2008 Buell 1125R: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
6 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
4,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 6 complaints (33.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Power Train:Clutch Assembly | 1 |
| Power Train:Driveline | 1 |
| Suspension | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 |
| Wheels | 1 |
Power Train: 2; Electrical System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Power Train:Clutch Assembly: 1; Power Train:Driveline: 1; Suspension: 1; Vehicle Speed Control: 1; Wheels: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 1 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |
2010: 1; 2011: 2; 2012: 2; 2013: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10349918 · 2010-08-17 (August 17, 2010)
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. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 1,060 miles reported. Look up ODI 10349918 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10430176 · 2011-10-14 (October 14, 2011)
STATOR FAILURE ALONG WITH A CLUTCH LEAK THAT CAUSED OIL TO GET ON THE BACK TIRE AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, BIKE WAS TOTALLED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10430176 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10432362 · 2011-10-21 (October 21, 2011)
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 NEE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10432362 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10454983 · 2012-04-12 (April 12, 2012)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 13,184 miles reported. Look up ODI 10454983 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10478359 · 2012-10-02 (October 2, 2012)
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 NHTSA 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
Owner-reported narrative. 310 miles reported. Look up ODI 10478359 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10500807 · 2013-02-28 (February 28, 2013)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 21,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10500807 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
08V267000 · Power Train:Clutch Assembly
Reported: 2008-06-16 (June 16, 2008)
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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗09V109000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Reported: 2009-04-02 (April 2, 2009)
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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗