1125R good choice for a first bike?

[cronus1987]

in the end you're going to get what you want, so i wont try to preach about absolutely not doing this or absolutely doing that, but i will try to offer some insight from my standpoint.

The primary thing you want in a first bike is something that you won't be afraid to ride. Now, some people are not afraid of things they should be and that's (IMO) what leads to a lot of beginner mistakes. If you start on something like a ninja 250 you won't be afraid to push your limits on it like you would be if you've got 140hp between your legs (you know what i mean!). you make a small mistake on a 250, no big deal deal. Make the same mistake on an 1125r and you may just total your new bike and land in the hospital in a coma.

Not to scare you, i'm just trying to put it in perspective...

That being said. I started on a Buell XB9R two years ago and haven't regretted it in the least. THAT being said, an xb9r isn't going to power wheelie coming out of a corner or unleash hellish amounts of power when you least expect it; it's a pushrod v-twin, so it's pretty predictable.

Like i said, i bought it two years ago when i was right out of the MSF course. I commute on it every single day, it's been down a few pretty crazy roads, i've ridden it through mountains, i've ridden it 300 miles in a day and it's been virtually problem free for the entire 20k miles i've put on it. IMO for a level headed, mature person it's a great bike to start on and ride forever.

 

[rolltide42]

I agree with who ever said the SV 650 thats a great bike for beginers. Its light, handles well, and is cheap so that WHEN a novice rider drops it their not out much. Ideally your first bike would be a dirt bike, but it sounds like your interested in going straight to a street bike. The 1125 just seems like a lot to start off with.

 

[johnmichael]

I learned how to ride a street bike on a Honda 929. It's all pretty basic, if you roll hard on the throttle you go fast if you don't then you wont. There probably is "bad, good, the best" bike to learn on, but in my experience you either belong on a bike or you don't and only you can determine that. I would say buy that 1125, find an area to get a little comfortable with it and then build on that experience.

 

[delta one]

the only problem I see with the whole deal is that all the good intentions in the world mean nothing when the bike gets out of shape. panic changes a lot and a big bike with lots of power can make a bad situation worse in a heartbeat.

its one thing to know what you should do and what you really do when everything goes south.

when a car nearly hits you the clutch slips a bit and the front tire comes up 140 hp vs 80hp make a big difference in how long you have to react and get the bike back under control. the weight makes a difference too. the torque of these engines make it even more dramatic compared to the smaller inline 4s.

I always recommend small parallel twins to my friends who start to ride. I hear that the ninja 650 is a nice bike to start on.

but with all that said its your body and your money spend it where you like.

whatever you do BE CAREFUL WEAR ALL YOUR GEAR AND LOOK OUT FOR CARS

and welcome.


ps in an ideal world you could get the 1125 or any other buell and an el cheapo Craigslist bike for a grand or so and ride the cheep bike till the wheels fall off or 5,000 miles whatever happens first and get rid of it with the buell waiting for you. (and maybe sneak off on it once or twice while you learn the ropes.) it doesn't hurt as much to drop a cheep ugly bike you don't care about but when your baby goes down it leaves a scar.

 

[jeshua]

One thing that I haven't seen mentioned and the reason I got a Buell for my first bike. If I could have waited 1-2 years from now to upgrade from a smaller bike to a Buell I would have. But with Harley stopping production of Buell I didn't have that option any more. So I got the bike I wanted before I couldn't get one. Yes I know I might drop my new bike and break it as a beginner, I know its more bike then I can handle. But I love it and I can grow into it, every time I get on her I reminded my self to take it easy and ride at my level.

 

[delta one]

that is a very valid point Jeshua.

that is why ideally a learner bike could be found for a grand or so (with all the savings on Buells right now I don't see why; if you were in the market for a full priced bike, a cheep one couldn't be picked up to learn on and drop.) learn on it and keep the Buell in the stable until you are ready.

if you cant afford a cheep learner bike (I saw a 400 Kawasaki for $600 that ran just fine) on the side repairs when you drop your buell will be just as hard.

 

[Kidder]

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

Yes, you did.

If you read the last few sentences of his post (which you quoted) he said:
"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."

The SV650 fits all of those requirements. It's a very versatile bike that can be used for commuting, canyon carving, club racing, etc.

 

[Buellysses]

Honestly, my first bike was going to be an SV650. The only reason I didn't buy it was a money issue. I was in college, they had really just come out and I couldn't afford the price tag. I just wanted one because of the looks, and it seemed like a nice bike.

I ended up buying a 5 year old YZF600. It was a lot cheaper to buy, and I only had to carry liability insurance on it. It was the first street bike I had ever been on, and the first time I had ever been over 40mph on a bike. There is no difference between crashing going 100mph on an 1125, crashing going 100mph on a SV650, or crashing doing 100mph on a rocket. The bottom line is buy something that fits you, and respect the damn thing.

And I apologize if my comment about being on the wrong forum offended you. It was meant as a joke.

 

[triple7]

That video was insane. I cant get that pic of that guy out of my head.

 

[Alfatango1]

Here's my two cents: I started riding about the same age as you, never rode a motorcycle before. I raced cars in SCCA and vintage racing so I had some knowledge of performance handling although different it applies. I took the safety class with 30 others. We all passed but the instructor said that only me and another guy should be on the freeway right away. The other guy had been riding without a license for over 20 years. My first bike was 916 cc. I've only crashed once on a public road and it was when a guy came out of parking lot and didn't see me and hit me. I drive fast now and then but not crazy, I respect traffic and assume everyone is blind and will not see me so I pay attention. It's been 14 years now and I'm glad about my decision but it boils down to your maturity level and confidence.

 

[Bolt]

there's enough info for bucbrew to figure it out-but while were all disagreeing ,did he run out &buy a rice burner?

 

[firebolt020283]

I Have only owned 4 street bikes in my life though I have been riding on the dirt far longer. My first street bike was a xb9r I loved that bike to death(wish I still had it and that is why I bought another one) my second was a ninja zx9r, third a m2 cyclone, fourth is my new(to me) xb9r. I have to say that starting out with a dirt bike before owning any one of those 4 bikes was a great thing. I would never recomend to anyone to go out and buy a big cc bike to start out with ever.

I would recomend like others have said get the buell you want and stick in your garage and buy a little cheap beater bike to start out with and ride the heck out of it then when you feel really comfortable on the beater bike and feel like you are ready for the buell then start riding it.

you dont want to mess up your good bike learning to ride and making a big mistake.

also just putting this out the but if you ask MOST stunt riders what they use to practice with and learn how to do stuff with they will tell you a dirt bike not a big street bike that they use in the shows.

 

[redliner172]

Mine is an 08 with EVERYTHING taken care of. If you get an 08, have the take care of all recalls, bulletins and updates. I know of when here in Texas for 4995 with 7,000 miles. All updates taken care of. Once all the updates are done it basically turns into a 2009 LMAO. Minus the insulated tank of course.

 

[kalifornia]

its the "around town" part that concerns me. when I think of around town riding a Buell will cook you alive. Buell my last choice for around town riding.

 

[redliner172]

The 08's can be found cheaper and the recalls, bulletins and updates are done for free. A LOT of people started on liter bikes like myself and had great success. The ones you DO NOT want learning on a liter bike are the super young kids who want to stunt on the highway with no gear on. You are 30, old enough to make your own decisions. All you need is common sense and good throttle control.

 

[cheezits]

how are you? i'm pretty new here too. I havent had a chance to get on my new 1125R yet. but i have done a great deal of reserch befor buying mine. i had a harley for years befor i picked mine up. i had nealry 10 grand extra into my bike with an unhealthy amount of HP for a harley. i would normaly agree with some of the guys saying stick with somehting alittle less powerfull. but then again my brother started out with an xb9 set up for the track so anything is possible. BUT with these bikes no longer being built you wont get many other chance. so it comes down to what you really want. Good luck on your choice if you are close to Camp Le juene hit me up in a few weeks.


Only 4 days befor i am back on US soil!!!

 

[redliner172]

Hopefully Buc you just got the 1125R in spite of what everyone is saying. What you learn to ride on is your business and it shouldnt matter what anyone else thinks at all, including myself. If you wanna learn on a Ducati 1098 then have at it. Good luck and happy riding.

 

[Jabaniz]

Where I live the kids here get 600's, 900's 1000's whatever is there choice, one thing remains, if you are gonna crash a bike i don't think it matters if its a 600 or an 1100, they crash the same, i saw a guy at the dealership drive off in a brand new 250 ninja and dumped it in the parking lot of the dealership.

so i say get what you want drive smart.

 

[redliner172]

ouch....how embarassing!

 

[Jabaniz]

ouch....how embarassing!

Haha yah it was classic, the next time i went in there the salesman told me now they have to scuff up the tires on new bikes so they arent so slick.