Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2008 Buell 1125R, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Power train3
- Engine and engine cooling1
- Wheels1
- Electrical system1
- Vehicle speed control1
- Suspension1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 6 2008 1125R vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 6 people died inside them. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
Recalls in Canada
2 Transport Canada recalls for the 2008 Buell 1125R.
| 2009111 15 Apr 2009 | Brakes On certain motorcycles, the front brake line may contact the front tire. The resultant chafe damage could create a hole in the line. Brake fluid leakage could… |
| 2008217 23 Jun 2008 | Powertrain Certain motorcycles may experience fifth gear galling on the clutch shaft due to lack of lubrication, which could allow the gear to seize to the shaft, resultin… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Buell told its dealers about the 2008 Buell 1125R: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10032784 | BUELL MOTORCYCLES: CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES-1125R AND 1125CR 2009-10 AND 2008 1125R HAVE BEEN REFITTED WITH A 2009 OR 2010 ENGINE. ON THESE MODELS THE STATOR MAY OPERATE AT TEMPERATURES THAT EXCEED THE MANUFACTURER'S RECOMMENDATION WHEN THE VEHICLE IS RIDDEN IN LOWER RPM (BELOW 5,000 RPM) DUTY CYCLES. THE MODELS MAY EXPERIENCE CHARGING SYSTEM ISSUES RELATED TO EXCESSIVE STATOR HEAT. *PE UPDATED 6/11/10. *PE |
| 10029747 | BUELL MOTORCYCLE: 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. MODELS 1125R, XB12R, XB12SCG. *PE |
| 10026797 | BUELL MOTORCYCLES: MOTORCYCLES EQUIPPED WITH CALIFORNIA EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS COMPONENTS DO NOT REQUIRE THE VENT LINE UPGRADE PROCEDURE. SIDESTAND SPRING/OIL FILLER PLUG INSPECTIONS/REPLACEMENT ARE THE ONLY PROCEDURES THAT SHOULD BE PERFORMED. *PE |
| 10026127 | BUELL MOTORCYCLE: A CONDITION AFFECTING MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY EXISTS ON CERTAIN 2008 1125R MOTORCYCLES. MOTORCYCLE CAN EXPERIENCE 5TH GEAR GALLING ON THE CLUTCH SHAFT DUE TO LACK OF LUBRICATION. *PE |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Motorcycle Stalling
SUDDEN FUEL EXPULSION
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation