| Author | Message | ||
     Codriver |
I'm a newbie with the Buell products. I'm seriously considering purchasing an XB9s within few days. I'm browsing the net, searching info about Buells and I find this http://www.mybuell.com. Is Buell a bike with a bad reliability reputation? Thanks in advance. | ||
| Metalstorm |
I'm a Buell newbie myself though I've been aquainted with them for several years now. I have three friends who own M2 Cyclones (one's a '99 the other two are '00 models) and they love them. They had a few problems with the rear pull shock and muffler but the dealer came through for them. I know two other guys (aquintances) who have X1s (don't know the specific years) and they love those as well. The XB bikes are proving to be VERY reliable. Buell has even upped the warranty to two years. They wouldn't do that if they didn't have a good product on their hands. I too am trying to get an XB9 (the R, not the S) but I have to sell my Sportster first. I did alot of research on this bike since I saw the first picture of it in mid 2001 (yes I've been drooling over this bike for a long, long time). The new XB12 is out now and it has quite a bit more power but costs a couple thousand dollars more. I've read all the post on this board from owners of the XB9 and no one has any complaints except every once in a while some one says their bike leaks oil at the cooler. This is an easy fix and shouldn't,not saying it isn't cause I don't know but "shouldn't be a problem on the '04 models. It is also claimed, and after riding one I can vouch for this; that if you keep the revs high, at about 4500 and up, she has plenty of power. I'm waiting for the '04 model myself. The longer mirror stalks (on the R), lower passenger pegs and the much beefier belt (saw it on a 12S) is much worth it. The new belt guard is really cool too. I think the XB9's & XB12's are going to put to rest all issues about bad Buell reliability. In truth, it's always the tube frame Buells that break down that get the publicity. The majority of them run great but you'll never know it because the owners are out riding instead of sitting here posting  | ||
| Codriver |
Metalstorm, thanks a lot for the reassuring reply. Any other input is welcome. edited by Codriver on August 12, 2003 | ||
| Roc |
Al - your on a '68 Vespa and your worried about Buell reliability? I think you will be ok with any Buell you like. XB probably being the most reliable. Check up on your local dealer, they can be a real source of problems. Of the motorcycles I've been lucky to put over 5,000 miles on in the last few years: ST2 Ducati, Suzuki Hyabusa, S1 Buell, S2 Buell, Honda Hawk, and FLHT HD, the Buells have not been any more trouble than any of the other bikes - except the Honda which was about perfect. Neither Buell is stock, far from it, and the Buell troubles have been easy/cheap fixes in comparison. I would rather ride my XB than any of the above. | ||
| Dynarider |
Is Buell a bike with a bad reliability reputation? Straight answer is YES. They have that reputation. The XB is a huge step forward to put those issues in the past. Some of the tube framers...mostly X1's were & or are major nightmares for the owners. Get the XB9 or the new XB12 & dont really worry about the old rep. | ||
| Mikej |
And in a dank corner office of the 17th floor an attorney is sipping her luke warm coffee as she types up another letter to the mybuell.com administrator. | ||
| Glitch |
Is it me me, or do most of those stories seem to be written by the same author? | ||
| Smadd |
Yep... they all appear to be equally poorly written. No e-mail addresses or anything to back any of it up. Suspicious... especially the numerous problems with Blasts, which are generally considered to be fairly reliable. But to the question... yes, they have had a reputation for problems. Some have been trouble free. With the new Buells, I believe the poor reputation will quickly fade away.... especially when the mags and e-zines (who readers take far too much stock in) start saying that they're good bikes. | ||
| Blublak |
Al, Last time I looked at that site I got the distinct impression someone was looking for a payday... I mean, It sounded like, they said something like, "I was riding at highway speeds, the triple tree came off the bike and the rear sprocket exploded.. but I got to the side of the road safely.." HUH?!?! Sorry, but I take no stock in that site whatsoever.. if you have any questions about Buells, this is the place. As far as I can tell, everyone (for the most part) is totally above board and will give you honest opinions and facts. OH, and I've yet to have a problem with my XB9R in 2200 or so miles and I've been riding it hard every time I'm on it.. I love the bike.. nuff said.. Later, | ||
| Reepicheep |
Reliability is over-rated. My M2 has been more troublesome then most, and I have put a lot of time and effort into keeping it available, and dealt with a lot of frustration. Interestingly, it did not cost me much money. Anyway, would I like a more reliable M2? Hell yeah! Would I have traded my M2 ownership experience for anything, even knowing all the grief I was about to get into? Hell no! Thats why the XB's are so exciting to me. The race kitted XB9S I got to ride was roughly equal to my M2. It handled better, accelerated the same but in a less interesting fashion (love that low end M2 torque), does not do as well 2up as the M2, but had lots of neat trick bits. All in all I think trading up is roughly a wash. But the XB looks to be *far* more reliable, and with three kids I just don't have time to fart around with this stuff anymore, and I am burning *way* too much spousal karma. I will probably switch to an XB9s when the price is right, and after I pay off some debt. Probably this winter, or next summer. I will consider it about an even trade, loose some things, gain some things. The XB12's are a drop dead slam dunk. I am still trying to wrap my head around them. All the handling of the XB platform, all the arm wrenching stonk of the M2, and fantastic reliability. The only thing it lacks is better 2up comfort, but I would not trade the handling prowess or the great looks to get that, and I am glad Buell did not either. It is good enough to go out for dinner, and frankly thats about all my wife is interested in doing on it anyway. When the kids are older and out of the house, if I don't still have my tuber M2, I will do everything I can to get another one. It won't be reliable either, and it will be worth it then also. edited by reepicheep on August 12, 2003 | ||
| Codriver |
"Al - your on a '68 Vespa and your worried about Buell reliability?" That's right Roc, I've been dealing with Italian Crap all my life and I'm tired of engines going bad. thanks for the reply. | ||
| Road_thing |
Al: Maybe I could interest you in a nice Ducati M900?  r-t | ||
| Dynarider |
Reliability is over-rated ????????????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! | ||
| Darthane |
This is the place to come for real Buell deal. That website's a load of hogwash. Ask here, and ye shall receive, usually from a dozen different people within two days, so you get a range of ideas and answers. As for me, I've got a '03 XB9R that I've had for a tad over a year now. I rolled over 13,000 miles last Saturday and haven't even had a hint of engine or tranny trouble yet. Both the Firebolt and my 2001 Blast (10,000 miles) have been very reliable bikes, and I love them both. Bryan | ||
| Reepicheep |
Dyna... If you want reliability, go buy a Toyota Tercel. Dirt cheap, runs forever, super economical. Hop on it on a cool sunny summer morning with dew on the grass and take it on a few trips through Deals Gap and the Cherohola, and see what it does for you. Reliability is not unimportant, but it is over-rated. For about the same price at the same time, I could have bought a ZR-7, an SV-650 or my M2. I bought the M2. I don't doubt that the "other bikes" would have needed nothing but oil and tires in the same amount of miles that I have had most of my M2 apart and put back together. Any frustration and anger I feel during a repair lasts about 15 miles into the next ride after I finally get the thing running again. Then life's good again. That engine character with that wheelbase and that sound and that handling... there was nothing like it when I bought it. I know lots of people that bought a motorcycle mainly on either price, or reliability, or both. A cheap and reliable bike you hate is still a bike you hate. An expensive and unreliable bike you love is still a bike you love. Wanna really good deal on an SV650 or a ZR-7? Fantastic bikes! Super reliable! Owners bored stiff with them after a year! Walk towards the light Dyna! If you hate your Buell, sell it and buy something you don't hate and get on with life. Post here and sing it's virtues, we love hearing about other cool bikes. There are hundreds of incredible bikes just waiting for you, surely you can find one that can bring you joy! Do it! And share that joy with us! | ||
| Dynarider |
Looking for the right one, dont want another unreliable one. Sorry but I dont buy the "love it even though its so damn unreliable" line. I want to hop on the bike & ride across the country without having to worry about breaking down 800 miles from home. Its not the 70's anymore where you bought a bike & simply expected it to break down somewhere on every trip. If the bikes were costing only $4500 or so brand new, then obviously I wouldnt expect the reliability of an anvil. But for $10,000 or more that damn thing had better serve its intended purpose, and thats to get me from point A to point B with a smile on my face. If I break down & end up hitch hiking I will not be smiling. This is not an indication of any ills regarding the XB's. From all accounts those bikes are worlds better in the reliability arena. Still have a few minor issues..like any manufacturer..but not the overwhelming amount of the tube frames. The ratings I use for a bike are #1..looks...if its ugly to me I dont want it. #2..Ride..I want a bike that fits me & serves my purposes. #3..Price..If I cant afford it then #'s 1 & 2 dont mean shit. #4.. Has to have a reputation of reliability. A good dealership network also helps. Thats the area Buell is sorely lacking in. If the dealers would have stepped up to the plate in many of these instances with a lot of owners, then you wouldnt hear so much about the problems. I can deal with a bike breaking down, but if its covered under warranty then the dealer & or the manufacturer had better honor the agreement & hold up their end of the deal. its the dealers who push the problems off as all owner induced & refuse to help them that ultimately give the brand a black eye. | ||
| Codriver |
Trying to establish contact this morning with local Buell dealers (I'm in Los angeles). Not much cooperation so far (calls not returned to me, phones ringing forever in the middle of the day, sales rep that have no idea of interest rates, etc.).... There must be no markup on those bikes, that they have no interest in selling them... Trying tomorrow again, otherwise I'll be giving my money to the Japs.  | ||
| Mikej |
Al, Call Modesto. If they're still selling Buells they'll fix you right up. In the past I'd heard that Oceanside was okay to deal with. Used to be a few folks on the site here from the greater L.A. area who could steer you to a cooperative dealer down there, one is now on SacBORG and I think living near Sacramento. | ||
| Darthane |
And once again the dealers drive the consumers away...LOL | ||
| Davegess |
Call Modesto Buell, tell 'em Bad Web sent you. | ||
| Kevyn |
I can't attest to reliability. All I've done is modify and modify again. The darned things are still running despite my best efforts... | ||
| Buellish2 |
YEA!!! What they said. pc in chitown | ||
| Roc |
I don't know how close you are to Modesto Buell, but if you are close enough to do business with them then you should certainly give them a call. | ||
| Codriver |
Getting delivery of a Honda 919, tomorrow morning. The lack of customer serv. I encountered with the local dealers turned me off. Thanks for your help and suggestions anyway. Al | ||
| Tripper |
Good choice. Hope you enjoy it and remember... rided it like ya stole it! (Which is probably why Buells break.) | ||
| Mikej |
No problem Al. Ride what makes you smile. Dealerships can make or break an ownership experience. | ||
| Dmuz |
Damn, that's funny, I went the other way... originally I was seriously considering a 919, but ended up BUYING an XB9S-L. Codriver, it's funny to see that. Over time, I have cooled considerably, though to the 919. My dealer let me test ride an XB demo and Honda told me to "go fish" on a test ride. Their mistake!  | ||
| Bart02m2 |
Heh, I tried to trade straight across my 2001 M2 with 6800 miles for a 1999 VFR800 with 6800 miles till the dealer told me I'd have to kick in 2 grand. | ||
| R1_rider_ru |
codriver hope you don't exceed 200lbs on that 919. I had one for 6 months & 2300miles worst front end on the market for heavy riders. I had 3 violent tank slapper's after power wheelies and never felt comfortable on it after that, traded for 03 R1 and now looking to get xb9r for second bike. I still like the bike just not for me to ride hard. good luck. |
