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What's funny is that all the comparison reviews say tad the Honda keeps up, but then the 0-100kph is a second slower. Like what is it, the 50lbs less weight makes up for the 10 less horse power or is the difference between a 5.7 second and a 6.8 second 0-62 not seen like much?
It is astonishing that the Honda oil change interval is 8k miles. I'd change it like once a year or less.
It pains me that I didn't get to check them out. The Svartpilen was my first choice on paper, but there's no local dealer. There was a couple of leftovers about 1hr drive away last year, but I didn't pull the trigger, now there's none available. A Vitpilen showed up on CL locally, but it wasn't cheap enough to justify swapping to Svartpilen bars. I want the upright riding position.
I am glad I got to check out the Himalayan, MT-03, and CB all right after the other. Totally changed my opinions. I liked the Himalayan styling the best, but it's really heavy, too heavy for my skillset, and I'd never use it as an adventure bike, sadly. The MT-03's tank was too wide when paired with my lanky upper legs/seating position. The CB was perfect from the get go. I like to think it'd still would be compared to the Huskies. Maybe. Hopefully I don't get to sit on one anytime soon.
Did a moto track day beginning of March. Can't believe I forgot to post it here. Some ******** on a FB group said it was dangerous and inconsiderate of me to consider tracking my 790 Adventure and that I'd be a hazard on the track with an ADV bike. What a dipshit. Here's me right after passing a dude on a Tuono:
After 3 sessions the engine suddenly got a lot louder (mechanical noise, yippee) so I parked it and a friend let me ride her GSXR750. They got mad at me for being in beginner group with it and bumped me to intermediate - was way more fun to be with folks of a similar pace. That damned thing was fast. Front straight at chuckwalla on 790 = 109 mph. GSXR750 = 129 mph without shifting. 3rd gear onto the straight, top of 3rd at the end of the straight. Nuts.
KTM dealer says bike is fine, so I have been out adventuring social distancing on it in Utah. Camped at the grand canyon last weekend. Tried to get out to Sublimation point, but finally got thwarted
Finally, it *will* go in super deep, soft sand but it is *not* fun. Those guys that used to ride these big bikes across the sand dunes of Dakar with twice as much fuel are complete badasses, seriously don't know how you'd do it all day long... for two weeks.
Beautiful pics, as always, Ed! Thanks for sharing.
I did pick up a 4th Buell recently. Yes, I have a problem.
This one is a 2008 Buell 1125R with 43k miles on it. No issues (so far) with it. It was the PO's daily for 8 years, then a track bike for the last 2, and I got it for practically nothing (let's just say, less than the price of a miata hardtop now days). Runs fantastic, I already got street tires on it (battlax bt021) and have been riding the **** out of it. The previous owner had an intake and pipe on it, with stock tuning. I flashed a tune on it using my Buelltooth module and a free map (EBR race map for these), and the gains were incredible. I can't believe the PO had this thing for damn near 10 years, and put 40k miles on it like this when all it needed was a tune to vastly improve the bike.
Definitely plan on tracking it next year, but for now It's a fun *** bike to rip around in the canyons on. I saw 147MPH on it the other day, and it still has more in it, I'd wager it will do good 150's. Stock with 147hp, and now with bolt-ons and tune, it's a rocket.
Holy ****, I was expecting to see that tuber you were commenting on FB, not an 1125 for that price! Would LOVE to find a deal on an 1125 for a track bike. If you stumble on another similar deal I'll pay a finder's fee....
Yeah those things are rockets. My dad's 1125CR was a lot of fun.
I've put another 5k miles on the 790 since the last post, and rebuild my BRP.... guess another post will have to come soon.
Holy ****, I was expecting to see that tuber you were commenting on FB, not an 1125 for that price! Would LOVE to find a deal on an 1125 for a track bike. If you stumble on another similar deal I'll pay a finder's fee....
Yeah those things are rockets. My dad's 1125CR was a lot of fun.
I've put another 5k miles on the 790 since the last post, and rebuild my BRP.... guess another post will have to come soon.
Haha, will do. This ones a keeper for now, but I'm always on the prowl for Buells. I emailed this guy hours after he posted it up and got first dibs on it. Super impressed with how it runs considering it's "high miles", it's a really tight bike with no issues. Well, I had to fix a few, the needle had slipped on the gauge cluster so I replaced that, but otherwise it's super solid. I forgot that your dad had the CR and you put in some seat time on it, this is my first experience with the Buell Rotax motors and I'm enjoying it for sure. The HD powered ones still have more "character" and are more fun to ride at sane speeds, but the rotax is super fast, smooth, and sounds like an apache helicopter.
So now I use the uly for 2 up and touring, the cyclone for "daily" riding, and the 1125 is a weekend bike. The firebolt.. hasn't been started in about a year, I really need to get on that. It's not worth enough to sell, and it's my least favorite one to ride. I really want to get into MC track days, but I honestly just started getting into car track days with the miata and that's about as much fun as I've ever had so I'm going to keep focusing on that for now.. and my GF can ride in the car and have fun too.
Yeah, the 1125 is a superior motorcycle, but as far as enjoying the bike as a Buell I prefer the XB series. Never ridden a tuber though. Crazy how that 1125 pulls at high revs while still having a really fat midrange. I haven't ridden any of the new REALLY fast twins like the 1290 KTMs but I the 1125 makes me want to haha. Still want a Firebolt just to have, but not a great track bike.
She's an ugly beast, but fast! Seriously considering converting it to a CR. I have all the parts and it would be a better street bike that I would enjoy more, but the R would be better on the track if I get into that.
And I had one of my buddies take my m2 cyclone out for some canyon runs, got some pics of my Ulysses and m2 together.
I have way more bikes than I can possibly ride, but people keep giving these things away so I keep buying them.
Great posts Nate, definitely jelly of your Buell collection.
This year has been possibly the best year of my life for motorcycling.
I have put 12k miles on the KTM since March. Washington BDR, a trip through Colorado, Idaho BDR, some time in Bend, and lots of shorter rides around southern Utah and california.
First, some camping out by Capitol Reef National Park, on the Burr trail
Then a trip to Colorado. Didn't take as many pics, but did get up to 13k feet with light snowfall in May.
I have put 12k miles on the KTM since March. Washington BDR, a trip through Colorado, Idaho BDR, some time in Bend, and lots of shorter rides around southern Utah and california.
That's just awesome! There was a time in my life when I rode like that, but I've put 13k on my FJ9 in 5 years... I'm lucky if I can get out for a few hours on a weekend morning. Definitely jealous!
Then we decided to tackle something we'd been talking about for some time - Backcountry Discovery Routes. We decided to start with the Washington BDR because we love the PNW and it's not super long. Prepare for many pictars.
Section 1 goes straight into the trees. so beautiful A little fun with panos Love this bike and this view. Overlooking Lake Chelan about to drop down through a section they call the Jungle. At the Canadian border with my Canadian riding buddy
After completing the BDR I took the scenic way back to Portland. Did section 1 of the BDR again and camped.
My camping spread Just a horrible campsite
After a few days in Portland, headed south towards Crater Lake. Found this little backroad way to Salem from Portland. This road was over 20 miles long but right by the city. Crazy.
Misty. Loved this road but it was slick as **** Crater Lake is stunning as always. Didn't have enough time there, had to head towards Bend to camp by cougar lake.
Just another horrible campsite by Cougar lake near Bend
I left this campsite at 9:30 AM and headed into Bend down the Mackenzie highway - one of the best roads I've ever ridden. Had a leisurely lunch and headed towards home. Ended up riding through the night and accidentally doing my first iron *** - 1000 miles in a 24 hour period. Arrived in Hurricane at 7:30 AM.
Once back in Utah I played around with some more off roading. Bought a BRP (2003 XR650R) that was a piece of ****, got it running, rode around in Utah and up by Big Bear lake. Great riding up there.
A little ride up the back side of Zion national park KTM taking a nap. This trail was tough on a big bike Some nice views Spotted my old Uly outside RMATV. Don't really miss that bike surprisingly. My friend's WR napping on the Malcolm Smith trail. The BRP was a handful there but made it without dropping it. Aaaaand found a good deal on an 07 XB12R, so had to pick it up. This is my third XB12R (4th Buell now). Needed a few things but it's running and working great now, just needs a tune. Thanks for the advice there Nate.
Most recent trip was Idaho BDR. Unfortunately we weren't able to finish it - lost a day and a half due to my buddy picking up a nail in his ducati desert sled tire and he didn't have a spare tube or even tools to remove the wheel
Did from southern border (jarbidge, NV) to Kalispell, Montana, rode through Glacier nat'l park, then rode 1000 miles home.
On the dirt road between Elko and Jarbidge, NV Trinity lookout - the highest drivable point in Idaho View from our camping spot halfway through the Magruder Corridor Glacier nat'l park
05-07-2020, 07:59 PM
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I'm lucky if I can get out for a few hours on a weekend morning. Definitely jealous! 
