Buell 1125R / 1125CR.

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 2008 to 2009 models.

92owner complaints

3recalls

3%involved a crash, fire or injury

5,120typical miles at complaint

Buell 1125R / 1125CR years to avoid. The model years with the most complaints filed with NHTSA.

200986 complaints

71 of 86 describe the charging system failing (stator, regulator or battery).

12 mention fuel boiling or venting from the tank.

2 reported a fire.

Recall 08V554000 (engine and engine cooling): These motorcycles can experience a premature failure of the rear cylinder cam chain tension guide (part number f0020.1am).

Fewest complaints on file: 2008 (6). Few complaints is not a clean bill of health, just fewer owners filing.

What each year's complaints describe comes from reading their text. These are counts, not rates: there are no sales figures per motorcycle model year. A complaint is not proof of a defect.

Every year2 model yearsMost complaints: 2009See every year →ProblemsElectrical83% of complaintselectrical83%engine25%lights13%See problems →Recalls & safety3 recallsFree fix at any dealerSee recalls & safety →Specs & enginesEvery versionpower, weight, seat height and priceSee specs →

Complaints by model year.

20086

200986

Popular years get more complaints just because more were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect them. There are no U.S. sales figures by motorcycle model year, so these are counts, not rates.

What owners complain about. Share of complaints.

electrical83%

engine25%

lights13%

fuel system4%

transmission & drivetrain4%

Recalls 3

Service Brakes, Hydraulic 2009
The subject motorcycles have a front brake line which may contact the front tire.
Engine And Engine Cooling 2008
These motorcycles can experience a premature failure of the rear cylinder cam chain tension guide (part number f0020.1am).
Power Train 2008
These vehicles can experience 5th gear galling on the clutch shaft due to lack of lubrication.

Recall repairs are free at any dealer. Check a specific bike's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Specs The maker's claimed figures for a representative year. ~ means approximate.

Buell 1125R / 1125CR

2008–2010

146 hpClaimed crank figure

Engine: 1,125 cc liquid-cooled 72-degree V-twin Rotax HeliconRotax Helicon V-twin family
Torque: 82 lb-ftclaimed
Weight: ~435 lbwet or curb, as the maker quotes it
Seat height: 30.5 in
Price new: $11,995 (2008)base U.S. MSRP before destination, approximate

From the makers' U.S. spec sheets (the EU sheet for horsepower where the U.S. one leaves it out), checked against a sample on Nov 11; years and versions differ.

Filed as: 1125R, 1125CR, 1125. Source: NHTSA owner complaints (model years 2000-2026) and recalls. Every motorcycle

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Updated Nov 14, 2026

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