1125cr Test Ride #2

[Thaloc]

So! Got my bike back today! But showed up a bit early in anticipation, as im sure you can understand. While I was waiting I thought to myself "I should see how the cr handles stop light to stop light, in town and around." As iv already test rode it on a semi twistie back country road.

So they set me out on the red 2009 1125cr. And I just cant explain exactly how amazing it feels. There are for sure some things to get used to. The slipper clutch, having no engine braking was a very wierd feeling as I do it quite a bit. Also the hydraulic clutch takes a bit of getting used to, and seems far stiffer than a normal clutch.

My only gripe from my first ride was how the mirrors were connected to the handle bars and when trying to adjust them it tweaked my steering a bit. But that was out of ignorance because on this ride I found they are the kind that pivot in the mirror housing .

I had thought that it being a short stroke high revving twin that you would do alot more shifting through town, but that is not the case. I still cruised in second everywhere around town.

The shifting is just a light tap of the toe, instead of the straining of a calve muscle shifting on the XB. Power delivery was astounding! I just cant say enough about this bike. It WILL be my next bike.

Now my only gripe is how the radiators would be the first thing to take a hit if She goes down. Some sort of sliders are in order.

Sorry for the journal, but...WOW

 

[dave_xb12r]

The radiator covers are meant to be the sliders. That's why they're cheap

I haven't rode the CR yet, just the R. I like the CR alot, but it just feels WAY too tall for me. Did it seem taller than your XB?

 

[Thaloc]

Just a bit when I was sitting on it in the dealership. But once I ride I really never put both feet down so I didnt notice it at all. I actually had to look down to find the kick stand too, its all kinda hidden, but it looks pretty cool, alot more modern.

 

[jimmydean]

I want to ride one real bad. Once the XB is chopped up, I will likely pick up a CR just for fun.

 

[toddb3]

Did you feel like you had to slip the clutch on take-offs than an XB? What did the riding position feel like?

 

[Thaloc]

I think clutch work will be better once im used to the hydraulic clutch, its quite different. Riding position is very nice. I guess another thing I wasnt too crazy about on my first ride was the Handle Bars felt like my hand/arm position was way wider, but I felt none of that on this ride. Iono maybe cuzz I hadn't ridden my bike at all these last two weeks tho.

Riding position..well. The first thing that happened when I got back on my Firebolt was I got a hip cramp

I hate to say it, but I think it is far superior to the XB series. And dont get me wrong I LOVE my XB12R, but iv had alot of little problems that have been nagging at me.

I think an 1125cr with a maybe like a firebolt triple tree and clip ons would be amazing. I still cant get past this is a CR(Cafe Racer) and it has handle bars not Clip Ons. But all in all I love that bike and I will have. It really brings home that quote I seen XBear9s said once:

"The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it. Resist it, and your soul grows sick with longing for the 1125CR...in Midnight Black, baby."

--Oscar "Wild" Wilde