The 2008 Buell 1125r has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 4,895 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the power train. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC09V1090002009-04-023,316 affected
Defect
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.
POWER TRAIN08V2670002008-06-161,579 affected
Defect
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.
Complaints by component
POWER TRAIN
2
1crashes
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1
1crashes
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
1
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
1
SUSPENSION
1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1
WHEELS
1
Total complaints9
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“Stator failure along with a clutch leak that caused oil to get on the back tire and cause an accident, bike was totalled. *tr”
“Stator failure along with a clutch leak that caused oil to get on the back tire and cause an accident, bike was totalled. *tr”
Defect investigations
InvestigationPE10004 Opened 2010-01-25 · closed 2010-05-10
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…
InvestigationPE12035 Opened 2012-11-16 · closed 2013-04-16
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…
InvestigationPE12035 Opened 2012-11-16 · closed 2013-04-16
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…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2008 Buell 1125r as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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