Various Buell sources have confirmed off the record that the next natural step for the firm is an RR version of the 1125R. Buell have only just started its racing activities in the US though, so our guess is that a fully faired 1125 is still some way away. Two main changes can be anticipated and that's a higher quality suspension package and more horsepower from the already powerful 1125cc liquid-cooled V-twin. The exhaust is always a major feature on any Buell. There's innovations and despite the fact that Rotax produces the power train, Buell makes the exhaust for that engine. The Rotax engineers told me at the 1125R launch that Buell had a more efficient exhaust system than what they could make. It's evident just looking at the compact under engine exhaust that this bike was made from the beginning also with a full fairing in mind. Our Italian designer was given the task of adding a few changes, conservative ones, such as slightly more comprehensive fairing sides and new colours. To lighten the 1125 there's pretty much only one thing to do and that's a carbon fibre fairing and mud guard. If a full fairing, a more extensive one than our CGI, was added it would help Buell take out more horsepower because it would be easier to pass noise tests. We'd love to see 160 horsepower from this package, but a more realistic figure would probably be between 150-155 horsepower. Buell currently have not got a specific race exhaust ready for the standard 1125R. Some argue that it doesn't need any race exhaust as the original one is good enough. However, there will be stuff in that current exhaust that only needs to be there for noise and emission purposes. Expect Buell to offer a full race exhaust at some point in the future too that will lighten the 1125 further. When it comes to the brakes, we think Buell will keep the same set up as on the 1125R. The 8-piston calliper was developed for the air-cooled RR that Jeremy McWilliams raced last year. The only difference are the pads and these should make their way onto the eventual 1125RR. Only time will show exactly what Buell have in mind, but we sure are excited about a future 1125RR prospect. At the same time, check out our versions of how we think the Ulysses, SuperTT and XB12S would look like with the latest Buell engine. By Tor Sagen/CG's: Luc1
2008 Buell XB12XT Ulysses and revised 1125R tested in Spain!
We have just arrived back from Seville and the Monteblanco circuit in Spain. We have ridden the new XB12XTUlysses on the road and the revised 1125R on the Monteblanco circuit and the local roads. Full reports, videos and much more coming. TS
Buell have done some detail work on the Ulysses to make it into the perfect adventure tourer. The XB12XT is offered with a lower seat height, less suspension travel and Pirelli Diablo Strada road tyres. Panniers and a top box are also standard so the XT is pretty much touring ready out of the box. We are also happy to see the tall detachable windscreen and heated grips as standard. The front offroad type mudguard have been replaced with a conventional road item. In less than two weeks we will do the first test of the XB12XT Ulysses in Spain. TS
Now that we have had the opportunity to test both the 2008 Buell 1125R (Laguna Seca) and 2008 Ducati 1098R (Jerez) there are two super twins left. We are talking about the 2008 KTM RC8 1190 (Ascari) and the 2008 Bimota DB7 1098 (Misano). The wait for the RC8 is very short now and we will ride it both on track and road at the end of this month. For the Bimota DB7 the wait is a little bit longer. In May we will get to test the first production version of the DB7. Currently the only running prototype have been disassembled for production purposes. As with all Bimota's, the DB7 will only get a limited launch. And we'll be there. TS
Jon Flickinger (48) is the President & Chief Operating Officer of Buell motorcycle company and Vice President in Harley-Davidson. Anything happening with Buell has to be approved by this man and he is the main link to the parent company Harley-Davidson. Recently the Buell 1125R was launched with the company’s first ever liquid cooled engine. But at the same time another big project, the 450 Dirt bike was shelved. Flickinger explains why in this interview. Read more here
2008 Buell 1125R onboard with Jeremy McWilliams from Laguna Seca!
This 9 minute long video has got it all! Brand new superbike from Buell, one full onboard lap from Laguna Seca at World Superbike pace, ridden by none other than Jeremy McWilliams on a bog standard 1125R that was not set up in any way for him and Laguna Seca instructions from Skip Barber by McWilliams again! McWilliams commented: "I haven't ridden the 1125 around Laguna until Tuesday with you guys so I have no idea what it may be capable of. I know with a set of slicks we would be another 2-3 seconds better but I was riding with plenty in reserve as we had another day to go and it wasn't about breaking records." Still the lap was around the early 1.30s... Enjoy! TS
Buell 1125R @ Laguna Seca-one of our best days ever!
I have literally just stepped of the Airbus that took me back from San Fran to old Blighty. The Buell 1125R world launch is one of the best launches I have ever attended. I rode the 1125R virtually as much as I wanted on the famous Laguna Seca race track in Monterey California. It took me at least two sessions just to get over the fact that I was riding the bloody Corkscrew at Laguna Seca! Then the test started... Then the day after I rode the bike on a 196 mile road ride on a variety of roads, some of them rather hairy and scary! But the Buell 1125R has now been thoroughly tested over two days in Californian sunshine. The track day did hide a few glitches in the new Buell sportsbike package that was evident on the slower road ride. The new 1125cc Helicon V-twin engine feels very modern and fast, but perhaps not as fast as I had expected it to be. Not as wild as a 1997 Suzuki TL1000S (a pity really...) even though the 1125R should boast an even stronger midrange than that. The steady torque curve might hide the nature of the beast a bit and sublime handling makes for brilliant traction. There are no steering damper on the 1125R so there are movements, but no tank slappers. Much more later included a full onboard lap by Jeremy McWilliams etc... Not to be missed... Picture gallery here. By: Tor Sagen/Pix: Double Red
2008 Buell 1125R-T-minus 7 days
In just over a week I will jump into my A'stars leathers and do my first lap ever on Laguna Seca onboard the brand new 146bhp Buell 1125R. I have just compared the impressive new spec sheet to that of the Ducati 1098 and that doesn't make it less impressive! In the past you wouldn't even contemplate comparing a Buell air-cooled Firebolt to the old Ducati 999. From 2008 it looks like you actually can. The 1125R Helicon developed with BRP-Rotax is Buell's very own Revolution engine. Harley did one with Porsche, now Buell has done one with BRP-Rotax. Liquid-cooled is the name of the game and in the max-power figures the new 1125R makes its power almost exactly at the same rpms as the 1098. The mighty Ducati has got about 10bhp and around 10Nm more power and torque, but weighs in at 3 kilos more than the new 1125R that carries a claimed 170kg dry weight. In addition to all this the 1125R has got almost 6 litres (21.2litres) more fuel capacity. That counts for a few extra laps around the race-track or several miles on the road compared to the tiny 15.5 litre Ducati item. Almost 2 kilos have been saved by using a new super-belt: aramid-reinforced Goodyear Hibrex belt with Flexten Plus technology. Buell have added Showa suspension both front and back with a new 47MM USD fork featuring titanium fork caps to reduce weight. It will be exciting to see how the extremely short wheelbase (1384mm) copes with all that power and torque on Laguna Seca. When the front wheel is not in the air there is a 375mm rim-mounted single brake disc with the all new octal brake caliper developed on the XBRR race bike. Interestingly, the number 8 in tarot cards means strength (don't you love Wikipedia!). The 1125R also features a new EFI system. When I last spoke to Erik Buell he revealed that they have developed this EFI system in house and also sold it to Harley. way to go Buell! The bore x stroke configuration that makes out the 1125cc in the Helical engine is no coincidence. Buell says that the 103mm bore and short 67.5mm stroke makes for optimum breathing and valve space. the short stroke reduces friction to allow more rpms, but the stroke is still longer than in Ducati 1098 so we expect some serious drive at low rpms too. More about how this new and exciting Buell behaves on both road and track shortly. Words: Tor Sagen/Pix: Buell
We stunt on a Friday, party Saturday and sleep Sunday!
What's your weekend plans? We fly out to Denmark today (Friday 20th) to meet up with Craig Jones to get some stunt tuition on the most unlikely bikes (Harley-Davidson Ultra anyone?) and Buell.
I have just been on the phone with Craig Jones that currently is in Denmark for a stunt show next weekend. Craig's got the world record for the longest rolling stoppie and he'll teach me how to do it in Denmark. From 119 mph, he travelled 225 metres (740 feet) on the front wheel of a Buell XB9S lightning!
I also asked Jones whether it is possible to stoppie on a V-rod. It's virtually impossible to even do a wheelie, but Craig's already done that by transforming all his weight to the back of the modified V-rod he uses. A stoppie is impossible even Craig admitted, but he's working on a couple of Harley's now to make his stunts easier.
Reports will include stoppie/wheelie/burnout school and interview with Craig coupled with spectacular photography. There's a somewhat bigger chance than usual that I'll end up sliding on my arse on this one! By Tor Sagen/Photo: Craigjones.com-Harley-Davidson
Erik Buell, Dario Calzavara, Giandrea Fabbro and Claudio Castiglioni interviewed!
Read what these four men had to say when we interviewed them in Milan earlier this year. Erik Buell needs no introduction, Claudio Castiglioni is the man behind the modern version of Cagiva, MV Agusta, Husqvarna, Ducati and he even owned Moto Morini a few years back. Dario Calzavara is the owner of Terra Modena and used to be Ferrari race boss. Giandrea Fabbro is the designer of the new Ducati 1098.
