| Author | Message | ||
     Drummer |
Hey Guys, Yes I'm new to these boards but I'm not new to riding. Don't mean to pain right off the bat but I gotta ask....Reliability? I've been riding the N. GA twisties for about ten years. I've had several Hondas, two SVs and now I'm down to my '88 Honda Hawk GT. It's a wonderful bike, ahead of it's time and one of the nicest bikes you could want for twistie roads. And, like the Buell...it always draws a crowd. I enjoy riding something different and I don't need to be the fastest guy out there...I prefer low and mid-range torque which is why most of my bikes have been twins. I'm anal about researching and checking things before I buy. I've done LOTS of reading and researching all Buells but especially the XBs. Yes all bikes have problems (even Hondas) but to be honest, the problems I read about on the various Buell forums seem pretty excessive. Broken belts that have cauased some riders to crash, bad trannys,leaks, blown motors, shifting problems, etc. I know you love your Buell or you probably wouldn't be on this site...but is it a fact that for some reason there continues to be more mechanical problems with these bikes than most others? Shoot, I've even stumbled across another site dedicated to "why your Buell sucks". Still, I find the bikes appealing. I just don't have the budget to handle constant problems. If I haven't alinated everyone...I'd appreciate your honest opinions. Thank you. | ||
| Chainsaw |
see profile! | ||
| Got1nut |
Get an xb and don't worry about it. Motorcycles are purely for fun. You wanna have real fun by a Buell. There were some bad buells in the past but I think the xb models have been pretty reliable. But im a buell newbie what do I know, except I wish I would have found Buells a long time ago. I never had this much fun on my Kawi zx6r. | ||
| Tpoppa |
My 2003 xb9s has been bulletproof--10,000 miles. | ||
| Charlieboy6649 |
My 2003 has also been bulletproof (14,000 mi). I didn't let a bad temp sensor sour my experience. What most of those people with the belt problems don't say is how many miles they had on them. A belt, like a chain is an inspection item. It's also a replacement item according to the maint schedule. I don't have my manual here at work, but I could swear it says inspect/replace at 15,000 mi. Am I right? I'll double check and post again Saturday when I get off. The point is, ALL bikes will have problems, more if not maintained properly. The XB is well on its way to becoming one of the most reliable bikes you could own. My friend Ski blew his motor, could have happened to anyone on any brand. He's a maint guy so he knew this... He loves his Buell with new motor replaced under warranty. Might I add that he's also racked up more miles than most here. See the 44,202 mi thread... I say leap, maintain the thing, and enjoy the smiles  Hope that helps. (Message edited by charlieboy6649 on March 25, 2005) | ||
| M1combat |
12K miles, XB12R... One failed transmission output shaft seal. Replaced under warranty in about 40 minutes. I called them Thursday, they told me to show up Early Saturday and they took me first. The seal was just leaking a little and the bike was very rideable (as a matter of fact I rode it all the way from South-Western California to Central AZ the day after I noticed it... I had to get home. It probably would have gotten worse though so they replaced it. Ummm... Was there... There was... No... There wasn't... Nothing else. I had a Honda shop destroy the powder coat on my rear rim. They were upset with ME but replaced it anyway... There have been a few who have fouled plugs, but that's pretty much always been traced back to blipping the throttle when the engine is cold. On some bikes the race ECM seems to make them ping (mostly only in warmer weather) but personally I think the race ECM is tuned for an O2 safe high octane fuel... WRT broken belts... That was an issue with the '03 models, but there is an upgraded belt (you shouldn't even be able to find anyone who will sell you the old one). I've jumped my 12R about 15-20 times about 8" in the air and did indeed break a belt once. There was already a small hole in the belt where a rock had been run through it. I was really just leaving it on there to see how long it would last because there was talk about the belts not lasting... It lasted about 5K miles w/ the hole in it, and didn't break until I was landing a jump... The current belt is at about 7K miles and seems good. All of the '04 and '05 bikes have an even further upgraded belt than the upgraded '03 belt, but it costs a few hundred dollars as I recall to swap the pulleys and other hardware to move to the "latest" belt. So far the upgraded '03 seems to be holding out well as long as it's handled and installed properly. Don't twist it or fold it backwards are the rules. I do have a bit of oil seepage from one of the fittings right in front of the oil filter that I'll retape the next time I change the oil. I may as well do the other ones around it while I'm there, but I really consider that just standard stuff. Other than that little fitting and the output shaft seal, it's never leaked a drop as far as I know... I do ALWAYS let it warm up for 1-2 minutes though. I also generally shift by about 5600 too, but I certainly don't baby it as such. Oh, there have also been a few reports of broken front motor mounts but I think that has a lot to do with chopping the throttle in first at the end of a tall wheelie. There are three other mounts and a big assed strap that would have to break before the engine could move very far, so the bike generally ends up rideable after that, and I've only heard of two I think. As I recall... JD Power & Assoc. rated the Buell XB platform either "one of" or "the" most reliable and trouble free bikes made... | ||
| Midknyte |
Sold my backup bike yesterday. nuff said.  | ||
| Exupmonkey |
Speedo sensor packed up and its got an alarming appetite for tyres but apart from that no problemo!....Love it!(P.S. I am from Scotland where we have 'y's in our tires and I'm not just being dumb...honest!) | ||
| Lovematt |
In 13,000 miles I have had no problems except for a worn through plug wire, a solder tip on the high beam that cracked, and a speedo sensor that stopped working. The plug wire was $3.50 to replace and the Buell was nice enough to show the problem right when I had to change the plugs anyways. The speedo sensor was replaced under warranty for $0 dollars to me, and the cracked solder deal took about 10 minutes to fix by redoing the solder (~30 seconds of that time actually doing the solder). I must say the emotional joy I get from the Buell especially after putting on a pipe and K&N filter have beat out all other bikes. I will be selling my other bike soon as it just doesn't do it for me and may go back to a Dual Sport since I love those bikes so much and it is a completely different area of motorcycling. | ||
| Hulley |
Drummer, I was in your shoes in Dec/Jan, I hung out on this site and asked all kinds of questions and read all the threads that I could. I bought my 05' CityX last month and have never been happier! In fact I've put 1200 miles on it in the first 5 weeks! I love this bike! I dont know how else to put it. Make the purchase! you wont regret it. | ||
| Cataract2 |
Owned mine since Nov. 9th 2004. I now have 5500 miles on it with 0 problems. | ||
| Court |
I am Buellgasmic. | ||
| Thepup |
22,000 miles on XB.Intake loosened up,speedo sensor went out,transmission had to be repaired,oil lines above muffler wore thru,axle corroded to bearings on rear wheel,voltage regulator replaced.i am sure there are a few others.Some of these problems may have been dealer related.Some ppl here say you should do your own work,but when you spend $11,000,I think you should be able to trust the dealer to do repairs and mainenance,but thats just me. | ||
| Clown |
Drummer, we have had very few problems with the bikes we have sold. Yes there have been a few fouled plugs, but that's about it. Just check out the 3%ers storm front board and see how much they ride. Some of those guys and gals have over 30k on their bikes. As a side note, if you're near the North Ga mountains, ride to the dealership and take a test ride on one. We are in Stone Mountain. We just finished our Buell Demo Event in North Ga last weekend. Those are some of the best roads for these bikes. Hope to see ya soon. | ||
| 1badbuell |
Only problem I have had is not getting to ride it enough (i hate the winter in the NE)...Otherwise my XB has been bulletproof & I have an 03 with the original belt set up...as said before its a maintenance item...inspect before you ride...replace at 15k miles. This bike has my GSXR collecting dust. nuff said | ||
| Paulson |
7500 miles on an 2003 XB9SL and reliability has never been a question. | ||
| Glitch |
Drummer, at 20,000 miles my stator burnt out. Clown and his crew took one off a new bike to get me going once we found out an new one was back ordered. That was over 11,000 miles ago. Most all the miles are ridin' all the roads you ride, in North Georgia. I have no paranoia about my bike taking me where I want to go and back again. Last summer Shred and I rode from Lawrenceville GA to Mountain Home NC and back in one day. We used NO interstates, by the time we got home it had been a 680+ mile day, the only problem we had was coming down 129 at 11:00 at night, we were covered in bugs! | ||
| Glitch |
Too bad you missed March Badness. We were in your back yard just lettin' everyone with a bike endorsement ride the Buell of their choice. | ||
| Whodom |
Glitch- maybe he was at March Badness- I saw at least 2 Hawk GT's there. They are pretty cool bikes. Drummer- As to Buell reliability, my 2000 S3 (which wasn't considered very reliable when it was new) hasn't missed a lick in the ~8 months I've had it, and the XB's are supposed to be MUCH more reliable than the tube framers. Another thing to think about compared to your Honda is reduced maintenance: no chain to clean/lube and no valves to adjust. And from my experience (moving to a Buell from a 1983 Honda VT500FT Ascot, your Hawk's Dad in Honda geneology) parts are MUCH cheaper. | ||
| Fdl3 |
Drummer: Short Summary  The Buell XB line might be a bike to make your short list. It is reliable, maintenance-friendly, and has the torque characteristics you desire. Long Summary  Before my purchase, I (like you) researched on the web anything and everything I could find about Buell motorcycles. I found more negative things than positive, but this was with the older generation "tuber" Buells. Much of what is still circulating on the web is in reference to these early generation Buells. The new XB generation Buells are far superior in terms of reliability; but alas, the new XB models are so new, it will take time for the improved reliability to be fully proven and for the word to get out. My advice regarding information on the web: unless you are considering a purchase of the older generation Buell, ignore what you find on these model Buells; concentrate instead on the information found on the XB models. Even then, really pay attention to what is objective and what is subjective. I have been shocked at the prejudice against Buells. To name a few "reasons": a) HD's ownership of Buell; b) people who did have a bad experience with older model Buells and will not give anything Buell a chance ever again; c) people who cannot or will not make the distinction between older model Buells and newer model ones; d) people whose expectation for a Buell is not met when they think it should be. In regards to the specific issues you mention: 1) "Broken belts leading to crashes" - I have not heard of one instance where a broken belt has led to a crash. Sounds a bit over-dramatic if you ask me.  There are instances of belts breaking. That happens with belts (and chains, and shafts). For 03 models, the service manual calls for replacement every 15K miles; for 04 and later, the belt should be replaced every 25K miles. The 03 models have an improved Gates belt with a different part number from the original Gates belt. The 04 and later have a Goodyear belt, the details of which you may already know and can be found on the web. 2) "Bad trannys" - I have not heard of anyone who has experienced a bad tranny, in the sense of a tranny being bad right from the factory. I don't think the trannys on the XBs go bad any more frequently than any other motorcycle. 3) "Leaks" - None like what most people envision. Most people envision puddles of oil being leaked out. This has just not been the case with XBs. You will find some leaks documented on this website. Most (if not all) are minor, such as oil weep from the oil line connectors or leaking oil/primary drain plugs due to a faulty gasket. Beyond that, I don't recall any leakage issues. 4) "Blown motors" - I can think of one instance on this board where someone experienced a blown motor through no fault of their own. Other than that, I have not seen any data to support the idea that the XBs experience any mechanical breakdowns at a higher frequency than other motorcycles (much less blown motors). 5) "Shifting problems" - I think this is valid for new XBs, but only in the sense of harder shifts. Once the tranny has gained some miles, the shifting is much improved. If you use synthetic gear oil, shifting is improved even more. The XBs are not the only bikes to have stiff shifting when new. 6) "Etc" - Ah, the all important catch all. Can you find fault with anything else on the Buells. Well, duh! It is a mechanical machine prone to breakdowns, just like any other motorcycle. I know, I know...you already know this. What you are after is the frequency of breakdowns. With the data currently compiled, I think it is safe to say that the new XB Buells are just as reliable (if not more reliable) than any other motorcycle out there! I have 23K on my 2003 XB9R and I bought it used with 6K. I have had exactly one "major" problem: like Glitch, my stator went bad at the 20K mark. I say "major" because to replace the stator, the primary tranny cover has to come off to get to it. I did replace my front brake rotor because it was warped when I bought the bike (probably due to stoppies  ). Other than this, it has been routine maintenance items: oil/filter, primary tranny oil, tires, brakes, and one belt replacement. I, like you, just don't have the time to spend on a bike that is not reliable. My XB9R continues to satisfy that requirement. This reply is rather lengthy, but to anyone in "research mode", it is probably not long enough!  | ||
| Team |
Drummer, I've had over 20yrs. experience on Japanese Sportbikes mainly,also a Couple of V'Maxes. the one thing I've personally noted from the change from a metric to a Buell is I love the Belt, no lubing the chain, adjusting the chain, chain lube getting all over the place etc.. I think we all know people who have had more chain problems than Belt problems. The only thing I've had to do was change a fouled spark plug(only from starting it in my storage shed just to hear it run, during this winter I doubt this would happen if I actually rode it around when I did this. I went to the local Cycle World Bike show a Month ago and it just reconfirmed why I bought a XB, all the other imports are starting to look the same, then you walk over to the Buell area and It (looks) like the Buells are at least one foot shorter and more stout. Like a Pit Bull instead of a greyhound.(lightning model)I don't think they are more maintenance then a Import. Every Year I would have to sink at Least $700-900, on my Busa for some Fuel injection problem or something else(long Story). Readers Digest version, is the XB is the most fun I've ever had on a Bike.Bar none. Go For it. | ||
| Johnk3 |
my bike has 10k and 0 problems. had a plug hole go bad when a tech cross threaded the hole but that is the only problem i've had and that doesn't count against the bikes reliability, just proves we're all human after all. | ||
| Court |
I've had over 20yrs. experience on Buells with a couple other simultaneous diversions along the way. The one thing I've personally noted from the change from chain to the belt after 1993. I love the Belt, no lubing the chain, adjusting the chain, chain lube getting all over the place etc | ||
| Raraf |
I have had my bike for almost a year and no problems except when it leaked oil. The source of the leak: My Honda friend thought it would be funny to drip oil under my bike when I parked it at work. | ||
| Glitch |
I've had over 20yrs. experience on Buells ... Now if we'd get that diesel model we'd be all set  | ||
| Reepicheep |
This thread speaks volumes. The tubers had non trivial reliability problems and were well worth it. The XB's are an even more magical bike, and fantastic reliabilty. Speedo sensors are fixed on 2004 and up. Belt problems were made better on 2004's, and even better on 2005's. Many broken belts were from mishandled belts during repairs, or from removed belt guards. Ski's XB did not blow an engine, it had an oil pump problem. The mechanic working on the problem broke the engine, it was mechanic error, not a mechanical defect. The mechanic / Buell made it right, so it's none of our business, but that failure is NOT a valid datapoint for Buell reliability (unless you count the fact that it went 44k miles before the oil pump had an issue). If you think "murder by mechanic" is exclusively a Buell thing, I can introduce you to a BMW bike mechanic that got confused about which hole the antifreeze goes in. Bearings were addressed within 3 months of release in 2003. Sidestand was addressed within 3 months of release in 2003. So not only are the problems mentioned here not that significant for any sport motorcycle with these kinds of milage, but most of these problems were fixed, fixed well, and fixed fast. The icing on the cake is that the Buell XB is what the Hawk GT would have been had Honda not chickened out and lost the original vision of what that bike was. | ||
| Xb9rski |
I LOVE MY FREAK'N DIRTY LIL' HO!! Even if the stator took a dump.....LOL Can't wait to get her back. "Ride it till it seizes" Ski  | ||
| Cataract2 |
Hulley, are you trying to clip at my heals here. I had 1500 miles on mine in about 4 weeks. The dealer was floored by that. hehehehehehe Trend setter I am. | ||
| Bellsguns |
this is great.... great post/ great response love sorting through the reliability stuff. think it helps a lot. is it me or does the stator seem to go out around 20-25k?? also anyone have the site info to the jd. powers report on the buells reliability? i keep hearing bout it but i cant find it. i too am on the brink of buellism. held back by knee operation. in mean time i too have gathered lots of info. now if i could just get that ducati monster out of my mind....hmmmmmm love this site | ||
| Fl_billy |
Monster schmonster.....go with the Buell. You will not be disappointed. Cataract and Hulley, I've put just under 1000 miles on my XB since I got it 4 weeks ago, so I'm closing in on both of you!! |
