| Author | Message | ||
     Buellerxt |
Who has racked up the mileage with no wheel bearing, and/or belt, and/or brake rotor issues? Come on, we want to hear from you. Any hints to help us achieve what you have, or tips/thoughts of any sort will be appreciated. Thanks. | ||
| Sweetfish89 |
I have yet to have a wheel bearing fail have 27000 on the bike now and at 20000 I had my belt snap. I heard that the wheel bearing fails sometimes after you have a belt snap but I have had no such problem. Had new rubber put on two weeks ago and they said that my wheel bearings looked fine. I have had zero brake rotor issues. | ||
| Court |
I've yet to have a problem of any significance with any Buell for the last 24 years riding through 44 states. Then again . . . I don't screw with the bike much. | ||
| Ratbuell |
I don't wash my Ulysses. Ever. But, I do some stream crossings and stuff... I replaced my rear wheel bearings ('06 Ulysses, factory orange bearings) at a tire change as preventative maintenance; put in the new black-seal bearings. Still a 2-bearing wheel. My orange bearings were ever-so-slightly-notchy, and for $24.... I did snap a belt at 11,600 miles. Below freezing, snapped a hard 1-2 shift getting on the highway a mile from home (belt was still cold and brittle; I take the blame on that one). Original '06 belt; now have the .AKF version installed. Brakes? No issues, front OR rear (my rear brakes work just FINE, thank you!). | ||
| F_skinner |
12,000 miles 2009 XB12X, original black bearings and belt, three tire changes, no problems. | ||
| Madduck |
Court, That "I don't mess with them much" comment, I seem to recall seeing a "Green" S2 in Aarons workshop that was looking like it had been messed with somewhat extensively. Did he have to replace that heavy machined top triple clamp with a more "suitable" piece?? | ||
| Court |
The S2 . . . at this point . . .has been meseed with BIG TIME. But it should be very interesting. What Aaron, perhaps one of the most detail oriented and anal folks (with the possible exception of the Danish Doc), did was to go through and meticulously put each single piece on the money. What started as a "light freshening" (the bike had sat outside and hadn't been ridden in 4 years) turned into an exhibition of artwork. From brakes, to case boring and powder coating each operation was "on the nuts". If something was "+/- 0.004" he built, unbuilt and rebuilt until to was "0.000". Power was not the metric we were shooting for, it was reliability. Aaron did things, keeping a quite muffler for example, that could have easily yielded more power. My description to him of what I wanted was "I sent the bike to him with 52 RWHP and I loved it just like that. I could care less, for the most part, about power but wanted to be able to start the bike at 6am on Sunday morning without angering my neighbors and, if I wanted, ride it from NYC to California (like the good lo' days) non-stop without a worry. Knowing Aaron . . it's likely about as close to perfect as you can get. I haven't ridden it but have talked to a few folks who have and from what I can gather it's a barrel of fun. Either I or Erik's kid (who's fighting me to "volunteer"  ) will be heading out to collect it within the next couple months. | ||
| Ourdee |
I don't get to post.  | ||
| Buellerxt |
Quote: I've yet to have a problem of any significance with any Buell for the last 24 years riding through 44 states. Unquote That's my plan, Court! I'm hopin' to learn from the pros. I really appreciate you guys contributing and hopefully we'll have many more. Lets pay attention, Ourdee, and maybe we can join them! Ths. guys | ||
| Terrible1one3 |
14560 miles on my 06 XB12X bought new. Front brake pulsing finally fixed with new rotor and Lyndall Gold Pads. Pulsing had been going strong since 1k miles. No belt issues as of right now and no rear wheel bearing issues. EDIT: Knock on Wood! (Message edited by terrible1one3 on March 22, 2010) | ||
| Cyclonedon |
I replaced the rear wheel bearings at 27,000 miles because they were starting to go out. I still have the original belt and 28,500 miles but I plan on replacing it this summer and keep the other as a spare. | ||
| Cityxslicker |
nope. Mistress caught Ginger misbehaving and had to put her up on the lift....  Bearings 3 Rear Sprocket 2 Rear Brake Caliper 1 Belt 4 Wheel 1 Miles 36K / 15k off road. | ||
| Etennuly |
I don't know if I can post either, except to say that I don't mess with anything until it fails. Rear wheel bearings at 33,000, one croaked. Belt at 38,000 for maintenance, loose. Front brake had pulsed uncontrollably at 7000 miles. Dealer service claimed it was normal, no warranty coverage on that, so I cleaned it every 200 miles to 19,000 miles when I put Lyndal golds on, burned them in and it has had a chattering light pulsing since. Now at 46,500. The only thing I consider a non maintenance problem of these is the front brake. It would have gone a long way to customer relationship quality for my rotor to have been replaced back then, the same for a good friend's Uly. We had both the bikes in specifically for this problem and were told the same. His still pulses so bad he doesn't even use the front brake. We are replacing his rotor and mine soon. | ||
| Terrible1one3 |
Etunnuly I highly recommend the Rotor change. Like I said above I had "lived with it" much like your friend from 1k miles up to 14k miles. I was like him and barely used the front brakes. When I finally got around to changing the rotor and upgrading to the Gold Pads my front pads look like they were barely used. The change of the Rotor has made one of the biggest differences in the bike to me. I know have confidence to use my front brake and that equates to much more fun. I also don't almost fall over coming to stops using my front brake as the surging is completely gone. You won't regret the 170 bucks for a new rotor I promise you. | ||
| Matchanu |
Is there a particular rotor you recommend? | ||
| Buellerxt |
Now we're getting some higher mileage bikes with good service from wheel bearings and belts. Those pesky rotors seem to have been a problem though. Having to clean the rotors every 200 miles! What a drag. Did Buell change the rotor, or pad, at all since 2006? Come on folks, BRAG to us, I'm sure there are others out there with great reliability experience! I'm sure some are thinking like Terrible1one3, and are afraid if they write it down the fickle finger of fate will get them! lol It won't, this thread has been granted an exception! lol Come on, we want to hear about your good success and, if possible, what you attribute it to. Ths. | ||
| Ghostrider |
I have 25K on my '03 Firebolt. At about 15K, it experienced the pulsating front end. Dealer checked it out but couldn't find the problem. They checked the rotor, but it was "within acceptable tolerance" and so wasn't replaced. Pulsing continued. I complained more. On a whim, the service manager replaced the rotor and pulsing was cured. He has a direct back channel to Erik, so he clued them in to the rotor problem (this is back in 2005) and they have subsequently been replacing them (or so I'm told). Aside from that, I've had zero issues. Most reliable motorcycle I've ever owned. Just got my '09 XT back from it's 1K service and looking to rack up some heavy mileage this year. | ||
| Terrible1one3 |
I just purchased the stock replacement rotor from a Buell Dealership. From what I understand the pulsing could be from brake pad build-up on the rotor as opposed to the rotor actually warping. This is why changing to Lyndall's is recommended and has been known to cure the pulsing. I think what Etunnuly is experiencing is just a rotor that has had the damage done. But then again I'm still unsure if it is a Rotor Issue or Pad issue. I replaced both the Pads and Rotor at the same time because I didn't want to replace one and find the other at fault. This eliminates any guessing or chance of killing another rotor. I don't think the Rotor's part number has been super-seeded so I'm guessing it is the same, don't know about the pads. | ||
| Skifastbadly |
My 07, which I picked up in August of 06, has just 30K miles on it. Here's my history: Warped front rotor/15000 Warrantied Blown front shock seals/15000 Warrantied Fried Voltage Regulator/ 20000 Fried 77 connector 20000. I yanked it and re-wired using submersible pump coupling. Blown rocker cover gaskets 21000 Dead fan 21000 Rear Bearings gone, 21000 Header fell off, shearing rear nut and blowing out O2 sensor 23000 Now we're having fun.... Exhaust Actuator replaced, 23000 ECM puked, 23000 Belt disappeared 25000 (well it fell off and I couldn't find it) Front header off again, 26000, repaired free by dealer who did the first job. Now the only problem I'm experiencing is when I turn the key on sometimes I get no power until I jiggle the key a bit. Oh, and then the company went out of business... Modifications I've made to the bike? Added bags Added heated grips Wired for GPS Put a couple ADV stickers on it (And one "I Closed Wolski's") | ||
| Bdrag |
Bike is 6 months old. I have about 2500 on it now. 2009 XB12X. No pinch bolts in front forks. Found this out at 1900 miles when replacing tires. Dealer installed used bolts and claimed to have tightened and re torqued all front end hardware. Rear Sync got 1900 miles and was out of spec. Toast at 2020 miles. Added the Madstad Brackets and Flyscreen. Had the Can Am shield adapted to it. Looks great! Added the taller seat. Much better ride for this fat guy. Installed the Special Ops OEM look muffler. Added the Journey Bags and mounts. Buell Bar Bag. Added a Yellow Bulb to the High Beam light. Drive in the day with the Yellow on, ride at night with the white low beam on and use the Yellow to say HAY when needed with a pull of the flash to pass button. I have felt a little brake pulse here and there but nothing bad yet. YET! Can I expect it to just happen? If so the following. So the rotor problem, Buell seemed to fix stuff for the following year bike all through the Uly's short history. Is the brake rotor problem evident on the 2009 and 2010 bikes as well? Part number and who has the best deal on pads? Its a cheap fix or prevent if this is a sure problem on all bikes. No big deal to go ahead and change pads. When some have replaced the rotor, what brand? Stock? EBC? Who? Guess I will change belt at 15,000 just like I do chains and Sprockets on my 04' V Strom. I will put about 1800 miles on the Buell next month in my 4 day ride in the Arkansas hills. See what the Pirelli Angels can get mileage wise. So I am not riding the Uly much before the trip. 300 miles on the tire as of now and have scrubed off .025 worth of rubber already! It came with about .275 worth. May be a 3000 mile tire? Thats better than a 2000 mile tire. Thanks BDRAG | ||
| Idaho_buelly |
09X with 9,000 miles and zero issues w/ Belt/Bearings/Rotors..Replaced rear tire about 6,500mi and the front @ 9,000..I do not commute w/it,only use is for pleasure just to get away from everything,a few times after work during the week and a couple different times during the weekend,a few 1200-1500 mile trips a year..Best bike I've ever owned,I'm also real big on Preventive Maintenance  | ||
| Nobuell |
08XT with 16.6K miles Had a high idle issue at approximately 5K. The dealer had it all winter long and replaced or checked the IAC, intake seals, wiring harness. Turned out to be and intermittent ECM problem. They replaced the ECM and no problems since. Oh, I forgot. Once when riding in the rain the bike started missing. I actually got a shock on my knee. I knew it was a bad spark plug wire and replaced them with a set of Magnecore while replacing the spark plugs at 10K. I have since ridden in some horrendous rain with no problem. Routine maintenance otherwise. | ||
| Buellerxt |
That's good to hear, Nobuell. I ride through rain storms when on trips and I've wondered how rain would effect the rear wheel bearings. Your experience has been good. Cool. Skifastbadly, "Oh, and then the company went out of business... " lol Hey, you're doing okay and you're having fun! You're doing well too, Idaho. Keep it up, Man. Ths. for the input guys. | ||
| Bttrthnwrk |
I got my 2009 'X in late Feb, '09. 20,000 miles later, I need rear brakes. I tend to steer off pavement with the throttle and rear brake, though, so that's not as much of a surprise as it might be. I also tend to ride the rear brake when crawling along in traffic on the pavement. Nothing else replaced, though. Gas (overall gas mileage at 43.54 mpg average). Oil. Tires. Farkles. That's about it. | ||
| Buellerxt |
Very cool Bttrthnwrk. I like the sound of that! Wheelies? Ride through water? %'s for on/off pavement? Ths. | ||
| Bttrthnwrk |
I got my front wheel up exactly once. The back wheel was supposed to spin in the sand, but surprised me. I'm just not a wheelie person. Got cured of that by going over backwards one too many times off-road on one of my previous enduros. Ouch. Come to think of it, I've had my back wheel up more with the Uly than my front wheel. Panic stops can do that to you... I live in Tucson, AZ. If I want to do a water crossing, I pretty much have to bring along my own water to make it with. It's possible I've done 4000 miles off pavement with the Uly. Maybe only 2500 or 3000 miles, though. A good bit of that has been gravel and sand hairpins and switchbacks while changing elevation, though. I don't keep track of where I spend my miles. Sorry... However, I'd guess that I do manage a mile or so (out of the 35ish mile round trip) most weekdays crawling in traffic, often dragging the back brake when the going gets really slow. Helps the stability, some. | ||
| Buellerxt |
Thanks Bttrthnwrk. I'm not a wheelie guy either, and I don't plan on doing any water crossings. As for the %'s of on/off road I was just trying to get some insight on your belt/bearing success. I appreciate your input. Keep up that success! | ||
| Rightpecial |
06X with 12k miles, 5k by me, and so far only needed to replace the oil, a battery, and now needing a tire. Heck I drove a cyclone halfway across the country with a stock shock and it waited to go bad til I got home. In all seriousness, my Buells haven't given me any more, or fewer, problems than any other make I've owned and I've covered a lot more miles per ride than on any other bike. | ||
| Ksc12c |
06 Uly, 20,000 miles Replaced Fan 12k miles Replaced rear bearings at 15k miles,original bearings had no real issues just wanted to update to new ones. I also had the broken ground wire issues and the seat pushing against ECM | ||
| Buellerxt |
Uly owners are a hearty and roll-with-the-punches group and that is cool! And why not, the bikes are over the top in the fun factor. I've only got 2500 miles on my Uly, having picked it up on Oct. 25, 2009, but I have plans and I can't wait to get it out on a trip, though the local rides are a lot of fun. Thanks for all the input guys. Lets have some more! Come on folks, we're very interested in hearing about your Uly's. Ths. |
