1125 speed wobbles and other questions
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Phlegm420 - If you don't mind my asking because I'm honestly really curious, how tall are you and how much do you weigh? Like I said prior I'm 6'5 and a bit of bulky gym rat weighing over 240 lbs before I put on all my gear. I wonder if I'm just too damn big for this tiny bike. On even high way speeds I used to have to press my stomach against the tank and take my left hand off the controls. If I felt wind hit my body that meant the bike was going to move in the lane. It was honestly terrifying I think once I switched to Kawasaki's its was just like a revelation personally.
I still have that 1125CR rotting in the garage if changing out the suspension would fix it I would gladly do it I'm just afraid I'm going to dump $1,500 the bike and still have wobbles. I have had all 3 of my bikes suspension professionally set and even the Kawasaki's before they were set had really no stability issues of any kind. I've messed with PSI, changed tires, had a friend look at my forks and bearings. Only solutions I have at this point cost major $.
Myself and the OP are not the first to mention this with the 1125CR. Just google 1125Cr + wobble and you will see it mentioned across all motorcycle forums and in reviews.
I still have that 1125CR rotting in the garage if changing out the suspension would fix it I would gladly do it I'm just afraid I'm going to dump $1,500 the bike and still have wobbles. I have had all 3 of my bikes suspension professionally set and even the Kawasaki's before they were set had really no stability issues of any kind. I've messed with PSI, changed tires, had a friend look at my forks and bearings. Only solutions I have at this point cost major $.
Myself and the OP are not the first to mention this with the 1125CR. Just google 1125Cr + wobble and you will see it mentioned across all motorcycle forums and in reviews.
Socksta:
Unstable at 80mph? I'd guess bad tires (too many heat cycles?), forks (light fork oil, bad fork sliders), steering neck bearings, swing arm bearings, wheel bearings. In that order. Don't have a "buddy look at them". Change them with quality parts. It's cheaper than death. You aren't willing to buy a steering damper on a bike you take to the track? Really?
If you aren't willing to spend some money to get your bike (or ANY bike) to ride correctly at speed. Then sell it.
Unstable at 80mph? I'd guess bad tires (too many heat cycles?), forks (light fork oil, bad fork sliders), steering neck bearings, swing arm bearings, wheel bearings. In that order. Don't have a "buddy look at them". Change them with quality parts. It's cheaper than death. You aren't willing to buy a steering damper on a bike you take to the track? Really?
If you aren't willing to spend some money to get your bike (or ANY bike) to ride correctly at speed. Then sell it.
I'm 5'10 and probably 220 with gear on. Maybe a little less. Maybe you are too big! If you are handy you could respring and revalve it yourself for just the cost of the kit and oil. The only thing I have changed on my bike is I installed racetech valves on the rear shock. The front is stock.
My 1125R was converted to a CR(just the front end) when I bought it. I rode it that way for around 13k miles. I had it up to 140mph indicated and I never had any speed wobbles, but I only rode it on the street at that time. I converted it back to the R fairing since and have put another 12 or 13k miles on her. Maybe it has something to do with the CR being geared lower so the front end lifts easier and there is more chance for speed wobble to occur. Maybe just a damper would help.
My 1125R was converted to a CR(just the front end) when I bought it. I rode it that way for around 13k miles. I had it up to 140mph indicated and I never had any speed wobbles, but I only rode it on the street at that time. I converted it back to the R fairing since and have put another 12 or 13k miles on her. Maybe it has something to do with the CR being geared lower so the front end lifts easier and there is more chance for speed wobble to occur. Maybe just a damper would help.
http://bikearama.com/theory/motorcycle-rake-trail-explained/
make sense? You said your bike has been professionally 'set-up'. Does that mean re-valved and the fork springs for your weight? Or the stock units 'adjusted'?
make sense? You said your bike has been professionally 'set-up'. Does that mean re-valved and the fork springs for your weight? Or the stock units 'adjusted'?
Cooter, I couldn't agree more I should of been more specific. My friend who looked at it was a professional ex AMA racer and mechanic. His conclusion was to go with racetech and redo the suspension because of my size and add a steering damper. I was looking at what I thought would be close to half the value of the bike itself for something I wasnt 100% sure would fix it. I shortly thereafter purchased a 2012 ZX10R and went with custom sprung Ohlins Mechatronic shock, upgraded steering damper, DOT R10 tires and warmers. It's incredible and honestly I really haven't looked back. I then got a matching 2012 ZX14R for the streets and kept it mostly stock and it's great just how it is.
The Buell which wobbles sits in my garage and gets ridden every few weeks to my gym just down the street where I don't exceed 40mph. To be clear I had the suspension professionally set not resprung. Unhappy with it I used the manual and actually set it for a 270 lbs rider and that did help. The best thing I've had done to help was running into Dugger at a track day and he raised where the steering stem was on the front forks and that increased stability quite a bit. I have had three different sets of tires on the bike and it's never made a difference. I must say if it's not windy the bike can go triple digits okay. I've just nothing ridden a sport bike where a gust of wind knocks me 3-5 feet. I have had that happen on Adventure bikes :/
I get it everybody here loves their Buell. Getting my suspension sprung for my excessive weight will probably fix the bike. Right now I am shopping for a damper hoping to not spend $450. I was chiming in to let the OP know my experiences with the bike as he is new to it and seems to be experiencing the very same issues that led me away from it. I think I get to comment about that without getting chased with pitchforks.
The Buell which wobbles sits in my garage and gets ridden every few weeks to my gym just down the street where I don't exceed 40mph. To be clear I had the suspension professionally set not resprung. Unhappy with it I used the manual and actually set it for a 270 lbs rider and that did help. The best thing I've had done to help was running into Dugger at a track day and he raised where the steering stem was on the front forks and that increased stability quite a bit. I have had three different sets of tires on the bike and it's never made a difference. I must say if it's not windy the bike can go triple digits okay. I've just nothing ridden a sport bike where a gust of wind knocks me 3-5 feet. I have had that happen on Adventure bikes :/
I get it everybody here loves their Buell. Getting my suspension sprung for my excessive weight will probably fix the bike. Right now I am shopping for a damper hoping to not spend $450. I was chiming in to let the OP know my experiences with the bike as he is new to it and seems to be experiencing the very same issues that led me away from it. I think I get to comment about that without getting chased with pitchforks.
This thread has de-railed badly.
Sina84:
A steering damper may help you. If it does it would only be masking a problem, not fixing it. The bike should go 120mph without wobbling, without a damper.
You have a warranty, IMHO you should use it. There are so many things that can cause speed wobbles as evidenced by the Google search above. Since you can get it fixed for free, it's a no brainer. A word of warning. Not all Harley dealers (mechanics) as created equal and some downright don't know, or even like, Buells. Don't be afraid to travel to find a good one.
Socksta:
There is a middle ground. You are complaining on here that your bike wobbles at 80mph and you know what the problem is, but you won't spend $1500 on recommended, custom built Racetech forks. Ok fine, try $15.99 for 15W fork oil. Heck, buy 2 and save on shipping. $30 bearings shouldn't break anyones budget either.
But then, you bought another $10k sportbike and added $5k worth of race stuff (that you could have put on the first one)? Of course you like it. After that, you bought another $10k sportbike??
And still won't put any money into a bike that wobbles at 80mph. This is not a Buell Vs. Ninja fight. I love my Ninja too, I've had several.
Color me very, very [confused].
Sina84:
A steering damper may help you. If it does it would only be masking a problem, not fixing it. The bike should go 120mph without wobbling, without a damper.
You have a warranty, IMHO you should use it. There are so many things that can cause speed wobbles as evidenced by the Google search above. Since you can get it fixed for free, it's a no brainer. A word of warning. Not all Harley dealers (mechanics) as created equal and some downright don't know, or even like, Buells. Don't be afraid to travel to find a good one.
Socksta:
There is a middle ground. You are complaining on here that your bike wobbles at 80mph and you know what the problem is, but you won't spend $1500 on recommended, custom built Racetech forks. Ok fine, try $15.99 for 15W fork oil. Heck, buy 2 and save on shipping. $30 bearings shouldn't break anyones budget either.
But then, you bought another $10k sportbike and added $5k worth of race stuff (that you could have put on the first one)? Of course you like it. After that, you bought another $10k sportbike??
And still won't put any money into a bike that wobbles at 80mph. This is not a Buell Vs. Ninja fight. I love my Ninja too, I've had several.
Color me very, very [confused].
