Tl* the contact owns a 2008 buell 1125r motorcycle. The contact stated that the vehicle would shake violently when completing a turn. The contact was driving an unknown speed when the rear wheel seized and the wheel bearings became detached from the vehicle. In addition, the front fork seals were leaking. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 21,000.
The worst 2008 Buell 1125R problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Transmission3
- Acceleration1
- Electrical1
- Engine1
- Suspension1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Transmission3
- Acceleration1
- Electrical1
- Engine1
- Suspension1
- Wheels1
Recalls 2
Service brakes, hydraulic
- What is wrong
- Buell distribution company is recalling 3,316 my 2008 1125r, my 2009 xb12r and xb12scg motorcycles. The subject motorcycles have a front brake line which may contact the front tire. The condition could cause a hole to develop in the front brake line, allowing brake fluid to leak.
- Risk
- This condition might cause an ineffective front brake, leading to a possible crash and potential injury or death of the rider.
- Remedy
- Dealers will re-route the front brake line. If damage to the brake line has occurred, the brake line will be replaced free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on or before april 20, 2009. Owners may contact buell distribution company at 1‑414‑343‑8400.
Recall number 09V109000 · Recall details
Power train: clutch assembly
- What is wrong
- Buell is recalling 1,579 my 2008 1125r motorcycles. These vehicles can experience 5th gear galling on the clutch shaft due to lack of lubrication. This condition can allow the gear to seize to the shaft, resulting in rear wheel lock-up.
- Risk
- This could result in a crash, which could cause injury or death to the rider.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and repair the affected motorcycles free of charge. The recall began on june 23, 2008. Owners may contact buell motorcycles at 1‑414‑343‑8400.
Recall number 08V267000 · Recall details
See all 2 recalls for the 2008 Buell 1125R
Defect investigations
Motorcycle Stalling
ODI opened this investigation based on 25 allegations of subject motorcycle stalling, without warning, due to charging system failure (typically involving the stator).As part of this investigation, testing was conducted to assess whether there would be areasonable warning prior to stator-related engine shut-down while underway.A memo describing this testing may be found in the public file for this investigation.Given the relative frequency of alleged stator failures involving Buell 1125's, it is apparent that customers may not be satisfied with their motorcycle.An example of a manufacturer responding to this type of dissatisfaction is found in the Harley Davidson December 7, 2009product improvement campaign to address the stalling issue.However, current test data does not establish that this customer satisfaction issue is also a safety defect that results in an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety.In the absence of a safety defect trend related to Buell 1125 charging system failures, this investigation is closed. The 62 ODI complaints we cite may be found by entering the following ODI investigation numbersat www-odi.the federal safety agency.dot.gov/owners/Searchreference:10373814,10386008,10397985,10406939,10406967,10406969,10407046, 10407318,10407511,10407672,10410524,10411954,10429450,10429467, 10429481,10429488,10429530,10429531,10429964,10429970,10429985, 10429987,10430176,10430736,10432169,10432891,10445118,10452480, 10457062,10457815,10457829,10462420,10462439,10462834,10463008, 10463483,10463664,10465165,10465225,10465226,10466505,10470386, 10470415,10470428,10473664,10474136,10474363,10479428,10484793, 10494949,10495197,10496446,10496804,10497643,10496127,10496088, 10496048,10496022,10496018,10495355,10495331,10495307
PE12035
Sudden fuel expulsion
We opened this PE based on a single complaint of rapid fuel expulsion while re-fueling from the owner of a Buell 1125CR.After opening this PE, we contacted other owners, Buell dealer service departments and monitored activity of various Buell-related web forums.While Harley Davidson (Buell was a subsidiary) has no owner complaints, it did receive four warranty claims related to this issue.Two involve the fuel line check valve, one a pinched fuel vent hose, and one saturated charcoal cannister due to over-fill.Currently, the data does not indicate a trending safety defect exists.We will continue to monitor this issue and take action as appropriate.
PE10004
Technical service bulletins for the 2008 Buell 1125R 5
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Market specific battery introduction
- Buell motorcycles: certain MOTORCYCLES-1125R and 1125CR 2009-10 and 2008 1125R have been refitted with a...
- Buell motorcycle: motorcycles have a front brake line which may contact the front tire
- Buell motorcycles: motorcycles equipped with california evaporative emissions components do not require...
- Buell motorcycle: a condition affecting motor vehicle safety exists on certain 2008 1125R motorcycles
What 2008 Buell 1125R owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 buell motorcycle 1125r. The contact stated that the clutch leaked hydraulic fluid due to a defective lever that caused the lever not to engage. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who replaced the clutch assembly. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer advised that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number: 08v267000 (power train: clutch assembly) the failure mileage was 310 and the current mileage was 600. Updated 10/18/12*lj updated 10/25/12
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 buell 1125r motorcycle. The contact stated that while entering the highway at 55 MPH, the engine RPM's increased to 5000-6000 as the vehicle abnormally decelerated. In addition, the contact stated that while his hands were over the throttle, the front end of the vehicle rose from the ground rapidly, almost throwing the contact from the vehicle. The failure was recurring. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 13,184.
I purchased 08 buell w/ extended service plan from harley davidson hampton roads. It broke down in alabama on 9/3/11. I had a buell service center in alabama look at the bike & they advised me hdhr dealership is not a service center that specializes in buell & said hdhr overserviced my bike causing it to break down. Upon my return to va, I brought my bike back to hdhr. I requested my $150.00 servicing fee be returned to me. Hdhr decided to further service my bike & said they found plastic in the oil which caused the oil lines to clog & they needed to break down the engine. They said the bike was vandalized b/c there was no other way for plastic to clog the lines. I told them my bike was not vandalized & I never saw any damage indicated it was. They said they never saw any damage to suggest vandalism either but told me I had to file a claim thru my ins co. Despite it was already on record hdhr overserviced my motorcycle which created a break down, no evidence of vandalism, & buells known issue/recall of plastic particles in engines, they said the bike was vandalized & would not be covered under my service agreement. My insurance co declared the bike a total loss due to the particles in the engine & buell not releasing any engines to dealers unless it is a warranty issue. I spoke w/ hdhr service dept & found out the engine has not even been shipped to esp & so esp hasn't made any determination but hdhr says I need to pay for a new engine. Service dept also told me that they used the april 08 owners manual for the initial servicing of my bike (despite manual being amended & new procedures in place for proper servicing in 08) & that there was no evidence at all of vandalism but they were assuming someone put sand in the oil compartment even tho there was no evidence of sand settling in the oil compartment & previous records show plastic particles.
Stator failure along with a clutch leak that caused oil to get on the back tire and cause an accident, bike was totalled.
2008 buell 1125r clutch fluid leaks out weep hole and causes the loss of clutch which makes control of bike dangerous, harley has had this problem and knows about it and has at this time done nothing to fix, if bike is under warranty they fix it , if out of warranty they do nothing to protect your safety.
Compare the 2008 Buell 1125R
Other model years
20082009
Questions about the 2008 Buell 1125R
Is the 2008 Buell 1125R reliable?
Owners have filed 6 complaints about the 2008 Buell 1125R, fewer than a typical 1125R model year.
What is the 2008 Buell 1125R year score?
The 2008 Buell 1125R scores 94 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Buell 1125R: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 Buell 1125R?
Transmission and drivetrain, with 3 complaints. Next is acceleration (1).
How many recalls does the 2008 Buell 1125R have?
2 recalls, covering service brakes, hydraulic and power train.
Was there a recall on the 2008 Buell 1125R transmission?
Yes, 1 recall: 08V267000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
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