2008 Oddball Literbikes: Benelli Tornado Tre 1130 vs. Buell 1125R vs. Ducati 1098s

[admin]

Us motonutz here at Motorcycle.com are, on occasion, prone to do or see things a little different than the rest of the wackos. Some would even say the inmates are running the asylum around here. Okay, you got us. We see the two-wheel world differently most every day.

This time we decided to create a new category of sportbikes. These machines aren't especially unusual in any way, but they don't fit the standard definition of their class in the strictest sense. Just when you thought it was safe to come out from behind your favorite dyno chart … It's time for another "literbike" war.

Behold! The Oddball Literbike Comparo! (Insert sound of thundering authoritative voice, or calliope music.)

We assembled three machines that go beyond the class-typical 998 or 999 cubic centimeters summed up from four cylinders, all sitting nicely in a row.

More: 2008 Oddball Literbikes Comparison: Benelli Tornado Tre 1130 vs. Buell 1125R vs. Ducati 1098S on Motorcycle.com

[sfyamr1]

How's a 1098s an "oddball" litre bike? It's the most beautiful and dominant sportbike on the planet, and it's got nearly 60 years of racing heritage and superbike lineage to back it up.

Benelli? Oddball, definitely. Buell? Just hideous and another waste of everyone's time.

But, the Ducati? Hardly.

So, if a bike's not made by a major Japanese factory and comprised of excessive electronics strapped to a i-4 motor, it's "odd" according to Motorcycle.com?

[Tri9Marine]

I would venture to guess the 1098 is considered an "oddball" because of it's name and actual size not being the same for one, and both numbers are over the standard liter-bike size.

[buellxb12s]

bviously i'm going defend my buell. i'm not going try to come another forum for another brand and argue. The Buell is a real world bike. i've got 25,000 miles on mine with not a single second of trouble. i beat on it. i enjoy it and it always brings me home. its a blast to ride and should not be judged before ridden. its a bike made to ride. littlerally made for riders from riders. its made to handle better than any other (named best overall crnering bike of all time in 04 and 05). i understand its not every ones cup of tea (the 1125 is my third choice under a 848 and 1098) true it has issues for 08 but its kind of a rule of thumb to not buy the first year of production. its a bike that love it or hate it you would be foolish not to admire some of the principles and why things are why they are (fuel in the frame, oil in the swingarm etc.) like i said i'm not trying to say my bike is better than anyones here. we all choose what we want and what suites us. i do plan on getting a duc but never at the cost of losing my Buell. hope this goes as attended. Ducs are obviously wnderful bikes and in my opinin the Ferrari of the motorcycle world.

[Da_Bull]

Originally Posted by buellxb12s

bviously i'm going defend my buell. i'm not going try to come another forum for another brand and argue. The Buell is a real world bike. i've got 25,000 miles on mine with not a single second of trouble. i beat on it. i enjoy it and it always brings me home. its a blast to ride and should not be judged before ridden. its a bike made to ride. littlerally made for riders from riders. its made to handle better than any other (named best overall crnering bike of all time in 04 and 05). i understand its not every ones cup of tea (the 1125 is my third choice under a 848 and 1098) true it has issues for 08 but its kind of a rule of thumb to not buy the first year of production. its a bike that love it or hate it you would be foolish not to admire some of the principles and why things are why they are (fuel in the frame, oil in the swingarm etc.) like i said i'm not trying to say my bike is better than anyones here. we all choose what we want and what suites us. i do plan on getting a duc but never at the cost of losing my Buell. hope this goes as attended. Ducs are obviously wnderful bikes and in my opinin the Ferrari of the motorcycle world.

Your XB12 is a REAL Buell (air cooled HD motor). The one in the test is a liquid-cooled Roatax with hard luggage mounted on the front. It's hideous and should be stricken from the historical record of Planet Earth. Your Buell, kind sir, is a true piece of motorcycle history worthy of the "Best Cornerning" awards that it has garnered ... the new Buell is worthy of anchoring ships in a harbor. Ugly ugly ugly ugly ugly ... and watercooled. VOMIT!

PS: The 1098 is a hell of a bike...

[buellxb12s]

Originally Posted by Da_Bull

Your XB12 is a REAL Buell (air cooled HD motor). The one in the test is a liquid-cooled Roatax with hard luggage mounted on the front. It's hideous and should be stricken from the historical record of Planet Earth. Your Buell, kind sir, is a true piece of motorcycle history worthy of the "Best Cornerning" awards that it has garnered ... the new Buell is worthy of anchoring ships in a harbor. Ugly ugly ugly ugly ugly ... and watercooled. VOMIT!

PS: The 1098 is a hell of a bike...

Hey if you think its bad you should see the 1125CR. its the "cafe racer" its a streetfighter version. i'm going to agree that the 1125 isn't a beauty queen especially sitting next to a bike like the 1098 which is an insult to stop at beautiful. for 09 buell changed the frame color (got rid of blue). in pictures the bike looks horrible. in person it looks better. the scoops are not nearly as bad. I think this a step in the right direction for Buell. Offering a bike for the mainstream while keeping what has started Buell. I would like to see them keep XB platform. I do think its important for them to expand to a watercooled 6 SPEED (finally) slipper clutch ( needs a steering damper) bike. There will always be some that hate the bike purely because they say its a "sportster motor" which is entirely false its sporty design or type but very very few parts are interchangeable..in fact 04 and up sportys use rejected buell heads. XBs and tube framed buells are not considered to be modern. so its a damned if you do damned if you don't . one of the things i forgot to mention before Buells parts are cheap to buy which is great. to give you some prices to compare my girls gixxer 750 swingarm 950...mine 375 (and mine holds oil) my plastic airbox cover 205 my girls 500..my powdercoated wheels 335 my girls 500 my subframe 240 hers 400. my turn signal 11 my levers 20 my pegs 11. my header 205 you get the idea. i would like the 1125 more if it had a regular firebolt front end. althought the 1125 is doing well in racing. it has finished many podiums. in one instance a racer had to borrow a 1125. th bike had stock tires and even brake pads only change was plastics racing against bikes with 30-40 hp more they finished second. mostly from handling. haven't ridden the 1125 but have heard its even better than the XB platform. i have to admit i find it ironic. i've been a closet duc lover (minus th xx9 bikes) and i've got plenty to learn. Duc owners are in some ways like harley owners.your traditionalist, for instance some don't like the 848 because it has a wet clutch ( i understand theres something about the sound of that dry clutch) you stand behind your brand and rightfully so.these bikes are nothing short of a work of art. its not just a ride its a life style. i know this all without riding a Duc. i can appreciatte the fact that they are different which only attracts me more. its something one can't describe when you pull up and on lookers ask questions and traffic lights are all stares. point is i'm applying my love for my Buell to another brand. being different and such a great motorcycle (Ducs and Buell) that few understand. (attached some pics bike has changed some since then)