| Author | Message | ||
     Dance |
Thinking about buying a Buell and wondered how long (how many miles) the engine and transmission would last before needing an overhaul or rebuild. There would be differences based on riding style and maintence, but figure on all maintenance being done and an average riding style (not racing or anything). | ||
| Kdan |
Mine lasted 25k. But it is an 03 and I know plenty of people who have gotten way more. | ||
| Mikexlr650 |
tough question, tramp has 250k on his. some don't last long at all. like life it just depends. i believe the engineering target was 100k but i could be wrong. | ||
| Glitch |
I've got an 03 XB9S, not babied even at birth. During March Badness (where I'll definitely not be babying it), I'll hit 50,000 miles, if, I don't hit it sooner. It only gets better. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Fdl3 has on 03 with 55,000 miles. | ||
| Watrousmark |
04 firebolt with 40000 | ||
| Vegasbueller |
Mine is at 30K plus. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Check out this article from Europe's "Motorrad" magazine: http://buell.com/en_us/news_events/inthenews.asp They thrashed an XB12S for 50,000 kilometers (31,000 miles) with no engine problems. The bike put out slightly more power at the end of the test than when new. They tore the engine down at the end of the test and measured the wear on all critical engine components. See the thread about this article on the Quick Board. According to several people, Motorrad is VERY "hard to please" and they were impressed with the Buell and how it held up. | ||
| Cataract2 |
my 05 XB9SX had 30,600 miles on it. Only had the stator replaced under warranty. | ||
| New12r |
35k and totaled twice. | ||
| Lonexb |
1st tranny went at 11k. the 2nd went at 12k.(not a typo, yes only a thousand miles later.) still on the third tranny, about 37k miles on the bike now. both times the shifter drum ate it self. brian | ||
| Court |
I lost the steering box on a 2006 Mercedes-Benz at 487 miles. Like those transmission failures, I consider both to be a pretty rare anomaly. | ||
| Chadhargis |
The funny thing about engines and trannys is that a lot of their longevity is owner related. If you baby it, change the oil at frequent intervals, do all the recommended services and then some, you'll have a bike that will run a LONG time. If you treat it like the machine that it is and beat the living tar out of it, it's not going to last as long. Given how stone axe simple the engines are, I'm guessing even if you to have to have a rebuild, it won't cost too much. I'd be more worried about the wiring and things. With a bike that shakes like Buells do at idle, I've for a few wires that were starting to chafe. I've zip tied them out of the way, but I suspect sooner or later, something vibration related will raise it's ugly head. Maybe a motor mount or something. | ||
| Court |
>>>See the thread about this article on the Quick Board. According to several people, Motorrad is VERY "hard to please" and they were impressed with the Buell and how it held up. Don't beleive the internet folks . . . scurry out and buy a copy or two of Motorad. I'm betting you'll agree, but leave the decision to you. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Personally, I may be a bit disappointed if my engine is not clapped out by about 50k miles. Needing a rebuild at that point was part of my master plan  Based on how this damn Buell just keeps running, I think I am going to have to come up with some other excuse. Go West, young man! (and going west either west or south would be a great path to a killer engine rebuild!) For 3 years, I used my Saturn to constantly go get parts for my Buell M2. It's karmic payback time now, and I use the Buell XB9SX to get all my Saturn and Toyota parts. | ||
| Panhead_dan |
I used up a perfectly good '03 XB9 at 711 miles but that was due to impact with a heavy object at speed. I put over 20,000 on the one the ins bought me with zero issues. I had a gold wing smoking at 40,000. Piece of shit. You can make a motor last or you can run the snot out of it. If you "race" a motor, it will need overhauled more often. To answer your question more directly, I've never known anyone that didn't run the hell out of their Buell. That's what they are for, you see. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
I doubt the Motorrad folks were "gentle" on their test mule. I would say that the desire to make preconceived notions come true by grenading the engine at 12,000 miles would drive them to work it a little harder than they might another bike. Couple that with the characteristic of Buells being frickin fun, I think that the Buell fared pretty damn well. I think a better question would be, what would you pay for a GSXR with 25,000 miles on it? | ||
| Ds_tiger |
How about an even better question? How much would you pay for a Buell with 25,000 mile on it? I guess that is a rhetorical question isn't it? Ft Bstrd- didn't you post about the logic of "arguing on the internet?...relating to the Special Olympics?- I still quote that one to my friends | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
This one? Bad form. (Message edited by glitch on March 20, 2007) | ||
| Luvthemtorts |
Poor taste Ft bstrd. May be a joke but a piss poor one. Where you see an inferior person I see a young man having a brief bit of joy in a life that will be made very difficult by people like you. Ponder it O' perfect one. (Message edited by luvthemtorts on March 20, 2007) | ||
| Jaimec |
Well someone bought my 2000 M2 Cyclone with 36,000 miles on it. I traded it in for my 2006 XB12Ss and the bike sat in the dealership for several months, but it was purchased. I hear the buyer LOVES the bike, but is thinking it might be too fast for him and he wants a Sportster now. Go figure... My Cyclone was pretty much bone stock EXCEPT for the Corbin saddle, SuperTrapp exhaust and the Buell Oval race air cleaner. That and a flame pinstripe job on it. It was a nice bike, just not real reliable. The XB12Ss is a better bike in nearly every way imaginable. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Please pardon my impropriety. Momentary lapse of judgement. Appropriate criticisms accepted. (Message edited by ft_bstrd on March 20, 2007) | ||
| Cyclone |
Jaimec, Just curious..... how much did you get for the M2. I have a 2001 M2 with 30k and I have been thinking of selling it because I also have a 12Ss. Thx | ||
| Jaimec |
I traded it in. At the time the Kelly Blue Book said it was SUPPOSED to be worth $4,000 on trade. The dealer gave me $3,000. When I told him KBB had it for more he looked me right in the eye and said "I'm taking in a Buell with 36K miles on the odometer... have you any idea how long that's going to be sitting on my floor?" He had a point. I MIGHT'VE gotten more if I went through the effort of selling it on my own but I didn't want to be bothered, so I agreed. Hell, two years prior (when the XB12 models first came out) when I wanted to talk trade they wouldn't even discuss it with me! Just as well... I think I ended up with a better overall bike than if I jumped on them when they first came out. More fuel capacity, more "real world" ergonomics, more durable belt, etc. The XB12Ss is a worthy successor to my M2 Cyclone. | ||
| Cyclone |
Jaimec, I just need to make up my mind if it is worth it to keep her or not. Thanks | ||
| Spatten1 |
6,000 miles had to dissasemble the entire engine due to drive gear bearing failure and base gasket leak. Have since switched to chain drive to avoid belt related failures, including the drive gear bearing. Drove one mile since repair and then it snowed for 10 weeks straight. Then I broke my leg. Two more weeks baby, and I'm on the back wheel again! | ||
| Spatten1 |
For 3 years, I used my Saturn to constantly go get parts for my Buell M2. It's karmic payback time now Dude, that is really funny. I want my payback for the X1! | ||
| Chadhargis |
"Please pardon my impropriety." Well, that would be most of your posts! LOL! (political rant mode on) The picture was edited out (I HATE censorship!!), but I've seen it before. I think it's funny as hell. Some people take life WAY too seriously. We live in the United States of the Offended. Freakin' political correctness is RUINING, nay, HAS ruined this country. Most of you don't know Fatty personally, but I can assure you, he's no stranger to dealing with handicaps in his daily life (not joking here). He simply understands that there are two ways to deal with them. Feel sorry for the person (the true insult), or celebrate the uniqueness they have, even if that means laughing about it. More power to ya fatty!! (political rant mode off) | ||
| Fulgur |
2005 XB12R - serviced meticulously, mixed riding (commuting, thrashing, touring). Only 40,000K before big engine rebuild required after self-destruction occurred. I could be just unlucky or maybe its Gods punishment for believing in science instead. ......Fulgur. | ||
| Hammer71 |
The picture was edited out (I HATE censorship!!), but I've seen it before. I think it's funny as hell. Some people take life WAY too seriously. We live in the United States of the Offended. Freakin' political correctness is RUINING, nay, HAS ruined this country. Amen to that. |
