Why, oh why, would you pick the Harley-Davidson 1200N over the 1200R to put in the "10 4 $10K" piece? The Roadster may not make you an instant cul de sac badass but it's far more motorcycle than the Nightster, with realistic ride height, ground clearance, comfort and so on. It's a whole bunch of motorcycle for under 10 grand. And the 1200R is priced almost a grand cheaper than the 1200N.E.L. TurnerSpokane, WA
Kudos to your inclusion of the Kawasaki Z1000 in the "10 4 $10K" feature. The Z1000 is great fun to ride on the twisty backroads I favor. Powerful, flickable and comfortable. Too often I see it compared to exotic Euro bikes that cost $30,000, and of course it doesn't match up-not fair! Jim Harris Via e-mail
Bullish on Buells
I was pretty surprised that Buell put a Rotax engine in the new 1125R. Who is going to work on these? I have a 2000 S3 Thunderbolt with a fuel-injection problem that no dealer can fix. Plus here in northeast Ohio most Harley-Davidson dealers have dropped the Buell line. When I bought my Buell I thought it was going to be my acceptance into the Harley world, only on a motorcycle that could corner, accelerate and brake. As I have found out, all owning a Buell means is that no one likes you, and nobody wants to fix them. "America's Sportbike?" Who's American with an Austrian engine?Greg SigelmierGreen, OH
Nice-looking new Buell, that 1125R. The only thing Erik et al. need to do to enter the 21st century is get their bikes the heck out of Harley dealerships. The Harley dealers in my neighborhood treat Buells like something you scrape off your boots. Erik, get a clue and put your bikes in dealerships where innovation is appreciated and everything does not have to be slathered in chrome.Cliff YankovichVia e-mail
In your report on the new Buell 1125R, you wrote that "The Rotax motor isn't pretty, but we'll put up with exposed plumbing in exchange for nearly 150 bhp at the crank." Hey, what's so ugly about horsepower? Remember, they're called motorcycles for a reason. So what if the motor looks like it came from a hydroelectric plant? Edward DevaultVia e-mail
Please tell Buell I need that new 1125R but with an upright riding position to compete with the Triumph Speed Triple. Hurry up, don't make me wait a year...A.J. MalatestaBrooklyn, NY
As a 40-year motorcycle lover, I rely on Motorcyclist to separate exaggerated manufacturers' claims from reality. I have noticed in the past few years that cycle magazines have joined in and often regurgitate manufacturers' claims. New models probably help to sell more magazines, so I guess you are partners in the sales process. Aaron Frank should quell his enthusiasm until he has actually seen and ridden the new Buell. Otherwise, he is guilty of salesmanship rather that unbiased evaluation.
As a specific example, in the article on the Buell 1125R in the October issue, he wrote, "Formula-1 inspired finger followers ensure quicker valve opening and eliminate valve float." Eliminate is a very strong word and is a complete exaggeration. As long as there are valve springs, there will be the possibility of valve float. Also, finger followers have existed for a long time and just recently became popular in Formula 1.
By the way, I like Buells and Rotax engines and have owned both. I hope this model is successful.Ted HesslerHamburg, NJ
That's why we use the words "claimed" and "measured" in our specs panels, to differentiate between manufacturers' claims and those we measure ourselves. -Ed.