NHTSA vehicle safety data

2008 Buell 1125R Recalls & Complaints

The 2008 Buell 1125R has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 6 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Buell dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2008 Buell 1125R. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2008 Buell 1125R owner complaints

Owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Buell 1125R, describing incidents dated August 14, 2010 to December 18, 2012.

Most-cited components

Power Train 3 complaints
Electrical System 1 complaint
Engine 1 complaint
Suspension 1 complaint
Vehicle Speed Control 1 complaint
Wheels 1 complaint

Of the 6 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10500807 · Filed 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…
ODI #10478359 · Filed 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…
ODI #10454983 · Filed 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…

Read all 6 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2008 Buell 1125R in 2 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Preliminary Evaluation PE12-035: Motorcycle Stalling
Closed April 16, 2013
Preliminary Evaluation PE10-004: SUDDEN FUEL EXPULSION
Closed May 10, 2010

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

FRONT BRAKE LINE CONTACT WITH TIRE

NHTSA #09V109000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · NHTSA notice

Reported April 2, 2009 · HARLEY-DAVIDSON MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 3,316 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 0838 · Owners notified April 15, 2009 · Vehicles built October 30, 2007 – July 17, 2008 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

THIS CONDITION MIGHT CAUSE AN INEFFECTIVE FRONT BRAKE, LEADING TO A POSSIBLE CRASH AND POTENTIAL INJURY OR DEATH OF THE RIDER.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

BUELL RECALL NO. 0838. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

5TH GEAR CLUTCH SHAFT

NHTSA #08V267000 · Power Train — Clutch Assembly · NHTSA notice

Reported June 16, 2008 · BUELL MOTORCYCLE CO.

Potentially affected: 1,579 vehicles

Buell campaign 0834 · Owners notified June 23, 2008 · Vehicles built June 19, 2007 – May 30, 2008 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH, WHICH COULD CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH TO THE RIDER.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

BUELL RECALL NO. 0834.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2008 Buell 1125R. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

6 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Buell 1125R.

Suspension; Wheels

ODI #10500807

Incident: December 18, 2012 · Filed: 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.

Power Train

ODI #10478359

Incident: September 20, 2012 · Filed: 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

Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #10454983

Incident: April 10, 2012 · Filed: 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.

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10432362

Incident: September 3, 2011 · Filed: 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 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. *TR

Power Train; Electrical System

ODI #10430176

Crash

Incident: September 25, 2010 · Filed: 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

Power Train

ODI #10349918

Incident: August 14, 2010 · Filed: 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

Check your 2008 Buell 1125R VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Buell 1125R at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Buell VIN