| Author | Message | ||
     Glitch |
5,000 tapped and drilled timing cover plate about to fall off. 5,000 snapped drive belt. 12,000 snapped drive belt. 13,000 battery change. 14,000 turn signal relay. 16,000 upgraded about to snap belt to 06 model. Three speedo sensors. warped rear disc. 11,000 Steering head bearings. 14,000 Blown out wheel bearing. | ||
| Bumblebee |
I wonder what's causing the belts to go bad and snap?  | ||
| Glitch |
The 03 belts were know to be fragile. If they were stored wrong, handled wrong, or even if you tweeked one while changing a tire they could break. The belts for the 03s are much better now, although most people just change to the 04 and up belts now. | ||
| Skyguy |
Glitch, your a funny guy lol (: That is far from a complete list. I have not bothered to list every problem I have had. I keep hoping that somone from the factory will say something like " gee, his problems have been way to extensive, lets see what we can do to help. I was very aware about the handling issues with the belt and did ALL of the tire changes myself, following all of the required procedures. After the third belt I spent 500.00+ on the 04 upgrade. My hide is still chapped that those parts are at full retail. There is or have also been a clutch cable, unresolved wheel bearing issue, stator issue, regulator issue, oil leak issues, headlight issues and wire routing issues resulting in fried electrical stuff. I am manic about maintenance on all of my equipment and not a bad mechanic so I just don't understand why so many issues. I am appaled at the lack of caring or intrest shown by Buell. Also for the record had it not been for the constant issues I would still think this bike is more fun than I have ever had on two wheels. (Message edited by skyguy on October 10, 2006) | ||
| Glitch |
That is far from a complete list. Please list, so everyone can see why you're so bitter. | ||
| Skyguy |
Look at the post above. I don't enjoy being bitter. I want to ride a Buell more than you know. The Wheelie king (Doug) was a friend and my uncle still thinks the only real bike is a Harley. I truly enjoy getting the POS jap bike attitude from the HD posers and riding something you dont see every day is just fun. | ||
| Isham |
I thought they haven't changed the 03 belt design due to some kind of patent? | ||
| Reepicheep |
Well, to be accurate Skyguy, what you *really* mean would be:
I don't mean any offense, and I wish you the best of luck, but I don't think your current approach is an effective way to get the factory to help you... nor to garner much sympathy here. All it's going to accomplish is to make people think of you as "the guy that keeps peeing in the living room". I won't name names, but this has been tried before, far more artfully then you are doing it, and it failed dramatically then as well. | ||
| Skyguy |
Isham, They changed the 03 belt once to my knowlege. They then went to an 04 belt and new pulley setup. They then upgraded the belt again in 06 with the same pulley configuration as in 04. All of these upgrades were due to extensive failures on customers bikes. Sadly the dealer sold me a non upgrade 03 belt despite the upgrade being availble. I think that the least Buell should have done was provide upgrades for their customers at cost. I truly feel used and abused by BMC. | ||
| Skyguy |
Reep, I spent many hours on the phone with dealers and BMC before trying this tactic. Even Court tried to take care of the wheel bearing issue to no obvious solution.] It has become more than obvious that the only solution is to be very upset and very vocal. Sadly this will not likely work either. But if it does not work perhaps someone will take notice and decide to buy another brand. I have always thought that the only way to fight an uncaring corporation is to fight with the wallet. I have always been a fighter. (Message edited by skyguy on October 10, 2006) | ||
| Bads1 |
Fight with your wallet....Skyguy no offense but you have posted time an time again that your broke,need a truck or I need trailer or I'm moving. Who's wallet are you fighting with cause I'm sure theres is alot bigger then yours. Try the other tactic of trying to work with them again together or I'm afraid you may be homeless the next time you post. I really wish you the best of luck but man!!!! | ||
| Skyguy |
Bads, Being broke is the byproduct of closing a business and starting a hot air balloon business. I do not believe in credit cards and cash out everything I buy. Ever buy a hot air balloon? How about lessons? How about the hundreds of gallons of propane needed to learn to fly commercially? I have paid cash for everything so far and sadly that means that I have been going through a very cash poor time. It is an extremely expensive endeavor. Very profitable when going though. I am just starting to get some payback from the investment. As for homeless? LOL I have a 1.5 million dollar home waiting for me in Coloma, CA. As for fighting with my wallet? That simply means that I will buy and encourage others to buy a different brand of bike. I have tried for many many hours to resolve this through BMC and a couple of different dealers, I have asked Court for help. To date nothing has worked so what other options do I have? Enlighten me oh wise one! | ||
| Skyguy |
Most Buell owners are just like paraglider pilots. They always think what they bought is the best. Regardless of whether or not it is true. I will say it is the best handling (when running) bike I have ever owned. It also seems to have a very solid motor and tranny. The electrical, drive belt and headlight issues are ridiculous though. I will post a pic tomorrow of the spot where the factory ran the wires that shorted my stator (another engineering issue I am paying for). | ||
| Lost_in_ohio |
3,000 miles Here is my trouble list ............ 1. Wife pissed I like to buy CF and Billet add ons. HMMMMM, no failures to report. | ||
| Dbird29 |
17,000 Timer Cover sideplate $8.65 There was that one airbox screw that was alittle buggered up but chasing the threads fixed it. $0 Oh wait, that's MY total problem list. I'll give you $100 for your bike Skyguy. DBird | ||
| Skyguy |
Roadside asst sucks. First time I waited over 5 hours for a tow. Second time it took them 18 hours to get a truck. I call asst at 10:33pm. I gave up waiting on them at 3:30 am. Got a ride home. I called them back at 8:00am in the morning and it took them till 1:30pm to get a truck. I'm about to give up on Buell. CJxb posted this elsewhere and I posted it here in order to honor Glitch's request to keep it to one spot. I think it is indicative of the type of service many of us owners experience. Lost, the first failures on my bike were at 5,000. It was flawless until then. Good luck, I truly hope you did not get a friday bike like mine. | ||
| Skyguy |
dbird, That is the only offer I have gotten despite it being posted in four different places for two weeks. Don't even get me started about the resale (or lack of) value of an XB.................. The fact that some have had almost zero problems and others have had huge problems is indicative of a quality control issue at Buell. (Message edited by skyguy on October 10, 2006) | ||
| Rocketsprink |
Why does everyone give people that have problems with their bikes shit? Believe it or not, all manufacturers put out a lemon now and then. Yes, even Buell. These bikes are not the be all end all of bikes. And yes, from what I have seen, read, heard and even experienced, some times, whether it's the Dealer or Buell themselves, help is no where to be found. There are issues that most of you don't even know about. And probably never will. If you have a good bike I want to hear about it. But along with the good comes the bad. | ||
| Spatten1 |
It would be enough to turn me off. Period, no question about it. Like SkyGuy, I've had many years of trouble free riding on Japanese bikes and it is really disheartening when basic things go wrong. I'm struggling a bit with that question now, and I haven't even been stranded. | ||
| Moonrunrs |
Wow, if that was my bike I would never touch a Buell again. Reliability is the single most important thing to me in a vehicle -- or anything else for that matter. Glitch, how hard to you push your bike? Just curious. I guess I'm pretty lucky. I have a 2003 and have had NO problems at all. Just routine maintenance. I did have to replace my battery after 3 years, but I consider that standard stuff. I don't take my 'bolt to the track and don't push it that hard, though. Just street riding. I haven't had to replace my belt yet and it has 11,000 miles on it. | ||
| Spatten1 |
I was taking mine to the track. I need to check the primary chain, found what a HD mechanic identified as chunks of primary chain on my drain plug. I need to pull the damn engine to change the base gasket. I realize the leak is due to running hard before totally warmed up. However it still irratates me that in the 21st century I have to worry about it. I have to change to a chain drive. The 2004 setup I put on my bike stretches the left side of the belt for some reason and it is full of cracks. The belt appears to line up, but something is out of whack. A complete chain conversion will cost me less than a new belt, and I'll never have to worry about it breaking. I'd say I'm done using the Buell at the race track now. I'm hoping that after fixing what needs looking after now there won't be anything but routine maintenance in the future. I like the XB platform, and I'm hoping that it will be durable for me with only street use. | ||
| Glitch |
Glitch, how hard to you push your bike? Just curious. You mean, how hard do I push my bike? If that's the question, pretty hard I guess. I'm in the mountains every chance I get, and play with all the other sportbikes. I've not been easy on it by any means, just ask any of the 3%ers.  A little video. http://www.incorrect.org/videos/Wolf%20Pen%20Gap.wmv | ||
| Court |
>>>>Even Court tried to take care of the wheel bearing issue to no obvious solution.] Lest that be misread as "Court couldn't help", I just went back and reread in it's entirely the information you sent me. The facts were at the very least confusing, particularly (you'll recall I wrote you back asking for clarification ) the part about "I then asked them about bringing the front down" I aborted my efforts when I got the e-mail from you about the District Service guy...
....had taken care of it. That was, among the files I can find, the last I heard of it. Bill is correct that coming to the internet pissing and moaning probably won't help much and, believe it or not. I suspect, in the conduct of their business affairs, the Buell folks are not unlike you'd be if you had a customer who, rather than call you with a concern, jaunted about the valley complaining to anyone who they could find. Not meaning to be contrary here, but I always, in a business setting, craft my delivery based on how the receiver may hear it. What I SAY is much less important than what they HEAR. Court | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Glitch, Would you classify your use as according to the manufacturer's expected and intended consumer use? I don't take lemon bikes lightly. I'd be pissed if I bought a bike and it died 1,000 miles later (as is on this board right now on an Scg). If you go to an auto dealer with a car that has rubber chunks slung inside the wheel wells, you would rightly assume that the car had been handled "roughly". I would think that track day use (and daily use that resembles track days) would shorten the lifespan of any vehicle. You can't take your brand new Tacoma pick-up and race the Baja 1000 in it. It won't last. The use exceeds the manufacturer's design parameters for it's intended average consumer use. Please don't get me wrong. I am in no way belittling anyone's bad experience with mechanical gremlins, but I find it interesting that guys that beat the ever living dog crap out of their bikes complain when things break. I believe that all of us Buell riders run harder than most because our bikes allow us to. In general, I think Buell has done a pretty good job taking care of even those who are a little "harsher" on their equipment than they should be. My $.02. | ||
| Skyguy |
Court, Clarification must be needed as you either misread my notes to you or are attempting to make me look the fool. What part of "I have tried and tried and gotten nowhere with BMC customer servive" are you missing? What part of Fordyce STILL won't take care of the front wheel bearing are you missing? Yes they took care of the rear but only because someone from HD warranty walked by, saw it and said fix it. They STILL wont put the bearing in the front wheel. BTW I even bought the freaking bearing for the front and rear myself. Did they give me a new set to replace the ones I bought that they put in the rear? NO! Bad enough having a POS bike without some of you folks saying everything you can to try to turn it into something I did wrong. The respect I had for some posters here has gone away. They were all happy until somone derided their beloved machines. Why can some of you people not just freaking admit that it is possible that I got a lemon? Pardon me I have to go be sick. And yes I am pissed off. (Message edited by skyguy on October 10, 2006) | ||
| Steve_mackay |
I keep hoping that somone from the factory will say something like " gee, his problems have been way to extensive, lets see what we can do to help. ROFLMAO!!! You're kidding right? You do know that many people at Buell read this board. When your last belt broke, in the begining of June you whined about it on 2 different boards, within six seperate threads, expecting Buell to give you a "belt upgrade". Should I whine about the fact that I've had to go in to the primary on my '98 S3T no less than twice in the past 12 months because of two seperate blow seals? And I find out this morning, the motor seal I replaced just 2 weeks ago, is already leaking, and soaking my rear fender with pretty green Redline primary lube(DOOH!). 98 S3T problems so far: Front rocker box gasket at around 12K Tranny output shaft seal at around 17K Motor seal at 22K And again at 23K Woops, forgot about the 3 speedo cables that I went thru from 10K to 23K 06' XB9SX problems so far: 5th gear seal 4.5K I'm really quite surprised that you haven't been banned from here. Dyna was banned from here for far less negative attitude IMHO. And yes, you may have gotten a lemon. Or you may have screwed up your own service. Dunno... But I bet I can speak for the majority, that I don't care either. It's all because of your attitude. Good luck... (Message edited by Steve_mackay on October 10, 2006) | ||
| Isham |
I understand what Skyguy is going through. I've had problems with a belt. The deteriorating light housing on the R is ridiculous. I had to open up the houses to paint it with chrome paint when they got so dim I couldn't see. That should have been a recall since safety was at stake. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
How much do reflectors for the R cost? I don't know. Please let me know. How much does it cost to upgrade to the '04 or '06 belt? I don't know this one either. Interested. | ||
| Jasonxb12s |
Hey Skyguy...I'd be just as pissed a as you are. Quite frankly, I'm surprised that you are getting so much heat from the regulars of this board. God forbid I ever need to vent my frustrations here someday. My bike has been near-bullet proof. Nevertheless, I'm not in denial as it seems a few on this board are. Lemons do exist and customers do get treated improperly. By the way....would you accept tree-fiddy fo yo bike? | ||
| Skyguy |
Steve, your right I should not be upset. I should just bend over and take it. I should say nothing but nice things about Buells or face the wrath of the faithfull. F that. I never screwed up maintainance, I never modded my bike. In fact I have left the thing alone other than basic maintainance and constant repairs. I guess I should have a good attitude about 2,000 plus spent on the types of problems I have had. NOT! Premature belt failure is DANGEROUS Dim headlights are DANGEROUS Getting stranded can be DANGEROUS Two out of the three issues above should be mandatory safety recall items. I am not alone in this belief. If Buell sold as many units as the big four I think the DOT would have had something to say by now. I have made many fun and interesting posts over the last couple of years that have had NOTHING to do with the issues I am having with the bike. I try to avoid giving people a hard time regarding their views of the world even when they differ from mine. The way some of you folks give a hard time to anyone that dares to be vocal about their issues is stupid, narrow minded and quite shallow. You don't know me from Adam and if you did you might discover I am one of the most positive people you will ever meet. It is a by-product of loving my life. This is not to say I can't be negative about some things. I beat the crap out of a froggy little gang banger the other night laughing the entire time. Very little gets me down. I am also one of the most "fair" people you will know. I refuse to lie, cheat or steal on any level. I feel that BMC has decided it is ok to screw some of their customers over. I have asked for help dealing with the issues NUMEROUS times. I give up. |
