09:27:11 pm »

On its way home!

Puzzled · « **Reply #6 on:** June 10, 2009, 10:13:45 pm »

The only pic I have of the bike before I started tinkering with it. (to be added as soon as photo bucket cooperates)

Puzzled · « **Reply #7 on:** June 10, 2009, 10:16:16 pm »

Quote

When the solenoid kicks in under hard accelleration, it's like hitting a kill switch...DANGEROUS condition. The main advantage is to do away with that.

If you haven't felt the condition, you can force it by going smoothly in 3rd at 4700-5000 RPM and whacking the throttle open. Not that you NEED to feel it, but it will help understand why it would be bad to have it happen when you're not expecting it!

Here is a brief tutorial on how to "De-noid" an 1125.

1. Remove seat ,2 torx screws under the rear corners of the seat.
2. Remove outer air box cover ,4 torx screws, two along side the gas filler, two at the rear of the cover that the seat covers.
3. Remove the fuel overflow hose from the air box cover.
4. Remove inner air box cover, several plastic clips around the perimeter.
5. Remove air filter
6. Remove air filter holder, 2 torx screws, two wire connectors, wiring harness, vent hose. The assembly pulls off with a little bit of resistance.
7. Pull cable out of butterfly attach point.
8. Loosen 10MM jam nut to allow the removal of the cable from the holder.
9. Unplug solenoid at wire harness connector.
10. Insert resistor into plug in wire harness.
11. Remove two 5/32 allen head bolts from solenoid. This will allow access to the torx screw that holds the solenoid bracket to the frame. Remove torx screw.
12. Remove the solenoid bracket, solenoid and cable.

Puzzled · « **Reply #8 on:** June 10, 2009, 10:16:48 pm »

Puzzled · « **Reply #9 on:** June 10, 2009, 10:17:29 pm »

Puzzled · « **Reply #10 on:** June 10, 2009, 10:18:12 pm »

Overall view.

Puzzled · « **Reply #11 on:** June 10, 2009, 10:18:36 pm »

#7 and #8.

Puzzled · « **Reply #12 on:** June 10, 2009, 10:19:11 pm »

#9 and #10.

Puzzled · « **Reply #13 on:** June 10, 2009, 10:19:41 pm »

Puzzled · « **Reply #14 on:** June 10, 2009, 10:21:28 pm »

I zip tied the linkage together today. I honestly couldn't see how they could ever move independent of each other. Those with more experience said to do it so I did!

Puzzled · « **Reply #15 on:** June 10, 2009, 10:22:05 pm »

While I was in there I made the bracket as suggested. The tape lines indicate where I am going to cut.

Puzzled · « **Reply #16 on:** June 10, 2009, 10:22:39 pm »

A little time on the table sander, a few squirts of black paint and it is good to go.

Installed.

Puzzled · « **Reply #17 on:** June 10, 2009, 10:25:01 pm »

After all of my searching and contacting the palces I have previously purchased HID lights from I ended up purchasing a set through StarRotors. They were $106 shipped.

Puzzled · « **Reply #18 on:** June 10, 2009, 10:25:32 pm »

My Starrotors HID kit showed up Friday.

I decided to go with 6000K bulbs and slim ballasts. I'm installing them on the low beem side and if room permits I'll do the hi beems next.

Here is the kit.

Tha ballasts are small however there is an additional box inline. Space savings? Tough to tell.

Puzzled · « **Reply #19 on:** June 10, 2009, 10:26:00 pm »

I decided to remove the fairing as it looked like the best way to gain access to the low beam bulbs.

There is one #27 Torx screw on each lower side of the fairing.

There are two nuts on each mirror that hold them on.

The wires for the turn signals need to be disconnected from each mirror.

Gently lift up and out and the fairing comes right off.

Puzzled · « **Reply #20 on:** June 10, 2009, 10:26:34 pm »

Each headlight has two upper allen head bolts holding them on. There is a spacer inside the bushing so be sure not to loose them.

There is one lower allen head bolt on each side also.

The headlights are tied together with a single 10MM bolt.

Puzzled · « **Reply #21 on:** June 10, 2009, 10:27:02 pm »

HID bulb installed, factory boot, factory wiring harness.

The factory boot had to be trimmed a little to allow the HID leads to be pulled through it.

I decided to hide as much of the wiring in the actual headlight assembly as possible.

Puzzled · « **Reply #22 on:** June 10, 2009, 10:27:33 pm »

HID VS. Stock.

Puzzled · « **Reply #23 on:** June 10, 2009, 10:28:06 pm »

Fast forward, both sides installed. The pictures make the lights look blue however they are very white.

Hi and low beem.

Puzzled · « **Reply #24 on:** June 10, 2009, 10:28:32 pm »

I spent a lot of time trying to figure out where to place the ballasts. This is my final decision.

I shot two screws into the headlight housing to hold the ballasts. Double sided tape or zip ties just wouldn't have worked here.

(take note of the single bolt that holds the two lights together that I mentioned earlier)

Puzzled · « **Reply #25 on:** June 10, 2009, 10:29:07 pm »

The ballasts after the fairing is installed.

Puzzled · « **Reply #26 on:** June 10, 2009, 10:29:52 pm »

I had originally planned on installing the ballasts under here. After seeing how easy the fairing came off I didn't want to make that process difficult by attaching ballasts to it.

When I get to the hi beems I will more than likely look to use this area. I will look at a way to attatch to the fairing stay as opposed to the fairing itself.

Puzzled · « **Reply #27 on:** June 10, 2009, 10:30:23 pm »

My LED outside bulbs showed up today so I immediately went to the garage to install them.

They are LED bulbs from StarRotors.

After removing the stock bulb and attempting to install the new one I discovered that they don't fit. A litlle sanding with some sand paper and I was in business.:rolleyes:

Puzzled · « **Reply #28 on:** June 10, 2009, 10:30:53 pm »

One side installed.

Puzzled · « **Reply #29 on:** June 10, 2009, 10:31:33 pm »

Both sides installed

Puzzled · « **Reply #30 on:** June 10, 2009, 10:32:51 pm »

Next up is the Hi-beems.

Puzzled · « **Reply #31 on:** June 10, 2009, 10:34:01 pm »

I decided to install GPS on the 1125R since I have it on one of my other bikes and in my truck. I am surprised at how much I actually use them considering I'm the type of person you can drop off in middle of the desert and I'd find my way home. I think that comes from my parents dropping me off in the middle of nowhere trying to get rid of me!;)

I choose a Garmin 765T for its MP3 and Bluetooth capabilities. I know there are Garmin motorcycle specific models available however they are a bit on the clunky side for what I wanted to do.

The unit came with the traditional suction cup mount which I tried to make work. I just couldn't get the position I wanted. A trip to Best Buy netted me a dash mount assembly that looked like it had the right pieces to cut up.

Puzzled · « **Reply #32 on:** June 10, 2009, 10:34:36 pm »

The dash mount assembly.

Four screws from the bottom allowed the pedestal mount to come free.

This allowed the base to sit closer to the unit.

Puzzled · « **Reply #33 on:** June 10, 2009, 10:35:10 pm »

I used double sided tape to attach the base to the fairing stay. I than cut a aluminum spacer to fill in the void between the base and the top of the HID ballasts.

Puzzled · « **Reply #34 on:** June 10, 2009, 10:35:58 pm »

I decided to paint the windshield while I was in there!

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