- This topic has 10 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 14 years, 10 months ago by Clay Dowling.
First bike: BUELL 1125 cr!!
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June 20, 2009 at 3:09 pm #3034OnyxthxParticipant
OK< catchy title, right? well, i did that for 2 reasons, first its true, second, so people would respond. please, please, listen to my situation before your respond with the expected insult responses. i know, i know. beleive me i know what your instincts say to say. i am a 25 year old soldier deployed to iraq, and i got the oppertunity to buy a new 1125 cr at a deep discount. so im in iraq, i pay cash for the bike, and now im waiting to go home and pick her up. i realize this is a poor bike to learn on, so i plan on getting a smaller 250 or blast to ride on for 6 months or so while i admire my parked 1125cr. i onw my own home, paid off car, have a 4 year degree, so i consider myself somewhat mature. i really love the looks of this bike, have done a ton of research on the company, the rotax engine, and damn near own youtube stock ive been watching reviews on there so much. any comments on the buell brand by people who know what there talking about would be appreciated!
June 20, 2009 at 4:48 pm #19968DaggerParticipantBuells are good bikes.. And I definitely suggest picking up something like a Blast if you’ve never ridden before..
June 20, 2009 at 8:17 pm #19971ranetteParticipantCongrats on the bike, I think it is one of the sickest(in the good way) sportsbikes on the market. Any time you have something that really makes a visual impact you’ll have some who love it and some who hate it, put me down in the love it column. More importantly I think I can speak for everyone on this board and say we all look forward to the day you can actually plant your butt on your own bike.
I’m sure you know there are two things you’ll be hearing as far as safety is concerned. I assume you know of the startling number of incidents of vets returning home from the most dangerous places in the world only to meet their ends on a sportbike. It certainly makes sense that after spending time in a war zone that your sense of danger might might be somewhat skewed. What’s 146hp after taking sniper fire? Never forget that riding a motorcycle, any motorcycle, is a dangerous thing to do, however, with the proper skills and a mature attitude it becomes less so. One thing that I think we all agree on is that the most important thing is to know your ability-be brutally honest with yourself-and not ride beyond it; as the sergeant always said on Hill Street Blues, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2QApwtE8zQ
The other thing you’ll hear about is the power of the bike that you’ve purchased. Now I’d be quite the hypocrite to get on you about that, as my first motorcycle was a new Ducati. At the time I came on this board Elwood told me that he had started on a somewhat larger bike, a Sportster 883, but that my Duc at 92hp was a whole other level, well 146 hp is another few jumps up from mine. That thing is a beast. Certainly getting a Blast or something a little smaller to practice on wouldn’t be a bad idea. Even if you do get something to start on, my guess is once you start to develop some rudimentary skills the new bike will be calling you and you’ll probably get on it before your skills warrant it. Again, I’d be a hypocrite to criticize you for it because I could probably be accused of doing the same, certainly for my first month or two on the Ducati. However, in my case, at least to this point, it’s worked out well, and with a mature approach to learning there’s no reason it shouldn’t work out for you as well. You need to ride that thin line between confidence and cockiness. You can’t be afraid of your bike, but on the other hand it’s dangerous to think that your skills are any better than they actually are. After about 5000 miles I think I’d describe my riding style as conservative, but that’s a step up from when I started out where my style could best be described as great grandmotherly, but it has kept me safe and every day I ride I learn a little bit more.
Be safe, regardless of which end of the world you are on.
June 20, 2009 at 11:20 pm #19978briderdtParticipantThe short list for “next bike” for me includes the 1125R. I just like the Buell philosophy and execution, and the Rotax V-twin. The fairing is the clincher for me — looks to be the only one out there that actually gives consideration to sending the air AROUND your hands…
June 21, 2009 at 9:35 am #19988eternal05ParticipantYou know the facts. You know that more marines die on motorcycles than in battle in Iraq. You know how many people hurt themselves on bikes they’re too macho to pass up but to squidish to keep on the road.
Especially if you’re willing to get a beginner bike for a while, I totally support you taking advantage of a good deal while you can. Spending a few thousand miles on a beginner bike will teach you great throttle control, and you’ll move to your beast with a lot of the difficult riding skills already under your belt to some degree.
No doubt you’re a tough guy. You’re probably very fit, you can take pain, and you have (or think you have) a will of steel. Just keep your confidence in your own abilities in check. Take it slow. Practice like crazy. And most of all, don’t let the pressures (or the ridiculous zoom-zoom under your butt) get you doing things you’re not ready to do.
Have fun on that thing, mate. Looks like a sweet bike!
June 21, 2009 at 3:47 pm #19994SantaCruzRiderParticipantGood plan to start smaller.
We’ve all made our own choices for our first bikes, but in the spirit of the Best Beginner Bike site, you have to know that a liter+ sport bike is the opposite of good choices. You may be educated, smart and more mature than your colleagues, but it doesn’t translate into making the Buell either safe or a good learning platform.June 21, 2009 at 10:32 pm #20006OnyxthxParticipantI am definitely aware of where you guys are coming from. good information all around, i appreciate the support. i love the looks of this bike, and i like that ill never have to upgrade once i do get to riding it. i got the bike through the military AAFES program, after 2 previous soldiers pulled out of the purchase, after military discounts, and a steep discount due to it being “overstocked”, i got it for 7k$ Out the door. i was actually looking to get an xb series and learning on that or maybe training up then riding it, but i couldn’t let this deal go past.
i am stationed in Iraq at a JSS called UR near Sadr. I drive m1a2 Abrams tanks, but i don’t think im invincible or anything. i realize this bike is dangerous as hell, and im going to take it slow. i also know how many guys come home from Iraq and die on these things. i wont be one of em, and to make sure, ill take all the necessary steps.
one thing i noticed was insurance for me through progressive and geico was 4500$ per year for full coverage! whoa! after military discounts, and dropping medical coverage for myself and any passengers (i have free health care through the army, and i WILL NEVER RIDE WITH A PASSENGER) i got it down to $1,700. still high, but very duable. i plan on going home in January, buying a buell blast in February and riding everyday until about early July, then pulling this bad boy out of the garage and trying her in a enclosed area. of course, i will be taking the safety course, as required by the army, so that should help too.
thanks again guys for the good advice and info.
June 21, 2009 at 10:43 pm #20007Capt CrashParticipantI’ll be happy to help…
Let me break in the Buell and you can ride my DRZ! Yeah, that’s good…Actually you want to remember that the 1125 will punish mistakes–if you twist the throttle hard it will respond NOW. If you GRAB the brakes it will skid. One of the key things you’re looking for in a starter bike is something that won’t go nuts on you if you spur it; and won’t punish you if you’re indelicate.
Cool ride for sure! Hope it’s RED!
June 22, 2009 at 3:07 pm #20015DaggerParticipantI have insurance through Geico on both my bikes, V-Star 650 and Roadliner.. Both bikes together come to $650 a year for full covereage.. Guess it pays to be old and have a clean driving record..
June 22, 2009 at 3:13 pm #20016DaggerParticipantbtw.. Rode my buddy’s Triumph Speed Triple the other day.. That thing is scary fast.. If I had that bike I know I wouldn’t be alive very long..
June 22, 2009 at 3:42 pm #20020Clay DowlingParticipantWhen you get back stateside you may be able to get some bike training on base. Quite a few bases are offering it, it’s equivalent to the BRC from what I read, and you’ll be taking it from and with people who understand your world view a lot better.
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