Track day impressions of the 2009 Buell 1125CR and 1125R

2009 1125R in White: Fun any way you slice it.We rode the 2009 Buell 1125R and 1125CR models at the Buell Inside Pass Track Day at Infineon Raceway. Though our main focus was on the track riding sessions (and the track itself), we learned enough about the bikes to offer a street rider's perspective on their performance during moderately aggressive riding. (If you are interested in reading about the track day session, see our Buell Inside Pass track day article).

The Buell 1125R and Buell 1125CR

The 1125R (introduced in 2008) and the new-for-2009 1125CR represent a radical departure for Buell–no matter how much they evolved the Sportster-derived motors, Buell would always encounter resistance to the 'paint shaker' image of the legacy motor design: though torquey and tractable, many sporting riders prefer modern power delivery, higher redlines, slicker-shifting gearboxes. Double overhead cams, multiple valves per cylinder, stratospheric redlines, peak horsepower, close-ratio gearboxes and other spec-sheet details are the stuff of bench-racing discussions, whether or not they have a significant impact on a given rider's street or track results.

Clean break

2009 1125R Front: Wide and lowHere's your clean break: the 1125R and 1125CR are equipped with identical Rotax-built Helicon 72-degree V-Twin engines. Enhancements for 2009 include remapped ignition and fuel injection and targeted injectors. These changes were intended to improve throttle response and drivability below 6000 RPM, and improve fuel economy. Buell claims 146 horsepower for both bikes, and the suspension, brakes, tires and chassis are the same on both–for the 1125CR, a surprising and welcome change from the retuned engines and less-capable chassis found on some sportbike-derived standards or hooligan bikes. Both models have a claimed dry weight of 375 pounds.

Major differences: the 1125CR has 8 percent lower gearing than the 1125R, 76/27 (2.815:1) vs. 70/27 (2.593:1). The 1125CR’s clubman-style handlebars seem farther forward than the 1125R’s bars, resulting in a longer reach. Read  More...