1125R good choice for a first bike?

[Buellysses]

Bucbrew: Welcome to the forum, always glad to have a new poster. You will have to excuse some of the non polite posters, for the most part the people on this site are pleasant, knowledgeable, and happy to answer any questions. Just try to use the search function before asking questions, some of the questions get posted have been answered many many times over.

Now, to answer your question... The bike you get is nothing more then a personal preference. The only thing you can do is ride the bike to see what feels right. If you are just puttering around town you may not even like the riding stance of the 1125r (or the xb12r), it's a pretty aggressive stance.

Riding safely is all about knowing your ability, and not doing stupid stuff. The majority of the people that hurt themselves do it while attempting to do something stupid or something that is beyond THEIR capability as a rider.

Does the 1125 have a shit-ton of power? Yeah, it does. Would it be really easy to get yourself into a bad situation in a big hurry? Most certainly. If you use your head all the time is the 1125 "too much bike"? No.

Whatever you get, make sure you take the time to learn your bike.

 

[sportbikermed]

Buc: A few months back I was kinda in your shoes. I just started riding & months ago. I bought a '97 ninja 600. Wasn't much bike for my size (6'2" 240#) but I had never rode anything with 2 wheels and an engine before. I loved riding but wasn't comfortable on the bike. After looking at every brand bike in sizes from 750-1200 and after much research and debating between the 1125 and the XB12 I decided on the 1125R and I haven't regretted my decision for a minute. It handles so much better than the 600 ninja did and because of that I feel more comfortable laying in a curve and have learned a l ot on the bike. I took it very easy at first and still do somewhat in comparison to what the bike will actually do. It's a comfortable ride for me and I do mostly in town riding. I've never rode the XB but if the quality is anything like the 1125 (and I'm sure it is) I think you would be happy with either bike. Just take your time to get familiar with whatever you get and don't try to ride above your limits. Best of luck to you and happy riding.

 

[nativeXb12Rbuell]

Welcome to the forum. .. +1 buelysses and most every other poster here. every one will have a bit of a different opinion, whether good or bad, or if you, or anyone else likes it or not. ride it first or at least sit on it talk to other owners here look at the XB too. also think about your riding skills and abilities and know what your limits are and dont exceded them. also i got to say think about the cost of insurance payments, loan cost, and most of all the cost to repair it WHEN (NOT IF) you lay the bike down , because it will happen SOONER OR LATER , no matter what you think or others may tell you it hasn't happen to them, because it will. even if its when think your in complete control or even sitting at a stop light, or whatever. it your chioce in the end just make it a smart, well informed decision, like it sounds your trying to do .

 

[browland]

Get a Suzuki Sv650S. Great bike, lots of aftermarket support.

[down]

 

[BucBrew]

Hey, great replies everyone. I am going to check out some XB12R's and a XB12s (lightning?). I want to stay within my limits for sure, if the 1125 R is not there then maybe one day I can graduaet to it. There are soo many options out there. If I end up with a japaneese sport bike it will most likely be a CBR600RR. I also am talking to a guy selling an Aprilla 750 Shiver, which looks pretty sweet. I am sure some of these bikes will simply not fit me, so I am going on looks and reliability reports online for now.

Just curious, the 1125R I was looking at was a 2008 with undre 50 miles on it for $6500. I checked KBB and I am thinking maybe it is not such a great deal I thouhgt it was.

 

[Buellysses]

Get a Suzuki Sv650S. Great bike, lots of aftermarket support.

[down][sad]

Yeah, I wasn't going to touch that one. Just assumed "Kidder" forgot which forum he was on.

 

[Buellysses]

Buc;
Not sure how many of them are out there still (there was a link to check dealership stock) a bunch of 09 and 10 new ones out there for $6900

 

[bpd5002]

just my opinion but if you're not taking it to the track... more fun to go fast on a slow bike than slow on a fast bike

i guess that would work better if the XBs were slow.. you get the idea though...

 

[afinley]

If you want it, I would not count on getting an 1125 in the future. You do know the company is out of business, right? Because of that you can get new ones dirt cheap right now, and I wouldn't count on being able to score one down the road.

 

[paulr]

id get the 09. the 08s had a few bugs. most have been work out but the 09s are the premiere bikes of buell.[up]

 

[wiznut]

So many people out there say to start out with a small bike, but imo, it all depends on you as the rider. My XB12S was/is my first bike and I have enjoyed the hell out of it. The bike will definetly do more stuff than I ask it to, but that is the entire point. If you ride a fast bike like a scooter, you will be safe... if you ride a scooter like you're Mr. pro-racer, you're gunna get hurt... it doesnt matter the bike you're on, it just matters how you ride it.

Personally, before I got my bike, I saw this video and right then decided how I was going to ride my bike.... like it had 50cc's!
(graphic warning)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ud1tmTJNsk0&NR=1

 

[Kidder]

Guys, I didn't forget which forum I was on.

I'm not going to recommend a Buell just because we're on a Buell-specific forum.

You guys can give all the bad advice you want. And, boy, is there a lot of it.

 

[Midnight82]

I agree with afinley.

You control the bike, the bike doesn't control you. If you like the 1125, buy it. You can pretty much steal them now.

Secondly, if you want to ride slow, just don't to wrist snaps with your throttle hand.

Leanring to ride a bike is going to be a challenge on any bike you pick. The key is to know your limits and take it easy.

Just because the bike you want CAN go 150mph doesn't mean you have to.

 

[nativeXb12Rbuell]

one more thing to consider is if you get any BUELL , you will stand out [up][up]
and you will have a very unique motorcycle, totally different from all others, and you won't look like EVERY single other Crouch Rocket out there ..

 

[Thorivola]

Guys, I didn't forget which forum I was on.

I'm not going to recommend a Buell just because we're on a Buell-specific forum.

I actually agree with Kidder, the SV650 is plenty of bike for both learning on and for in-town riding. I have a 1979 Honda CX500 that I love to play around on, mostly because it costs me about $70 a year to keep it insured and they are rock solid engines.

But anyway, in my personal opinion the Blast is the only thing I would hand over to a new rider. I rode a CBR600F1 for a while, it had some performance work on it and stuff so it was probably on par with the carburated F4s out now for power, and they are very forgiving in the clutch and revs because they have such a long range. Riding a V-twin and an I-4 are very different experiences.

Anyway, bottom line to this post is: the SV650 is an amazing starter bike for the bucks you have to put into it. I wish I had bought one of those instead of going right to my XB12R because I have gotten myself into some trouble that I probably could have avoided if I owned the Suzuki in the middle. There is no shame in admitting that other companies make good motorcycles, even if they are Japanese.

AND an SV650 can be picked up in great shape with just 1-3k miles on it for around 3.5k. They have plenty they can teach you, and I'd say it's a better choice than any Buell for your first bike. The rev range just makes it much more forgiving, especially if you're new on it and a little timid to push it hard when you're starting off a line.

Just my feelings, having recently (within last 2 years) moved up in the displacement standings.

 

[racepro716]

Buc... you're gonna get the bike you want anyway so just go get it. That being said, you have no business what so ever having it as a first bike. Have you any idea how fast this thing is or how fast it can and will get you in trouble? It makes what? around 150HP, weighs around 400 lbs? Think about that, a 5.0 litre mustang makes what...250 weighs 4000 lbs (just guessing) the 1125 makes half the HP but the car is TEN times the weight! This bike will easily do zero to 60 by the time you get across a 4 lane intersection. Ya, you say you can control yourself, but as a first bike you can't control it. Consider yourself warned, use your head and good luck. Wayne

 

[03Firebolt9R]

Did I miss where he asked for opinions on SV650's?

So that is the question. I recently decided to learn to ride and took the local MSF course. In addition to that I have some experience on my friends 07 CBR600RR. I was busy shopping CL for a bike and stumbled across an 08 Buell 1125R. The bike is basically new (less than 100 miles). I really like the looks, but I am wondering if a liter bike is a good choice for someone as novice as I am. I have no urge to track the bike what so ever. I am a decent sized guy 6'0 185lbs and I want something that will fit me well. The CBR is ok, but honestly not as comfortable as it could be. I think Buells are gorgeous bikes, I just am not sure if the big Buell is a good choice for me at my current riding level. I am 30 so there’s no doing 150 on the freeway and splitting traffic in my future. I want something reliable and with good handling for driving around town.

 

[nativeXb12Rbuell]

+1 racepro716 [up]
it's like having your very first car a supercar or even a high HP sports car, it can be too dangerous for someone who does not have the right amount and type of experience .thats why traffic crashes are the leading cause of death(37%) for teenagers in America. Mile for mile, teenagers are involved in three times as many fatal crashes as all other drivers that from NHTSA. Inexperience is the #1 reason why . and motorcycle is something you need lots of experience on, to be able to do it right and well, & perfect and SAFE.

and starter or first bike and a fast high HP (superbike type or close too) they all are TOTALLY Different BEASTS .and they deserve the right type of rider and a rider of different levels of Experience.

 

[brightbuell]

Yes, the 09 firebolts. No bugs, and no 2nd o2 sensor.

 

[No_import4me]

buc
i would agree with some of the post here. my first bike was cbr600 tons of fun and now i have a xb12r lot more torque but still fun to drive. there are some days i wish i still had my cbr but i am happy with my decision to get my xb12r. it's ultimately up to you on what you want to ride so make the right decision and not something you will regret later. take a bike for a test ride before you decide if you can.