2009 Buell 1125CR

First Ride

Buell's groundbreaking 1125R might have turned some heads last year, but because of a few quirks they were pointed in the wrong direction. Having addressed and fixed the glitches, the new 1125CR caf racer version yanks those heads clean off.

Berlin, a city reinvented since the collapse of the wall, was a befitting backdrop for the introduction of a motorcycle that's also reinvented itself-the Buell 1125CR. It's managed to fine tune the issues that plagued the 1125R superbike and carve out its own spot amongst the best of the naked bike class.

At last year's introduction of the 1125R we found a bike with lots of potential, but some serious developmental issues to be ironed out before it could become a serious force. With 146 horsepower from the liquid-cooled Helicon motor it had the brute force, but fueling and heat issues were on the south side of being severely messed up. Amazingly, a simple visit from Buell engineers to the Austrian Rotax plant uncovered some basic miscommunication points, and the aforementioned problems were solved rather easily with adjusted fuel and spark maps.

The results are obvious on the 1125CR-the foot melting heat annoyance is gone, low rev fueling is sorted and gas economy has been improved nearly 20 percent (as a little icing on top.) And to think, all it took was some simple tending to the fuel and spark maps. If ever there was evidence that phoning in the work is never as prolific as being on the spot...

Immediately obvious alongside the properly functioning engine is the CR's lower gearing. This means better drive out of corners and wheelies on a mere whim-possibly making this the ideal hooligan bike. During some of our 100-plus mile ride across German backroads we experimented with the power delivery and found the CR lifting its front wheel in fourth gear-something even a GSX-R1000 would struggle with. According to pro stunter Craig Jones, who assisted proceedings during the clever press conference in an underground train station, "This is the bike I've been waiting for."

Despite the lower gearing, a brief stint on the Autobahn showed a healthy 158 mph on the speedo and was confirmed with GPS. It gets up to speed in a hurry and, despite the lack of a full upper fairing, still offers a fair amount of wind protection when in full tuck. The short wheelbase and radical steering geometry would typically indicate a flighty front end, but under every condition imaginable it kept its composure with only a very slight wobble at top speed.

Those awkwardly oversized radiator shrouds that seem misplaced on the R model fit perfectly to the CR's sinister stance. Its width looks just right, particularly as it's matched with an ornery looking bikini fairing tucked in between two massive "shoulders."

Is this the best looking, best performing naked bike on the market? Has Buell hit one out of the park...finally?

Those would both be amazing firsts for the firm, but then it's not like Buell hasn't paid its dues. It certainly has all the elements to raise it to the top.

Buyer's Box
2009 Buell 1125CR

MSRP: $11,695