new buell 1125CR 2009 model
Harley Davidson have released their 2009 and the most interesting change is the new chassis for the big touring models.
First off, the existing H-D Touring bikes are too heavy all round and the new chassis will hopefully shave a few pounds off them. Secondly, the suspension – especially at the rear – is too harsh, so again, perhaps the new line will offer more comfort which will make the bikes competitive with the Wing, new Victory, BMW K1200LT etc. It will be interesting to see if the brakes have more `feel’ although the brakes aren’t mentioned in the press blurb.
The single most useful feature will be the new swingarm, and this is long overdue. The big Glides have a scary ability to start weaving around in corners, or in a staright line sometimes, depending on the load the bike is carrying and the tyre pressures. These can make the bikes unstable even if they are out by as little as 2psi.
Handling a big Harley takes skill, but the problem is that Harley is reaching a new European customer who doesn’t want to fight a weaving chassis. They expect a $35,000 motorcycle to handle an 120kph corner, two-up, without drama – the key question is have Harley pulled it off with the 09 Touring Line?
Meanwhile Buell have a 1125CR cafe racer to join the sportbike. Same 146bhp motor, longer swingarm, nose fairing, tailpiece. It looks fun, but Buell dealers will be praying that the bike doesn’t have the same negative press and basic reliability problems the 1125R sportbike did.
Even if that all works out well, if the 2009 Intermot show has an MV Agusta cafe racer on its stand, then the game will be over for the 1125CR before it can win over new fans. A `fire engine’ rep MV 750S America will sell like hot cakes in Europe, and most of Buell’s sales are in France, Germany, Italy and the UK.
The Intermot show will be a real poker game this year – some manufacturers will deal a winning hand, others will come close to folding…
insider
PS. I am on holiday for a while, see you in August.
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Good Blog!
I like Harley Davidson too.
It is classic motorcycle.
Some of the most interesting, groundbreaking, or just plain weird motorcycles that have been built over the past 100 years.