The term streetfighter is one that gets tossed around way too often these days. Whether it's newbie riders who don't understand the history of the niche or marketing techniques from corporate shirt and tie guys-it's been blown out of proportion.
The fundamental core of a streetfighter is similar to that of the chopper-make what you started with better while adding some custom touches. It's a pretty simple concept really, but a lot of people just don't get it.
A crashed sportbike that's been heartlessly put back on the road with straight bars and no plastics doesn't deem it a streetfighter. It's simply a crashed sportbike. Where are the upgraded brakes, better suspension and beefed up engine? That's where the party's at-reduced weight and improved performance.
The Ducati Monster 1100 easily demonstrated such ideals with its race-inspired chassis and suspension. With some fairings wrapped around it, a day at the racetrack would make perfect sense.
Buell's 1125CR is a stripped down version of the 1125R sportbike. Not only was it geared lower for boisterous street antics but also given an aggressive riding position.
The Triumph Speed Triple was designed from day one with a single thought-bad behavior. And though it wasn't based on a sportbike from the Triumph family, it didn't need to be. The message was loud and clear.
We stuck these three hard-nosed bikes in the same place at the same time and counted on some fireworks. We weren't disappointed...
2009 Buell 1125CR
To describe a first impression of the 1125CR with a single adjective would be unfair. Sure it's mean, but why stop there? It's also brutish, beastly and confrontational. Sounds like the perfect streetfighter then, eh?
In fact, the best bike from the Buell camp to date is pretty damn close to encompassing all of the aspects that an urban streetfighter would want: a punchy V-twin engine, aggressive riding position, and hard-assed looks. And to accompany all of that it was introduced at a racetrack where it performed surprisingly well.
The 1125CR is geared lower than the 1125R sportbike version, and when matched to a stubby wheelbase the front wheel tends to rise-a lot. We're talking from idle speed to the top of fourth gear and everywhere in between. The Helicon engine is happy to rev high for that extra bit of power as well as torque itself out of any situation from low down in the rev range. It'll remind you from time to time that it's a quirky twin though (as most of them are) with difficult hot starts, but that's the nature of such a beast.
The funky rim mounted rotor and monstrous eight-piston caliper handle braking competently and will put the Buell on its beak more easily and controllably than its colleagues. But, it lacks feel at slow to moderate braking levels. This isn't a major issue, but is still obvious when compared back to back with the other Brembo clad bikes.
So what's not to like and why did the other two bikes even bother showing a fist? There are a few glitches still in the system, and overall fit and finish seem to be the Buell's Achilles heel. The look from the seat seems a little cheapish with outdated controls and switches. Sure it seems like a small gripe, but relevant considering it's in your face at all times.
Buyer's Box
MSRP: $11,695
Engine: Liquid cooled Helicon, 1125cc, V-twin, 146 HP@9800rpm
Suspension:
Front: 47mm Showa fully adj USD forks
Rear: Showa fully adjustable shock
Brakes:
Front: ZTL2 rim mounted 375mm rotor, eight-piston caliper
Rear: Dual-piston caliper, 240mm rotor
Dimensions:
Wheelbase: 54.5 in
Weight: 375 lbs. (dry)
Fuel Capacity: 5.3 gal
Contact: http://www.buell.com
 |  "The Buell easily turned the...  "The Buell easily turned the most heads. Like a linebacker with some hulked-up arms, the CR has a look all its own-love it or hate it. It was hard starting when hot and made more racket than a Chinatown flea market, but has performance numbers you can't deny. If you can ignore the rough edges it's like riding fire." - Justin |  "I loved the bike for the...  "I loved the bike for the aggressive ergos on the track-but we weren't on the track and my back was killing me. A fun motor with nice brakes though". - Teach |